Using a Mobile Hotspot for Home Internet: If You Absolutely Need To

Table of Content

• Save money on your internet connection
• Accessories
• Checking your coverage before you choose a data plan
• Pro: $60 for Verizon customers with a smartphone on an eligible Unlimited plan or $90 as a standalone plan
• How do I use a mobile hotspot device?
• What is a mobile hotspot?
• Mobile hotspot devices and plans to help you stay connected on the go
• What is the Hide SSID option in my Mobile Hotspot settings?

You can find out quickly if your phone plan allows it by going to Settings and trying to turn on the personal hotspot. If you don’t see the option for Personal Hotspot or Wi-Fi Hotspot, or it’s greyed out, your plan does not support this feature. You can learn specifics about your plan by contacting your cell phone provider or reviewing details about your phone plan on their website.

Mint’s plan costs less and comes with 15 GB of monthly high-speed data, which you can use for your phone’s hotspot when you need it. A mobile hotspot device (e.g., Verizon Jetpack, Inseego MiFi, etc.) provides a wireless internet connection to multiple devices simultaneously. You can connect all kinds of devices to a mobile hotspot device, including smartphones, tablets, wearables and more. If you like playing games online, streaming videos through YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu, or if you work remotely and transfer large files, a mobile hotspot isn’t the answer.

Save money on your internet connection

Instead, we recommend getting an internet plan for your rural area and using a mobile hotspot as a backup for in case of outages or speed issues. Verizon also offers cheaper options with lower data rates. The Essential offers 15 GB for $20, and the Plus offers 50 GB for $40.

We also recommend T-Mobile, which does slow data after you reach a certain threshold but not as much as other carriers do. T-Mobile’s slowest data speeds are still 3G speeds—which are fast enough for social media—but it also has the largest 5G network in the US. 5G Nationwide access requires a 5G Nationwide-capable device.

Accessories

The MiFi X PRO 5G UW is a powerful, secure hotspot device equipped with everything you need to work, create, and communicate. This mobile hotspot delivers a next level, ultra-low lag experience powered by 5G and Wi-Fi 6 for up to 32 WiFi-enabled devices, including laptops and tablets. The intuitive touch screen on the device itself is easy to navigate so you can quickly monitor your connections, identify your WiFi name and password, and more. With built-in security, a fast-charging, and long-lasting battery1 the portable MiFi X PRO will keep your connections protected all day long. Flexibility - If you're sharing your network connection with others, you can leave the mobile hotspot device behind for them to continue using instead of your smartphone or tablet. Another thing you'll want to consider when deciding whether to ditch a home internet connection or not is what happens once you've used your hotspot allowance for the month.

Refer to the User Guide at the top of your Device Support page to see how many devices can be connected to your specific device. Some devices with a Mobile Hotspot feature or app allow up to 10 devices to connect at a time, while others allow a maximum of 5. All of our currently available smartphones and basic phones are compatible with Mobile Hotspot features or apps. If you have an older device, refer to the User Guide on your Device Support page to be sure Mobile Hotspot is compatible. Get wireless speeds ranging from 30–1,000 Mbps, depending on your location and access to Ultra Wideband 5G. Tap into incredibly fast 5G and 4G LTE speeds with a Verizon Wireless hotspot.

Checking your coverage before you choose a data plan

For Wi-Fi issues on a Verizon internet connection, use our automated troubleshooter or watch a video on troubleshooting your Wi-Fi connection. Offers Wi-Fi 6E, the next-gen wireless standard that’s up to 3x faster than Wi-Fi 5, with improved performance on multiple devices. Again, be sure to use cybersecurity best practices when accessing free Wi-Fi networks. Be cautious about transmitting personal or financial information while on any network you find on one of these apps.

Some routers let you prioritize important devices or select open channels for certain devices in the router’s app or web portal. Think of your bandwidth as the plumbing of your kitchen sink. When there is just one or two liquids poured down the drain, they can pass through the pipe freely and quickly. On the other hand, if you pour 15 liquids of different consistency all at once down the drain, it becomes clogged, slow-moving, and backed up. The transferring and receiving of data is only as large as the pipe in your kitchen sink, your bandwidth. The higher the number of devices trying to connect and use your hotspot, the slower and less successful your hotspot will function.

It has the same Wi-Fi and 4G LTE specifications as the Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L but online reviews suggest it’s more likely to disconnect or deliver sluggish speeds. You should get a Verizon mobile hotspot that uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standards, delivers fast speeds, supports multiple users, and fits within your budget. See our FAQ section for a more detailed rundown of hotspot features and functions to consider. Once you choose your plan, Verizon offers several router and hotspot options that can fit your budget and needs.

However, in the case of our cell phones, a cellular service carrier administers the connection and equips the phone with a set amount of data. To answer these questions, let’s start from the beginning. If you’re wondering what your mobile hotspot data limit is, you’ll want to check your cell phone plan, because every plan is different.

Depending on your device, it may be in your device's App menu or Settings. It may also be named something different, like Personal Hotspot , Internet Sharing or Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot . All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Verizon is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.

Third, RVers can utilize a data plan through various third parties that have secured lines of service. Verizon’s 5G internet comes with unlimited data, delivers respectable speeds, and costs a flat monthly rate without extra fees or contract terms. 5G internet is still pretty new, so it might not work for everybody; your signal may occasionally disconnect, or you may experience other bugs.

What is a mobile hotspot?

Bear in mind that you’ll need a separate data plan for a mobile hotspot device and you’ll also have a $20 per month line access fee for your Verizon Jetpack. Yes, so many questions, and unfortunately, just as many answers. Prices vary greatly based on the above factors as well as which provider you will be dealing with. In general, if you are going to use your smartphone as a hotspot then check how much data allowance you are allowed. If it’s a substantial amount then no need to add extra data, or you can purchase an additional 1GB for around $15. Lastly, if you have no cellular plan and would like to use a cellular network for the sole purpose of a mobile hotspot, then prices range between $15-$120 for 1GB-30GB of data per month.

With this type of service, your speeds will be affected by your proximity to cell phone towers. Typical download speeds for LTE home internet are around 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps—about the same as you’d get on a cell phone. Using a mobile hotspot for home internet can work well for people with very light internet use. If you just use the internet at home to check email, shop online, and browse the internet, it might be a good idea for you.

Certain websites may be blocked, and the connection speed may not be sufficient for intensive streaming or downloading. Satellite internet routers are generally not as reliable or fast as a standard Wi-Fi router or broadband, but they can give you internet access in areas without Wi-Fi coverage. Given how satellite internet works, there may be interference with your connection from time to time, and this can result in unexpected latency or outages.

After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. For the rest of us, we recommend a steady home internet connection to keep your home humming.