Portable Wi-Fi: 8 reasons to use mobile broadband (2024)

FAQs

What is the benefit of portable Wi-Fi? ›

Benefits of Portable WiFi Routers

Secure Connectivity: These routers create a private network with robust encryption, providing a secure and protected connection. This feature makes them a safer alternative to public WiFi, guarding against potential security threats.

Wi-Fi will connect instantly when you come into the range of a wireless router, whereas cellular data may take up to three seconds for that same connection before it's available again after switching networks. All in all, Wi-Fi acts as a local hub that allows you to connect many devices to a single network.

This implies that anyone with a mobile broadband connection can access information wherever they are which should give rise to large productivity increases. Mobile broadband will also have a large effect on competition. It enables consumers to compare prices and conduct market transactions wherever they are.

A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a secure way to connect to the internet on the go or in an emergency. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot works like a router by routing a cellular network to your phone or computer. Once activated, you can use the internet on the devices connected.

Again, like your home WiFi plan, with a portable WiFi router you'll have a higher data limit, meaning more data at top speeds for a better price. You can carry on sharing your exploits on Instagram, video calling with your grandparents, and watching whatever you like with less worry about hitting your data cap.

WiFi networks use radio waves to transmit and receive data, while cellular networks use a combination of radio waves and cellular towers. The technology used in WiFi networks is typically less complex than in cellular networks, which is why it is often considered less reliable than a strong cellular network.

Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data from your wireless router to your Wi-Fi enabled devices like your TV, smartphone, tablet and computer. Because they communicate with each other over airwaves, your devices and personal information can become vulnerable to hackers, cyber-attacks and other threats.

Switching to Wi-Fi at home

Switching your phone to Wi-Fi at home is a good idea, because it will use your home internet data allowance, instead of your mobile data allowance. Data costs less on a home internet plan. So it's good to use your home Wi-Fi data whenever possible while using the internet on your phone.

This depends on your internet needs, but there are many advantages to having 4G internet instead of regular internet. Contract lengths for mobile broadband deals tend to be more flexible, with many 30-day deals available, plus your hub is in most cases portable.

What is an advantage of broadband? ›

Broadband or high-speed Internet access allows users to access the Internet and Internet-related services at significantly higher speeds than those available through "dial-up" services.

A mobile broadband connection is never going to be as good as a fixed fibre line, but if that isn't available to you, it is an excellent alternative, and also, if you shop around and buy pre-loaded data sims, much cheaper.

Mobile broadband is high-speed internet access via mobile networks. Mobile internet technology allows you to do all the things you usually use your broadband connection for, but without needing a fixed-line connection.

Speed and reliability

Wired connections usually offer faster, and more consistent internet speeds compared to wireless.

Mobile data tends to be safer than public Wi-Fi networks (like connecting to a cafe's internet), as the information that is sent and received is encrypted. This means that people who manage to intercept your signal won't be able to decode and read the information. It could be considered safer than private Wi-Fi too.

Cost-effectiveness: Mobile hotspots are a good choice because they don't come with monthly fees or contracts. You can purchase a pay-as-you-go portable router data plan SIM card that will provide you with uninterrupted service while you roam.

Can a hotspot work with no service? Without service, the user cannot use any of the features offered by the hotspot, including internet access, Wi-Fi calling and messaging. For activities such as local file share, a hotspot can work when a device doesn't have service.

Plus, since hotspot devices have powerful antennas and bigger batteries, you can keep your mobile phone available and charged. (Hotspot devices must be paired with a Hotspot data plan.) Heavy data users: >50GB/mo. data usage for Mobile Internet plans with high-speed data allowances between 30GB & 50GB; >100GB/mo.

Portable Wi-Fi hotspots provide more flexibility by letting you connect while on the go. You'll just need access to a network through a cellular carrier, with some offering fully unlimited and simpler prepaid plans.