A hotspot is an internet access point that’s created by a cellular network. Translated: it’s creating a Wi-Fi signal from your phone that other devices can use to access the internet. A hotspot is basically like picking up your Wi-Fi internet and carrying it with you
Having a Wi-Fi signal wherever you go sounds amazing, but the catch is that hotspot data is limited. Cell phone carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer wireless plans that include hotspot data, but unlimited high-speed hotspot data isn’t a thing quite yet. Here’s everything you need to know about mobile hotspots and Wi-Fi hotspots
Can I replace my home internet with hotspot data?
It all depends on how you use the internet. If you’re like me and all at-home leisure activities revolve around the internet (streaming and gaming), then you’ll quickly drain all of your hotspot data. If you aren’t home often and mostly get by just fine using your cellular data, you could realistically replace your home internet with a portable hotspot.
How does a mobile hotspot work?
The magic of a mobile hotspot is that your phone converts cellular data into an internet access point. Your cell phone gets internet connectivity from its wireless signal, and then it broadcasts that connection as a Wi-Fi signal for other devices. For that reason, hotspots cannot work if you don’t have cell service.
How much hotspot data do I need?
That depends on what you plan on doing while connected to a personal hotspot. If you occasionally enjoy taking your laptop outside and working for a few hours, you can get away with the basic 15GB or so of hotspot data that comes with most unlimited plans. However, if you do most of your work connected to a personal hotspot, you’ll want to get something closer to 50GB of data. For power users, check out the best hotspots for gaming, from plans to devices.
How do I use my hotspot?
Even though setting up a mobile hotspot seems like it would be overly technical, it’s actually super easy on your smartphone. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, the process for setting up your Wi-Fi hotspot goes like this:
- Open the Setting app on your device.
- Tap "Hotspot & Tethering."
- Select "Wi-Fi hotspot."
- Toggle the switch to the enabled position.
- Choose a name for your hotspot, or you can just keep the default network name.
- Set a password for your hotspot network so randos can’t connect.
- Connect to your hotspot with other devices the same way you access other Wi-Fi networks
For example, if you were at the park and wanted to access the internet on your laptop, you could open your phone and turn on your mobile hotspot. Then you’d connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot with your laptop just like you would at home. Suddenly you’re working on your laptop and enjoying a nice day at the park.
Remember to turn off your mobile hotspot
After you finish connecting to your hotspot, turn that puppy off right away. Depending upon your cell phone plan, you likely have a limited amount of high-speed hotspot data. Don’t waste any of that precious hotspot data if you don’t need to. Having hotspot problems? Learn how to troubleshoot when your hotspot is not working.
Best mobile hotspot data plans
The "Big Three" wireless carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) offer hotspot data with unlimited plans. Take a look at the hotspot data plans from each.
Verizon hotspot data plans
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#1
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Verizon
Unlimited Plus
$80/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
|
#2
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Verizon
Unlimited Ultimate
$90/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
Right now only Verizon's mid-tier and premium plans include mobile hotspot. The Unlimited Plus plan includes 30GB of mobile hotspot data at $65/month for a single line. The Unlimited Ultimate plan gives a massive 60GB mobile hotspot for $75/month. However, you can also get 100GB of mobile hotspot data as one of Verizon's optional perks for just $10/month. That can be added as extra data to your Unlimited Plus plan or as a hotspot allotment to a Unlimited Welcome plan.
Verizon has the best coverage overall
Along with having tons of hotspot data available to you, Verizon also offers the most reliable coverage in the country. Verizon’s wireless service is available in 70% of the country, making it your best bet to get hotspot coverage wherever you roam.
AT&T hotspot data plans
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#1
|
AT&T
Unlimited Starter® SL for Teachers
$49.49/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
AT&T
Unlimited Extra® EL for Teachers
$56.99/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
AT&T
Unlimited Premium® PL for Teachers
$64.49/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
AT&T
Unlimited Starter® SL
$65.99/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
AT&T
Unlimited Extra® EL
$75.99/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
|
#6
|
AT&T
Unlimited Premium® PL
$85.99/mo
+ $30 Upfront
|
AT&T offers two cell phone plans that come with hotspot data. You can either go with the Unlimited Extra EL option that gets you 30GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, or you can go with the premium Unlimited Premium PL plan that gives you 60GB of high-speed hotspot data—after these thresholds, you get unlimited 3G hotspot access. It’s only a $10 difference between the two plans.
Can I create a 5G mobile hotspot from my phone?
Yes. If you have a 5G connection on your cell phone, you will also have a 5G connection on your mobile hotspot connection. If you don’t have a 5G connection, your hotspot will run at 4G LTE speeds until your high-speed allotment runs out, which will support basic internet use. Alternatively, snag one of the best portable Wi-Fi hotspots on the market.
T-Mobile hotspot data plans
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#1
|
T-Mobile
Magenta
$70/mo
|
|
#2
|
T-Mobile
Go5G
$75/mo
|
|
#3
|
T-Mobile
Magenta MAX
$85/mo
|
|
#4
|
T-Mobile
Go5G Plus
$90/mo
|
|
#5
|
T-Mobile
Go5G Next
$100/mo
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T-Mobile is certainly the weakest of the three major carriers when it comes to mobile hotspot data. The basic Essentials plan doesn’t offer a high-speed hotspot data allowance—rather, you'll have to make do with unlimited 3G hotspot speeds. For faster hotspot data, you'll have to pay an extra $10/month. The Magenta plan offers 5GB of high-speed hotspot data before your speeds will slow to 3G.
Magenta MAX, however, comes up slightly short of AT&T with 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. You also get a free Netflix subscription from T-Mobile with this plan.
Hotspot plans from other carriers
There are a few smaller prepaid carriers that also offer hotspot data. The perk of going with a prepaid carrier is that you generally get a much cheaper rate, with the tradeoff that your data speeds can throttle down from time to time.
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#1
|
Boost Mobile
$60 Unlimited Plus Data Plan
$60/mo
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|
#2
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Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS)
$60 Unlimited Plan
$60/mo
+ $10 Upfront
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