if you have any interest in using it extensively, to the point where normal data plans would be throttled or prohibitively expensive, check out the calyx institute (as a nonprofit they get this unmetered bandwidth on tmobile/sprint and then pass it on to "members")
https://calyxinstitute.org/membership/internet
for low usage a regular plan could be cheaper but calyx is cool if you want to just never worry about it
I dont have experience with any specific hardware though.
this is neat, I've been looking to replace my awful Comcast service. Just have to figure out a way to get Ethernet out of one of these hotspots and then I can straight up replace my modem. If you're a subscriber, want to send me a referral code?
If you're a subscriber,
I'm not, just think they're neat
the unfortunate thing about calyx is they go through a secondary provider called Mobile Citizen just for nonprofits that only supports a couple devices last I checked (I wish they just gave you a SIM but checking bands would be annoying ig). There's this on their site: https://calyxinstitute.org/docs/raspberry-pi-hotspot-bridge but that's a bit hacky really.
It looks like the nicest device they offer has a gigabit ethernet port, and the midrange one has usb c tethering which could work with a pc or raspi as a bridge to ethernet. those are more money but not horrid if its replacing expensive shitty hardline service potentially. $250 extra upfront and $100/yr more after the first year, for the nicest one, compared to the cheapest one
Ah I see. An extra step is a little annoying but a raspi isn't too expensive. I'm looking at the quarterly plans - Xfinity has a cheap intro offer that's only available if you haven't been a subscriber for a couple months, but they're the only option for wired internet in my area and all the other hotspot providers have data caps.
Understood!
I'm trying to use my Lenovo tablet in my car while it's driving or while someone else is driving (I would never text and drive so don't worry).
Depending on your needs you might find that you're just as well off using an old phone or buying a cheap new phone and setting that up to use as a WiFi hotspot.
You might also consider changing your mobile data plan to something that is higher or unlimited and just using your current phone for this purpose - if battery life is a concern then a backup battery would be cheaper and multi-purpose as it would be useful for your phone itself as well as extending the amount of time you're able to run the hotspot for.
The device above is useful for particular use-cases but tbh if you're looking for something separate to your current phone then a secondary phone may be a better use of your money (or free if you have an old phone lying around), or investing in a backup battery means you'd have something about the same size as that device but you'd be able to get a lot more mileage out of your phone while costing a lot less.
Good points.
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