A WiFi dongle (or internet dongle) is a small device that is plugged into a desktop computer or laptop (typically via USB).Some WiFi dongles use a SIM card to generate a portable WiFi network when plugged in (effectively the same as tethering from your smartphone), others enable the connected device to access the internet, without generating a WiFi signal of their own. Then there are pocket Wi-Fi devices, portable modems that generate a WiFi signal when powered on.USB WiFi dongles are most commonly intended for a single user while pocket WiFi devices encourage multiple connections.Most of the Pocket WiFi and WiFi dongles listed below are available as an add-on to a mobile broadband plan while others are available for an upfront cost on a prepaid arrangement." } }, "@type": "Question", "name": "Which WiFi dongle is best?", "acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer", "text": "As is often the case, it's hard to pin down a definitive best WiFi dongle or pocket WiFi device because there's such a wide range of use cases.In our firsthand experience, Telstra and Netgear's range of Nighthawk modems have been fast and dependable portable solutions whether you're on a postpaid or prepaid internet plan for your mobile broadband needs. But if you only need to use mobile broadband connection on the odd occasion, you might be better served with cheaper external WiFi adapter (or USB WiFi dongle). In that category, we'd recommend Telstra's 4GX USB modem for reliable speeds and the Optus 4G USB modem for a portable prepaid internet connection on a budget." , "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you get unlimited data on a WiFi dongle?", "acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer", "text": "Even though mobile plans have recently shifted to an unlimited data model, there still aren't any options for unlimited WiFi data on a dongle.Optus is the first provider to offer unlimited data on its 5G Home product but that's still a home broadband solution, not a portable WiFi dongle. Still, if you really need unlimited data on the go, we recommend checking out an unlimited mobile plan provider like Felix Mobile, which allows you to tether your phone's WiFi connection using a personal hotspot." , "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I use a WiFi dongle?", "acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer", "text": "All you need to do is plug the WiFi dongle into your computer or laptops USB port and the name of the device should appear in your WiFi connections list (e.g. Telstra 4GX USB modem). Pocket WiFi devices, on the other hand, don't physically connect your computer or laptop at all. You simply insert your mobile broadband SIM card into the device, power it on and search for the Pocket WiFi modem's connection in your WiFi settings." ] }] (function(w,d,s,l,i)w[l]=w[l])(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-WG67XFH'); skip to main content Go to Reviews.org US Edition
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That's just a small sample of the pocket WiFi and WiFi dongles available in Australia but most of them require a mobile broadband plan to go with them. Here's quick look at some of the most popular mobile broadband plans available.
Optus sells its own branded 4G USB modem at $39 outright. For that thrifty sum, you get a pretty bare-bones WiFi dongle that neither over-promises nor under-delivers. It's a lightweight (50g) USB-powered 3G/4G dongle that comes with 4GB of data out of the box.
Optus also sells a branded Huawei E3772 prepaid 4G USB modem at $39 outright. For that price, you get a pretty barebones Wi-Fi dongle. It's a lightweight (50g) USB-powered 3G/4G dongle that comes with 4GB of data out of the box. After that, you simply recharge monthly like any other prepaid service.
If you end up using more data than anticipated, you're not locked to prepaid. You can always pop a postpaid Optus data SIM in the same dongle if you'd prefer to get a bill. Here are some of the most popular mobile broadband plans from Optus this week.
We've already touched on Telstra's popular 4GX modem above but that same dongle can be purchased outright and put on a prepaid plan (rather than a month-to-month arrangement). If you buy it directly through Telstra, the 4GX USB modem will cost you $49 but you can also find it marginally cheaper through Officeworks at $47 outright.
Some WiFi dongles use a SIM card to generate a portable WiFi network when plugged in (effectively the same as tethering from your smartphone), others enable the connected device to access the internet, without generating a WiFi signal of their own. Then there are pocket Wi-Fi devices, portable modems that generate a WiFi signal when powered on.
In our firsthand experience, Telstra and Netgear's range of Nighthawk modems have been fast and dependable portable solutions whether you're on a postpaid or prepaid internet plan for your mobile broadband needs. But if you only need to use mobile broadband connection on the odd occasion, you might be better served with cheaper external WiFi adapter (or USB WiFi dongle). In that category, we'd recommend Telstra's 4GX USB modem for reliable speeds and the Optus 4G USB modem for a portable prepaid internet connection on a budget.
Optus is the first provider to offer unlimited data on its 5G Home product but that's still a home broadband solution, not a portable WiFi dongle. Still, if you really need unlimited data on the go, we recommend checking out an unlimited mobile plan provider like Felix Mobile, which allows you to tether your phone's WiFi connection using a personal hotspot.
All you need to do is plug the WiFi dongle into your computer or laptops USB port and the name of the device should appear in your WiFi connections list (e.g. Telstra 4GX USB modem). Pocket WiFi devices, on the other hand, don't physically connect your computer or laptop at all. You simply insert your mobile broadband SIM card into the device, power it on and search for the Pocket WiFi modem's connection in your WiFi settings.
You will be able to use this cellular data connection via the USB dongle on your Windows laptop to access the Internet. You can also combine it with a Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet or tethered phone connection using the Speedify app. Speedify is the only app that can combine multiple internet sources into one bonded super-connection for more stable and secure live streaming, video calling, and web browsing.
Step 2: Connect to the Internet using the 3G / 4G USB dongle. Make sure you run the proprietary software to connect to the Internet on your Windows laptop, if that exists. Usually it will be detected by your PC as a cellular connection or a Wi-Fi connection.
A dongle is a small device, typically in the general form of a USB flash drive, that plugs into another device to provide extra functionality. A wireless dongle, also called a Wi-Fi adapter, provides Wi-Fi capabilities to a device that otherwise isn't Wi-Fi-capable, such as a desktop PC with no wireless network card.
Dongles are useful because you can easily move them between devices, they don't take up much space, and the added functionality is convenient. But when using a Wi-Fi dongle, you may run into some issues. In particular, it's common to have poor wireless speeds that don't live up to what you get on other devices in your home.
While modern wireless dongles tend to support both bands, your dongle can only utilize the 5GHz band if your router also transmits on the 5GHz band. If your router isn't (at least) a dual-band router, then you're stuck using the 2.4GHz band. Thankfully, most modern routers support the 5GHz band; consider a new unit from one of the best router manufacturers if you have an old model.
This gets worse if you live in a densely populated building, such as an apartment complex in a city. In these cases, there are hundreds of devices all around you trying to transmit Wi-Fi data. Even if you're using a non-overlapping channel, transmissions on the same channel can interfere. A wireless dongle on the 2.4GHz band thus has a lot of roadblocks to good performance.
However, if possible, you should use the 5GHz band with your Wi-Fi dongle. As long as your router and dongle both support 5GHz, this is simple to do. The 5GHz band has 23 non-overlapping channels and isn't as susceptible to interference from other devices like microwaves. See ways to fix an unstable Wi-Fi connection for more tips.
Depending on where your wireless dongle is, the interference could begin before the signal waves even reach your router. If your dongle is physically small, it will be right next to your desktop, which likely has a metal case. This can reduce the reliability of the signal waves significantly.
To partially resolve this, you can buy a USB extender (try the Amazon Basics USB extender for a reliable option), which plugs into your USB port and gives you more room to plug the actual dongle in away from the source of interference. Many wireless dongles include a USB cradle in the box, so give that a try and see if it helps.
Speaking of this, don't forget that your computer's positioning matters too. If the desktop you're using the dongle with is in the basement, while your router is upstairs with concrete walls between them, that will affect the signal strength. A Wi-Fi dongle will be slow when it's far from the router, just like any other device.
Wireless dongles come in two main forms: compact ones (which have internal antennas) and bulky ones (which have external antennas). Compact wireless dongles, sometimes called nano dongles, are what most people gravitate towards because they're tiny, portable, and more aesthetically pleasing.
Nobody wants a massive antenna sticking out of their device. Plus, internal antennas are cheaper to produce, so compact dongles are more affordable. An example of this is TP-Link's N150 USB Wi-Fi Adapter. 2ff7e9595c
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