What is a pocket WiFi?
A pocket WiFi is a portable gadget about the size of a deck of cards – even smaller. It’s designed to broadcast network signals to any WiFi-enabled devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets. You can easily slip it into your pocket, connect your device and browse on the go.
Although the device is small, the connectivity power isn’t. A pocket WiFi provides instant access to high-speed internet, and has a large coverage area of about 10-15 meters radius. It’s cheap, portable and provides seamless internet access.
How does pocket WiFi work?
A pocket WiFi works like a home broadband WiFi hotspot that you can connect other devices to, like your laptop, tablet or smartphone. It requires no installation, cables, or software; just turn on the device and follow the booting instructions (if any). To power a pocket WiFi, simply charge it with an AC adapter (charger) on a wall socket, or use a USB cable to connect to your device as a power source.
You can typically connect up to 10 users at a time, with no drain on data speed. Essentially, you can access the internet using mobile networks anywhere, anytime, on devices without SIM cards. The only place a pocket WiFi won’t work is in a mobile network blackspot, which is only the very remote areas.
How to recharge a data plan for your pocket WiFi
A pocket WiFi uses a SIM card that connects you to the mobile network. You can choose a plan with the data amount you need and pay monthly or every few months, depending on your plan. Plans come with as little as a gigabytes to 100GB or more.
Australian telcos, including Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, have generous data plans for their 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Some deals might include free pocket WiFi devices as perks.
Once your pocket WiFi has an activated data plan, it will be connected to the internet through the SIM card. This, in turn, enables the pocket WiFi to dispense Wi-Fi signals that allow internet-capable devices to get connected.
Pocket Wi-Fi available In Australia
All the top telcos have joined the pocket Wi-Fi bandwagon, offering highly attractive deals
Thanks to healthy competition in the pocket WiFi space, Australians have a wide variety of options. But most come locked to a specific network, and the unlocked ones might be pricier. You can also buy a pocket Wi-Fi through prepaid and postpaid plans.
Here’s a look at some of the best pocket Wi-Fi plans in Australia include:
- Optus:
Optus offers a Netgear AC800S Modem as part of its 4G broadband plans. The Netgear device supports about 11 hours of usage (with 260 hours of standby battery life) with up to 15 users connected. - Vodafone:
Vodafone’s Pocket Wi-Fi 2 offers 4G connectivity. It only has a 6-hour battery life, so it is not the best choice for people in remote, hard-to-reach areas of Australia, who may run into frequent power challenges. Nonetheless, it runs on the Vodafone network, but you won’t be under any contract. The pocket Wi-Fi supports up to 16 connections at a time. - Telstra:
Telstra’s pocket Wi-Fi offer is currently the most in-demand in the country. That’s been mostly because it offers both 4G and 5G connectivity. Telstra’s HTC’s 5G Hub is a future–proof device. It combines a 5G hotspot, an Android hub and a battery pack into a single device. It runs Android 9.0 pie and allows streaming of TV shows and movies. It handles up to 20 connections simultaneously. It even allows you to use a USB–C connection to hook up a HDMI port on a TV.
Final words – Network speed of using a pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFis offer some attractive internet speeds. It simply eradicates concerns about broadband speed arising from shared connections. With multiple users hooked to the device simultaneously, a pocket WiFi can still give everyone high-speed internet access at speeds of up to 150Mbs.
Pocket WiFi is the best option if you’re looking for a portable, stable, and speedy internet connection at home, the office or on the go.