What’s best for work: hotspot or satellite?

What is a mobile hotspot?

As long as the cellular signal is strong, mobile hotspots can provide Internet access. You can create a network hotspot on your smartphone and share the connection with other devices such as tablets and laptops via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB cables.

Dedicated hotspot devices, such as Verizon’s Orbic Speed ​​5G UW or AT&T’s Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro, provide better signals and faster service. You can create a Wi-Fi hub to share a broadband connection with multiple devices. When connected to your smartphone, you can get a faster and stronger connection this way than using a dedicated hotspot device.

Prices, speeds and data caps vary widely between providers, so be sure to read the fine print before signing a new contract for a dedicated mobile device. Even if you have an unlimited data plan through your mobile provider, it may not work with hotspots.

If you live somewhere with consistently strong 4G LTE or 5G cellular service and have the budget to invest in the latest hardware, a dedicated mobile hotspot hub is a great way to stay connected with customers, suppliers, and colleagues no matter where you do business. excellent way. them.

One of the reasons hotspots have become such a popular mobile Internet solution is their accessibility, as many smartphones now have built-in hotspot or tethering capabilities. However, if you regularly use your smartphone as a hotspot, you’ll notice how quickly your battery drains.

In contrast, the sole purpose of a dedicated mobile device is to create a Wi-Fi network that others can log into. As a result, they are equipped with larger antennas and lithium-ion batteries that provide broadband Internet access 24 hours a day.

What is satellite internet?

No matter the sky is clear for your satellite dish, satellite networks can provide you with a data connection.

Download speeds range from 20 Mbps to 250 Mbps, depending on your service provider. There are no hard data caps on any of the tariffs offered by the three main providers, Starlink, HughesNet and Viasat.

However, Starlink’s so-called priority data is capped – you have to subscribe for additional data. Priority data on Starlink means your connection speed is prioritized over standard data—a kind of fast lane. You can purchase up to 2TB of priority data at the “Single Location” rate or up to 5TB of mobile-first data at the “Mobile” rate. Mobile-first data is given higher network priority.

Once you install the dish and point it in the right direction, you’ll be able to access broadband speeds through your modem and Wi-Fi router just like you would with a standard wired network system.

However, satellite internet users often experience poor download speeds, long latency and data usage restrictions. However, for many businesses operating in rural areas, satellite connections are the only way to get online with good data speeds and reliability.

Availability, pricing, speeds and data limits vary by provider. The signal strength and speed of your satellite Internet connection depend on your location and access to the sky. If you’re working in an area surrounded by tall trees, large hills, mountains, or large buildings, you may not be in direct contact with enough of the sky to send data in a straight line to orbiting satellites.

Mobile Hotspot and Satellite Internet Speed

The two most important factors that determine the quality of your network connection are speed and latency.

• speed: Speed, expressed in megabits per second (Mbps) or terabits per second (Tbps), refers to how fast a network connection can send and receive data from a device. Generally speaking, download speeds are faster than upload speeds.
• Lurking: This refers to the time it takes for data to be transferred from your computer to an Internet server and vice versa. Lower latency means faster data transfer, making it better suited for tasks such as video calls.

So, how do mobile hotspots and satellite networks compare in terms of speed and latency?

Mobile hotspot devices can provide download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps for sharing among users. Latency is very low, around 60 milliseconds. This should be reliable enough for everyday tasks like sending emails, making VoIP calls, streaming music, and conducting HD video conferencing.

On clear skies and a good location, you can get speeds up to 250 Mbps from the best satellite systems. The disadvantage of satellite networks is latency, which can be anywhere from 594 to 624 milliseconds due to the distance the data must travel between the orbiting satellite and the dish.

This won’t have much of an impact when it comes to sending emails or downloading files, but it can be frustrating for video conferencing and uploading to YouTube. It’s also difficult to maintain a good signal when you’re on the move.

Mobile hotspot and satellite network pricing and caps

Consider these factors when you’re deciding between mobile hotspots and satellite internet.

Service cost

For both types of connections, you pay a fixed monthly access fee, which usually includes data.

Mobile hotspot service starts at about $20 per month. A few providers offer 4G and 5G connectivity exclusively, but most will want you to sign up for a regular business broadband plan. For satellite service, the cost can be much higher, ranging from $69.99 to $399.99 per month. You can top up using the priority and action priority data on Starlink.

Data usage

Regarding data usage, there are two types of subscriptions: plans with soft maximum monthly data caps and plans with unlimited data usage. The three major satellite providers—HughesNet, Starlink, and Viasat—all offer unlimited data plans. However, Starlink has data limits for its “Priority” and “Mobile First” add-on plans, and the data you download will no longer be ranked first.

If you choose a plan with a soft profile cap and frequently exceed your monthly limit, your provider may require you to move to a more expensive plan or pay a separate overage fee.

Throttle

During the months when you exceed your data limits, your internet provider may place limits on your account, meaning they intentionally slow down your connection. This can be a problem if you frequently host video conferences and perform other data-intensive activities.

Hotspots and satellite providers handle throttling differently, so be aware of your “backup” network speed and potential overage once you exceed your limit.

Equipment cost

While some providers bundle mobile hotspot devices with new plans, others charge separately. For satellite internet, you’ll pay an upfront equipment fee of $599 to $2,500 for equipment on Starlink, and monthly equipment fees for HughesNet and Viasat.

Best Business Internet Provider

There are many mobile hotspot providers, but there are currently only three satellite service providers. See below for the best options.

mobile hotspot provider

Many of the best ISPs also offer mobile hotspot devices and data plans. Verizon has a reputation for offering the best speeds, but if you experience better cellular reception with another provider in your area, this may be the best choice for you. We offer standalone pricing, but you may be able to bundle a dedicated hotspot device with your existing mobile plan.

Verizon

• data: 15GB to 150GB
• speed: 5G ultra-wideband
• price: $20 to $80 per month

Read our Verizon Internet service review.

AT&T

• data: 20GB to 50GB
• speed: 5G
• price: $25 to $55 per month

Read our AT&T Internet service review.

T move

• data: 50GB to unlimited
• speed: 5G
• price: $25 to $40 per month (Business Unlimited Plan)

Boost Mobile Company

• data: 5GB to unlimited
• speed: 5G
• price: $15 to $60 per month

Satellite Internet Service

Two major satellite internet providers, HughesNet and Viasat, offer nationwide coverage, but speeds vary by location. New member Starlink has more than 4,500 satellites in orbit, and has long-term plans to launch a low-orbit constellation consisting of more than 40,000 satellites, which can provide higher speeds and lower latency to antennas anywhere on the earth. Starlink’s services offer a lot of promise to users, and the company is building out its infrastructure quickly. However, availability is still limited by location.

Amazon plans to invest $10 billion with its subsidiary Project Kuiper to develop 3,236 similar low-Earth orbit satellite network systems, which are expected to be open to the public in the next few years. Other companies are preparing to offer competing services. For example, OneWeb recently merged with French operator Eutelsat. With increasing download speeds, low latency, and unlimited data plans, the future of satellite internet is getting brighter every year.

Starlink

• data: Unlimited on Standard plan, 40GB to 5TB of Priority or Mobile Priority data available for an additional fee
• speed: 20 to 250 Mbps
• service fee: $120 to $200 per month (standard), $140 to $5,000 (Priority or Mobile Priority add-on)
• Equipment prices: $599 (standard), $2,500 (preferred)

Hughes Network

• data: No hard data cap
• speed: 25 to 50 Mbps
• service fee: $84.99 to $189.99 per month
• Equipment prices: $14.99 per month ($90 setup fee may apply)

ViaSat Business

• data: No hard data cap
• speed: 50 to 100 Mbps
• service fee: $69.99 to $399.99 per month
• Equipment prices: $15 per month

In addition to considering price and data usage, you should also consider setup and maintenance of the device. Mobile hotspots are plug-and-play in nature and require less technical knowledge than you might need assistance with installing and configuring a satellite system.

Jeff Hale contributed to this article.