When Should I Use a Mobile Hotspot?

Remote Work on the Go

• Use a mobile hotspot while working from a coffee shop, park, or while traveling.
• It provides a secure option compared to public WiFi networks.

During power or internet outages

• Stay online during home internet downtime or temporary power outages.
• Avoid prolonged usage during extended outages to save your phone’s battery life.

Accessing Sensitive or Personal Data

A mobile hotspot is perfect for tasks like:

• Online banking
• Shopping or making payments
• Checking health records
• Entering personal or login details

Pro Tip: Avoid relying on public WiFi for these tasks, as open networks expose your data to cybersecurity risks.

Avoiding Public WiFi Risks

• Open (unsecured) WiFi networks leave you vulnerable to hackers and identity theft.
• Use your private mobile hotspot for encrypted and safer internet access.

Emergencies or Safety-Critical Situations

• Ideal for staying connected during emergencies when other options are unavailable.
• In remote areas where connectivity is limited, mobile hotspots can complement rural internet solutions to ensure stable access when wired options are unreliable.

How Do I Enable a Mobile Hotspot?

1. Check your smartphone settings
   1. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.
   2. On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > WiFi Hotspot.
2. Turn on the mobile hotspot
   1. Activate the feature and ensure it’s visible to nearby devices.
3. Customize your settings
   1. Set a secure password to prevent unauthorized access.
   2. Rename your network (SSID) if desired.
   3. Decide whether to allow others to connect.
4. Connect your devices
   1. On your laptop, tablet, or other device, locate your phone’s network and enter the password to connect.
5. Monitor data usage and battery life
   1. High-data activities like streaming or video calls burn through data and battery faster (e.g., 250 MB/hour for streaming versus 1 MB/hour for email).
   2. Keep track of your phone’s data limits and ensure your battery doesn’t drain unexpectedly.
6. Turn off the hotspot when done
   1. Disconnect devices and disable the hotspot to preserve battery life and data.

Trust EarthLink for Flexibility Internet Options

Looking for a hybrid solution? Consider EarthLink’s wireless home internet. It combines the portability of a mobile hotspot with the speed and data capacity of a full home network, ensuring you’re connected without draining your phone’s resources.

Key Takeaways

• Mobile hotspots provide a convenient and portable way to stay connected while on the go.
• They offer a more secure alternative to public WiFi, ideal for handling confidential or sensitive tasks.
• Using a hotspot can impact your phone’s battery life and data usage, so it’s important to monitor both.
• Dedicated mobile hotspot devices can offer improved performance and longer-term connectivity compared to relying on a smartphone.
• If you need a longer-term backup in areas without mobile service, satellite internet is also worth considering for its wide-reaching coverage.