Mobile Hotspot
 

A question from someone with limited technology understanding.

I want to be able to use my iPhone and iPad at various locations without using the guest WiFi.

I have Verizon and was looking at their MIFI (they had 3 options) but I am unsure if that is the way to go or if there are other better options.

Can anyone suggest what they are using and whether they recommend any particular service?

Your iPhone should continue to work normally on the Verizon data network if you don't sign into the WiFi. If you're wondering if your iPad will work from your phone's data that will depend on your data plan and if it includes a hotspot option (their newer capped plans do.) If you're not looking at a using it a whole lot a prepaid option may be your best route, provided you want a second device. Virgin (sprint) has a cheap $5 per day 250/mb plan, if you're not looking at heavy use.

What are you looking at doing with your hotspot?

Where I work I like to use two computers to work on paperwork etc. We are assigned one and the code is private; no one has access to it except the Tech department. With that said, I would like a hot spot for my iPad to use along with my computer.
If that makes sense.

Yes, so just documents, email. I'm guessing no social media, or streaming video/music. I would start by using a data estimator (I like this one since it is pretty detailed, just make sure to switch it to "Tablet" even though we're looking at hotspots: http://www.uscellular.com/data/data-estimator.html) If your budget can afford it I would take a look at all of the carriers in your area, and not just Verizon (T-Mobile for instance is $10 less for 5GB than AT&T, Sprint has 1 GB more data for the same price.)

If verizon includes hotspot service with your phone, I would just do that. If they don't it may be more expensive overall to have it added to your phone plan. That all being said, you won't be able to place voice calls at the same time you're using data on your iPad through your iPhone.

Thank you!
I will do that.

If your demands are rather light (casual web/email use, no heavy streaming or large file transfers) and occasional in nature, check out FreedomPop. 500MB per month completely free. I've had one in my bag for a few years because I don't use one frequently enough to justify a $50/month plan from AT&T or Verizon.

I am checking it out now. Thank you.

I have been looking for an unlocked mifi I got a ZTEMF 60 it did not connect to any of my devices so I sent it back anyone have a solution for me I need it for the US, Europe and Middle East.

A jailbroken LTE iPad has been the best hotspot I have ever used. I run the MiFi app on it and have a (grandfathered) unlimited data plan SIM from Verizon. I have days of battery life and the bonus of an iPad when I want to use it.

I always bought iPads with 3G/4G modems because I wanted the GPS chip not otherwise available in the WiFi models, but I never understood why people raved so much about an iPad with a data plan...

Now I do. I use it constantly and it is just about as convenient as it gets. Even places with "free" WiFi tend to suck because the speed is terrible.

I just use my iPad Mini Retina with LTE.

I have the T-Mobile Simple Choice plan, which gets me 1 GB of LTE for $10 a month and unlimited international data roaming. Speed when roaming is only 128kbps but it's good enough for using Google Maps.

And I can tether my iPhone to it so I kept my iPad in my bag and used my iPhone to use Google Maps.

When I use in the US, I can tether to my iPad as well and I've used prepaid SIMs in Italy and France and tethered in those countries as well.

Best thing is that iPad has the latest LTE radios for networks worldwide and it gets great battery life, so better on both scores than any dedicated Mifi device.