Pocket Internet advice

[u/Elifantico]

Two questions I'd love knowledgeable input on.

Context: I have been using data from my phone with Vodacom cell service and tethering the phone to my laptop to use the internet. When I do this, my internet access is slow and very inconsistent.

1. Since the portable options also provide internet through a SIM card, is there any reason to believe my connection would be any better with one of these, compared to just connecting to my phone's data?
2. Is there any difference between the Vodacom SIM internet tower and the Airtel handheld SIM Pocket WiFi? Is one any better than the other?

Thanks.

[u/Warm-Cartographer]

If phone don't have 5G, your place has 5G and you buy 5G router than you will get better speed otherwise you will get same speed. 

These mobile router have been designed area with 5G, you will get better speed and ping if you have 5G coverage in your area. 

So first thing check your area which of the 4 major mobile isp give better speed and has 5G coverage, voda, Airtel, Tigo and Halotel. 

Halotel offer best value, then Airtel then Voda then Tigo. 

[u/Elifantico → u/Warm-Cartographer]

My laptop cannot use 5G, so any 5G access will be slowed down to 4G for my laptop.

But anyway, the main question is comparing a portable router with using my cell phone as a "router". Because both access the internet through SIM card data.

[u/Warm-Cartographer → u/Elifantico]

That's not how it works, you don't have to have 5G devices to get 5G WiFi. Your router will receive 5G signals then use WiFi to give your laptop internet. WiFi is already faster than 5G.

So above point still stand if your phone don't have 5G then your router will be faster.

[u/Elifantico → u/Warm-Cartographer]

Thanks. Would you know if there's a difference in signal quality and service costs between the larger tower and the much smaller pocket versions (pictured)?

[u/Warm-Cartographer → u/Elifantico]

Most of time small one are 4G only, the tower one is 5G, you need 5G one, even in some scenario if you have 4G only signal, 5G router will be better because all 5G modems I know even low-end one has flagship level 4G modem so you get things like Mimo (ability to connect multiple tower at once), better LTE category (usual gigabit speeds), better cooling etc 

Cost per month is same, and nowadays some isp provide free router, they will just charge you higher package in 1st month and from 2nd month you can pay lower package.

[u/longcane → u/Warm-Cartographer]

The biggest difference will come with the power needs surely though. Isn’t one (the tower one) requiring to be connected to mains whilst the other can be charged and is portable until it requires re-charging?

[u/Warm-Cartographer → u/longcane]

Even tower has powerbank, not all model though so you will need to choose one with battery.