Home Networking
Home Networking
I noticed no resource directly addressing this concern, so please forgive any confusion. I’m a teenager still residing with my parents, and my internet connection is quite poor. My dad hasn’t even considered looking into the matter. To be more precise, our ISP is Spectrum, and we’re on their 100mbps plan, which works for most people except me. The problem stems from playing video games such as Warzone and Fortnite. Occasionally I experience a ping between 20-30ms, but more often it’s between 200-450ms—clearly too high for smooth online gaming. I’ve considered switching to a 4G LTE/5G service, though it seems costly given my current earnings. I also thought about purchasing a modem or router compatible with my phone plan, but I don’t have unlimited hotspot access like I do with my regular data. I’m leaning toward the cellular option because it would save me extra money and my current mobile latency usually sits between 40-60ms, which meets my expectations. Still, I’m unsure if a router will work with my SIM card or if using this method will affect my hotspot usage or regular data consumption. I’ve attached a latency chart from Google for reference. If anyone has suggestions or affordable alternatives, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!
The clearest point is figuring out how your device links to the router or modem.
Connected through WiFi, yet I run tracert in the terminal to check speeds. Results show round-trip times between 0-0.5ms and then 200-300ms to reach the ISP. I’m also not in a spot where Ethernet or LAN is available, just like my dad won’t let me use it for any reason.
There are USB dongles functioning like routers that connect via a SIM card to the network. To use them, you’ll need one unlocked for your ISP settings and must remove the SIM card each time you connect. This approach seems impractical as they usually prevent duplicating the card for two working units.
Using your SIM card also uses your regular data allowance. Whether you browse or stream, every bit counts toward your monthly cap. You can either ask your ISP to help bypass parental restrictions (unlikely to succeed) or check how much mobile data your game requires. If it fits, consider using a hotspot from your phone for gaming. My preferred option is a plan with unlimited data for the first two years—sometimes I managed to play for months on just 2 GB monthly. I rarely had a wired connection at my dorm and usually relied on an unlimited mobile plan. Sometimes I pushed 200-300GBs per month through my Huawei P10 without issues. Think about the unlimited options and explore other providers for potentially better deals.
You mentioned managing large data transfers while playing online games. I was curious about your setup—do you use an unlimited hotspot? With only 5GB, you’ve already used most of it this month and still have a few days left. Your carrier, Mint Mobile, is great for its affordability and reliable connection. I also noted you’re considering a PCI expansion card on Amazon, but I’m not too confident about that approach due to the complexity involved. Edited April 20, 2021 by Real Knots
I had full 4G mobile data at the highest speed allowed by my plan. Even then, you still have to enter a contact with an ISP to get service—this PCIe card isn’t some magic trick. There’s no truly free way to access the internet.
The card will continue to charge you 5GB each month—once you start using them, the cost stops. Then what comes next?
However, when I set it up as cellular data on my PC, it doesn't seem to fetch information directly from my personal data.