NewTricks Posted March 3 ID:1557353 Share Posted March 3 @David H. Lipman posts earlier in Oct 2022 reference MiFi routers by Novatel. The brand doesn't matter as much as the function. Could someone respond with a simplified explanation which minimizes technical jargon? A link is OK, but a composed paragraph or two is better. My understanding is vague and hazy. Does this kind of device have a good reputation? Does it provide a mini protected area in which you can connect in a sea of unsecured WiFi? If so, how does it find a network, if there are both 4 or 5G available? Once a unit is purchased, is there a monthly fee? Do you have to sign up with a provider? Can it be used in a 400- 600 mile radius? I started looking into this years ago, but now may be ready for a purchase. Thanks for your expertise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted March 4 ID:1557357 Share Posted March 4 (edited) They can be obtained from an Internet Service Provider like Verizon or from 3rd party companies like TravelWiFi. They can be rented monthly or can have a Lease agreement that can last 3 years. The reputation would be tied to the service it is rented from. Like a Smart Phone or Cell Phone its capability in accessing the Internet is the ability to secure access to a Cellular Tower and their so-called Network Coverage. Yes. These devices do provide a mini protected area in which one can connect in a sea of unsecured WiFi HotSpots. It is Private. It is your private network not unlike your home network behind your Router. As noted in the thread your read from Oct 11~12 2022, A Smart Phone can also create a similar service. The Smart Phone connects to the Cellular Network and is used to create a Private WiFi HotSpot. EDIT: References: https://frontier.com/resources/what-is-mobile-hotspot https://www.gearpatrol.com/tech/a555121/best-mobile-hotspots/ https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/what-you-need-to-know-about-portable-wifi-hotspot/ Edited March 4 by David H. Lipman 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 4 Author ID:1557359 Share Posted March 4 Gear Patrol lists 4 devices and underneath each one a red X says No support for 5G. Does this mean it won't connect to a 5 G network, or if it does and things go bad, no one can help you resolve? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted March 4 ID:1557363 Share Posted March 4 (edited) I would have to defer to someone more familiar with cellular devices as I do not use any. My limited knowledge presumes that the devices they talk about do not support the higher speeds of 5G but limits their access to 4G networks and associated speeds. Edited March 4 by David H. Lipman Edited for content, clarity, spelling and/or grammar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 4 Author ID:1557364 Share Posted March 4 Just now, David H. Lipman said: do support the higher speeds of 5G but limits their access to 4G networks and associated speeds. That seems strange to have that capability but then impose a limit. I'm sure there's a reason, but not necessarily "good." Thanks for getting me started. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H. Lipman Posted March 4 ID:1557365 Share Posted March 4 You quoted me before I corrected my mistake. 6 minutes ago, David H. Lipman said: .. do not support the higher speeds of 5G but limits their access to 4G networks and associated speeds.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 4 Author ID:1557371 Share Posted March 4 (edited) Oops, sorry. That makes sense. Edited March 4 by NewTricks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukecad Posted March 4 ID:1557413 Share Posted March 4 (edited) Similar to a 4G phone, they can't access 5G. (if it's available). But 4G isn't going anwhere and currently most areas that have a mobile signal have 4G. The same can't be said for 5G yet, 5G coverage is patchy once you leave the urban sprawls and get more rural. It depends on which provider you go with, some have more 5G coverage than the others. Here's an article with an interactive map of 4G/5G coverage in the USA: https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/5g-coverage-maps-compared So even if you get a 5G capable device it will probably be using 4G most of the time, depending on where you are. 4G is fine for general use as a mobile hotspot, especially as you will usually only be connecting one device. I occasionally use my 4G phone to create a wifi hotspot which my laptop then connects to, there's no noticible difference in performance than connecting to my wifi at home. Edit to add- I used to do the same with my previous 3G phone, that was fine as well. But as you are no doubt aware the 3G signal is being discontinued and, depending on your country and supplier, already has been in places. Edited March 4 by nukecad 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 4 Author ID:1557416 Share Posted March 4 Hi @nukecad, thanks for your thoughts here! I'm psyched. 2 hours ago, nukecad said: But 4G isn't going anywhere and currently most areas that have a mobile signal have 4G. Yes, we may want more, but what's there is adequate. 2 hours ago, nukecad said: 5G coverage is patchy once you leave the urban sprawls and get more rural. Also true. I looked at providers last night along with some reviews and blogs. Consensus is rural continues to lag behind in coverage-regardless. I'm a bit rural and would travel to other rural places. The important thing is to set expectations realistically. 2 hours ago, nukecad said: I occasionally use my 4G phone to create a wifi hotspot which my laptop then connects to Nice! I never thought of that 🙄 (or why didn't I think of that?!) My phone definitely can do it, and yes, I would only connect one laptop. I used to balk at the extra charges, but hey, when you need something quick, no problem. Last, but not least is the nice link you gave me for the coverage. Lots of good information and comparisons. Thanks for doing the work for me. 😉 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukecad Posted March 6 ID:1557615 Share Posted March 6 (edited) On 3/4/2023 at 4:20 PM, NewTricks said: Nice! I never thought of that 🙄 (or why didn't I think of that?!) My phone definitely can do it, and yes, I would only connect one laptop. I used to balk at the extra charges, but hey, when you need something quick, no problem. But remember that if you get a mobile router that's an immediate extra cost to buy one, and then you still have to pay for the data you use. Why do that when you already have a mobile router in your pocket, and may already be paying for data that you don't use? Most monthly phone contracts include a decent data allowance, or even unlimited data. So if you have a monthly phone contract you are probably already paying for the data whether you use it or not. Even on PAYG you can usually purchase data in advance which makes it cheaper. I use PAYG 'Packs' from EE here in the UK, I'd assume that T-mobile do them in the US. (They are the same company after all). Other providers also do similar PAYG packs. Another tale of experience: I connected exclusively through 3G during the UK Covid lockdowns, and by buying 30-day data packs in advance it was costing me around £18 GB a month for the data I used. (I didn't have landline broadband at my last property, I could use the free wifi from the pub next door 24/7 and save money. But during the lockdowns pubs were shut so they turned off the wifi and I had to use 3G). In fact when I moved here I was considering getting a new 4G phone on a monthly contract and just using that as a mobile router. But I signed up for a triple deal with Electricity, gas, and landline broadband from the same supplier, which worked out cheaper. Edited March 6 by nukecad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 6 Author ID:1557625 Share Posted March 6 (edited) 10 hours ago, nukecad said: Why do that when you already have a mobile router in your pocket, and may already be paying for data that you don't use? Definitely! I'm using about 25% of my plan data. You mentioned buying a separate mobile router is an extra expense. Yes. 10 hours ago, nukecad said: you can usually purchase data in advance which makes it cheaper. That's helpful. 👍 10 hours ago, nukecad said: I could use the free wifi from the pub next door 24/7 and save money Yes, it is a great thing to live next to free wi-fi. I'm directly above my building's secure network. 10 hours ago, nukecad said: I signed up for a triple deal Yikes, that would never happen here, congrats on getting a little breathing room and for hanging on until life presented other choices. Now we come to the rubber meeting the road. I don't know how to to allow my Chromebook to access that particular setting on the phone. If you could speak to that, I'd appreciate it. I'm fairly certain it's not specific to either device. UPDATE: Success! Connected without problems to my mobile hotspot. It was not complicated. The only observation is the 8 character password from Verizon; one testing site confirms it's strong, but another says it's too short. Edited March 6 by NewTricks updated process Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted March 7 Root Admin ID:1557744 Share Posted March 7 If you use VPN software on the hotspot the other connecting device should also be protected by that same connection. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukecad Posted March 7 ID:1557757 Share Posted March 7 (edited) Good to hear you are up and running. I wouldn't worry too much about the security of your hotspot password. Realistically what are the chances of a hacker being in range of your hotspot for long enough to try and crack any password, even the weakest? Edited March 7 by nukecad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted March 7 Author ID:1557851 Share Posted March 7 @AdvancedSetup, you mentioned VPN. When you have time, can you give me some forum posts or links which are elementary? VPN terrifies me, just like elevated command prompts, but I'm willing to give it a go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted March 7 Root Admin ID:1557853 Share Posted March 7 I'll contact you via PM a bit later today. Currently working on some SYSMON auditing instructions for someone 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewTricks Posted April 2 Author ID:1561576 Share Posted April 2 Steering this back to the mobile hotspot question- I finally got into my locked cell phone account and discovered I have 94% of monthly data left; the plan renews in 4 days.. Great news for my upcoming road trip. P.S. I DID use 724 messages, you can download them in an Excel spreadsheet. At least 1/3 are 2FA, but still a sobering number. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now