Using Smartphones as Wireless Hotspots for Blogging on the Go

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Guest Blogger

As a blogger, connecting to the internet is essential. You need access to update your blog, respond to visitors’ questions, and give feedback. However, if you are away or in a remote place without internet or Wi-Fi access, you have two choices: purchase a wireless broadband stick for 3G or 4G wireless access, or save yourself the trouble and use your smartphone to achieve the same effect. Smartphones, such as Apple’s iPhone, several Blackberry models, and any phone powered by Android, can be turned into a broadband modem and be tethered to your notebook for wireless internet access.

How to Turn a Smartphone into a Wireless Broadband Modem
wireless hotspot
Smartphones today are equipped with data capability for high speed internet access. The process of setting up a smartphone as a modem to another device, such as a notebook or desktop for connecting to the internet, is called tethering. First, you need to make sure you have a wireless data-access plan. The tethering fee for each carrier is different; you need to do your research. You can check if your wireless carrier includes tethering in your current plan. If it is not, you can request this for an additional fee. Many phone carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint offer tethering plans in their wireless services. Additionally, make sure to subscribe to a data plan that gives you a large amount of bandwidth—such as 5 GB per month.

Next, you will need software to tether your smartphone to your notebook. Usually, the wireless provider will include the software when you choose their tethering plan. Alternatively, Android users can use an open source application called PdaNet. You can connect your smartphone directly to your notebook through a USB cable, or Bluetooth.

Benefits of Having a Wireless Broadband Smartphone

Having your smartphone as a modem for your notebook is beneficial when you are stranded in a remote place, especially when you need internet access. In another instance, say in an environmental disaster such as a flood or earthquake, a wired internet connection may be slow to get restored. Using a smartphone to tether is convenient and helpful to connect to the internet.

Most free Wi-Fi hotspots are not secure, and chances your data will be intercepted can be high. However, using your smartphone for wireless broadband access is more secure. This is important if you want to log into your blog or use your email. The traffic is encrypted, so you do not have to worry about anyone stealing your data.

The use of a smartphone as a modem for tethering is a great backup for your regular internet service. You are still able to access the internet and can continue updating your blog in the case of power failure and other circumstances. This has become a life saver for bloggers.

You can receive a phone call and still remain connected to the internet if you are using your smartphone. Furthermore, you can save the battery life of your smartphone and your notebook, when you are connected through a USB connection.

Drawbacks

Despite the advantages of using your smartphone as your wireless modem for your notebook, it has several drawbacks. First, you can only access the internet where the wireless carrier has coverage. Second, if you subscribe to a small bandwidth the connection will be slow. However, these drawbacks do not eclipse the many benefits in making your smartphone a modem for your notebook.

Conclusion

For a blogger, the ability to use your smartphone as a wireless broadband modem to tether your notebook for accessing the internet is convenient. It is secure and you will not have to worry about not being able to access your blog. You can log in into your blog account virtually anywhere your phone service is available. A smartphone can be a wireless broadband modem that allows for mobility while you maintain your blog.

Blake Sanders writes tech at Australian broadband comparison site Broadband Expert and specializes in wireless broadband, mobile phones, and the latest in wireless internet provider news and information.

http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/

Note: Photo courtesy of smurfmatic via FlickR Creative Commons.

Discussion: 37 Comments

37 Responses to “Using Smartphones as Wireless Hotspots for Blogging on the Go”

eCOMLEADS (Affiliate Network)

- 17th Aug, 11 09:08am

Nice tip, i think tmobile allow tethering with your included data
Hostpany

- 19th Aug, 11 01:08am

Great tips d3so.
terobait48

- 19th Aug, 11 11:08pm

I hope that soon the wi-fi internet is available anywhere in the world
terobait48 recently posted..?????? ???? ??????, ???????. ??????? ????????? ??? ???????????????? ?????.
Web Designer New York

- 20th Aug, 11 12:08am

Yeah smart phone is necessary for me to access internet, I am also waiting for a day when i got news that wi-fi internet is available in the whole world
Конан Варвар

- 21st Aug, 11 08:08am

Yes, too, think that Wi-Fi will soon be available anywhere in the world.http://kinoshkaonline.ru/boevik/21-konan-varvar-2011.html
????? ?????? recently posted..????, ? ??????? ? ????
vending machine

- 25th Aug, 11 07:08am

Everyone wants smartphone off late to surf their favorite social networking sites n for entertainment.Many companies launching day by day new designs with stylish features.
Great to know…

Alan Smith
Reply:
January 6th, 2012 at 1:52 am
Smartphone not only used to access internet but it also treat as entertainment, business marketing and GPS tool.
Alan Smith recently posted..Web Design-Barriers To Communication
SeoDuck

- 27th Aug, 11 06:08am

No guys. It’s kind of impossiple that whole world is gonna be wi-fi covered. There will be some free wi-fi spots, but not more than that.
SeoDuck recently posted..Making Friends With Anger
Web Design Resource

- 29th Aug, 11 01:08am

Smartphone with internet access will very helpful for that users who have mixed their social and personal life, they update their personal life on social sites each n every moment, by a single click they can update them on social sites without open laptop or desktop.Hop it will come soon without error.
Web Design Resource recently posted..Web Design Like No-One’s Surveillance
vending machine

- 31st Aug, 11 10:08pm

Smartphone is really the best gadget off late for all people and top choice of all business persons.They can do essential task with it while traveling or moving somewhere else.
It also help people to surf social networking sites online.Like accessing Facebook.
Its difficult to choose best as there are many choices available.Nice post…

Web Design Resource
Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Yes I am agree, now smartphones are becoming a part of our life
Web Design Resource recently posted..Are You Following The Principle Of CSS For Web Design?
Ladders for sale

- 1st Sep, 11 02:09am

Now a days everyone loves to be handy ,they love to use their smart phones for everything like buying a small thing online or sharing status in social networks.

Web Design Resource
Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:03 am
Yes Ladder Now it is a part of our life like water
Web Design Resource recently posted..Are You Following The Principle Of CSS For Web Design?
vending machine

- 1st Sep, 11 08:09am

I love my smartphone and that’s Galaxy Samsung.Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.Great site and a great topic as well i really get amazed to read this….
PPC Ian

- 3rd Sep, 11 12:09pm

Great guest post. It’s very fitting, I’m commentating via my iPhone right now.
PPC Ian recently posted..Six Essential PPC Campaign Checks
allan stuart

- 7th Sep, 11 04:09pm

i should have buy the samsung galaxy tab with sim enabled…. why didn’t i buy it i taught the only wifi feature is enough but after reading this post, i i need to build broadband modem too..
allan stuart recently posted..Advantix For Dogs Reviews Revealed
cross bow

- 9th Sep, 11 03:09am

I’m not particularly well-to-know about the whole wireless internet thing, and I was wondering if I need a wireless card to access the free wireless internet at the various hotspots about the city.
Madu khaula

- 25th Sep, 11 10:09pm

what is the full price to buy the gizmodo??
or can we buy it from you….
i need it to ease my blogging agenda
Madu khaula recently posted..Madu Khaula
Web Design Resource

- 26th Sep, 11 01:09am

I am waiting for new post from your side
Web Design Resource recently posted..Moving Towards Successful Search Engine Optimization
cross bow

- 3rd Oct, 11 02:10am

Can anyone Give infortmation about the morphing mobile gadget that was in the July 08 PC Magazine? How much will it cost, When will it be available in the US?
Ladders for sale

- 4th Oct, 11 12:10am

Yeah, its helps in accessing the net faster at places where there is no wired connection available, but then again W-fi spots are not available everywhere.
Word Templates

- 14th Oct, 11 02:10am

Glad to read the above fantastic tip & would like to say simply i love Smartphones..
Word Templates recently posted..Payslip Template
Website Design Services in Florida

- 19th Oct, 11 08:10pm

Smart phone into wireless broadband modem is amazing news, well internet is basic need of every person now a day so it is nice thing to have smart phone with internet
Website Design Services in Florida recently posted..Service Based Web Design and Ecommerce Product Web Design
Word Templates

- 1st Nov, 11 10:11pm

Hi
I would simply love to smartphones as wireless.
Word Templates recently posted..Financial Report Template
beyey

- 20th Nov, 11 05:11pm

thank you, I so know more about this
beyey recently posted..Some of the features provided by Hostgator Hosting
Alex Braker

- 28th Nov, 11 11:11pm

It seems to be cool. Sometimes we have to give quick response to our reader or have to upload post especially while travelling or holiday tips, this will provide great help.
cross bow

- 5th Dec, 11 08:12pm

Everyone wants smartphone off late to surf their favorite social networking sites n for entertainment.Many companies launching day by day new designs with stylish features.
Alex Braker

- 7th Dec, 11 09:12pm

I have started responding my readers and the comments they have posted on my blog. One thing I have observed, quick responding gives increase in visitors coming back as I quickly responds they actually participate in blog.
cross bow

- 12th Dec, 11 02:12am

Its a very nice post.If a phone doesnot have any operating system like android then it is possible to use that phone as a wireless model.
r1pley

- 18th Dec, 11 05:12am

I’m not particularly well-to-know about the whole wireless internet thing, and I was wondering if I need a wireless card to access the free wireless internet at the various hotspots about the cyty
Jayatours

- 31st Dec, 11 01:12am

I hope that soon the Wi-Fi internet connection is available in the world..
Alan Smith

- 2nd Jan, 12 01:01am

Now days, without internet, it is hard to remain updated either if it is in the work or in the group of friends, family. In this technical world, day by day the requirements of the people for new technologies are increasing.
Alan Smith recently posted..Web Design-Barriers To Communication
Alex Braker

- 3rd Jan, 12 11:01pm

It can be turn out to be good tool for managing blogs even if you are on tour. For the business owner, responding on their customers queries and problems are crucial with use of this tool one can establish best customer support.
Laser Centre

- 12th Jan, 12 10:01pm

I hope that soon the Wi-Fi internet is available in all world.
Hitech Crane

- 24th Jan, 12 04:01am

Hope the Wi-Fi internet is available all of the world!!
Alan Smith

- 3rd Feb, 12 09:02pm

Wireless broadband Smartphone is an important source to keep in constant, real-time communication with all of your business or personal contacts with instant messaging, this is a must in today’s life.
Alan Smith recently posted..Web Design-Hand Drawing and Handwritten Style