With prepaid data-only plans, you can buy a fixed amount of hotspot data monthly for your smartphone or internet device. This approach aids in managing data usage effectively, preventing unnecessary costs. These plans ensure HD-quality streaming with the possibility of accessing 5G networks on certain options.

Wi-Fi enables wireless device connections to a network, while a hotspot is a physical location providing wireless internet access through a router or access point.

A mobile hotspot typically refers to a feature on a smartphone or a dedicated portable device that provides internet access by tapping into cellular network data. This allows devices nearby to connect via Wi-Fi using the phone’s data plan. In contrast, a Wi-Fi hotspot is a physical location where people can access the internet, usually provided by a fixed broadband connection, making Wi-Fi available to the public or customers in areas like cafes, libraries, or airports. The key difference lies in their source of internet connectivity; mobile hotspots rely on cellular networks, while Wi-Fi hotspots use wired broadband connections.

A router with a SIM card works by connecting to cellular networks, similar to a smartphone, to provide internet access to connected devices via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, using the data plan associated with the SIM card.

Not all SIM cards can be used in a Wi-Fi router; compatibility depends on the router's support for the SIM's cellular network technology, whether the device is unlocked or carrier-specific, and if the SIM card has an appropriate data plan with correct APN settings.

A data SIM is intended only for accessing the internet on devices like tablets or mobile hotspots and doesn't include voice or text services. A phone SIM, offers a full range of services—data, voice calls, and SMS—typically used in smartphones.