ProudGrandma Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 how a hotspot works? Is it something that would make sense to use once...like while we are camping...do you pay only for when you use it...or whether you use it or not? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Bunny Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Do you mean turning your phone into a hotspot, or something else? Turning your phone into a hotspot means that other devices can connect to your phone and use your data just as they would wifi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 probably not that...because my phone doesn't have unlimited data...but rather...can't you buy a gizmo that is a "hot spot"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) I use my phone as a hotspot frequently. We don't live in the Land of Public Wifi here - public wifi spots are few and far between. So if I'm out and want to use my iPad to surf the internet, I fire up the hotspot on my phone and connect to it. It's password protected, so it's only available for me to use. ETA: yes - most cellular carriers will sell you a mobile wifi device (sometimes called MiFi) that you can use to connect to the cellular data network and use as a hotspot. They work just fine and are pretty easy to use. Edited March 25, 2017 by AK_Mom4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) Do you have a smartphone? If so, you can turn it into a hotspot. You do not need unlimited data to do so. Edited March 25, 2017 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Do you have a smartphone? If so, you can turn it into a hotspot. You do not need unlimited data to do so. but it will use my data minutes, yes? I have a tracfone, smart phone... the main reason we would use it is for my kids to use it for on line classes while camping. So it's not like it would be used to quickly check the weather or emails. Does that information make a difference. This is why I need someone to explain how this works....I know absolutely nothing about it. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 I don't know enough about it. But I did find this http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-to-choose-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-reliable-mobile-hotspot-to-stay-connected-everywhere-you-go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Would something like this work for you? https://www.verizonwireless.com/internet-devices/jetpack-mifi-6620l/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 some more questions...you pay for the device, but then do you also have to pay for a service....like a cell service plan? or do you pay for only the time you use the hot spot? I know this must sound so dumb, but I really do not understand how these work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My4arrows Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 We have a separate hotspot (as well as our phones). It is included in our monthly bill as a separate device (it costs us a fee each month like a phone) and like your phone data, it has a certain amount allowed from that device. You will still need to be in a place where you receive cell service. It will allow you to have other devices use the data like you would with a wireless network at home. You can turn off the data/block devices so it doesn't use your gb when you don't want it to. We have used ours while traveling in the car and in places we don't have access to wireless and it's worked well for us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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