Hotspot with built-in SIM - does one exist?

[HB9FUH]

My hotspot won't connect to any wireless network any more (it is working via wired ethernet), but even when it did work I could never get it to connect to my iPhone wirelessly. Is there an all-in-one solution where the hotspot itself contains a SIM card? Surely this would be a money-spinner for someone.

[G4AON]

Assuming your mobile provider doesn’t block tethering, a Pi-Star hotspot will work without issues. I have 3 “Pies”, a Pi Zero W with Chinese MMDVM, a 3B also with Chinese MMDVM and another 3B with a red coloured DVAP. All work via my iPhone SE (2020). They also worked with my earlier iPhone SE and iPhone 5.

If the WiFi on your Pi is faulty, it’s worth trying an ordinary USB WiFi adapter, they work with early “non WiFi” Raspberry Pi models. No special settings needed, just plug in and use, I’m not sure about conflicts between built-in and plug-in WiFi…

73 Dave