If you travel for work or are planning a holiday, you will likely need Internet access while away from home. Options for getting online include public hotspot cafes, phone tethering, and using a mobile WiFi (portable WiFi) router. Public WiFi can be unsecured, while tethering can be expensive, limited, and a drain on the phone battery. Portable WiFi, on the other hand, has loads of benefits for connecting while on the go. Read on to discover portable WiFi advantages.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What is a Portable WiFi Router?
A portable WiFi router is a small WiFi-enabled device that can easily fit into a pocket or purse. Unlike home internet broadband plans, portable routers use SIM cards for mobile data. They are ideal for keeping in touch with family, friends, and colleagues while you are away from home. NETGEAR Nighthawk mobile hotspots can connect to the internet locally, regionally, and internationally in 125 countries worldwide.
The latest NETGEAR M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot can even be unlocked with unlimited data for total peace of mind. This device is powerful enough to connect to more than 30 mobile network WiFi-enabled devices simultaneously. Multi-gigabit speeds are a real possibility depending on the capabilities of your portable router device and your data plan.
Why Not Phone Tethering?
Most mobile smartphones can function as portable routers for connecting to laptops or other devices. This offers basic functionality for online tasks such as writing emails but is not the preferable option for data-hungry online applications and activities. Here are some areas where phone tethering falls short of the capability required.
Expensive Data Charges
Most smartphone contracts lock you into a particular network. If travelling outside your service provider’s network, the roaming data charges will quickly add up.
Battery Drainage
Using a mobile phone as a hotspot will quickly drain the battery. Your phone won’t handle a long day of device usage.
Unavailability
Often, mobile phones are not able to receive phone calls or messages while the phone is tethered to another device. Also, the connection might disappear if you answer your phone.
Device Limitations
When tethering multiple devices, the internet connection may be cut out entirely. There is also the risk of exceeding the data plan and incurring additional charges.
Portable WiFi Router Hotspot Advantages
Wireless technology has advanced dramatically during the past few years. Here are some major advantages of the latest NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro mobile hotspots.
Cost-effective
Mobile router hotspots give you the choice of prepaid contracts, limited data plans, unlimited data roaming, and unlocked device usage. You can purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card that will provide you with uninterrupted connectivity.
Connectivity
A Nighthawk M6 Pro mobile hotspot can connect with 30+ devices in concurrent use without impairing the WiFi signal or slowing down internet speeds.
Signal Reach
Portable WiFi routers have bigger antennas than mobile phones and dongles. Devices can receive stronger and more stable connections from the nearest mobile tower.
Energy Efficiency
An M6 Pro mobile hotspot battery provides up to 13 hours of uninterrupted connectivity. Plus, you will not be draining battery life on your phone.
Convenience
Keep your phone with you and let your portable WiFi device handle all other online connections. You can continue to make phone calls and send SMS messages while online.
Versatility
Choose an internet service provider (ISP) that allows you to travel with your mobile hotspot, ready to connect to the internet, even internationally.
User Friendly
There is no complex hardware with a mobile hotspot. Simply turn on the portable hotspot and it will automatically locate the nearest mobile network (cellular network) WiFi connection.
Shareability
Include family, friends, and colleagues in your hotspot WiFi network so they can also connect to tablets, laptops, iPads, smartphones, and smart applications.
Flexibility
NETGEAR portable WiFi routers allow you to choose payment plans and data limits to suit your budget.
Nighthawk palm-sized routers are easy to use, and the internet is at your fingertips. A portable router will adapt to the speed of the local WiFi network wherever you are, depending on your data plan. It’s worth noting that 4G LTE and 5G network connections are not supported in some countries and remote locations. The mobile speed will rely on the network capability and other considerations such as dual-band or tri-band WiFi compatibility.
What are WiFi Bandwidths?
Dual-band WiFi uses two WiFi bandwidths – 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Tri-band Nighthawk M6 Pro mobile hotspots connect using the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Here are some WiFi bandwidth considerations.
Advantages
- 2.4GHz WiFi Advantages: Compatible with most devices including older legacy devices. The 2.4GHz bandwidth offers a stronger signal over a greater distance.
- 5GHz WiFi Advantages: Much faster than the 2.4GHz network. The 5GHz bandwidth enjoys less interference from other devices.
- 6GHz WiFi Advantages: The 6 GHz spectrum band provides faster data transfer speeds, better bandwidth, and lower network latency than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Disadvantages
- 2.4GHz WiFi Disadvantages: Much slower than the 5GHz network and prone to interference from many WiFi-enabled devices and smart home applications that use the 2.4GHz frequency band.
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">5GHz WiFi Disadvantages: The 5GHz band offers less range (distance) compared to the 2.4GHz bandwidth. Some older devices struggle to connect to the 5GHz network.
- <span style="font-weight: 400;">6GHz WiFi Disadvantages: WiFi 6 and WiFi6E have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths. However, Nighthawk tri-band mobile hotspots utilise all three bandwidths for the best of all worlds.
Portable Hotspot Security and Performance
The most advanced portable hotspots offer state-of-the-art enhanced and encrypted security. This is a major advantage compared to phone tethering, dongles, or unsecured WiFi found in cafes, hotel foyers, libraries, and other locations. A dedicated hotspot device with encrypted security will protect your WiFi network from malicious intruders and others trying to connect with your mobile data.
Portable WiFi routers have a powerful battery for all-day use, and you can also connect using an AC power adapter. It’s also worth considering the addition of an external antenna for establishing an even stronger connection if you are planning on visiting remote areas.
The M6 Pro 5G WiFi External Antenna
Connecting a Nighthawk portable hotspot to an omnidirectional antenna will provide a stronger WiFi signal, broader coverage, faster connection speeds, and the ability to adapt to different wireless environments. Simply plug the antenna into your mobile hotspot to improve reception in buildings and vehicles, or while visiting remote locations. Here’s how to get the most out of an external antenna:
• The position and aim of the antenna will impact WiFi performance.
• Aim the antenna toward a nearby mobile WiFi tower (cellular tower).
• Move the antenna around in different positions until you get the desired results.
Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspots are specifically designed for compatibility with the NETGEAR Omnidirectional MIMO Antenna. It’s the ideal solution for people who travel and as an alternative to home WiFi or an Ethernet broadband connection.
Where can I use a mobile WiFi hotspot?
Stationary hotspots were initially introduced in coffee shops, libraries, and other locations. Today’s portable WiFi hotspots can be conveniently carried for network connections almost anywhere. They provide the ability to share the WiFi connection with multiple devices nearby. From businesses to students and even digital nomads, everyone wants the internet on the go, and personal WiFi routers with mobile broadband data plans are the solution.
Reliable Internet connections for work and play are more than just a luxury. 5G WiFi is essential in many industries and services today. Many internet providers today offer customised plans that allow users to access affordable and reliable internet when and where they need it. In comparison, public WiFi can be unsecured and unreliable. Internet connections are much safer and faster with a portable WiFi router.
Buying a Portable WiFi Router? - What to Consider
If you’re planning on buying a portable WiFi router, there are a few things to consider, including:
Wireless Carrier Limitations
Choose a carrier offering coverage for the right price. Some prepaid data plans from Telstra, Vodafone, TP-Link, and others have monthly data caps, or you can choose unlocked pocket WiFi (MiFi) with unlimited data. Some plans cap data rates (speeds) after a certain point. Make sure to read the fine print, particularly if you expect to engage in data-hungry online activities.
Wireless Network Availability
The latest 5G mobile hotspots are powerful, but they have their limitations. Establishing a stable WiFi connection in remote areas and some developing countries can be a challenge. Check your carrier’s network availability map to ascertain expected WiFi coverage in the regions you plan to visit. NETGEAR Nighthawk portable WiFi routers can connect in 125+ countries.
Battery Life
Choose a mobile hotspot with a long-lasting battery. Nighthawk hotspots can connect continuously for up to 13 hours. Smaller WiFi hotspots can have a much shorter battery life, especially if there are multiple connected devices. Carry a spare battery to remain connected 24/7.
4G/5G Capabilities
Some mobile hotspots can handle the latest 5G mmWave technology, while cheaper WiFi hotspots may only be compatible with 4G modem networks. 4G LTE advanced devices are good for many tasks, although they won’t deliver fast 5G WiFi modem speeds. NETGEAR Nighthawk 5G hotspots allow you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, with performance capabilities on par with the best home mesh WiFi broadband internet plans.
The Number of Connected WiFi Devices
NETGEAR Nighthawk mobile hotspots can connect to 30+ devices in concurrent use. This is a huge improvement on earlier portable WiFi hotspot capability. Whether you connect at work, at home, at school, or while on the road, it makes sense to future-proof your virtual private network with the power of 5G.
Embrace the Power of Portable WiFi by Nighthawk
NETGEAR is a WiFi technology leader and one of the most popular WiFi technology brands on the planet. NETGEAR Nighthawk portable WiFi routers look great, connect seamlessly, and outperform the competition with superfast multi-gigabit speeds.
