The Benefits of Using a Hotspot for Your Wireless Networking Needs

Ever been caught out, away from home, and realize you don’t have an internet connection? Whether you need to look up directions, an important phone number, or find emergency contact, we depend on internet access for most of our day to day lives.

The good news is, if you have a mobile hotspot, you’ll never be stuck without access again. There are a lot of benefits to using wireless networking via a hotspot- keep reading to learn how you can use a hotspot to get connected.

What is Wireless Networking Via a Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Hotspots are an easy way to stay connected when you’re on the go, or even at home. There are several ways you can do this – either by a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, which you can turn on and off and connect to, using your phone or computer, or by tethering your smartphone’s data so it can be accessed by another device.

How Do Hotspots Work?

If you’re using a portable hotspot, this may be a dongle, USB, or a small portable device. Once purchased, you can either add data on a pay-as-you-go basis or you can purchase an ongoing plan, offering a fixed amount of data per month. When turned on, you can connect your device, such as your laptop, to the hotspot’s Wi-Fi.

You can also tether your iPhone, or another smartphone, in order to turn it into a hotspot. This takes the data that’s part of your phone’s package and allows you to use it on other devices.

Here’s how to set up an iPhone hotspot- https://setapp.com/how-to/set-up-iphone-hotspot.

Getting a hotspot set up is easy. They can be purchased at any main electronics or cell phone store. Decide how much data you’d like to load on to the device, and then connect to it with the device’s unique password, which will be included with your instructions. To keep it protected, you might also consider purchasing a pouch or carrying case to avoid scratches or accidents.

There are a lot of useful benefits to using a hotspot, such as the below.

More Secure than Public Wi-Fi

Using free public Wi-Fi can be risky because anyone can access it at any time, it creates much more risk. If you’re using public wireless, be very careful and avoid logging into personal accounts, such as your online banking or credit card statements. Also use services like AirDop with caution, as you don’t want anyone else to get access to your personal photos or data.

With a wireless hotspot, your connection is private and can only be accessed via your unique and private password. This makes it a much better option when traveling to keep all your personal information safe.

Mobility

A big benefit of a wireless hotspot is it keeps you connected, no matter where you are. Unlike your home broadband or wireless, which is stationary, wireless hotspots are compact and portable.

Once charged, usually by USB, you can connect without the need for any power outlets or cables. A fully charged device should give you hours of time to connect, giving you more than enough time to get through important emails or projects.

Speed

Mobile hotspots have high internet speeds, allowing you to easily download documents, stream video, or open large files. While free public Wi-Fi can be slow, due to so many people using it at the same time, your own private hotspot will give you the quick connections you need.

Connect Several Devices

With your mobile hotspot, you’re able to connect multiple devices at once. Share the wireless with a few friends or family, or connect several of your own devices to work effectively.

Anyone who has the password to your hotspot can connect. However, the more devices using the hotspot, the more data will be used, something to keep in mind if you have a limited amount of data per month.

Affordable

Wireless hotspots are an affordable way to stay connected. This is especially true if you’re using your smartphone to tether data. Since many cellular providers offer data plans with either unlimited or huge amounts of data per month, why not put it to good use by using it to also connect your laptop or tablet.

If you’re using a mobile hotspot, you’ll find very competitively priced devices and data plans to get started.

Connect Anywhere

Once your hotspot is charged, you can use it anywhere and it doesn’t require a power outlet. Most charge on USBs, so once charged, use your device in a park, out shopping, on a road trip- anywhere you go, you’ll have internet.

A tip if you’re using your phone to tether internet data- this can make your battery life drain faster, so consider purchasing a portable phone charger to give your phone a longer life when tethering.

Flexibility

With home broadband, most service providers will ask you to lock into a contract for 18 or 24 months. If you cancel your service before this, you’ll be responsible for the cost.

If you don’t want the pressure of being locked into a contract, a mobile hotspot is a great alternative. You can pay month to month, canceling at any time, or you can purchase a one-off amount of data, with no recurring charges, that can be used at any time up until its expiration date.

For those who don’t want the restrictions of a long-term plan, mobile hotspots let you have internet access with no commitments.

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Ready to Get Connected?

Now that you know about hotspots, you’re ready to get wireless networking, no matter where you are. A hotspot can keep your data secure, keep you connected, and is easy to set up and use. Travel and go about your day with the peace of mind that the world is at your fingertips.

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