Having internet connection wherever you go on vacation has gone from being an eccentricity to being a necessity. Know where there is a hospital, restaurant or shop, know the weather forecast or simply be informed. These are just a few things you can do on the internet. That and, of course, watch movies or videos on Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and a long etcetera. Come on, the internet is already something as important as running water or electricity. And thanks to the unlimited data offered by your SIM card, you can have wireless internet unless you don't have mobile coverage in your vacation spot.
Otherwise, accessing the internet outside of your home is easier than ever. To begin with, telecommunications providers have decided to launch offers associated with a second fiber optic line or ADSL connection at a cheaper price than if you hired it from scratch. This is ideal for second residences in which you will spend at least two months.
But if you do numbers, the cheapest option, and that requires less hustle, is still the wireless internet that mobile data gives you . 4G coverage is very widespread. And if you're a bit lucky, maybe even some 5G will come to you. At its speeds, combined with the unlimited data offers, you will be able to have internet thanks to your SIM card.
WiFi Internet connection with mobile data
If you ever need to access the internet and you don't have a nearby WiFi point , you can create one from your smartphone. Both iOS and Android allow you to create a personal access point or hotspot for other devices to connect to it via WiFi and thus have an internet connection .
The downside is that you will have your iPhone or Android hijacked. That is, it will have to do that WiFi point function, so you will not be able to move it outside the home. Another consequence? The battery life will be shortened. But there is an alternative. Portable routers.
When there is no fiber optic or ADSL internet access, the best alternative is the mobile connection. Currently, accessing the internet via 4G or 5G allows access to services that require high speed such as streaming video, making video calls or simply playing online.
And the best way to squeeze unlimited data out of a SIM card is to use a WiFi router. First there were the USB 3G or 4G modems. It is also known as a dongle. In appearance it is a pendrive. But, in reality, it allows you to access the internet via mobile data from your computer. You plug the SIM card into the corresponding slot and then the dongle into a USB port on your computer. You already have wireless internet. You can find them at prices that range from € 20 to € 60 , depending on the model.
The TP-Link M7000 is perfect for those looking for mobility and reduced size . But what if I want internet for several devices at the same time ? Today USB modems or dongles are still sold, but it is more common for you to find portable routers . Its price ranges between € 30 and € 60 , although there are more sophisticated models that can reach the range of € 100 and € 200 .
If you are looking for a small but powerful and cheap travel router, the TP-Link MR3020 is perfect.
Portable routers, WiFi internet for travel
Portable routers have the appearance of a typical router but in reduced version . They also coincide in having similar ports, such as LAN / WLAN input, USB port, power input, etc. And, of course, they have WiFi coverage , either with internal or external antennas.
The differences appear as soon as we see the slot for the SIM card . It is your source to offer internet to your devices. Another difference is that, depending on the portable router model, it can be powered by electrical current, or it has an internal battery to make it 100% portable.
There are portable all-terrain routers that allow you to give internet via Ethernet or via SIM card, so that your 4G or 5G unlimited data plan becomes a WiFi point to which your devices will connect: televisions, tablets, computers, game consoles …
Otherwise, its behavior is the same as the router you have at home. That is, it allows to reach high speeds , taking into account the limitations of WiFi technology and the good 4G or 5G coverage you have. And security is usually similar, with ports open and others closed.
Small and compact, with battery and 4G and compatible with multiple devices. If that's what you're looking for, try this Huawei 4G mini router. At the time of writing, almost all portable routers are compatible with 4G and 4G LTE . We will still have to wait to see 5G devices. That is for mobile data. Regarding WiFi, the same thing happens. Most portable routers offer WiFi 5 in the two usual modes: 2.4 GHz connection and 5 GHz connection. The WiFi 6 models stand out for their scarcity.
If what you want is the last of the last, this Huawei AX3 WiFi 6 Plus Revolution reaches 3000 Mbps and allows up to 128 devices in dual band. In summary. If you are going to travel and need wireless internet on a regular basis, the most comfortable way is using a portable router . Easy to install and with hardly any configuration, it will give you a wireless connection for all your devices wherever you are, as long as the mobile coverage arrives .
