![]() Since 2013, Comcast has made its customers' home modems act as public Wi-Fi hotspots by adding a second signal to each device. T-Mobile's strategy here is similar to one employed by Comcast. The Verizon system doesn't entirely cut off other users, but lets you choose who gets priority access. Sprint has an Airave device that also uses a customer's home Internet service, but lets customers restrict access to approved phone numbers. Verizon Wireless sells a Samsung Network Extender and provides a way to manage access. AT&T customers can also manage an approved user list to allow specific people to connect. AT&T sells the similar MicroCell, but phones must go through an activation process in order to use it, so not just anyone can connect. T-Mobile isn't the only carrier to provide devices like the CellSpot. AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint let customers restrict access If other people are using your Internet bandwidth, it could slow down your own Web access. In an apartment complex, it could be more of a problem. Since the new device's range is limited to 3,000 square feet, customers may not be sharing their Internet connection with too many people, especially if they live in a house in a sparsely populated area. While the company has been boosting cellular coverage, the CellSpot and T-Mobile's embrace of Wi-Fi calling helps fill in some of the remaining gaps. T-Mobile's network has traditionally struggled indoors. Customers must use Wi-Fi to avoid using up cellular data allotments-so you're better off using Wi-Fi to begin with, especially if your phone supports Wi-Fi calling. The CellSpot could also use up any data allotment you have for home Internet, if you're on a capped plan. AdvertisementĮven though it's using your home broadband connection, any data you use while connected to the CellSpot counts against your T-Mobile plan's data limits. T-Mobile said the device is also ideal for businesses and allows up to 16 simultaneous phone calls. If your home Internet is fast enough, T-Mobile says the CellSpot can support speeds of 60Mbps downstream and 20Mbps upstream. Customers set it up by connecting an Ethernet cable from the CellSpot to " any available Ethernet port on your router or router/modem combo unit." To use it, customers should have Internet speed of at least 2Mbps downstream and 512kbps upstream. The new 4G LTE CellSpot is free to Simple Choice PostPaid customers (with a $25 refundable deposit). T-Mobile has distributed more than 1 million of them to customers. The previous one acted more like a regular Wi-Fi router, letting users specify a password. The CellSpot is a new version of a device that was released last year. ![]() Other T-Mobile customers within the device coverage range can also access the 4G LTE CellSpot coverage." (A T-Mobile spokesperson later confirmed via e-mail that there is no way to limit access to the device.) We got an answer via Twitter, with the company saying, "The 4G LTE CellSpot doesn’t provide restricted access. ![]() We asked T-Mobile over e-mail and Twitter whether customers can configure the CellSpot to require a password or use a whitelisting scheme to limit access. "t’s the world’s first device of its kind that is 3G, 4G and VoLTE-capable, and any T-Mobile customer can connect to it automatically just like any other cell tower-no passwords or log-ins required," T-Mobile said in today's announcement. Further Reading Why T-Mobile needs Wi-Fi calling: its network can’t match AT&T and Verizon ![]()
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