When referencing what a hotspot specifically is, you will first need to exclude consideration of the handheld device that you are texting your best friend on. That device you are having an enlightening conversation with your brother on is not it either. A hotspot can be either a call to action feature with your cellular phone, or a physical device for something totally different than what you use to talk and text on. This brief synopsis will only focus on the latter.

A hotspot is a cellular device exclusively for providing an access point from the nearest cellular tower to the receiving device’s that you would want to enjoy internet use on. Instead of using the hotspot feature on your cellular phone to send that LTE data to your 32” smart TV or your Roku android stick, you can have a dedicated hotspot device that is interdependent of your cellular phone. This will preserve your cellular phone’s battery and allow you to talk and text without interference. More important, cellular phones are generally inferior in antenna strength, as well as wi-fi range, than a dedicated hotspot.

So, for someone wanting to rely on a cellular data plan for more than browsing an hour a day, they would absolutely benefit from a hotspot device than using the hotspot feature on their cellular phone.

How does a hotspot work in regards to supplying an internet connection?

Think of this hotspot device as a modem. Just like wireline services such as cable modem and fiber optic DSL lines use a plastic gadget to hook up to their lines to, a cellular hotspot functions almost the same way. The only difference is their delivery system. The cellular hotspot is equipped with a SIM card slot that contains a SIM card. A SIM card is a small square of plastic with tiny microchips that communicate with a cellular tower’s antennas. The cable or DSL modem has a port where the physical wire runs from the gadget to a wall outlet in a home.

From there, is runs out to a port on the pole where the electrical lines run. Or, it runs to a telephony box on the outside of a home. With the hotspot device, it’s all wireless. Once you have a battery or DC outlet powered hotspot device, all you’ll need is the SIM card to communicate with the cellular antenna on the tower (as long as one is in range).

It’s important to understand what ‘a tower in range’ means. Usually, in order for LTE frequencies to penetrate most building material, the hotspot with a SIM card needs to be within 3 miles or less away from an updated cellular tower. It’s also important that there be no major obstructions, such as different types of land terrain and/or natural or man made barriers.

Lastly, you will need a subscription that allows for the fast 4G LTE data access, or 5G if available on that tower.

WE CAN HELP WITH THAT!!

When using a hotspot device for a long term or primary internet solution, it is important to keep a couple of things in mind. First, using cellular data for heavy internet activities like video streaming or online gaming will heat the device up within a couple or few short hours.

Also, sometimes these devices just lose connection to the tower and resetting them just does not work. It often does the trick if you power the device down and remove the SIM card for up to 5 minutes, before replacing the SIM card and restarting the device. Knowing these tips can help you to get the most out of you hotspot.

If you’re unable to get a traditional home internet solution, an unlimited hotspot device is a better solution than using your phones hotspot and out performs most satellite internet providers. 

Yes! V-SIM Technology combined with a top rated hotspot device offers high speed internet to those traveling for work or leisure. Click here to learn about our hotspot plans with RV’ers in mind.

At 720p you can stream about 100 hours, 1080p about 30 hours and at 4K resolution about 10 -12 hours.

Yes, and No. Yes, there are hotspot plans that allow for Unlimited access to connecting to the internet, but No they usually won’t give you priority speed access to conduct any and all internet tasks that you need, or desire.