Phone as a hot spot

jlb27537 · Jun 26, 2011

Hello, I know so little, I hardly know to ask a question, but here goes.

Never had a smartfone or one with a camera. I use Verizon air card with a CradlePoint router for internet. I understand the Iphone will act as a hot spot for 5 devices. I have 2 laptops and a printer on my router now.

If I get a phone, cancel my air card, can it be used like my air card and router? I would assume it would just be set in it's charging cradle.

If I am using it as a hotspot, and I get a phone call, can I just pick up the phone and answer it, and stay on the internet? Can I get a phone call when using it as a hotspot? When in hotspot mode it can not receive a phone call?

My contract on my Verizon air card and T-Mobile fone are up and am considering dropping both and getting one device.

Thanks for the feedback. Jim

ramnj · Jun 26, 2011

I believe that you could with ATT, but not sure with Verizon. With ATT you will need the 4Gig plan in order to use your iPhone as a hot spot.

Qdiddy · Jun 26, 2011

Only with AT&T can you do both, you don't need 4G to use as a hotspot works just fine on 3G.

Qdiddy · Jun 26, 2011

Correction,

Mis read ramnj reply, u need a 4 gig plan not 4G service, my bad.

jlb27537 · Jun 26, 2011

OK, lets say I am using it as a hot spot, will it ring if a call comes in?

Thanks Jim

EARL97850 · Jun 26, 2011

jlb27537 said:
OK, lets say I am using it as a hot spot, will it ring if a call comes in?

Thanks Jim

The phone call takes precedence, so the call will come through but the data stream will stop until you hang up from the phone call.

Cya

ramnj · Jun 27, 2011

I believe the data stream will continue with AT&T.

IphoneFreak88 · Jun 27, 2011

so what is the best hot spot app? or do you have to pay thru Att to have this enabled?

ramnj · Jun 27, 2011

IphoneFreak88 said:
so what is the best hot spot app? or do you have to pay thru Att to have this enabled?

Not sure what you mean.

IphoneFreak88 · Jun 27, 2011

is there A App that allows you to share your Internet from your phone. and if so what is the app called?

Qdiddy · Jun 27, 2011

The data stream continues with AT&T only, as far as apps, jailbreaks are only ones I know. Pdanet and MyWi

IphoneFreak88 · Jun 27, 2011

with PDANet Does this allow you to share Thru USB or is it just a wireless signal that it would provide?

Qdiddy · Jun 27, 2011

It allows through USB as well

jlb27537 · Jun 27, 2011

OK, Went to both ATT and Verizon stores today.

Phone as a hot spot.

ATT, need to have the $45 4GB Data plan (phone/hot spot) in addition to the talk plan of your choice, Plus $20 text plan or $.20 each text. If the phone rings, pick it up and talk, you stay connected to the internet. Range about 75-90' as a hot spot.

Verizon, Need to have the $29 Data plan, plus a $20 hot spot plan (2 GB max), plus a voice plan, plus a text plan. If the phone rings, it cuts off the internet connection and becomes a phone, then you have to re-connect to the internet. The unlimited data is for the phone only. When used as a hot spot there is only one plan and that is 2GB for $20.

At the Verizon store, after telling the salesman I had a Verizon air card, 5GB, $60, and a T-Mobile 1000 minutes for $39. And was wanting to combine all the plans into one, he said I was better off with what I have, unless I just needed the ability to have a phone with the capabilities of a Iphone. He recommended that if I did get a new phone, go with a Iphone. The fact that a phone call disconnects the hot spot is a killer for me.

At the ATT store, they wanted me as a customer, and recommended the Iphone. The talk on the phone and still be on the internet at the same time is a plus. The $45 data plan applies to either or the hotspot. You have a total of 4GB to share between the phone and hot spot.

My opinion. Since I have a air card, use between 2-2.5GB monthly now, and would use the phone as my only phone, the services and pricing of ATT are a better deal for me. Plus the unused minutes roll over. I have no land line.

Thanks for everyone's help. Jim