How to get an internet connection on the go

We spend a lot of time online – from playing games and streaming movies to catching up with friends. So, staying connected when you’re away from your trusty home Wi-Fi connection is a must.

That’s where mobile broadband comes in – it lets you stay connected on all your devices, without having to rely on Wi-Fi in restaurants and cafes.

Let’s quickly break down the different ways to connect to the internet:
– Broadband: High-speed internet that travels through cables. There are different types and speeds, but broadband is what most people have as their home internet connection.
– Wi-Fi: This is just the name for a wireless internet connection from a router.
– 4G and 5G: Mobile internet from a satellite. The higher the number (remember 3G?) the stronger and faster the connection.

There are a few different ways to stay connected when you’re out and about, each suitable for different devices and situations. Let’s look at the options…

Mobile Wi-Fi or Mi-Fi is a small device that lets you create your own secure Wi-Fi hotspot wherever you may need it. It’s a great option for connecting multiple devices when you’re on the go, or if you’re without internet while you move.

Pay as you go: Just like your old phone, you can pay for data as and when you need it, and top up online or in store

Pay monthly: Choose your tariff based on price and how much data you’re going to use (more if you’re connecting a number of devices) and surf the web to your heart’s content

Some rolling plans come with the option to use your data abroad for free, which eliminates surprise roaming bills.

If you rely on your laptop for school or work and want a something just to check emails and browse online – a 4G tablet could be right for you. Also known as cellular, 4G and 5G models are tablets with a SIM card just like your phone. You’ll get a connection to the internet wherever you are – perfect if you use tablets to entertain the kids on long journeys.

Planning to travel with your laptop – or just want to connect it to the internet when you’re away from home? Then you might want to consider an internet dongle.

These are really easy to set up – plug it directly into one of your laptop’s USB ports to access the internet wherever you are. Like the Mi-Fi devices, these come in pay as you go and pay monthly options.

And once you’re back you don’t have to worry about the kids slowing your connection by streaming movies – it can be used wherever you are.

Guest Wi-Fi not working, and you have an email to send? Perfect time to tether to your phone and use your mobile data to get online from your laptop. You don’t have to buy any additional kit and you can use your current contract to pay for it. However, you can’t guarantee signal strength and running speeds – so it’s more of a quick fix for getting online than a permanent way to connect.

To set up a Wi-Fi hotspot, it will be under Settings on your phone. Simply switch it on, then find your phone under the Wi-Fi options on your laptop or tablet. Confirm the connection and you’re good to go.