I noticed that my cousins had something like this.

What model or brand should I get?

Does this model work well?

https://www.amazon.com/RoamWiFi-Hotspot-150Mbps-Download-Anywhere/dp/B08G8FK29N/

  • YearOfTheCommieDesktop [they/them]
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    if you have any interest in using it extensively, to the point where normal data plans would be throttled or prohibitively expensive, check out the calyx institute (as a nonprofit they get this unmetered bandwidth on tmobile/sprint and then pass it on to "members")

    https://calyxinstitute.org/membership/internet

    for low usage a regular plan could be cheaper but calyx is cool if you want to just never worry about it

    I dont have experience with any specific hardware though.

    • macerated_baby_presidents [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      6 months ago

      this is neat, I've been looking to replace my awful Comcast service. Just have to figure out a way to get Ethernet out of one of these hotspots and then I can straight up replace my modem. If you're a subscriber, want to send me a referral code?

      • YearOfTheCommieDesktop [they/them]
        ·
        edit-2
        6 months ago

        If you're a subscriber,

        I'm not, just think they're neat

        the unfortunate thing about calyx is they go through a secondary provider called Mobile Citizen just for nonprofits that only supports a couple devices last I checked (I wish they just gave you a SIM but checking bands would be annoying ig). There's this on their site: https://calyxinstitute.org/docs/raspberry-pi-hotspot-bridge but that's a bit hacky really.

        It looks like the nicest device they offer has a gigabit ethernet port, and the midrange one has usb c tethering which could work with a pc or raspi as a bridge to ethernet. those are more money but not horrid if its replacing expensive shitty hardline service potentially. $250 extra upfront and $100/yr more after the first year, for the nicest one, compared to the cheapest one

        • macerated_baby_presidents [he/him]
          ·
          6 months ago

          Ah I see. An extra step is a little annoying but a raspi isn't too expensive. I'm looking at the quarterly plans - Xfinity has a cheap intro offer that's only available if you haven't been a subscriber for a couple months, but they're the only option for wired internet in my area and all the other hotspot providers have data caps.

    • Pluto [he/him, he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      6 months ago

      Understood!

      I'm trying to use my Lenovo tablet in my car while it's driving or while someone else is driving (I would never text and drive so don't worry).