Mobile hotspots, also known as tethering, allow you to connect other devices to the internet using your cell phone plan’s data. The amount of data used by a hotspot depends on how it is used, with more data-intensive activities consuming more data per hour. Basic activities like web browsing and email use less than 60MB per hour, while streaming music, watching videos, and video-conferencing can use over 900MB per hour. It’s important to keep track of your data usage to avoid exceeding your monthly limit and incurring additional fees or throttled speeds.
Some cell phone carriers in Canada offer free Wi-Fi hotspots for their customers, which you can use without using your own data. Rogers, Telus, Freedom Mobile, and others have Wi-Fi hotspots in various locations across the country. Monitoring your hotspot data usage is also crucial, and many carriers provide apps that allow you to track your data usage in real time.
If you frequently use a mobile hotspot and want to avoid exceeding your data limit, an unlimited plan is recommended. Although unlimited plans in Canada aren’t truly unlimited, they provide unlimited connectivity and no overage fees. Rogers’ Infinite Essential plan offers 120GB of shareable full-speed 5G data, which should be sufficient for hotspotting and regular phone use. Freedom Mobile’s 5G Unlimited 60GB CA-US plan is a more affordable option for travelers who occasionally need a hotspot while traveling in the United States. For casual users who rely on hotspots occasionally, Public Mobile’s Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB plan is recommended as it provides ample data and runs on Telus’ extensive nationwide network.
To enable your mobile hotspot, the steps vary depending on your phone and operating system. On an iPhone, go to the Settings menu, tap on Personal Hotspot, and toggle the switch to enable it. Android phones have similar settings that can be accessed through the Settings menu.
In summary, mobile hotspots are a convenient way to connect other devices to the internet using your cell phone plan’s data. Understanding your data usage, monitoring it, and choosing the right plan can help you make the most of your hotspot without exceeding your data limit.
