logo
Why My Mobile Hotspot May Be Better Than My Home Internet

Why My Mobile Hotspot May Be Better Than My Home Internet

CNETa day ago
Mobile hotspots are incredibly handy when you're in a pinch-whether your home Wi-Fi is down during a storm or you're traveling and need a quick way to connect. But could a mobile hotspot actually replace your home internet altogether? It's a fair question, especially with rising monthly bills from traditional providers and the growing reliability of cellular networks.
While it seems like a simple enough solution to bypass internet throttling from your provider or save money, as someone who writes about broadband daily, I wasn't easily convinced. Instead of relying solely on other sources, I decided to test it for myself. Here's what I discovered after using my mobile hotspot at home for three days.
First off, what is a hotspot?
Let's clear this up: A hotspot is a physical location where people can connect wirelessly to the internet. There are three different types: public, private and mobile hotspots -- with mobile hotspots generally being the most secure. Let's take a closer look.
Public hotspot
Public hotspots are specific locations established by businesses or public spaces that provide free Wi-Fi. You can find these in libraries, cafes and even shopping malls. Public hotspots allow anyone within range to connect to the internet, but usually lack the security you'd find with a private hotspot. Most public hotspots are not encrypted with passwords, which makes it easier for hackers or outside threats like malware and viruses to intercept connected devices. If you're handling sensitive information while connected to a public hotspot, you should take extra security measures and use a VPN.
Private hotspot
On the other hand, a private hotspot is not free, but it is more secure than a public hotspot. For example, your home network can be characterized as a private hotspot. A private hotspot can wirelessly connect devices to the internet using a router supported by your internet service provider. Your network will likely be encrypted with a strong Wi-Fi password and only certain people will be able to access it.
Locating local internet providers
Mobile hotspot
The cellular network that your mobile phone is connected to can also be used as a hotspot. If your phone is nearby, you can connect devices such as your computer, tablet, smart gadgets and more to the internet. Many mobile providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offer users the built-in personal hotspot feature.
Using a mobile hotspot at home: Yay or nay?
I tested my mobile hotspot for three days by using it as my primary internet connection method. Before setting up my hotspot, I made sure my phone was near my computer. Then, I disconnected from my Wi-Fi on my phone, went into my iOS settings and turned on my personal hotspot.
Next, I opened the Wi-Fi panel on my computer and waded through the different networks until I found and connected to my phone's hotspot. For context, my mobile provider is AT&T, and I have the 60GB Unlimited data plan.
Right away, the first thing that leaped out at me while using my hotspot was the drastic drop in speed. On average, I was getting less than 10 megabits per second in download speeds and about 10Mbps in upload speeds. Yeah -- that's a no from me.
When using my mobile hotspot, I received an average download speed of less than 10Mbps and only 10Mbps in uploads.
Ookla/Screenshot by CNET
Speed is usually not a deal-breaker for me, since I don't game excessively or stream that frequently. But working from home means joining video conferences, which require at least 10 to 20Mbps, according to CNET's speed guide. I used Ookla to perform an internet speed test over my mobile hotspot. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
I averaged less than 10Mbps in downloads and 10Mbps in uploads over the three days of using my hotspot. For context, the Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as speeds of at least 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload. Comparatively, I saw much faster speeds when I used my traditional Wi-Fi router, which was receiving an average of over 530Mbps in downloads and 240Mbps in uploads. Besides the intermittent lagging during video conferences, sending large files and emails also took a hit.
CNET's How-To expert Nelson Aguilar encourages people to avoid connecting their computers to a mobile hotspot.
"The only time I ever use a mobile hotspot is when I'm sharing it with someone else's phone or tablet," says Aguilar. "A mobile device typically uses less data than a computer, and so the performance is much higher than with a computer, which often runs several high-bandwidth tasks in the background that can quickly consume data and slow down performance."
Mobile hotspot use and battery life
Since your mobile hotspot acts as a router, sending and receiving signals, using your mobile hotspot throughout the day can lower your battery. Unless your phone is continuously charged, using a mobile hotspot may not be an ideal way to connect to the internet long term.
A mobile hotspot at home can be convenient (until it's not)
Trisha Jandoc/CNET
My mobile hotspot use abruptly stopped while I was on the train on my way to the office. I was attempting to connect my computer to my mobile hotspot in hopes of accessing the internet to send some emails. My laptop would say connected on the Wi-Fi panel, but there was no internet. Thankfully, I was on the way to the office and could access the internet there. But the next day, I was working from home, and the looming question came: What do I do now?
I was on AT&T's 60GB Unlimited data plan, and as you can imagine, I was confused. Did I really burn through 60GB of data in the two days I used my mobile hotspot? At least the "unlimited" part of the plan meant I would not be charged data overage fees if I reached maximum data.
Besides the slow speeds, you should always consider that your mobile hotspot is less reliable than traditional Wi-Fi. There could be different factors, such as network outages, poor signal, proximity to your provider's nearest cellular tower, or, in my case, technical issues (which I'll get into in a bit). These things are outside your control and ultimately disrupt how you stay connected. The following day, I had to call AT&T and troubleshoot my mobile hotspot in order to continue working from home.
How to troubleshoot your mobile hotspot at home when it's not working
There are different ways to diagnose issues with your mobile hotspot from home. Whether you're an iPhone or Android user, sometimes the easiest action to start with is to simply turn your phone on and off. If that doesn't solve it, try the following steps.
Turning off battery-saving mode: If restarting your phone doesn't work, you can try turning off battery-saver mode in your phone settings. According to Asurion, low-power mode can interfere with your mobile hotspot.
If restarting your phone doesn't work, you can try turning off battery-saver mode in your phone settings. According to Asurion, low-power mode can interfere with your mobile hotspot. Disconnect from your VPN: While using a VPN can protect your network from outside threats, it can also disrupt your mobile hotspot signal. A VPN may not be necessary if you are using a private hotspot (connecting to your mobile provider's network).
While using a VPN can protect your network from outside threats, it can also disrupt your mobile hotspot signal. A VPN may not be necessary if you are using a private hotspot (connecting to your mobile provider's network). Updating your phone's software: Before you know it, it's been over six months since you updated your phone. It happens to the best of us. Conducting a software update on your phone could prevent issues that arise from your mobile hotspot. To do this, simply go into your iPhone or Android settings and check if any updates are needed. This software update could take some time to complete, so keep this in mind if you have any time-sensitive things you need to do quickly.
Reset your phone's network settings
Trisha Jandoc/CNET
If you're like me and these tips did not improve your mobile hotspot, the next thing to do is contact your mobile provider.
I called AT&T's tech support number and explained my issue. The AT&T representative confirmed over the phone that I still had plenty of usage left in my data, so my concern about burning through my data was unfounded -- that was not why I was having problems.
The AT&T rep gave me the following instructions on how to restart your network settings. While I followed these steps on my iPhone, I also included instructions for Android users.
iPhone
To change or update the name of your mobile hotspot, go to Settings > General > About > Name > change the name to [user's iPhone]. To change your mobile hotspot password, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > Update your password. To reset your phone's network settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. (Important note: If you get to this step, your phone will automatically disconnect, restart and forget all the Wi-Fi passwords your device is connected to.)
Android
To change or update the name of your mobile hotspot, go to Settings > Wi-Fi network > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > click hotspot name > Change name. To change your mobile hotspot password, go to Settings > Wi-Fi network > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > click Password > change password. To reset your phone's network settings,go to Settings > Click System > (Advanced) > Reset Options > Reset Network Settings > click Reset.
If you're still stuck, I would consider contacting your mobile provider for further assistance.
Using a mobile hotspot at home: Pros and cons
While using a mobile hotspot has some unique benefits, you should also be aware of a few drawbacks if you're aiming to use it at home.
Pros
Convenient: As long as you can access your mobile device, a hotspot is easy to use.
As long as you can access your mobile device, a hotspot is easy to use. A solid internet backup: It's always safe to have an internet backup option, especially in cases of emergency. Whether your power went out, severe weather affected your internet connection or your wired internet provider is experiencing a massive network outage, a mobile hotspot can be an easy way to stay connected to the internet.
Cons
Costly: At first, it may seem like using a mobile hotspot is a cheaper alternative than paying for your traditional home internet service, but this could prove to be more costly down the line. On average, customers pay a monthly bill ranging from $20 to $50 for their phones. On top of this, you may also incur additional data overage fees for every certain block of data used. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you won't have to worry about paying overage fees, but you may face annoyingly slow speeds once you've reached your data cap.
At first, it may seem like using a mobile hotspot is a cheaper alternative than paying for your traditional home internet service, but this could prove to be more costly down the line. On average, customers pay a monthly bill ranging from $20 to $50 for their phones. On top of this, you may also incur additional data overage fees for every certain block of data used. If you're on an unlimited data plan, you won't have to worry about paying overage fees, but you may face annoyingly slow speeds once you've reached your data cap. Slow, unreliable speeds: Generally, you'll find faster speeds with traditional fixed home internet. Even if you can only access a fixed wireless or satellite internet connection, most home internet providers can deliver speeds that meet the Federal Communications Commission's broadband benchmark with 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload .
Generally, you'll find faster speeds with traditional fixed home internet. Even if you can only access a fixed wireless or satellite internet connection, most home internet providers can deliver speeds that meet the Federal Communications Commission's broadband benchmark with 100Mbps in download and 20Mbps in upload Not accessible everywhere: Your actual speeds will probably not match the advertised speeds of your plan. Your mobile hotspot relies heavily on your mobile provider's cellular tower. Depending on your proximity to the tower, your speeds can vary. More importantly, for those who live in less populated or rural areas, access to a 5G connection may not always be guaranteed.
Your actual speeds will probably not match the advertised speeds of your plan. Your mobile hotspot relies heavily on your mobile provider's cellular tower. Depending on your proximity to the tower, your speeds can vary. More importantly, for those who live in less populated or rural areas, access to a 5G connection may not always be guaranteed. Can reduce phone battery: Overall, using your mobile phone as a hotspot throughout the day may not be ideal. Unless you can keep your phone charged at all times, a mobile hotspot may not be ideal when you're on the go.
Bottom line: It's a no for me on using a mobile hotspot at home, but it can still be a lifesaver in other cases
After completing this experiment, I confirmed that it doesn't really make sense to use your mobile hotspot as a primary source of home internet connection. The purpose of having a mobile hotspot at home is to act as a backup option in times of emergency. When your power goes out or your internet provider is experiencing a network outage, a mobile hotspot is a great way to stay connected.
However, using a mobile hotspot as your primary mode of connecting your home to the internet isn't ideal. You'll find a faster, more reliable internet service with a fixed broadband connection. If you love traveling, then a mobile hotspot might be something you use pretty frequently. For typical household usage, you'll want to turn to your mobile hotspot only as a secondary option.
Mobile hotspot at home FAQs
What is the difference between a hotspot and Wi-Fi?
The two are related. A hotspot is a specific location where you can connect wirelessly to the internet. It can be public (typically libraries, airports, malls or cafes) or private (your home network, for example, or using your phone to connect other devices wirelessly). Wi-Fi is a broad term used to describe connecting to the internet wirelessly.
Is using a mobile hotspot better than using your Wi-Fi router at home?
Not really. While a mobile hotspot is convenient and portable, making it easier to stay connected on the go, it shouldn't be your primary way of connecting to the internet at home unless it's your only option. Usually, a fixed internet connection will provide you and your household with better performance at home.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This 12 Dividend Stock Portfolio Will Pay Your Bills
This 12 Dividend Stock Portfolio Will Pay Your Bills

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

This 12 Dividend Stock Portfolio Will Pay Your Bills

Most dividend stocks pay quarterly—but your bills don't. Rent, groceries, gas, surprise car repairs… life doesn't come once every three months. That's why some investors are building what's called a Weekly Paycheck Portfolio—a curated list of dividend-paying stocks staggered to deliver consistent income every week of the year. With the right mix of stocks across sectors and dividend schedules, you can build a dividend portfolio that not only delivers frequent income but grows it over time. These 12 stocks yield nearly four times the S&P 500 average and offer solid dividend growth. Here's how to build your own weekly dividend machine. Building a Dividend Portfolio that Pays the Bills I'll reveal my 12-stock portfolio as an example but the idea here is so simple and allows you to switch out your favorite dividend stocks. Most dividend stocks pay out each year on extremely consistent schedules. Dividend investors love that certainty and consistency so directors of these companies try to declare and pay those dividends on the same week every three months, some even down to the same day. That means, after putting together your list of dividend stocks, you can use a resource like the Historical Data tab on Yahoo Finance to see when each has paid dividends in the past. Once you have a list of when your favorite dividend stocks go ex-dividend, you can plan it out so you have stocks that will pay you every week of the year. Cisco Systems (CSCO) Dividend Yield: 2.4% Ex-Dividend Schedule: First week of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct Cisco offers a modest yield—but as a tech company, it's unusually generous. The company is well-positioned in the AI-driven data center boom with solutions in switching, routing, and cybersecurity. Cisco has raised its dividend consistently and shares are up 50% in five years. EOG Resources (EOG) Dividend Yield: 3.4% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Second week of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct A natural gas powerhouse, EOG is benefiting from increased LNG export infrastructure. Its dividend has grown at 20% annually, and analysts forecast double-digit upside in shares. That's on top of 143% share price growth over five years. AbbVie (ABBV) Dividend Yield: 3.5% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Third week of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct This pharma giant has become a dividend investor favorite thanks to its blockbuster pipeline, including Skyrizi and Rinvoq. AbbVie's strong growth and 12% price target upside make it worth the a look. Ford Motor (F) Dividend Yield: 6.9% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Fourth week of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct Ford is deep value right now, trading at just 0.25x sales. While earnings are forecast to dip, the F-150 remains the best-selling truck in America. Any relief in input costs or sales rebound could re-ignite the stock, and the 6.9% dividend sweetens the wait. Kinder Morgan (KMI) Dividend Yield: 4.0% Ex-Dividend Schedule: First week of February, May, August, November With 80,000 miles of oil and gas pipeline, Kinder Morgan generates steady fees independent of commodity prices. The stock offers dependable income, modest growth, and analysts see 12% upside to the shares. Duke Energy (DUK) Dividend Yield: 3.5% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Second week of Feb, May, Aug, Nov Duke provides electricity and gas to more than 9 million customers across the southeastern U.S. With rising power demand driven by data centers, the company offers stability and potential for 10–20% share price appreciation. I love talking stocks and that face-to-face community we're building on the YouTube channel. Join the Bow Tie Nation and check out all the 2025 stock picks on Let's Talk Money! Prudential Financial (PRU) Dividend Yield: 5.0% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Third week of Feb, May, Aug, Nov Prudential brings international diversification with half its earnings overseas, especially in Japan and Brazil. Analysts see a 10% upside, and its 5% dividend with 4% growth rate makes it a top pick among insurers. NextEra Energy (NEE) Dividend Yield: 3.3% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Fourth week of February, May, August, November NextEra combines the scale of a major utility with a fast-growing renewables portfolio. It's grown its dividend at a 10% annual pace, and with 28GW in clean energy backlog, future growth looks strong even if yield is middle-of-the-pack. Regions Financial (RF) Dividend Yield: 4.2% Ex-Dividend Schedule: First week of Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec This regional bank has scaled well and consistently raised its dividend by 10% annually. Regulatory easing and a higher rate environment could push shares well above their current analyst target of $24 per share. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Dividend Yield: 2.5% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Second week of Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec HPE's merger with Juniper and strength in AI-driven server growth make it a hidden tech dividend play. While dividend growth has been slow at 1.6%, accelerating cash flows should drive both payouts and price higher. Altria Group (MO) Dividend Yield: 7.0% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Third week of Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec Despite declining cigarette volumes, Altria has grown total volume through heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. The dividend is king here, and with a 7% yield, investors are getting paid well to wait. Medtronic (MDT) Dividend Yield: 3.2% Ex-Dividend Schedule: Fourth week of Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec With a #1 or #2 position in all three of its core MedTech markets and AI-enabled devices already approved, Medtronic combines innovation and consistency. While growth has lagged recently, the stock remains a steady payer with upside potential. This 12-stock portfolio yields approximately 4.1%, nearly four times the broader market average—with an average dividend growth rate above 6% a year. It includes a mix of sectors for safety, income, and potential appreciation. That means you'll get dependable dividend checks every week of the year, from high-yield staples like Altria and Ford to steady growers like NextEra and Medtronic. It's not a get-rich-quick strategy—but it is a get-paid-every-week strategy. Disclosure: My Weekly Dividend Cash Portfolio that Pays the Bills is written by Joseph Hogue, CFA who is a former equity analyst and economist. Born and raised in Iowa, after serving in the Marine Corps, Joseph worked in corporate finance and real estate before starting a career in investment analysis. He has appeared on Bloomberg and CNBC and led a team of equity analysts for a venture capital research firm. He holds a master's degree in business and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Positions in stocks mentioned: F, MO, ABBV Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

CoreWeave shares climb on $1.5 billion debt offering amid AI expansion
CoreWeave shares climb on $1.5 billion debt offering amid AI expansion

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

CoreWeave shares climb on $1.5 billion debt offering amid AI expansion

-- CoreWeave Inc (NASDAQ:CRWV) shares jumped on Monday after the AI infrastructure provider unveiled plans to raise $1.5 billion through a senior notes offering, bolstering its balance sheet to support continued growth. The stock surged 4.5% following the announcement as investors responded to the company's move to lean into long-term demand for AI compute capacity. The new 2031-dated bond comes as CoreWeave continues to navigate a stretched balance sheet, with $8 billion in total debt reported as of December 2024. The offering will be made to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons under Regulation S, and will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain wholly owned subsidiaries. Analysts have generally remained constructive on CoreWeave's near-term outlook despite the capital structure concerns. 'From a numbers perspective, we are expecting another double-digit beat, with current consensus assuming 10% q/q growth, which feels conservative given the ongoing Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) B200 ramp management spoke to last quarter,' noted Barclays analyst Raimo Lenschow. Still, the company's aggressive expansion strategy, centered on massive investment in GPU infrastructure, has come at a cost, with elevated interest burdens raising flags about cash flow resiliency in a cyclical market. CoreWeave issued $2 billion in new notes in May and follows that just two months later with this $1.5 billion issuance, moves that could signal a need to refinance rather than organic deleveraging. Since debuting in public markets in late March, CoreWeave's has proven an AI darling, initially spiking from $40 to $187 before stabilizing in the $125 to $140 range. Lenschow's updated price target of $140 reflects both expectations for sustained customer demand in AI cloud services and the limitations posed by valuation, which he described as 'full (~50x CY26E EV/EBIT).' CoreWeave's differentiated infrastructure, reportedly offering up to 35 times faster and 80% cheaper computing compared to AWS or Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Cloud, has positioned it as a leader in the AI acceleration space. However, the company's reliance on debt to fund its buildout raises long-term questions, particularly if hyperscaler spending slows or AI workload monetization falls short. Moody's assigned a B1 rating to CoreWeave's newly announced $1.5 billion senior unsecured notes due 2031, while maintaining its Ba3 corporate family rating and a stable outlook. Fitch similarly rated the notes at BB- with a Recovery Rating of 'RR4', noting CoreWeave's strong revenue visibility, capital discipline, and projected deleveraging, supported by a $25.9 billion backlog and robust EBITDA growth through 2026. Both agencies cited CoreWeave's relatively high leverage and customer concentration as key concerns. Nonetheless, Moody's and Fitch highlighted the stability of CoreWeave's contracted revenues, its unique competitive positioning in AI infrastructure, and the potential for leverage to decline to 3.5x or below by the end of 2026, provided the company continues its execution pace and maintains liquidity. Revenue for the second quarter is forecast at around $1.2 billion, potentially exceeding consensus estimates and supporting EBITDA momentum. 'In all, we think Q2 should provide proof points of ongoing healthy end-demand, though we still view valuation as full... and think the end of the lock-up two days after earnings limits any potential positive price action,' said Lenschow. Related articles CoreWeave shares climb on $1.5 billion debt offering amid AI expansion Victoria's Secret Exposed: The Warning Sign Behind the Stock's 52% Collapse Clients buying into summer rally, bracing for later pullback, says BofA's Hartnett Sign in to access your portfolio

5 ways teens are using AI companions, from flirting to serious advice
5 ways teens are using AI companions, from flirting to serious advice

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

5 ways teens are using AI companions, from flirting to serious advice

A new report asked more than 1,000 teens about whether and how they're using AI companions. More than half said they use companions regularly, and some rely on them for serious advice. Almost 10% those who use companions try to learn "romantic" skills. The era of AI-generated pick-up lines is here for some teens. A study from the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media published on July 16, 2025, asked teens nationwide about whether and how they use AI companions, especially in their social lives. The survey defined AI companions as "digital friends or characters you can text or talk with" that "are designed to have conversations that feel personal and meaningful." In total, 1,060 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 responded during April and May, and their answers shed light on how adolescents are using the technology in their social lives. At the end of the report, Common Sense Media reaffirmed its previous suggestion that nobody younger than 18 should use AI companions. Business Insider combed through the results for some of the most interesting takeaways. More than half said they're regular users While 72% of respondents said they've used AI companions at least one time, 52% use the technology at least a few times per month. For some, AI companions are a regular part of their day — 13% of respondents said they use the technology daily. More than a quarter of respondents said they'd never used an AI companion. 8% have used AI to flirt When the 758 teens who said they use AI companions were asked what skills they practice, 8% said romantic or flirtatious ones. AI could reshape dating apps as we know them, BI previously reported, as some companies have created chatbots that people can date. Some people have even developed romantic relationships with AI partners. Leaked documents reviewed by BI show that Meta has trained its AI to accept "flirty" prompts, as long as they are not sexually explicit. Younger teens are more likely to trust the AI's advice Half of those surveyed said they trust the advice and information from their AI companion at least "somewhat," but there are age discrepancies within that group. Younger kids are much more trusting — 27% of respondents ages 13-14 compared to 20% of respondents aged 15-17. Of those who said they trust their AI companions, 23% said they trust them "quite a bit" or "completely." Many find the interactions as or more satisfying than conversations with humans Nearly 1/3 of those surveyed said they find conversations with AI companions as or more satisfying than those they have with real, human friends. Of the teens who responded, 10% said the conversations were more satisfying, and 21% ranked them as satisfying. Still, the teens surveyed largely prioritize time with their friends over their AI buddy — 80% said they spend more time with friends, and only 6% said they spend more time with the AI. Some prefer AI for serious advice Among the 758 teens who said they use AI companions, one-third said they've talked about "important or serious" subjects with the bot instead of real friends, but only 4% said they do that frequently. Have you used AI in your dating life? Contact this reporter via email at atecotzky@ or Signal at alicetecotzky.05. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store