In the current digital era, being connected to the Internet at all times has become a necessity. Whether for work, study, or simply staying in touch, having a reliable connection is crucial. A practical solution for accessing the Internet from multiple devices is tethering. Below, we explain what tethering is, its different types, how to set it up, and its advantages and disadvantages.
What is Tethering?
Tethering is a technique that allows you to share the Internet connection of one device with other devices. For example, if you have a smartphone with a mobile data plan, you can use it to provide Internet access to your laptop, tablet, or other devices. This can be done through a USB connection, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Types of Tethering
Tethering via USB: This is one of the most stable and fastest ways to share the Internet connection. It requires a USB cable to connect the main device, usually a smartphone, to another device like a laptop.
Tethering via Bluetooth: This method uses Bluetooth connectivity to share the Internet connection. Although it is slower than tethering via USB or Wi-Fi, it consumes less power and is useful when a cable is not available.
Tethering via Wi-Fi (Hotspot): This is the most common and convenient method, turning the main device into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Other devices can connect to this hotspot as they would with any Wi-Fi network.
How to Set Up Tethering
Tethering via USB
On Android: Connect your smartphone to your laptop using a USB cable. Go to Settings > Connections > Tethering and Mobile Hotspot > USB Tethering. Activate the USB Tethering option.
On iPhone: Connect your iPhone to your laptop using a USB cable. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Enable the Allow Others to Connect option.
Tethering via Bluetooth
On Android: Pair your smartphone with the receiving device via Bluetooth. Go to Settings > Connections > Tethering and Mobile Hotspot > Bluetooth Tethering. Enable the Bluetooth Tethering option.
On iPhone: Pair your iPhone with the receiving device via Bluetooth. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Enable the Allow Others to Connect option and select the Bluetooth option.
Tethering via Wi-Fi (Hotspot)
On Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Tethering and Mobile Hotspot > Mobile Hotspot. Activate the Mobile Hotspot option and set up the network name and password.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Enable the Allow Others to Connect option and set up the Wi-Fi password.
Advantages of Tethering
Access to Internet on the Go: Allows you to connect multiple devices to the Internet without the need for a fixed Wi-Fi network, ideal for travel and emergency situations.
Data Savings: Instead of subscribing to data plans for multiple devices, you can use your smartphone’s data plan for all of them.
Flexibility: You can share the Internet connection wherever there is mobile network coverage, providing great flexibility.
Disadvantages of Tethering
Data Consumption: Tethering can quickly consume the data from your mobile plan, especially if you use bandwidth-intensive applications like video streaming.
Battery Life: Sharing the Internet connection can quickly drain the battery of your main device, especially when using Wi-Fi tethering.
Connection Speed: The connection speed may be slower compared to a home Wi-Fi network, depending on the coverage and congestion of the mobile network.
Tethering is an invaluable tool for quickly and efficiently sharing the Internet connection. Despite its drawbacks, its ability to provide Internet access on multiple devices and in various situations makes it a practical and flexible solution. With simple setup, any user can benefit from this technology and stay connected at all times.