Mobile internet for everyone and everything
5G Home Internet – How to Set It up Successfully
Mobile internet is great, even for your home! With 5G, you can connect your devices in the right location possibly even faster and cheaper than via a copper cable. The feedback from our customers and the popularity of our router bundles confirm this year after year. However, despite the simplicity of 5G routers, we also receive feedback from time to time that the Internet speed achieved is not sufficient or the router has no reception. Reason enough to give you three important tips to ensure that your 5G Home Internet setup is successful and does not become a source of frustration.
Tip 1: Test the Network at Your Location
Mobile internet via 5G is exactly what it sounds like: mobile communications. This means that the internet speed available at your location depends on the same factors as the connection of your smartphone or tablet. The most important factors here are:
- Your location relative to the nearest cellular antenna
- The structure of your apartment or house
- The number of people sharing the antenna cell with you
The connection speed achieved can vary greatly due to these factors (from gigabit speeds in ideal locations to a few Mbits in poorer locations). This is also the reason why mobile Internet providers such as Digital Republic talk about “maximum speed” in their tariffs. It is virtually impossible to guarantee a specific speed due to the factors influencing the wireless connection.
Fortunately, the comparatively very good coverage of the Swiss mobile network operators allows sufficient speed for everyday applications in most locations.
But to be on the safe side and know what is possible at your location before you buy a router or tariff, we recommend that you test the connection beforehand. At Digital Republic, this is very easy and free of charge:
This allows you to test which speeds you can achieve and where within your home and then decide whether these are sufficient for your purposes. This will also help you identify the ideal location for your 5G router. If you are satisfied, you can order the complete solution for your setup with a router bundle, or get the router and SIM card separately.
Tip 2: Buy the Right Router
Admittedly, 5G routers are not exactly cheap. But before you decide on a cheaper LTE hotspot, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of the different standards.
In most cases, you will be better off with a 5G router than a 4G/LTE router, but there are also differences between the devices. If you only want to use the router stationary at home, a stationary device is a good choice. These routers do not have a built-in battery, but usually have more and larger antennas, which improves reception indoors. We have written test articles on various devices so that you can get an idea:
If you want to take your router with you on vacation or to university, for example, then you should opt for a mobile model with an integrated battery. These devices are versatile and ultra-portable. Ideal for digital nomads and anyone who wants to become one. We have also tested such devices for you:
Tip 3: Use a Data SIM Card and Not a Cell Phone Subscription
With the numerous cheap cell phone subscriptions on the market, it is tempting to simply choose the cheapest flat rate subscription and then insert the SIM card into the stationary router. However, this could mean that your new Internet connection is suddenly throttled or cut off by the provider. Most cell phone subscriptions include a so-called fair use policy that prohibits you from using the SIM card as a stationary data connection in a router.
The providers recognize such usage through device data or simply the usage profile of your SIM (high data consumption over a long period of time in the same antenna cell).
It is therefore worth buying the SIM card for your router from a provider that allows it to be used in a router. Digital Republic is one such provider and if you test the connection with one of our free SIMs, you will already know which tariff is suitable for your location.
In addition, Digital Republic offers you super routers at discounted rates as a bundle, making the decision for a 5G router a little easier. Should you ever encounter any problems, our award-winning support team will be happy to help you so that your connectivity remains as simple and stress-free as it should be in 2024.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
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