Keeping People Connected: The Benefits of Mobile Hotspots

More people know what a mobile hotspot is today than when our team members first started working with them back in 2013. But there's still a lot of confusion about how they work, where they shine, and where they fall short.

Closing the digital divide is central to what we do at 35 Mile Foundation, and mobile hotspots are one of the most practical tools we have for doing it. Our partners work with these devices every day — and we use them ourselves — so we wanted to clearly lay out their pros and cons and their importance in the digital equity work central to our mission.

What a Hotspot Is

A mobile hotspot is essentially a device that you can take with you and stay connected to the internet — assuming you can get a cellular connection. They're about the size of a cell phone. Many have several different cellular radios built in, and they figure out which spectrum is currently providing the best signal and connect that way.

The connection runs through a cellular network, like a mobile phone. In our case, it’s the T-Mobile network. An easy way to vet whether a hotspot will work for you: if you have T-Mobile cell phone service, your hotspot will likely work. If you don't have cell service, you're not going to be able to connect to the internet via hotspot.

Hotspots are part of an overall network of solutions for providing internet access. They are ideal for some situations and less than in others - such as where their signal is blocked by physical barriers such as thick walls, building materials, hills, and topography. In these instances, cable, fiber, or satellite internet may be better.

Keep in mind that in order to access the internet, you also need a mobile-friendly device that connects to the hotspot. You can't surf the internet with just a hotspot. You need another piece of equipment like a phone, tablet, or computer.

What Makes Them Useful

Hotspots are not fixed geographically. A student can take one to school. A family can take one with them when they move. That flexibility is a big part of why our partners deploy them.

You can use a hotspot as a supplement to other internet access. Some folks have connectivity at school or the library, but they need something at home too. Or it can be someone's primary source of internet, wherever they are.

Here's what makes them stand out:

They're mobile: The people we serve tend to move around. Even when someone stays in one city, the place they live changes more regularly than it does for most. A hotspot, and therefore internet service, can move with them.

They're affordable: Compared to fixed wireless devices, hotspots are relatively inexpensive. A home internet tower can run around $500. 4G hotspot devices start under 60 bucks. That cost difference helps people get online and stay connected over time.

They're fast: When you're in good coverage, it’s surprising how fast they are.

They're private: You're not on a public network sharing personal information.

They're easy to replace: If a hotspot breaks, you can replace it pretty quickly — much like your cell phone. That's not always the case with other types of hardware-dependent services.

They're easy to use: If you've connected to the Wi-Fi at a coffee shop before, it's pretty much the same process. You just have to know the name/ID of the device. You don't need a computer science degree to figure it out. Even for people who don't have strong digital skills, it's usually just a quick couple of steps — either on their own or with a little help.

We Use Them Ourselves

We use hotspots ourselves — when the internet goes out at home, when traveling, when working somewhere off-site where we don't want to be on a public network. Sometimes it's as simple as sitting in a parking lot, popping it on, and taking care of whatever needs to get done right then.

We don’t use one every day. But when we need them, they’re extremely convenient.

Who Benefits Most

Hotspots aren't the right solution for everyone. But for many people, they're hard to beat — and these are the people we think about most in our work to narrow the digital divide.

For people experiencing housing instability, a hotspot travels with them. It doesn't require a service call, a new installation, or a contract tied to a physical address. For students in under-resourced households, a hotspot means homework gets done — and if the family moves, the connection moves too. For people in rural communities still waiting on fiber deployment, a hotspot is available right now, on one of the largest networks in the nation. For elderly and disabled individuals who need to access services online, the simplicity of the device matters as much as the connectivity itself.

For all of these people, a hotspot can be the difference between being connected and being left out.

How They Compare to Other Options

Versus cable: Cable is permanently anchored to a physical location and infrastructure. It requires installation in some locations and additional equipment. Setting up cable service typically means scheduling installation, technician visits, and waiting periods. A hotspot works the moment you power it on. In rural or underserved areas where cable infrastructure simply hasn't been built, a hotspot may be the only viable option outside of satellite.

Cable can be faster than a hotspot (depending on your plan), reliable, and good for multi-device homes. Still, a hotspot wins on mobility and ease of setup.

Versus fiber: Compared to deploying fiber, hotspots are much less expensive and significantly easier to get up and running. You're not waiting years for a fiber deployment to happen. No need to wait for your city to come up with millions of dollars to put in the infrastructure. You literally just come on board, become a customer, and get moving. Lastly, you can’t take fiber with you. People can lose service when their housing situation changes or they move for work.

On the plus side, fiber is the current gold standard for internet service. It’s incredibly fast — both for upload and download. It’s highly reliable and resistant to electromagnetic interference from natural sources like lightning, and man-made interference from power lines, and cell phone towers. 

Versus satellite: 

Many hotspots can fit in your pocket, while Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service requires a customer to install a pizza box–sized dish that requires setup and a clear view of the sky. As previously mentioned 4G hotspot devices start at less than $60, while (according to SatelliteInternet.com) LEO satellite recommended equipment fees range from $349 - $1,900.

Hotspots are a quick, easy, and cost-effective solution — all you need is a nearby cellular tower. The downside is a lack of service in places without cellular towers where LEO satellite service can be a solution - but potentially cost-prohibative.

Coverage

As with all cellular services, there are gap areas, and topography has an impact on service, but they've built out along most urban areas and urban corridors. If you're along major highways, even in traditional dead zones, there's a good chance you’ll have connectivity. Topography does have an impact on service, but cellular companies know this and work to maximize their service areas.

The Greatest Benefit

Portability and affordability are major features of mobile hotspots. But continuity of service is the greatest benefit.

Losing internet access means losing everything that people depend on it for — job searches, telehealth appointments, homework access, social services that have largely moved online, and other aspects of civic participation. 

The people we serve tend to move — due to housing instability, job changes, or other circumstances. Fixed location internet solutions don't go with them. A hotspot does. It doesn't need a new installation when someone relocates. It doesn't require a service call when a family changes addresses. It can be replaced quickly and affordably if it breaks. That persistence separates it from other options.

As we mentioned in our article on measuring impact metrics, getting people connected once isn't the goal. Keeping them connected is. A hotspot doesn't eliminate every barrier. But for the communities we serve, having a small, affordable device that holds its connection through whatever life throws at them is a meaningful — and reliable — benefit.