10 Things should be kept in mind while buying a Pocket Wi-Fi Router
Internet, today, becomes a travel companion with every possible gadget is Wi-Fi enabled. However when you're traveling in a group and need connectivity on-the-go, it's best to use a Wi-Fi router and create a hotspot to connect multiple devices at one-go!
A Pocket Wi-Fi Router is a portable - small sized device, with Wi-Fi Hotspot capability. You can connect this device to an Internet source and make it a Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows multiple devices to connect to the internet. Many of these devices are small sized and so easy to carry wherever you go!
In the market, different types of pocket Wi-Fi devices available with different capabilities. So, you may choose depending on your budget and, you can go for a minimum functionality device or really, a fancy device with lots of option.
And before buying a Pocket Wi-Fi Router, 10 things should have to keep in mind:
1. Data Plans: Several data plans are offered, by Internet Service Provider (ISP), under prepaid and postpaid. So, check the data plans, which is suitable for you; because ISP offering the router at a very cheap price but the data plan will be expensive.
2. Locked / Unlocked: It's one of the most important factor and have to know whether the device is locked to a specific ISP or not. A locked device can only be worked to a specific ISP and unable to use with any other ISP. If you're getting a device very cheap, then there will be very high possibilities that the router is locked to an ISP. The best choice, to investing your money, is an unlocked one, which allows to change your ISP whenever you need.
3. How many devices able to connect at a time: Most routers has capacity to connect five devices at a time, which seem to be reasonable. But depending on your usage, for instance - a big family or a small office, you may choose the routers that allow higher number of connections.
4. Compatibility of ISP: Keep in mind, every ISP doesn't have coverage signals in all areas, and every wireless router wouldn't be compatible with every ISP. So, check well before buying a portable wireless router whether it is compatible with your SIM, data-card and the ISP through where you're going to spent most of the time.
5. Data Card supporting (3G/4G): To enjoying high speed Internet, ensure the pocket Wi-Fi router, which you're going to buy, supports 3G/4G Data Card.
6. Wi-Fi Speed: Before buying a wireless router, you've to check its wireless speed standards, too. The standards are ranged as - 'b', 'g' and 'n'.
'n' is the next generation technology, which is newer and supports faster speed, with a maximum net data rate from 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s and operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
'g' gives, even, a better coverage and its wireless signal seems to be stronger around the house, which has a maximum data rate 54 Mbit/s or an average of 22 Mbit/s, with 2.4 GHz band.
'b' has a maximum data rate 11 Mbit/s and, operating in 2.4 GHz band.
7. Router comes with Power Bank: The routers, nowadays, equipped with power bank, where you may getting an advantage of an inbuilt powerful battery, which not only gives continuous working time without the need of charge but allows to charging your smartphones on-the-go, too.
8. Quick Start: It's also essential to know 'how quickly the router booting- up!'. The booting time may vary from few seconds to few minutes. So, choose the routers that should get access to net in just 5 seconds without hassles of installation of drivers or software.
9. Mobile Apps should be managed: Mobile Apps are more convenient, which simplifying one's net-life, today. So, the same should be accessible over the data connection, where the routers allow the users to download Android Apps and to manage anytime, anywhere. So the users could able to view their data usage, battery life and etc., The App is available on Google's Play Store for free of charge.
10. USB 2.0 Ports: Some routers are coming with USB 2.0 Ports, which can be great to the users, because they're helpful to share files with the connected computers.
