Smartphone vs Mobile Hotspot: Which is Better for RV Cellular WiFi?
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2016
- How to Use Cellular Data To Get Online: MiFi/Jetpack, Smartphone Tethering, USB Modem and Mobile Routers
Many RVers utilize cellular data to keep connected to the internet while they travel. But what is the best way to use cellular data keep other devices online, like laptops, tablets, gaming systems and smart TVs?
The basic options include devices that are restricted to data only - such as mobile hotspots and modems. Or putting cellular connected tablets and phones to work serving double duty by providing an internet connection for your computers as well by using personal hotspot.
What are the advantages and drawbacks of each, and when does it make practical sense? Those are the questions this video hopes to answer.
For the written article version of this video, please also refer to:
www.rvmobileinternet.com/mifi
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Chris Dunphy & Cherie Ve Ard of www.RVMobileInternet.com and authors of 'The Mobile Internet Handbook' and hosts of RVMobileInternet.com. We've been on the road full time since 2006, working remotely and sucking up mobile bandwidth.
We also personally blog & share about our travels at www.technomadia.com
Thank you for this. I was just looking for mifi vs smartphone. I'm so glad you made this video. You're very beautiful
cool, I like these type Videos you guys are doing now, all your other videos are awesome but these type are really helpful and how you guys continue to do them! be safe and thank you
Very good explanations for the beginner. Thank you
I got a jetpack because Kept loosing my wifi connection on my iPhone. I am sitting right next to it. This forces me to keep logging on the my works vpn. So stability of the connection is what made me get a jetpack.
Very informative, thanks. I will check out your website to do some more reading...
This was very helpful. TFS!!!
Thank you. Very informative presentation.
This is very helpful thank you, I'm just now getting the RV life going. I'm a musician transitioning from working in bars to trying to build an online teaching business. I currently have a RV trailer but I'm also going to convert a small church bus into a mobile studio/business office. That will pull my RV I plan to be Boondocking and/or working in state parks as camp host. I'll need consistent decent Internet out west and all over the country currently use sprint which is a terrible service by the way, and the hotspot feature but I was just starting to research MiFi and the other options. Hopefully there's a consistent enough Internet out there in some fashion that I can start this business. Thank you for your informative videos
Hi Sean.. you might want to start with our overview guide to mobile internet at: www.rvmobileinternet.com/overview
Great on-the-go help!
I have run out of data to watch this video without all the delayed down loads. Can't wait to see this one. We will be going to The Villages today, I'll watch it when I find wifi access. LOL! Timely right?
Perfect. Thank you !
Good info ... thanks!
Thank you ... good info.
FINALLY...something that explains it all...thank you...im am going fulltime, and at this point i am using my cell phone as a hotspot...hope to look into the other options soon...thank you...
Love your channel! My husband and I are planning to become full time rvers soon and we love Roku. Has does Roku for our tv work with any of these options?
They all will transmit a WiFi signal... which your Roku will pick up. Just beware, video streaming burns through data like crazy.
good work! #thanks
Great explanation. Unfortunately, I want to know a secure going device like USB router mobile. I am looking to find the answer which device will offer better signal to work with my laptop. Is it
Here's our guide to mobile routers: www.rvmobileinternet.com/routers
Thanks that was a cool overview!
I missed the option I am using myself quite often. Besides using frequently the mobile hotspot function of the smartphone I use still one of these old USB Datasticks. I mean these little things with a simcard inside for access to the mobile network via USB connection, looks like a fat USB memory stick.
so far so good, BUT:
I do not use the stick plugged in in the laptop, as I did in olden days.
Meanwhile I use a little plastic box called TP-Link TL-MR3020 and plug my stick there inside. That little box (they call that box a "pocket router" even though I never saw it routing pockets ...) produces a nice wireless LAN, and such everybody having wifi connection to that box can access the mobile network via that good old data stick.
Additionally, that little box can also grab any wireless lan signal and use it for its own network - in that way it does not simply work as a router forwarding the local network's signals, but enters the (outer) network as one user and makes access available for all the users in its own network. That's also a really cool function cos I am sometimes little bit lazy - an using that function I have now to connect only that little device to any other wifi spot and have immediately all my devices connected through their usual network ... ;-)
That thing runs on USB power, and for powering it I use mostly one of my akku packs (that 10.000 mAh one drives it one and a half days) and place it simply where I have best and fastest connection. In a little ziplock bag I can place it even outside in the rain, a couple of meters away or so.
All that functionality costed me some while back not even 30 Euros (purchased via Amazon in Europe). No idea whether exactly the same or at least a similar gadget is available there in Northern America, but if so, I highly recommend to check that option out if you have still one of these good old data sticks around ... ;-)
About the plans: yes the smartphone has a (prepaid) plan when I am in Europa, luckily one where I can purchase new data if required. The stick runs on a separate sim and also on prepaid plans - there is one 24 hrs plan which I use mostly on the stick. Means, for my standard mini mobile use like checking email or so I use the hotspot on my smartphone, for heavy use like watching TV or downloading videos I use the stick - but in that case I pay only those days when I really use it. So it is not either/or but both, according to the use and the best way to keep the costs low ... ;-)
Yes, USB modems are a great option... unfortunately, in the US, there is currently only viable option available. And it's only on one network. Which is why it's not in this short video. But it is covered in the associated article (www.rvmobileinternet.com/mifi).
oh, yeah, thanks, cool article as well!
yes seems that TP-Link-Box expands an existing USB-Modem (data stick) so you have finally a cellular integrated mobile router, if I got that right ...
Here in Asia these usb modems are still very popular and very functional, so I guess this box is the simpliest and cheapest way to expand it into a mobile router ... even good if people use it only for their laptop since such a unit can be placed where ever you want. I used in former times sometimes an USB extension cable to place that USB stick somewhere under the roof or so for better connection to the net, but that was always kind of a circus ...
luckily the mobile networks expand very fast everywhere on the globe, during my last visit in Germany I had at all locations H+ if not LTE connection, and even in India LTE is now coming at some places.
We focus our content primarily us US-based RVing :) When we are ready to get rid of our wheels and backpack the rest of the world, I'm sure our focus will change.
So basically one size does not fit all! Gotta choose the right device based on on your needs. Phone hotspots are fine for a quick login, but no extensive usage, while dedicated routers can run an entire family's internet usage without a problem. That's in a nutshell.
Thx for information
Do the Jetpacks available for purchase...need to be 'carrier-proprietor' associated? meaning...i've been using Mint Mobile... ( why do i sense, 'that isn't going to work? ha ha!>... because i know i don't get all the great coverage...when i roam about a particular region..or, 'leave the state...and guessing they don't even 'offer' a Jetpack option...) anyway...would it be recommended ( before i settle on a Jetpack Device) to just...go with a more popular, comprehensive-coverage carrier? any help?? thanks! great videos...keep 'em coming!
Mobile hotspots devices tend to be carrier specific and optimized for each network.
In my situation mifi is the best option to go to save money. I do not have a data plan and use data if I am at home from my own wifi or free wifi somewhere, so with mifif I can use data when I needed and can be used for my whole family when there is no access to wifi. This is the cheapest option you can have.
I just checked yesterday with Verizon and a Jetpack without an existing cell phone plan is about $65/$70 per month on a 24 month contract.
We are still RV shopping now, but I am wanting to plan how we will be able to watch tv in our RV. We will mostly be weekend warriors, so we won't need the most expensive thing. I plan on bringing DVD's but it would be nice to stream Roku or something similar. I might not even buy Netflix. We have Dish at home, so with an internet connection, could log in to our Dish network account and stream things. For what we want, will a campground that has wifi not be sufficient? I have heard some people say wifi is not good at campgrounds, but I still wouldn't know yet. One campground owner I talked sounded like all i need to buy is Roku because they have wifi. Our cell phones have limited data, so using a phone hot spot will not be an option.
Most campgrounds can't support streaming video. Especially not on weekends, when they are crowded. www.rvmobileinternet.com/tv is our guide
Thanks for that! I am sure that is correct, so I am going to start pricing stuff out so we can stream videos on the road.
@@drummergirl9481 Yes do NOT rely on RV park wifi service, most are very slow and is only worst when most people try to stream tv at night. One option is buy a 150mile range HD TV antenna ($35) install it on your ladder with a 7ft conduit pipe so its several feet above your RV roof and you should pull in a lot of channels far away, better than the stock RV antenna on the roof. If you have dish at home, you could buy a portable satellite antenna ($300) and a receiver ($80) and for $7 a month from Dish a complete satellite service at your trailer anywhere you go.
@@EarlBalentine I think that we will probably do Dish, but I like your idea of the special HD Antenna, which wouldn't break the bank. Can you maybe post a link of one you think would work like you are suggesting? Thanks for your help!
Will the speeds be the same on the phone as it is on the mobile router with antennas if I had the same plan? Or is it just the signal strength that will change?
Depends on the phone, depends on the router. But antennas to a router can most definitely change things up. For more on selecting LTE modems and the implications of modem specs: www.rvmobileinternet.com/lte-modems
Which ơn better for livestream
Depends on what your streaming from - your phone or another device. Our full guide to video broadcasting: www.rvmobileinternet.com/broadcasting
We have AT&T Elite unlimited ... it comes with 30gb mobile hotspot per line per phone. In South Florida I frequently exceed that 30gb hotspot and get throttled. Does anybody know, does AT&T limit cellular phone data for apps like UA-cam? I am just wondering about the difference of using my phones mobile hotspot on my laptop vs casting my screen to monitor as far of limits?
We cover that in this guide: www.rvmobileinternet.com/tv
I just want to know wich its more fast, mifi or phone hotspot
Depends on the specific specs of each device.
@@Technomadia any phone medium gamma
example: moto g6. samsung j7 prime, huawei y9
Is it a extender router? Being used as a mobile router.
I'm not sure what you're referring to?
the black box that you showed, was it a wifi router extender?
with the 4 antenna's..
Antenna are antennas - they help pick up signals... routers are routers - they route data. Two different things.
Technomadia.
If I can find an unlimited plan with decent speeds for online gaming, then this could go well with my dad's satellite internet connection.
Tai Rhoades ur dads shit will not be good for gaming
yes, buy it
i need you help please, my phone keep dropping the hot spot signal when
it rings. ive tried to put the phone on "do not disturb" that wont work.
ive googled it and i still cant come up with a solution.im on ATT unlimited
data and have a HUAWEI Mate 8 phone. my other phone would pause the signal for a sec,the phone i have now just stops the hot spot signal. what can i do to stop this?
The AT&T unlimited data plans don't officially support mobile hotspot use or tethering. So you're liking using a 'work around'. Would check the user groups or support for whatever program you're using to see how others handle it. But all and all, i wouldn't expect the phone & AT&T to support what you're after, since they weren't designed for this feature and you're technically in violation of your terms of service.
YEA IM USING AN UNLOCKED PHONE. but theres noway to stop it from disturbing the signal?
Can you make a video about WiFi to WiFi -products? Meaning that you buy at camping site one WiFi connection where you have to log on and then share that one connection to your whole family via WiFi...
It's on the project list for the future... for now, check out the Mobile Routers link (www.rvmobileinternet.com/routers), as that's covered by many of those products. The feature you're referring to is 'WiFi as WAN'.
Oh, and we do cover these products in our general mobile internet overview - www.rvmobileinternet.com/overview (there's a video component to that too.)
I'm not sure if we are talking about same thing. I have cheap Wifi to Wifi unit (ASUS Portable Wireless N router Model WL-330N) but the main problem is to log in to network with the bought user codes and then share the network to other family members without computer... But I'll look your links if there is product for me. And thanks for your YT channel, I love it!
WiFi as WAN is indeed the feature you are looking for.. the WiFiRanger, MoFi and Pepwave's we showed in this video have the feature and can log into campground WiFi (with user name / password, captive portal, etc) and then share that connection with a household.
Ok. It seems that you have met the same problems which I have. I have looked your videos (also this one) but somehow haven't seen this problem talked out. I'll re-watch this video and follow your links (now it's autumn so it can wait 10 months before I need the answer :-) At here north Europe we travel only june and july...
Phone's Hotspot consumes alot of battery that's the con n that's why mifi comes into play to alleviate this problem
nawazish khan that why i have 2 portable chargers
Where can I get the mobile router/ modem, who are the carriers?
We have them all listed here: www.rvmobileinternet.com/resources/lte-mobile-hotspot-mifi-jetpack-usb-modems/
I don't know if you will answer me but is there a service that has or offer unlimited data mobile hotspot with great coverage?
Here's our article that covers the current unlimited data plan options we're tracking: www.rvmobileinternet.com/unlimited
+Technomadia thanks
Just in the last 12 months we have been on AT&T, T-Mobile and then finally Verizon while traveling all over the USA. When we were with AT&T for 10 years the last 3 years traveling with our rv friends, we would sometimes be in a remote/rural RV park with no signal from AT&T. Our friends that had Verizon all had signals. We switched to T-Mobile mainly because they had a senior unlimited plan for a flat $70 per month. Well that worked pretty good for a while until we were at another rv park that basin a remote/rural area and all we had was voice calling but no video data streaming of any movies via Netflix. I check with T-Mobile and it turns out that T-Mobile has decent coverage but only thru 3rd party cell companies in rural area. Those 3rd party companies don't allow video streaming on their network. You need to be on a true T-Mobile network to be able to do video streaming. Our whole intentions were to be able to stream Netflix when traveling. So we cancel T-Mobile are now with Verizon. Our AT&T was about $120 per month, T-Mobile was $70 per month and now with Verizon is about $190 a month. Verizon was more money but we are connected 95% of the time where ever we travel. We only had one bad slow connection recently in a rural area. Verizon said the tower we were on was a slow bandwidth tower and over crowed with users, schedule to be upgraded at a later date. But we are really happen with Verizon even if it cost more. We are now looking into reducing our data plan slightly and have a Verizon jetpack with will give us a better connection, more security and piece of mind. Btw you can stop the jetpack service when not in use like if your RV is in storage for the winter and you don't have need to use the service you can suspend service but can't cancel it or you will have to pay penalties.
Noob question... what is RV? Thanks
Recreational Vehicle - motorhomes, trailers, 5th wheels, camper vans, etc.
@@Technomadia thanks :)
Using your phone as a personal hotspot also drains you phones battery fast
If I have unlimited data. Can my mobile hotspot run out?
Every plan is different. Many “unlimited” plans have hotspot usage limits in the fine print.
Technomadia do you know how I could find out if I have a limit.
Look at your plan details.