How to get mobile data on laptop

We keep a smartphone always in the pockets wherever we go. It’s very convenient to use it to connect to the Internet on-the-go, check messengers, social media, etc. However, there are cases when you need more than what a smartphone can offer. It’s especially true for those of us who often leave for business trips or need to run tasks on the road. In such cases, a laptop is our right hand that makes it easy to work from any place where you are. If you do not want to connect to a free public WiFi network, ensure that you have an instant Internet connection and you will be able to complete any task from wherever life takes you.  

There are different ways to stay always online with your laptop. Let’s check out. 

Connect to a Portable WiFi Hotspot 

How to get mobile data on laptop

A pocket-friendly WiFi router is an excellent choice for everyone looking for a safe way to set up a wireless network via a mobile provider. A WiFi hotspot is a handy connectivity solution not only for a laptop but all WiFi-enabled devices that you use. One of the best things about Keepgo WiFi hotspot is that it keeps up to 15 devices connected at a time. It’s easy to set up and use. Simply turn on the hotspot and it will connect your devices to a wireless network that offers the best signal in your area. Besides, with Keepgo, you are connected not on one but on several largest mobile operators in the country where you currently stay. With one router you ensure that you send your e-mail on your laptop and in the meantime look up a recipe for dinner via your tablet.

Use Tethering

If you have mobile Internet on your smartphone, you can connect your phone to your laptop using a USB cable or wirelessly via WiFi or Bluetooth. The technology is widely recognized by the word “tethering.” With a Keepgo SIM card installed in your smartphone, you can turn on the tethering option in your phone settings and use high-speed Internet on your laptop or any other device.

Use a 4G Dongle

How to get mobile data on laptop

Another option that you can use to connect your laptop to the Internet is via a 4G dongle. Put a SIM card inside of it and plug it into your laptop. If you have an Internet subscription, you can use your mobile phone’s SIM card for this purpose. You can also pick a separate data-only SIM card for your LTE 4G dongle. 

Use a SIM Card in a Laptop

If your laptop has a SIM card slot, you can use it to connect to a cellular data network and get online in more places by using a cellular signal. If you use an LTE laptop, you do not need a dongle for the Internet connection. Simply put a SIM card in your laptop (similar to the way you install it in your smartphone or tablet) and use it every time you open your laptop. 

If you are a Windows 10 user and have a Keepgo SIM card for Internet connection, take the following steps to set up and activate mobile Internet on your laptop. 

  1. In the task bar, click on the Network icon > Cellular. The Cellular Settings window will show up.
  2. Choose mobile network operator to open the settings panel.
  3. Click on Advanced Options. Enter IMEI and ICCID. Add an Internet APN. For Keepgo SIM card, enter the following details:

In the input fields:

  • Name: Keepgo
  • APN: internet.keepgo.com
  • Username: leave blank
  • Password: leave blank

Save the changes.

Bottom Line

Rather than connecting your laptop to a free public WiFi network, there are many other opportunities to use a reliable Internet connection when your are out of office or need a safe backup Internet connectivity. Use any of the options described above. Pick a SIM card or a portable WiFi hotspot from Keepgo, which will become your reliable high-speed mobile data provider on the largest nationwide networks in 100+ countries. 

Mobile data is essentially wireless data that connects your mobile devices to the internet. This isn’t the same as using a WiFi connection; rather, mobile data makes use of a SIM or mobile broadband.

To use mobile data on a computer, you’d have to either tether your computer to your smartphones SIM data, or connect using mobile broadband. Either method allows your computer to access the internet without WiFi or fixed, wired broadband connections.

How to tether your computer to your phones mobile data

You can tether your computer to your phone to make use of your phone’s SIM plan data. This can be done by either setting up a mobile hotspot, using bluetooth, or by connecting your phone to your computer with a USB cable.

  • Tethering with a Mobile hotspot
    Setting up a mobile hotspot is actually quite simple. It can be done with both Android phones and iPhones. Make sure your phone’s data is turned on > go into your phone’s Settings > tap “Mobile hotspot and tethering” and turn on “Mobile hotspot”.Now that your Mobile hotspot has been set up, check for available hotspots on your computer. Click your computer’s mobile hotspot’s name, and enter a code/password if one was generated by when by your phone.
  • Tethering with Bluetooth
    Bluetooth tethering is similar to tethering with a mobile hotspot. Make sure your phone’s data is turned on > go into your phone’s Settings > tap “Mobile hotspot and tethering” and turn on “Bluetooth tethering”.Now that your phone’s Bluetooth is live for tethering, search for the Bluetooth device on your computer and connect.
  • Tethering with a USB cable
    Using a USB cable, simple attach your phone to your computer. The remaining steps are similar to setting up your Mobile hotspot and Bluetooth tethering, except you turn on “USB tethering” at the last step to use this wired method.Find the connection on your computer and use your phone like a WiFi dongle.
How to get mobile data on laptop

Mobile hotspot and tethering on an Android device. Source: Whatphone

Tethering can be done with pretty much any smartphone, as long as it has a data plan on its SIM. For a smoother experience, however, use a phone no more than 5 years old — the better the phone, the better your data connection. Tethering essentially allows your computer makes use of your phone’s 3G, 4G, or 5G network data.

How much mobile data will I use if I connect my laptop to the mobile network using my phone?

Connecting your laptop to your mobile hotspot uses a lot of data. Web pages are usually optimized for computers and mobile devices individually, and so what you load on your phone is generally downgraded as far as its resolution and other data consuming attributes. Because you’ll be loading actual computer web page versions while still using your mobile phone’s data, you can expect your data to get gulped faster than usual.

Also consider your data inclusion. Most people don’t buy huge data plans, because their phones don’t need that much. If your data plan doesn’t include a lot of data, tethering your computer to your mobile data might exhaust your data. This would mean data overages on some postpaid plans, having to purchase additional data on some prepaid plans, or significantly slower connections after being throttled on some plans.

How to measure how much mobile data you’re using?

Telcos provide ways for you to check how much data you use. This is usually done with a self-service platform, either online or with an app. These apps also help you monitor your mobile data usage to determine just how much you typically use, and some provide charts for this reason.

There are also third party apps that monitor your data usage. However, their figures might differ from your telco’s because they measure data coming from your carrier into your phone, as opposed to measuring data as you use it. Some of these apps might also use up some of your data while active.

Ways to avoid a large bill

Using your mobile data on a computer is sure to drain your SIM plan’s data. After determining just how much data you’re using, shop for a plan that can accommodate your data usage comfortably. It’s also a good idea to search for a plan with “never-ending data”, which is a concept that throttles your data speeds to 1.5 Mbps after you’ve exhausted your plan data. Such a plan prevents you from being charged overages.

However, take note that even though you use your mobile data on your computer, your data usage might not be extreme enough for you to purchase a huge data plan. After all, only 20% of Australians use 11GB of data or more.

How to get mobile data on laptop

Australians’ monthly data usage. Source: Whatphone

Buying a mobile broadband plan — specifically for your laptop

When using mobile data on a computer, buying a mobile broadband plan is the most practical solution for most. Such plans are data-only, and they come with SIMs for tablets and mobile devices such as pocket WiFis or MiFis. Their prices are competitive when compared to fixed broadband solutions, and they come with huge data allowances.

Final words

You can connect your computer to the internet by tethering to your mobile data. This can be done by tethering to your mobile phone or by getting a mobile broadband plan. Tethering has some disadvantages, including fast data consumption and slower internet connections. As a result, you’d have to watch your data closely or get a larger plan. You could also purchase a mobile broadband plan for a mobile HUB device, which is probably the most practical solution.

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Neil Aitken

Having worked in 3 countries for 4 telcos on both voice and data products, Neil is in a position to give you the inside track. Get beyond the marketing messages to the best plan for you.