Renters and short term stays can find themselves with a short shrift when it comes to a reliable internet, especially if you move into a property that doesn’t have an existing broadband provider in place. If for instance you are staying in accommodation for 6 months, you will find that most broadband ISP’s have a minimum contract length of 12 or even 18 months. This presents a problem, paying for a longer contract than you will use may seem worth it, people now see the internet as an absolute necessity - streaming, gaming, social media all fill large parts of the modern existence and without those many would be lost, but you would be paying for a lot longer than you would be using the service. But wait - there is a solution! And it's an often overlooked one, as the speed and reliability are underestimated, with mobile broadband - either 4G or 5G, if you are lucky enough.

How mobile broadband can solve the temporary internet problem

Getting slow or no Wi-Fi in a rented property is a common problem faced by people, especially in cities or remote rural areas.

WiFi operates in radio frequency typically between 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz. In layman’s terms, just think of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz as motorway lanes. All your data or internet traffic is going up and down the road. The slow WiFi problem arises in the densely populated city area because everybody using WiFi is using the 2.4 GHz band most and rarely the 5 GHz band and results in congestion, creating a traffic jam. 

Another reason is that in WiFi setup is a call channel which ranges from 1-11 and by default, is set in automatic channel ranging 7-11. Unfortunately to save time and/or money, most people skip the technical service, time and cost of carrying out a proper WiFi site survey or testing needed to see which channels are used up and which ones are more congested. Therefore most people end up using the default WiFi setting, doing the same thing which creates gridlock, resulting in slow speed on your wifi device(s).

Why go mobile?

So, what if you are travelling for work away from home, renting a property on your stay and the host provided internet is too slow or does not provide any all together? Most major network  carriers will offer large or even unlimited data packages on a sim only basis, these can either be pre paid with a certain amount of data loaded, or renewed on a monthly basis. Purchasing the sim and the 4G router may cost a bit more upfront, but the router is owned and can be reused in your next property if you have to move again, or sold if not needed any more. 5G routers are a bit more of an initial outlay, as the tech is much newer, batteries are larger and provide much more speed.

Mobile internet isn't just for internet connectivity on smartphones. It is a viable alternative to home internet, and it is faster and more widely available than ever, and sometimes, in some cases, you can get a faster connection through your smartphone than even your through home internet. If you have 4G or 5G on your mobile phone or tablet, you're probably pretty impressed with the speed and reliability you get compared to trying to access and use the Internet via WiFi.

Better coverage

According to Ofcom, 81% of the UK is covered by 4G and almost half is now covered by 5G, if you would like to check your local area - https://www.signalchecker.co.uk/ just needs your postcode and can provide these details.

So, for renters, guests and travelling professionals, we have solutions to help you bypass the shortcomings of any poor WiFi offering. 

Router or Hotspot?

D-Link mobile routers are designed to remain mostly stationary, enabling you to plug in many devices including wired connections, so if you are renting a property, we would advise a router. If you are more on the go, a 4G Mobile Hotspot is smaller and lighter, designed to be easily transported and to provide internet access on the go.

The DWR-960 is a Cat7 4G+ router that can connect and provide fast Internet access of upto 300 Mbps*, bypassing the need for a fixed line landline broadband provider, using 4G LTE network accessed through a mobile SIM card. 

D-Link's DWR-932 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 150 Mbps* allows you to connect and share super-fast 4G LTE mobile Internet with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps, allowing you to stream music/videos, play online games, download and upload files on multiple devices from anywhere at higher speeds.

Other Solutions solved by mobile internet

Perfect for caravans or mobile homes.

As with renting, a mobile home or caravan may have no option for fixed line broadband. Simply add a superfast 4G connection to your mobile home or caravan with a DWR-960 router, they have detachable antennas with SMA connectors, enabling replacement with those suitable for higher gain and wider coverage.

Perfect for pop up business or Catering vehicles

Need internet on the go or just for a short period - mobile broadband is the flexible option you need, with prepaid or monthly contracts, the choice is yours.

What is 4G?

4G is the fourth generation of mobile communication tech and can deliver speeds comparable to those you get with some home broadband packages.

Unlike a phone plan, however, 4G LTE internet plans give you a lot of the perks of a traditional internet plan. Plans are generally geared toward meeting the needs of an entire household, with higher data caps or unlimited data.

4G LTE home internet is one of the most widely available types of internet and can be a definite improvement if you’ve got a slow wired broadband system and WiFi.

The best portable 4G LTE WiFi router device will enable you to set up your own private Internet connection, practically anywhere in the world, and enable you to connect up to at least 10 devices simultaneously, including phones, laptops, tablets, and iPads, games consoles, and cameras.

This allows people to connect to the internet anywhere they can get phone reception without needing to install a physical cable to their home. And if you get a mobile 4G LTE hotspot, you can even take it with you when you travel.

So you could replace your home broadband altogether and just use 4G, right?

What to expect with portable Internet

To put it simply, portable internet is receiving a stable internet connection through a dedicated mobile hotspot or router. Similar to a wireless router, a mobile hotspot/router allows you to connect multiple devices. Generally, people need mobile hotspots if they travel frequently or stay away from home for long periods of time. Mobile routers can be used as a home internet connection if you have an unlimited data plan.

Below, we note down popular online services that require an internet connection as well as the download speed requirements and typical data usage for each.

The DWR-960 provides 4G+ LTE Cat 7 speeds of up to 300 Mbps and comes with an unlocked sim card slot.

How can you use 4G as home broadband or for rental property?

Home internet is essential, but it’s also yet another monthly bill you have to deal with. To many, the cost of standard home internet seems extra burdensome considering they’re also paying for internet access through their mobile phone plan. Replacing home internet with mobile hotspot from mobile service providers could mean big savings, but depending on your internet usage, it might not be the best option for you.

Why not just use my phone?

Whilst it is a valid option for people to use ‘tethering’ as a short term solution, if you have ever picked up your phone after 30 mins of use, it will be quite warm and your battery will have used a lot of power. Leave your phone as a phone! Get 10 hours of signal from a device like the DWR-933, and leave your phone free for messaging and calling.

Pros of 4G over home broadband

• 4G SIM Card Packages are often far more flexible, for example, 30-day contracts abound that can be cancelled whenever you want.

• Speeds can be pretty fast, sometimes faster than home broadband connections.

• A mobile broadband device is portable, so you can take it wherever you take your laptop or tablet.

• It eliminates the need to pay for home broadband, line rental, and a mobile plan - using 4G for your home connection could potentially cut out some bills completely.

• Replacing your home internet with a mobile hotspot/router could save you from a daunting internet bill.

Cons of 4G over home broadband

• Mobile broadband, whether from a hotspot or your smartphone, usually has more restrictive download limits – but you can overcome come this with an unlimited package.

• Check with your mobile broadband/Sim card provider that ‘tethering is allowed’, some plans don't allow it, and some networks apply narrow download limits for tethering.
  

5G 

5G is a major improvement in mobile radio and network technologies that deliver much higher download speeds and much lower latency through the network than 4G technologies. Wi-Fi 6 and 5G now both provide higher speeds, lower latency and increased capacity. The DWR-2101 offers both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 and is perfect for flawless connectivity on multiple devices with promised speeds of 500Mbps to 1Gbps on 5G connections, allowing you to stream, game or work, without having to worry about buffering, dropouts or interference.

Round Up

Find the best Mobile data plans

Have a look at comparison package websites for unlimited mobile sim card broadband services. If you are looking at a hotspot, consider a design that is light and not a burden to carry otherwise you are unlikely to travel with it and use it.

Your search should consider the overall size of the device, its functionality, and how easily it will mesh with your other devices. Honing in on these key factors will ensure you get a portable WiFi router you’ll use again and again.

 If you need any advice on mobile broadband, you can contact us via our live chat - / or drop us an email

 

 

*Mobile broadband speeds will vary and are dependent on a range of factors including network configuration, network capacity, signal strength, and the conditions of your mobile broadband subscription. A 4/5G subscription is required in order to achieve maximum speeds. Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate. Environmental factors may adversely affect wireless signal range.