Verizon WiFi Hotspot vs. Home Network

Verizon's personal Wi-Fi mobile hotspot allows up to five devices to share an Internet connection, with download speeds at 5 to 12 Mbps and uploads at 2 to 5 Mbps. The device uses Verizon's LTE 4G network to deliver a high-speed Internet connection over standard cell data networks. It transmits a Wi-Fi signal up to 30 feet and operates on battery power for up to four hours. Internet availability is limited to areas with a strong cell tower signal.

Home networks offer a faster and more permanent connection for web access. Internet access provided by local cable and satellite companies can exceed speeds of 25 Mbps. Home wireless options are also available through the use of wireless routers. These networks can handle all of your Internet-ready devices in the home through a single connection.

Both Verizon's Wi-Fi hotspots and home networks have varying monthly costs. Dedicated home networks have a set price that does not change from month to month, although different tiers are available for higher top speeds. Verizon's Internet hot spot service offers only one speed option but charges for data usage. Different plans are available for varying amounts of data usage. There is a charge for every additional gigabyte of data transfer that exceeds the plan's limit.

Choose a connection based on your Internet use habits. If you use the Internet for everyday tasks such as browsing the Web, reading email and sharing work documents, Verizon's Wi-Fi hotspot would work well, especially when traveling is involved. If you use the Internet for gaming, video streaming and heavy file sharing, a home network may better suit your needs. A dedicated home Internet connection can handle much higher volumes of data transfer.