Having an internet connection is necessary in many cases today. Most users have a stable internet connection on their mobile phone thanks to the tariffs that offer data. This allows browsing from almost anywhere. Now this is not the case when we are going to use a tablet or laptop. Perhaps we do not have a Wi-Fi network and need an alternative to be able to connect to the Internet. In this article, we will talk about the possibilities of MiFi (4G or 5G router) and Tethering (sharing the Internet with a mobile phone via WiFi) . We will explain its positive and negative aspects.
The range of 4G modems can be viewed here.
Connect to the Internet via a router or Wi-Fi
The Wi-fi device is basically a portable 4G router that we can take with us and use anywhere. Of course, we must keep in mind that it works through a SIM card. A 4G or 5G router will require mobile coverage in the place where we want to connect other devices. Thanks to this 4G or 5G router, we will be able to connect via Wi-Fi to any wireless device, be it a smartphone, a tablet, and we will even be able to provide a Wi-Fi connection to a Smart TV or TV Box. The only thing you should keep in mind is the data transfer rate you have contracted, because streaming video consumes a huge amount of data.
Thanks to this type of device, we can connect several devices at the same time. Basically, it acts like your home router, but it works through a mobile network. This means that it has its own advantages and disadvantages, as we are going to explain. We should also remember that there are two types of 4G or 5G routers:
- Wi-fi : this is a 4G or 5G router with a built-in battery, it is designed to be taken with you wherever you go, so we must carefully monitor its autonomy. Another very important aspect is that Wi-fi limits the maximum number of WiFi clients we can connect to at the same time, they are usually limited to about 10 clients, although higher-end models have the ability to connect more.
- 4G/5G router : this is a router with a global Internet network on a built-in modem, regardless of whether it supports 4G or 5G networks. A very important aspect is that here we will need to connect it to an electric current for it to work, it does not have a built-in battery. We must also take into account that we have no limit on the number of simultaneous WiFi clients, it is ideal to have it in our home. Finally, for this type of device it is quite normal to have external antennas, so we will get better performance in the mobile broadband network.
Once we know the two types of 4G routers, we will see a list of advantages and disadvantages of using a Wi-fi or 4G router versus using a smartphone with a modem.
Benefits of using a router or Wi-fi
- One of the advantages is that it will be easier for us to connect several devices without losing performance. Usually, Wi-Fi allows us to connect at least 10 devices, but a 4G router will allow us to connect many more WiFi clients at the same time. This is a good solution for several people or for connecting several computers at the same time.
- It should also be noted that Wi-fi includes an internal battery , so we do not have to constantly connect it to the network. In general, it offers more autonomy than if we shared the Internet with a mobile phone, in addition, we will not be left without communication with the outside world if the coverage disappears, because we will still have our smartphone.
- Another obvious advantage is that it provides better performance . We will suffer less from overheating, signal loss and will benefit from better communication. After all, this is a device designed exclusively for this. If our team has external antennas, we will get additional coverage and speed.
- Another advantage is increased security . The Wi-fi device or 4G router has a built-in firewall and advanced features to protect against possible attacks from the Internet.
- Additional Features: Other common features of a Wi-fi or router is that it has Ethernet ports for connecting equipment via cable, which is ideal for connecting laptops, desktops, and even Smart TV via cable. Another notable aspect is that some models have a USB port for sharing files and folders over a local network.
Flaws
- The main disadvantage is the cost. As for the modem with a mobile phone, we will have to buy an independent device , which can sometimes be quite expensive if we want quality. The modem is completely free, we do not need to buy a 4G or Wi-fi router, nor buy an additional SIM card or enter into a service contract with Multisim.
- It is also problematic to carry the device with you , even if it is small. In this sense, it is less convenient than just using a mobile phone. In addition, 4G or 5G routers must always be connected to the power grid, they do not carry batteries.
- On the other hand, another major disadvantage is that we will have to put a SIM card . If it is not independent or if we do not enter into a contract for the use of several SIM cards, we will have to leave our mobile phone without a card.
Connect to the Internet via a modem
Another option to connect other devices to the Internet is via a modem . This is a widely used technology, as most mobile phones today allow you to share the connection quickly and easily. There are smartphones that allow us to choose between broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz range or in the 5 GHz range, depending on the compatibility of the WiFi clients we are going to connect, we can choose one or the other frequency range. The best coverage will have a 2.4 GHz range, however, their actual speed will be lower compared to the 5 GHz range.
This technology has been implemented in mobile devices for a long time. The first to implement it was Android in version 2.2, which was quite early compared to the current one. It was installed in this system to speed up the connection of devices to the Internet. It made it easier to use shared connections to access the Internet for almost any smartphone or laptop without a connection. Thus, they acted as modems or modem-routers for data transfer.
Today, the connection options via modem are very wide. Among them are USB connection or wireless connection without it. These are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so at least one of these two devices is required for connection. On the other hand, the users who offer the connection will be responsible for data consumption. With this connection, it is possible to connect several devices that do not have access to the Internet, so it is not limited to one, it is also known as HotSpot or shared connection.
When it comes to security, we must be warned. As with the Wi-Fi networks we have in our homes, they must be properly protected. To do this, we will need to set the most secure password we can think of or create in an online tool. But it does not end there, because just like with routers, we can set the maximum number of devices to connect, which is highly recommended. If we are sure that only one password will be used, setting the limit to 1 is the best we can do along with the strongest password. This will prevent intruders from connecting not only by password, but also by the limit of devices connected.
As in the previous case, it has its advantages and disadvantages. We are going to explain what they are, and thus we can choose what suits us best according to our needs.
Benefits of connecting with Tethering
- One of the main advantages is that we don’t have to buy an additional device . We’ll just use our mobile phone to share the connection with other computers.
- We don’t need to buy a 4G router or Wi-Fi with a built-in battery to connect, we’ll just use our smartphone for this.
- We will not have to remove the SIM card from the mobile phone to use it on another device. This is something that many users rate very positively, because they do not want to complicate their lives.
- Another advantage is that it will be easier and faster to use overall. We won’t have to do much configuration and it will be available in seconds, even if we haven’t used it before.
Disadvantages of connecting via a modem
- One of the main disadvantages is the battery consumption of our mobile phone. This can be a problem in many situations when we want to work with a computer connected to the Internet via a mobile phone.
- The capacity it offers is also an issue. It is logical that the performance will be lower than Wi-fi or a router with external antennas, as these devices usually have better reception compared to a smartphone. It is common that we cannot connect much equipment, and the power decreases.
- The last drawback is the fact that there is a simpler configuration , which can also affect security, especially if we do not set the appropriate WPA2 or higher password.
As you have seen, we have several ways to connect to the Internet inside and outside the house, usually 4G or 5G routers are used inside the house in a second home or residence, where we are not all year round, but we want to connect to the Internet to IP surveillance cameras. We also have Wi-fi, these are the same 4G routers, but with a built-in battery and a small size, suitable for taking them with you anywhere. Finally, we have the ability to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi with a modem on a smartphone, which is the easiest way to do this, but has its drawbacks.