I use 4G for home internet. Should I just get a cheap smartphone and tether or spend an extra $50-100 for a 4G wifi router?
What benefits does a router have to tethering? I only need wifi (no ethernet)
4G Wi-Fi Router or Smartphone Tethering for Home Internet
SpicyStew on 18/09/2023 - 01:36
Last edited 18/09/2023 - 01:38
Last edited 18/09/2023 - 01:38
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range / speed / stability / security
using phone hotspot: easy, but not much routing performance, because phone don't usually come with hardware routing acclerator.
using 4G router: best speed/signal, though router feature generally are quite limited. Like the Huawei B818 can only set 5 static ip address and have no other feature almost at all. Some mobile service provider don't like you to put your SIM card into a router (namely Felix, and i think Telstra dislike that too but am not so sure), which means using 4G router might not be a viable solution at all.
using Asus/OpenWRT router + phone USB tethering: speed/signal is worse than using 4G router, on 4G phone you'll hit around 80/90 mbps average, 5G tends to be better (150mbps+) but that means you need to sacrifice a new-ish 5G phone as part of your router… also you'll need to plug in the phone to the router 24/7, potentially kill the phone's battery (I flashed my phone to LineageOS which can limit the charge to 70%). This way you'll have a full featured router and provider generally won't find out.
Find a Telstra Smart Modem, model DJA0231. You'll find them on Gumtree or Facebook Market for cheap ($10 - $20 take). They have 4G fail over when cable broadband is not working.
These are the modems made by Technicolor, which can be flashed very easily to take any SIM card. The WiFi range is pretty good on these models.
I'm doing the same with a $10 pre-owned Optus Sagemcom gateway, locked to Optus but happy to stick with them for now as there are plenty of cheap 365d options available.
Plenty of the Nokia FastMile 5G WiFi routers on eBay if you can afford $20 ish more of your $100 budget at $120, bought 2x haven't tried yet, certainlly faster speeds if you have 5G in your area and have a 5G simcard plan
Edit: supposedly unlocked also,…
well should be 👉😁👈, well I haven't tested my two yet to be sure,..https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/115895954305?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mk…
I think a dedicate AC powered 4G modem is better at least in reception and power supply / battery longevity.