Smart phone use as a wi-fi "hot spot"
I am considering buying a "smart" phone which can be used as a wi-fi "hot spot" for use in accessing the Internet on my other devices (tablet and laptop). (Currently only have a "dumb" flip-phone and...
Forum Discussion
edatlanta wrote:
I use a Samsung Note 5 smartphone for my internet 8 months/year as a campground host. To make it easier for me to use the internet on various devices as well as a wireless printer, I also have a Pepwave SOHO. The SOHO picks up the wifi signal from the Note 5 and creates another hot spot which I use for normal internal activity. This way I can use another source of wifi for the SOHO if one is available such as campground wifi, etc. And setting up my printer is easier with the SOHO and I can use the printer while connected using campground wifi if it exists. It sounds complicated but it isn't. I just turn on the mobile hot spot on my Note 5, the SOHO picks it up automatically (after it is set up initially) and rebroadcasts my own network. Works like a champ.
Using a cellular capable router with WiFi as Wan capabilities (like the SoHo or WiFi Ranger Go2) is an excellent setup. If you choose to also use a supported/compatible MiFi/Jetpack device that can be tethered directly to the router, you'll get a bit better speeds.
I use that setup and testing shows that you do loose some speed when using WiFi as WAN over direct tether. (You can't tether a phone)
