Rain Loop UnliLoop Plan

[cavedog]

Thread 'Rain launches Loop device with new unlimited 5G packages'

Jul 7, 2025

Rain launches Loop device with new unlimited 5G packages

Rain has launched a new portable 5G router with smartphone-like functionality called Loop, which comes with new unlimited 5G packages for R495 and R675 per month.

The router features an integrated touch screen, stereo speakers, a camera, and an Android-based operating system, allowing customers to install their preferred music and social media apps.

• Jan
• Replies: 124
• Forum: Broadband and IT News

So many months after Rain launched this Loop thing which I too at the time was like wtf is that and what is the point decided to get one to test a bit and see how it goes. At R675 p/m for Unlizone plan its expensive but also not really once you get to use it.

Well it's an android phone with build in speakers and I wanted to try it after my cheap speaker decided to stop working.

So long story short. It has 4G and 5G and allows you even to use it in non-rain coverage areas if you live in the rural area but then a FUP applies.


Very tight indeed but that applies when you do not have Rain 4G or 5G coverage. If you do then no FUP is explicitly set in the terms.

So it has 1 x usb-c port for charging but you can also use that port for other stuff like plug in a type-c hub to share the internet over ethernet or plug it into your laptop/pc usb port if you don't want to use the wifi on it. That changes stuff a bit compared to their normal The101 5G router option. You can essentially use this as a home router for R675 for unlimited 5G.

You can also actually make voice calls or SMS from it. It does Voice of 5G NR which is a first for SA I think?

Speeds for me seem good for now. I can see the tower from my window so that helps.

So, this is basically a Router + Speaker + Mobile Router(10GB mobile data) all in one.

 

[ajax]

Thanks Cavedog.

Was wondering about ethernet connections. Good to see that's possible.

The upload is very low though. Can you get any signal stats from the router, like RSSI and SINR?

If you buy their overpriced router at R6000 once off then the monthly subs comes down to R450. You would then need to use the service for 30 months to break even on the expense. That's too much of a commitment. There's no option to use your own router.

 

[cavedog]

Thanks Cavedog.

Was wondering about ethernet connections. Good to see that's possible.

The upload is very low though. Can you get any signal stats from the router, like RSSI and SINR?

If you buy their overpriced router at R6000 once off then the monthly subs comes down to R450. You would then need to use the service for 30 months to break even on the expense. That's too much of a commitment. There's no option to use your own router.

Yeah it is a bit low which means I probably have some noise and lowish signal even though I can see the tower. Download speed isn't bad though. It's an android phone basically so yeah you can get cell stats from an android app you download in play store.

Another nice thing it supports wifi6.

 

[Rickster]

I've always noticed that upload is shocking on 4/5G regardless of ISP.

Is it because upload is on a different band than download or does the tower rate limit?

I don't expect symmetrical download/upload but I would prefer if the upload is around 1/2 the download speed.

 

[The_MAC]

I've always noticed that upload is shocking on 4/5G regardless of ISP.

Is it because upload is on a different band than download or does the tower rate limit?

I don't expect symmetrical download/upload but I would prefer if the upload is around 1/2 the download speed.

It's by design. They normally do a DL to UL ratio, just as an example 10:1. Because there is limited spectrum, the physical resources are limited, they bias it towards DL as that is what most users require for general purposes.

 

[ajax]

It's by design. They normally do a DL to UL ratio, just as an example 10:1. Because there is limited spectrum, the physical resources are limited, they bias it towards DL as that is what most users require for general purposes.

Makes sense.
But why then do you also pay more if you want more upload on fibre? There's no spectrum limitation there?

 

[The_MAC]

Makes sense.
But why then do you also pay more if you want more upload on fibre? There's no spectrum limitation there?

For sure there are no spectrum limitations, but there are still physical limitations as far as the FTTH (GPON) equipment is concerned. Same story, asymmetrical, prioritizing the downlink over the uplink.