{"id":9405,"date":"2024-02-08T18:05:29","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T18:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/?page_id=9405"},"modified":"2024-04-27T00:27:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T23:27:59","slug":"mobile-vs-tethering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wifi\/mobile\/mobile-vs-tethering\/","title":{"rendered":"Portable WiFi vs Mobile Phone Tethering?"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"table-of-content bg-gray\">\n        <p><strong>IN THIS ARTICLE<\/strong><\/p>\n        <ul>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic1\">Connecting to the Internet When Away From Home<\/a><\/li>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic2\">How Does Tethering Work?<\/a><\/li>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic3\">Portable Mobile Hotspot Router<\/a><\/li>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic4\">How Do Mobile Hotspots Work?<\/a><\/li>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic5\">Mobile Phone Tethering Data Use and Cost<\/a><\/li>\n                        <li><a href=\"#topic6\">Considerations Before Buying a Mobile Hotspot Device<\/a><\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic1\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>Connecting to the Internet When Away From Home<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In today\u2019s connected world, it\u2019s understandable to feel a little lost when disconnected from family, friends, or colleagues back at home. After all, wherever you are you can always find a local <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">coffee shop<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or seek a space with phone reception. These options seem good in theory, that is until you encounter patchy <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi connections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, expensive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile data<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> rates, a lack of privacy, or the possibility of compromised security with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">public WiFi<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most of us would prefer a dedicated personal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4G LTE<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wifi\/mobile\/advantages-5g-routers\/\">5G <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspot device<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that can connect from the comfort of our motorhome, hotel, caravan, boat, or even a tent in the wilderness. If you are someone who travels for business or pleasure, the internet is something you won\u2019t be able to do without, and a portable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi connection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is the solution. Let\u2019s take a look at the advantages of dedicated <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> vs phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi connections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Internet WiFi Phone Tethering<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9446 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/personal-hotspot-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/personal-hotspot-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/personal-hotspot-768x539.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/personal-hotspot-390x274.jpg 390w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/personal-hotspot.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a simple way to connect to the internet when you\u2019re on the road or out and about. If your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> comes with hotspot data, you can switch on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone\u2019s hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and use it for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi connections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are no special cables or tech knowledge required. Simply switch on the hotspot on your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apple<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">iPhone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Samsung Galaxy<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Android<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile phone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and connect your laptop or other device wirelessly to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi network<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the downside, the WiFi antennas in mobile phones are very small and provide limited range and is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">only viable in areas where there is strong signal coverage for a stable connection. Plus, it won\u2019t be worth attempting to stream movies or perform other data-hungry tasks. In addition, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile phone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> battery capacity is quite small, and the battery will quickly drain when used as a hotspot. It will be best to keep your phone plugged into a power outlet while you are connected to the internet or limit usage to a short duration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is ideal if you only need occasional web access to a single device such as a laptop Mac or iPad. It can be a good option for people who stay in populated areas where phone WiFi reception is strong. However, you may struggle to get a good connection if you are travelling further afield. In this case, dedicated portable WiFi router is the better option.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic2\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>How Does Tethering Work?<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> means making a \u2018<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tether<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2019 from your phone to a separate internet-enabled device. you will then use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile data<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to set up and use the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">internet connection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You can <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tether<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> devices using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bluetooth<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">USB cable<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi signal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Here is how <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> works.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"hub-orbi-info\">\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your phone receives data from a mobile tower.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone\u2019s hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> uses that data to set up an internet signal.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your device picks up the internet through a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">USB cable<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bluetooth<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi signal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Internet access commences when you select the WiFi account and enter the password.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic3\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>Portable Mobile Hotspot Router<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A portable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">router<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot device<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that allows you to create a portable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi network<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> wherever you are, as long as the device can pick up a mobile signal. Portable hotspots can be used at home, on<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-8408 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-300x204.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-768x522.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-1536x1045.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Picture21-2048x1393.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> the road, and even internationally if they are unlocked, such as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/home\/mobile-wifi\/hotspots\/mr6450\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro Hotspot.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> These hotspots can be plugged into a regular power socket or a 12-volt socket in a car, boat, or motorhome.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/home\/mobile-wifi\/portable-wifi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5G <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">or 4G LTE<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot devices<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have more powerful antennas than those in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile phones<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, allowing them to capture <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi signals<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from much further away. A portable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">router<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will provide a faster and more stable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">internet connection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> than a tethered phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This is ideal if you\u2019re visiting more remote regions or areas where WiFi reception is impeded by the landscape or buildings. A powerful <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can also handle data-hungry applications such as video streaming, gaming <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">consoles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and multi-user conferencing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Portable WiFi<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">routers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> come with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ethernet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> ports for use with dedicated devices where a stronger and more reliable connection is needed. If you are travelling in a motorhome, boating, or staying in a holiday rental, you will only need to set the device up once using your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hotspot password<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and your devices will automatically connect whenever they are needed. When it comes to signal quality and the overall user experience, a personal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is the clear winner.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic4\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>How Do Mobile Hotspots Work?<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In some ways, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is the same as a tethered <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. It lets you establish a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi connection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for laptops, tablets, and other devices using mobile data. However, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can do a lot more than <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/home\/mobile-wifi\/portable-wifi\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NETGEAR Nighthawk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> portable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">routers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can connect to 30+ devices simultaneously. They also include guest networks and come with encrypted security features. These newer 5G hotspots use the latest WiFi 6\/6E standards that make it a breeze to support a large number of network devices. Here\u2019s how a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> works.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"hub-orbi-info\">\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The hotspot grabs data from a cellular tower.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The hotspot uses that data to set up and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">configure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi signal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> connection.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your devices pick up the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi signal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from the hotspot.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You select the account and enter the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi password<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to access the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi network<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is just as straightforward as using your phone. You will need a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SIM card<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and can have the option for a capped <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or unlimited data. In addition, the best <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can be unlocked for use in 125 countries, with various <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">service providers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to choose from. Your investment in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot device<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will give you more data, greater WiFi range, more flexibility, and the ability to keep in touch with family and friends from wherever your travels take you.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic5\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>Mobile Phone Tethering Data Use and Cost<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9255 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/CMS_Product_Image-m1-1_tcm148-1447091-300x206-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" \/>Working online with phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can quickly chew through data and become expensive. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mobile phones<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apple<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">iPhones<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Android phones<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> often have lower data limits than <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">home internet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> WiFi plans and personal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> plans. Phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> WiFi charges generally increase for every gigabit of data used above your data cap. Plus, unlike dedicated <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will only allow you to connect to a single device at any one time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Phone <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can handle activities such as checking emails, catching up on news, or retrieving documents. But activities such as streaming, video downloads, or gaming will use up your data fast and your phone bill will skyrocket. It\u2019s important to fully understand your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phone plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, even if you are on an \u2018unlimited\u2019 option. Most unlimited <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> still have a data cap, but rather than cutting off the service when you reach the cap, your data speeds will slow down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition, not all mobile carriers offer <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by default. You may need to pay more to upgrade your plan to include <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tethering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. In summary, using your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile phone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> as a hotspot is fine for writing occasional emails, but it likely won\u2019t handle regular Zoom calls, video downloads, or high-definition online activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Portable Mobile Hotspot Data Use and Cost<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With a dedicated Nighthawk <a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wifi\/mobile\/unlocked-mobile-hotspots\/\">5G portable <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi router<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> hotspot, the world is at your fingertips. You can watch Netflix or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Amazon<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Prime, enjoy multi-player gaming, conference with colleagues on a virtual private network (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">VPN<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">), or even enter into virtual reality immersion. Dedicated <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have higher data limits and the ability to reach Gbps speeds for a price comparable to a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">home internet<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">broadband<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> plan. The choice is yours, without data cap stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These plug-and-play devices are perfect for family trips, as they act like a regular home WiFi and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">allow others<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to connect to the internet concurrently. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/home\/mobile-wifi\/hotspots\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NETGEAR Nighthawk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> M6 and M6 Pro <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are all-<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in-one<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> solutions to keep everyone happy. You can connect to tablets, laptops, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">android devices<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, smart TVs, and more from a single <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">save<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on data costs.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div id=\"topic6\" class=\"skip-item\">\n                        <h2>Considerations Before Buying a Mobile Hotspot Device<\/h2>\n                <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are planning on buying a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspot device<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, there are a few things to consider before you purchase, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"hub-orbi-info\">\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <h3><strong>Wireless Carrier Limitations:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Choose a provider with the best available coverage for the right <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> price. Some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> come with monthly caps that limit your usage, while others offer unlimited data but will cap your internet speeds after a certain point. By being aware of these limitations, you will be able to choose a carrier plan that suits your needs. Make sure to read the fine print of your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, particularly if you like to engage in data-hungry online activities.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <h3><strong>Wireless Network Availability:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">portable WiFi is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> powerful, it does have its limitations. For example, remote areas often suffer from sparse network coverage, making it difficult to establish a stable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">internet connection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Check your carrier\u2019s network availability map to determine whether you can get adequate coverage. Although limited network availability can be a problem in developing countries, many providers offer almost complete nationwide coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <h3><strong>Battery Life:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To ensure the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> meets all your needs, you need to choose one with a long-lasting battery. Nighthawk hotspots, for example, can run continuously for up to 13 hours. Other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may be small and sleek but have a much shorter <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">battery life<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Plus, the more devices you have connected, the more your battery will be drained. It\u2019s a good idea to carry a spare battery to ensure your essential WiFi-enabled devices can remain connected whenever required.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <h3><strong>4G\/5G capabilities:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The capabilities of mobile <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspot devices<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> vary. Some devices can handle 5G connections, while others are only compatible with 4G. These differences can also help you determine the most suitable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for you. Cheaper <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can be limited to just 4G networks. These devices are good enough for some tasks but will fall short when you require blazing-fast 5G connection speeds. If you invest in a NETGEAR 5G <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hotspot device<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you can enjoy the fastest available speeds for all connected devices on your mobile network. This type of wireless technology is more reliable and can connect to multiple devices simultaneously. Nighthawk <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offer capabilities on par with the best home <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">broadband<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> internet plans.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"hub-orbi-col\">\n        <h3><strong>The Number of WiFi Devices You Want to Connect:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WiFi hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can handle connecting at least five devices at once, but higher-end models can handle ten or more at a time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NETGEAR Nighthawk<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mobile Hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can connect to 30+. The online landscape is changing fast, and we are all using more devices than ever, so it makes sense to choose a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that will future-proof your virtual private network by offering the battery power and bandwidth to ensure a fast and stable connection. The best 5G <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mobile hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can handle multiple devices running concurrently without a noticeable loss of data speeds.<\/span><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"embrace-cont-area\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/ukhub.netgear.com\/uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/desktop_all-day20power_tcm159-1486541-300x222-1.jpg) no-repeat center center \/ cover\">\n    <div class=\"embrace-cont-inner\">\n        <div class=\"embrace-cont\">\n            <p><strong>Connectivity Everywhere you go<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As the world leader in all things WiFi, NETGEAR remains the number one brand for internet users who want to stay one step ahead of the competition. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NETGEAR Nighthawk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> M6 and M6 Pro <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mobile Hotspots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are changing the way we network, one device at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-btn-area\"><a class=\"explore-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.netgear.com\/uk\/home\/mobile-wifi\/portable-wifi\/\">Discover Mobile WiFi Hotspots<\/a><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":9537,"parent":6701,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/buyers-guide2.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9405","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mobile WiFi vs. Tethering: Best Choice for UK Users | NETGEAR<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand the differences between mobile WiFi and tethering with NETGEAR UK. 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