Mobile Phone Technology

There are two types of mobile router available for purchase and use. A 'mobile' mobile router can be carried around in a pocket and is battery powered. A ' fixed' or 'home' mobile router is similar to a standard router: it is not easily portable and requires a power supply to work. However, both types use the same underlying technology. They deliver Wi-Fi to a house or room, but rather than providing the backhaul via copper or fibre connections, it is provided via the mobile network. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a mobile router over a standard router.

• Speed : The connection speed of a mobile router depends on the strength and usage of the local mobile signal. However, in areas with a strong 4G+ or 5G signal, speeds of up to 100 Mbps are possible. If the home only has a copper FTTC connection, the maximum available speed will be 76 Mbps, but the signal will often be less than 35 Mbps. Areas with fibre (FTTP) connections can achieve much faster speeds. Currently, in the UK, the cost increases with faster FTTP connections. Speeds of over 100 Mbps are easily possible with FTTP.
• Capacity :How much data is used per month. Broadband contracts usually offer unlimited data. Mobile SIM contracts offer the same unlimited data. Capped mobile SIMs are available at a lower cost than unlimited data. In reality, unless you are a heavy gamer, capacity will not be an issue for mobile broadband at home. Users who browse, check their emails and watch movies online will be fine with capped SIMs of 100 GB or more.
• Price : A SIM-only mobile contract with unlimited 4G or 5G data will cost around £25 per month. A BT contract offering 500 Mbps will cost around £35 per month. Therefore, mobile costs can be lower than fixed-line broadband contracts.

Advantages of a mobile router : in areas with a good 4G signal, mobile broadband is comparable to a fixed home router. It can be situated anywhere in the home. Smaller mobile broadband devices can also be taken on holiday and used while travelling or in hotels and cafés, offering a greater level of security. No landline is needed at home, which could save money.

Disadvantages of a mobile router : the mobile signal varies more than fixed broadband, especially during periods of heavy mobile use. The latency of a mobile signal can also be greater than that of a fixed broadband signal. To use mobile broadband, a good 4G/5G signal is needed to achieve a usable speed. Heavy users, especially gamers, may find mobile broadband unsuitable.

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