Can I Work from Home Using Mobile Hotspot?

  • By: techsmart
  • Date: April 2, 2021
  • Time to read: 4 min.

Yes, you can work from home using a mobile hotspot. Apart from the fact that it allows you to choose the best network available, it is also a safe option. Some remote jobs are too sensitive to be executed and transmitted over public wifi. The only solution to this is using a Mobile Hotspot.

Although you can use your smartphones and tablets as mobile hotspots, they lack many features and advantages that mobile hotspot devices provide, so you should only consider routers and mobile hotspots for telework.

What are the Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Mobile Hotspot for Remote Work?

Before you buy a mobile hotspot for your remote work, here are some of the most important factors to consider:

The Internet Requirement

Internet requirements vary from one remote work to another. Although most of them need constant and consistent internet, some use more bandwidth.

Remote workers that have to stream videos or partake in video conferencing to communicate with a team will require more bandwidth than those who communicate via slack or email.

It is important to consider the bandwidth your mobile hotspot or router supports.

The best mobile hotspot to increase internet bandwidth is one that has a dual-band or triple-band feature. In this case, you can switch from the 2.4GHz channel to a 5 GHz channel or a 5.8 GHz channel when necessary.

Download and Upload Speed

Whether you are working remotely or not, some activities require average download and upload speed. Take video calling as an example. The minimum down speed is 3-4mbps, and the minimum up speed is 1-2mbps.

If your remote work demands that you transfer heavy data and files, you will need more Mbps. Although your router speed is essential for this, other factors that can affect your internet speed while virtually working include poor signal, network mismanagement, and cell tower congestion.

Therefore, before you buy a mobile hotspot for your remote work, make sure that its receiver signal in your location is strong. It is even more important for mobile wifi that only allows specific SIMS.

In this case, you may need to have a plan B. But generally, if you are not sure about the availability of a network around your home, it is best to buy a universal router.

Security and privacy

If your remote work entails sending sensitive and vital information, then you have to consider this factor. Many cybercrimes target remote workers in sensitive industries like medical and finance. Therefore, you should not work over public wifi, and your mobile wifi must provide a level of safety and privacy.

Security features are one of the most critical requirements. If you are not sure about how secure your connection is, you may want to use a VPN for additional protection.

Cost of Data

If you are using restrictive mobile wifi, then the cost of purchasing data should be one of the things you consider, depending on the volume of your work and the amount of data you consume monthly.

Some networks offer free data upon buying their MiFi. Some have more affordable plans. Others have free night browsing, while some will allow rollover plans.

You can make a choice depending on which option best suits you. But this should be after you have evaluated the data usage of your remote work.

Number of Devices

The number of devices you use while working from home is another important factor to consider. If there will be other users who will share your hotspot, you should go for a maximum of ten devices.

If there is a possibility of adding more devices for your remote work in the future, buy a MiFi that can allow more connection because it will save you the trouble of purchasing another router later.

Battery Life

If you are working for long hours without a power supply, then you need to consider going for mobile wifi with enough battery capacity to last you. You should also know that the more the internet strength, the more power the mobile hotspot will consume.

Suppose your remote work involves a lot of video conferencing and streaming. In that case, you should consider the minimum battery capacity is 2o00mAh because it will guarantee you about 4 to 5 hours more than mobile hotspots with less capacity.

Yes, you can work from home using a mobile hotspot. Apart from the fact that it allows you to choose the best network available, it is also a safe option. Some remote jobs are too sensitive to be executed and transmitted over public wifi. The only solution to this is using a Mobile Hotspot.

Although you can use your smartphones and tablets as mobile hotspots, they lack many features and advantages that mobile hotspot devices provide, so you should only consider routers and mobile hotspots for telework.

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