Are Internet boxes still the best way to access the Internet from home? For several years, mobile plans have increasingly been provided with data. Today we find offers for 100, 200 or 300 gigabytes from 10 to 15 euros per month. These prices are more attractive than fixed Internet offers which generally start at around 30 euros per month, on promotion, to which must be added activation and termination fees. We can therefore wonder if it is not more interesting today to do without the fixed offer and to only use your smartphone to share a connection at home to save money.
There are several things to keep in mind before sending your box back to your operator. Yes, it is possible to use your smartphone as your main internet source. Most mobile plans and smartphones today allow tethering to connect other devices, such as a computer or tablet. This can be a good alternative if you have a large amount of data and sufficient network coverage. You will be able to access your emails, surf the Internet and work without problem. But you will necessarily be limited in your uses.
First of all, the connection will be less stable than with a box. Network performance and stability may vary depending on your location and network congestion. The most recent smartphones are not equipped with the same components as the boxes to guarantee the delivery of the signal at the best speed. The flow can be slowed down in particular when the antennas are in high demand, which is often the case in the evening and in large cities.
To ensure a more stable connection than phone connection sharing, operators now offer 4G or 5G boxes. These devices use a SIM card to access the mobile network and add a WiFi connection similar to that of a traditional box to broadcast it. They are generally offered at the same price as fixed offers in regions where fiber is not available. This is a good alternative if you don’t want to pay connection costs, for example.
Limited for heavy streaming consumers, connected objects and online gaming
If fixed internet has the advantage of offering more stable speeds than the mobile network, it is also the most suitable for certain uses. If you spend a lot of time watching series and television shows, a mobile plan will quickly be limiting. Watching a streaming program consumes a lot of internet data. In general, it is estimated that one hour of viewing in high definition represents up to 3 gigabytes. At this rate, you will not be able to exceed more than 2 hours per day with an envelope of 200 gigabytes.
Without the TV decoder supplied with the internet box, you will also need to use adapters to broadcast your programs on your television. Operations that are not always obvious if you are not familiar with computers.
Another obstacle to keep in mind: without a fixed connection, it will be more complicated to use connected devices at home. Speakers, thermostats, shutters, radiators and other connected bulbs need a stable connection to work. Connection sharing is also not recommended for online gaming because this activity consumes a lot of data and because the mobile network causes greater latency which will affect fluidity and cause disconnections.
Replacing your box for a mobile plan can work if you have moderate Internet use. If you live in a large home, there are several of you at home, and you have several devices that broadcast programs or games, a box will always be necessary. But if you are alone or on the move, connection sharing can be a good alternative to reduce your costs.
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