Today, many are interested in how to spend the Internet on Wi-Fi in the car. There may be many reasons for installing a router for a Wi-Fi access point in a machine. Starting from the trend nowadays to provide access to the world wide web in public transport or in a taxi as a marketing move and an additional service, to providing quality communication to those who need the Internet for work.
In today's world, the global network is needed anywhere, cars are no exception
What for?
The main advantage of this method over mobile internet in a smartphone is the ability to transfer large amounts of data. Since there may be several passengers in the car that go online, a single high-speed access point will become more preferable. A Wi-Fi router in the car provides amenities similar to those that appear to owners of smartphones without mobile Internet when they come home - their gadget is “revived” right away due to the fact that it goes online. Especially these advantages will be felt by passengers during long trips, which will raise the quality of carrier service to a higher level.
A bit of history
In the United States, the idea of connecting cars to the Internet first appeared. In 2009, car manufacturers of Chrysler began to supply their cars with special equipment that provides communication with the World Wide Web via a Wi-Fi router. This feature was realized by connecting an additional Uconnect Web option, and the connection capacity was at the level of 400-800 Kbps with a Wi-Fi radius of about 30 meters. Later concern General Motors began to dispose of similar solutions in Cadillacs. And now the opportunity to provide your car with internet is every car owner, and not just by ordering an additional option in the car dealership.
To use the global network is not necessary to modify the machine.
Now an autonomous Wi-Fi access point is one of the most popular options in new cars, and quite expensive. From a technical point of view, the implementation of the Wi-Fi zone in the car is a simple task. In vehicles with an installed Information and Entertainment System (ICS) with GPS, this is also not difficult.
Overview of solutions for implementing Wi-Fi in the car
Connection methods
There are several ways to create a Wi-Fi hotspot in a car:
- Smartphone as a router;
- 3G / 4G router with Wi-Fi;
- Wi-Fi module for IRS with navigator;
- Tablet with an external 3G-modem (like a Wi-Fi router);
- Ready car Wi-Fi system.
Provider selection
The choice of equipment is half the task. You also need to decide on the provider. Tip: choose large providers. Thanks to the widest coverage possible, you can be sure that wherever you go, the connection via Wi-Fi in the car will be stable.
Tariff selection
The choice of tariffs is quite wide - ranging from minimum to unlimited. If we proceed from the fact that you decided to create comfortable access to the world wide web in a car, it makes sense to look at the unlimited tariff. Especially if large amounts of information are downloaded or streaming video is played. But if you just need to ensure the availability of Wi-Fi in the car - limit your base rate. In this case, it makes sense to use tricks based on a smartphone or tablet as a router. If you need to connect the Internet to create a comfortable environment during rare long trips, there are tariffs with payment only on the day of use.
Variants of the technical implementation of the connection
Smartphone as a router
The easiest and cheapest way to get Wi-Fi to a car is to use a smartphone as a router. The vast majority of gadgets have the function of distributing the Internet via Wi-Fi. Its meaning is that the signal received by the phone from the operator is converted into a Wi-Fi signal, with which other devices can go to the global network through the specified device. There are two drawbacks: fast battery consumption and speed limits set by the smartphone. You need to study the characteristics of your device and compare them with the tariff plan, and if they suit you, this is the most affordable way. And to prevent rapid consumption of battery power, you can connect the phone to the cigarette lighter.
3G modem / Wi-Fi router
Some models of 3G routers have built-in Wi-Fi module. In fact, the same as that of the gadget, but rendered in a separate case and has higher technical characteristics. The modem has its own battery, allowing it to work for several hours, which seems to be good, but with prolonged use, the cigarette lighter will have to be used. There are models of routers specifically designed to connect to the cigarette lighter. It is possible to connect several devices, which is important (for more information about their number, see the documentation for the device). The range of these routers is several tens of meters. Also, these devices have a connector for connecting an external car antenna.
The advantage is the highest declared data exchange rate, but in practice this is not always the case. Telecom operators and developers of routers indicate the speed of access to the modem itself. It is necessary to take into account the limitations of the gadgets connected to such a source, as well as the fact that the flow rate is proportionally divided between all client devices.
The actual Internet speed will be much lower than expected, consider this when deciding on the choice of connection method. Also, the speed of the Internet in motion will be slightly lower than when the car stopped. Usually it is about 1-2 Mbit / s. This is quite enough for Skype video calling, watching videos and downloading music. But keep in mind that for HD video format, of course, it is not as well suited as home Internet.
In addition to the above, keep in mind that in fact you are not limited to the machine when disposing of the specified router, it can be operated as the notorious “Wi-Fi in your pocket” - with all its advantages and disadvantages. Compact and convenient. As a rule, such routers are stitched by the provider, and you do not need to bother with the settings. From the control you will use only the on / off button - after all, usually, except for it and the USB connector, there is nothing in the indicated modems.
Wi-Fi module for IRS with navigator
Some cars are equipped with an IRS - Information and Entertainment System, which includes a navigator screen and a radio module for connecting to a telecom operator via a SIM card. You can pay up to $ 1000 for the fact that this IRS was with the Wi-Fi function as an option. But you can independently connect the module with a Wi-Fi router, which will cost you much less.
Tablet with an external 3G modem as a Wi-Fi router
A rather practical way is to use a device (which can also be disposed of as some kind of IRS) with an external USB-modem connected to it without a Wi-Fi module, which costs less than with a module. There are routers of two standards that differ in speed: the Rev A standard has a maximum speed of 3.1 Mb / s, and the Rev B is limited to 14.7 Mb / s. You can also change the operator relatively easily by changing the modem. The Wi-Fi-module of the tablet is used as an access point, just as the Internet is distributed from a smartphone using the same function.
You can also replace this bundle tablet — a modem with just a separate old gadget, so as not to burden the main one if you find it inconvenient to use your main phone as a router.
Ready car Wi-Fi system
In some metros and in many buses, equipment is installed that allows you to connect to Wi-Fi right in the cabin. Such equipment allows you to simultaneously capture 3G, 4G signals from different operators and even Wi-Fi from free access points, automatically switching between them and delivering the maximum stable speed. This solution is characterized by high communication quality and high cost. Such a system consists of a small modem and an external antenna for high quality communications.
Some new cars are equipped with a Wi-Fi system, the effect of which is that it is enough to simply connect a 3G / 4G modem to the USB input on the central panel, and the built-in router converts the signal to Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
In fact, the essence of connecting the Internet via Wi-Fi in a car is in the combination of a mobile Internet source with a Wi-Fi module. In this case, you need to choose the best option in terms of price / quality ratio, given that it is inevitable that you need to pay extra for quality and convenience. But as to the possibility of combining various options, in the case of organizing a Wi-Fi access point in a car, you can save substantial funds if you get a little insight into the essence of the matter. Successes!
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