Hotspot vs Broadband

In today's fast-paced digital world, having a reliable and speedy internet connection has become more crucial than ever before. With various options available in the market, it can be challenging to determine which type of internet connection is best suited for your needs.

Two such concepts are Wi-Fi hotspots (commonly called hotspots) and broadband connections. While both offer the convenience of wireless connectivity, they have significant differences in terms of speed, reliability, and cost.

Learn more about hotspot and broadband internet services to help you understand which one is better for your needs.

What Is a Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Intel defines a Wi-Fi hotspot as "A physical location where people can access the Internet, typically via a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a router connected to an Internet service provider."

In simple words, a hotspot is a medium or a place where multiple users can connect their internet devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, to the internet. Wi-Fi hotspots are usually available at airports, coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and other public places. Cafes like Starbucks and McDonald's have popularised the concept of Wi-Fi hotspots in recent times.

A Wi-Fi hotspot works by broadcasting a signal over a short distance, usually about 300 feet. When users connect their device to the hotspot, it will pick up the broadcasted signal and allows them access to the internet. The internet speed offered by Wi-Fi hotspots typically ranges from 20 Mbps to around 100 Mbps.

Depending on the place, internet access in Wi-Fi hotspots is usually provided for a small fee or can even be free in some cases. Users can pay for the access with a credit card or by signing up for a membership.

Users are generally asked to enter their mobile number to get access to the internet. An OTP is then sent to the user's mobile, which needs to be entered in order to gain access. After that, they can get access to the internet for a pre-defined period of time. Usually about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the place.

Advantages of Wi-Fi Hotspot Connection

Using a Wi-Fi hotspot connection provides many advantages to users. Some of the most notable include:

      . Exceptionally convenient

Wi-Fi hotspots are incredibly convenient as they can be found at almost any public place. Users can simply connect to the hotspot and get access to the internet for a nominal fee or even for free.

      . Excellent Speed

The download and upload speeds provided by Wi-Fi hotspots are usually good enough to carry out day-to-day tasks such as browsing, streaming videos, and more.

      · Cost-effective

Wi-Fi hotspots are usually cheaper than broadband connections and cost only a few Rupees per hour.

Disadvantages of Wi-Fi Hotspot Connection

While Wi-Fi hotspots are great, they also have some drawbacks that need to be taken into consideration. They are:

      · Security Risks

Wi-Fi hotspots can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. As multiple people are using the same network, if one device is attacked, it could affect other users as well. It's always recommended to use the best security practices when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.

      · Limited Range

Wi-Fi hotspots have a limited range, usually about 300 feet. This means that users have to stay within the range in order to get access.

What Is Broadband Connection?

A broadband connection, on the other hand, is a dedicated internet connection that comes with a much higher internet speed than Wi-Fi hotspots. Broadband connections are provided by telecom companies or Internet Service Providers (ISPs) via a physical connection to the user's premises.

Broadband connections usually use coaxial cables, optical fibres, twisted pair copper wire and other such technologies to deliver high-speed internet. Users can then plug in their devices to the modem or router and get access to the internet on multiple devices at once.

Broadband connections usually offer internet speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to around 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps). This makes them ideal for a plethora of internet activities ranging from simple web browsing to streaming high-definition videos or even playing online games.

Advantages of Broadband Connection

Broadband connections provide numerous advantages:

      . High Internet Speed

The internet speed provided by broadband connections is much higher than that offered by Wi-Fi hotspots. Plus, since the connection is used only by the user or their family, the entire speed is available without any disturbances.

      . Reliability

Broadband connections are more reliable than Wi-Fi hotspots as they don't get affected by distance. As long as the modem or router is connected, users can get access to the internet without any interruptions.

      . Availability

Broadband connections are available 24/7 unless there's an interruption in service due to maintenance or other technical issues. All the user needs to do is connect their device to the modem or router and get access to the internet.

      . Security

Broadband connections offer much better security than Wi-Fi hotspots. In the case of a wired connection, it becomes much harder for hackers to intercept the signal. Similarly, when using a Wi-Fi connection, users can enable better security measures such as strong WPA2 encryption.

      . Ideal for home usage

A broadband connection is the best option when it comes to home usage, as the entire family can use the connection for various internet activities. Plus, users can also take advantage of various deals and discounts provided by the ISP for long-term plans.

Disadvantages of Broadband Connection

Some of the drawbacks of broadband connections include the following:

      . Costly Setup

Broadband connections come with a setup cost that includes the cost of the modem or router, installation charges, and more. Plus, they also have to pay monthly rentals for the connection, whether they use it or not. This can be expensive for some users, especially those on a tight budget.

      . Tied to a certain ISP

Broadband connections are usually tied to a certain ISP. This means that the user has to stay with the same service provider even if they're not satisfied with the services till the subscription expires.

      . Limited Range

The range of broadband connections is limited to the premises they're connected to. Even if users have a Wi-Fi router, the range is still generally limited to the walls of their house. At most, the signal can reach around 100 metresin an open space.

What Are the Types of Broadband Connections?

Broadband is an umbrella term used for high-speed internet connections. It includes a variety of technologies such as cable, DSL, fibre optic and others. Some of the most common types of broadband connections include:

Cable

Cable broadband connections use the same coaxial cables that are used to deliver cable TV signals. They provide speeds of 1.5 Mbps or more and are usually available in urban areas.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections use copper telephone lines to deliver high-speed internet signals. This technology is available in many parts of the world and can provide speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 100 Mbps or more.

Fibre Optic

Fibre optic broadband connections use fibre optic cables to deliver internet signals at high speeds. This technology is available in many parts of the world and can provide speeds up to 1 Gbps or even higher.

Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL)

Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL) is a technology that uses existing power lines to deliver internet signals. This technology is still in the development phase and is not widely available. The speeds offered by BPL connections are comparable to DSL and cable modem speeds.

How to Perform Broadband Speed Test?

Users having a broadband connection need to regularly check the internet speed of their connection to ensure that they're getting the promised speeds. This broadband speed test can be done easily by using speed test tools such as Speedtest.net or Fast.com.

These tools required the user to simply open their website and click on the 'Start Test' button. The speed test usually takes a few minutes to complete and provides detailed information about the download speed, upload speed, and ping time of the connection. This helps users to have a better understanding of their connection speeds and identify any potential issues with their broadband connection.

How to Perform Broadband Speed Test with Speedtest?

To get the Internet speed results within seconds, the users can:

    1. Go to www.speedtest.net

    2. Click on the 'Go' button

    3. Wait for the test to complete.

Once the test is completed, users will be able to see their download speed, upload speed, and ping time, along with other details.

Similar to Speedtest, there are other websites where users can also perform a broadband speed test. The process is similar to that of Speedtest.net, and users can choose to check the speed of their broadband connection.

Fast.com, which is owned by Netflix, also provides users with an easy-to-use interface and offers accurate results for broadband speed tests.

How to Perform Broadband Speed Test on Fast.com?

The process of performing a broadband speed test on Fast.com is even simpler than on Speedtest.net.

Simply go to www.fast.com. The broadband speed test will start automatically. Once the test is completed, users will be able to see their download speed and other details.

Hotspot vs Broadband: Which One Offers Better Internet Speeds?

Typically, a broadband connection offers better internet speeds compared to a hotspot. This is because broadband connections are generally meant for home usage, and thus the connection is utilised by a few users. On the other hand, hotspots are wireless networks that are accessed by a large number of users. This can lead to slower speeds and higher latency, as the connection has to be shared between multiple users.

Additionally, Wi-Fi hotspots are usually exposed to a lot of interference and can be affected by other wireless networks in the vicinity. This further adds to the latency and slow speeds of a hotspot connection compared to a broadband connection.

So, in conclusion, broadband connections are generally faster than hotspots and offer better internet speeds.

Parting Thoughts

Broadband connections turn out to be a better option than Wi-Fi hotspots when it comes to internet speeds. Moreover, they are also more secure and reliable. Therefore, for a faster and better internet experience, it is recommended to opt for a broadband connection instead of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

ACT provides broadband plans with speeds up to 1 Gbps so that users can enjoy a fast and reliable internet experience. Subscribe to the specially curated plans for personal as well as business users. The speed of the plans begins at 40 Mbps and can go all the way up to 1 Gbps. Additionally, users can also opt for unlimited plans that offer high speeds with no usage caps and restrictions. So, explore your options today! For more information about our broadband plans, visit our website.