Last Updated: January 2026
Reading Time: 9 minutes
With 5G rollout accelerating and unlimited mobile data plans becoming more affordable, many UK households are questioning whether they still need traditional home broadband. This guide compares mobile hotspots, 5G home broadband, and fixed-line broadband to help you choose the right solution.
What is a Mobile Hotspot?
Types of Mobile Hotspots
1. Phone Hotspot (Tethering)
– Uses your phone’s mobile data
– Share via WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB
– Most phones support 5-10 connected devices
– Free (uses existing phone plan data)
2. Dedicated Mobile Hotspot Device (MiFi)
– Standalone portable WiFi router
– Uses SIM card with data plan
– Longer battery life than phone (8-24 hours)
– Supports 10-30 devices
– Examples: TP-Link M7450 (£80), Netgear Nighthawk M6 (£400)
3. Dongles/USB Modems
– Plugs into laptop USB port
– Single-device connection only
– Cheaper than MiFi (£20-50)
– Less common in 2026 (hotspots more versatile)
How Phone Hotspot Works
iPhone Setup:
Android Setup:
Battery Impact: Hotspot drains battery 3-5x faster. Keep phone plugged in for extended use.
What is 5G Home Broadband?
5G Home Broadband Explained
How It Works:
– Router connects to 5G mobile network (like phone)
– Router plugs into wall socket (not portable like hotspot)
– Broadcasts WiFi throughout home
– No phone line or cables needed
– No installation or engineer visit
Key Difference from Hotspot:
– Dedicated home router (not using phone)
– Unlimited data (no caps)
– Stronger signal (external antennas)
– More simultaneous devices (30-50)
– Optimized for home use (not battery-powered)
Coverage Requirement: Must have 5G signal at your address (check provider coverage maps)
Best 5G Home Broadband Providers UK 2026
Three 5G Home Broadband (Best Value)
– Speed: 100-300 Mbps average (up to 1 Gbps)
– Data: Unlimited (truly unlimited, no fair usage policy)
– Price: £21/month
– Contract: 1-month rolling
– Router: Free (Zyxel NR5103E)
– Coverage: 60% of UK (expanding)
– Pros: Cheapest, fastest average speeds, no restrictions
– Cons: 5G coverage essential
EE 5G Home Broadband
– Speed: 100-300 Mbps average
– Data: Unlimited
– Price: £35/month (1-month rolling) or £25/mo (24-month contract)
– Router: Free or £6/month
– Coverage: Best 5G coverage in UK
– Pros: Widest availability, most reliable
– Cons: Most expensive on 1-month contract
Vodafone 5G Home Broadband
– Speed: 50-150 Mbps average
– Data: Unlimited
– Price: £28/month
– Contract: 1-month rolling
– Router: Free
– Pros: Good coverage, reasonable price
– Cons: Slower than Three/EE
Comparison:
– Best price: Three £21/mo
– Best coverage: EE (but £35/mo or lock into 24 months for £25)
– Best balance: Vodafone £28/mo
Mobile Hotspot: When to Use
Ideal Use Cases
✅ Perfect For:
1. Emergency Backup Internet
– Primary broadband down
– Temporary solution (1-7 days)
– Light browsing and email
– Cost: £0 if using existing phone plan
2. Travel and Remote Work
– Working from cafes, trains, hotels
– Holiday homes without WiFi
– Temporary work assignments
– Portability essential
3. Very Light Home Use
– Single person, minimal internet use
– Email, social media, light browsing only
– Watching occasional videos (not 4K streaming)
– Budget: Under £15/month
4. Short-Term Accommodation
– Staying somewhere 1-4 weeks
– Can’t install broadband
– Airbnb, short-term rentals
– Student halls (if WiFi inadequate)
5. Rural Areas (No Fixed Broadband Available)
– If 4G/5G is only option
– No fibre or ADSL at property
– But consider 5G home broadband instead (better for home use)
When Hotspot is NOT Suitable
❌ Avoid For:
1. Primary Home Internet (Multi-Person Household)
– Too many devices competing
– Data caps exceeded quickly
– Poor multi-user performance
– Unstable connection under load
2. Heavy Streaming (Netflix, YouTube, Gaming)
– Burns through data (4K = 7GB/hour)
– Connection drops frequently
– Buffering during peak times
– Latency too high for competitive gaming
3. Working From Home Full-Time
– Video calls unstable
– File uploads slow/unreliable
– VPN performance poor
– Professional embarrassment risk (call drops)
4. Smart Home Setups
– Too many connected devices
– Hotspot can’t handle 20+ smart devices
– Frequent disconnections
– Use fixed broadband or 5G home instead
5. Family Households
– Multiple people streaming/gaming
– Constant connection fights
– Exceeded data caps = extra charges or throttling
– Frustration guaranteed
Best Mobile Data Plans for Hotspot Use
Unlimited Data Plans (No Tethering Restrictions)
Three Unlimited Data SIM (Best Overall)
– Price: £10/month SIM-only (promotional)
– Data: Unlimited (truly unlimited, no fair usage cap)
– Tethering: Allowed, unlimited
– 5G: Included
– Contract: 1-month rolling
– Speed Cap: None
– Best for: Hotspot power users, backup internet
Smarty Unlimited
– Price: £15/month
– Data: Unlimited (fair usage 1TB/month)
– Tethering: Allowed
– 5G: Included (SMARTY Plus for 5G)
– Contract: 1-month rolling
– Best for: Backup internet, moderate hotspot use
Voxi Unlimited Social
– Price: £12/month
– Data: Unlimited social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) + 40GB general
– Tethering: Allowed (general data only)
– 5G: Included
– Best for: Social media heavy users who occasionally need hotspot
iD Mobile Unlimited
– Price: £16/month
– Data: Unlimited
– Tethering: Allowed
– Network: Three (same coverage)
– Best for: Three coverage with different provider
Capped Data Plans (Budget Options)
Smarty 30GB
– Price: £8/month
– Data: 30GB
– Best for: Occasional hotspot use, backup only
Voxi 20GB
– Price: £10/month
– Data: 20GB + unlimited social media
– Best for: Light hotspot users
Three Essential 100GB
– Price: £15/month
– Data: 100GB
– 4G only: (no 5G)
– Best for: Regular hotspot use without 5G need
Data Usage Reality Check
Monthly Data Consumption Examples:
Light Use (Email, Browsing, Occasional Video):
– 20GB/month sufficient
– Cost: £8-10/month (Smarty, Voxi)
Moderate Use (Daily Browsing, HD Streaming 2-3 hrs/week):
– 50-100GB/month needed
– Cost: £12-15/month
Heavy Use (Daily Streaming, Video Calls, Gaming):
– 200GB-Unlimited needed
– Cost: £15-20/month (Three Unlimited recommended)
Working From Home Full-Time:
– 150-300GB/month (video calls, file uploads)
– Unlimited recommended (£10-15/month)
5G Home Broadband: When to Use
Ideal Use Cases
✅ Perfect For:
1. Renters (Short-Term Tenancies)
– No installation, no drilling
– 1-month contracts available
– Take router when you move
– No landlord permission needed
– Setup in 5 minutes
2. Properties Without Fixed Broadband
– New builds (fibre not yet installed)
– Rural areas (no copper/fibre lines)
– Listed buildings (can’t drill)
– Speed upgrade from slow ADSL (10 Mbps → 100-300 Mbps)
3. Quick Setup Needed
– Immediate internet required
– Can’t wait 2-4 weeks for broadband installation
– Moving house with gap in service
– Temporary accommodation
4. Avoiding Long Contracts
– Don’t want 12-24 month commitment
– Uncertain living situation
– Prefer flexibility
– Three/Vodafone offer 1-month rolling
5. Backup for Critical Home Workers
– Primary broadband + 5G backup
– Redundancy for video calls, remote work
– Cost: £21-35/month insurance
6. Testing Before Committing
– Try 5G home broadband for 1 month
– If satisfied, keep it
– If not, cancel and get fixed broadband (no penalty)
When 5G Home is NOT Suitable
❌ Avoid If:
1. Poor 5G Coverage at Your Address
– Check Three/EE/Vodafone coverage maps
– Must have strong 5G signal
– 4G fallback too slow for home use
2. Gaming (Competitive/Latency-Sensitive)
– Ping: 20-50ms (vs 10-20ms fixed fibre)
– Acceptable for casual gaming
– Not ideal for competitive FPS, fighting games
– Fixed fibre better for esports
3. You Need 1+ Gbps Speeds
– 5G maxes at ~300 Mbps typical (1 Gbps theoretical rare)
– Fixed fibre: up to 1,130 Mbps (Virgin) or 3 Gbps (Community Fibre)
4. Peak-Time Congestion in Your Area
– 5G can slow during busy times (6-11pm)
– Check reviews from your neighborhood
– Fixed fibre more consistent
Fixed-Line Broadband: When to Choose
When Fixed Broadband is Best
✅ Choose Fixed Broadband If:
1. Long-Term Residence (2+ Years)
– Installation cost amortized
– Best price per Mbps over time
– Most reliable long-term
– Recommended: TalkTalk £27/mo (150 Mbps), BT £36/mo (150 Mbps)
2. Heavy Multi-User Household
– 4+ people streaming, gaming, working simultaneously
– Need 500-1000 Mbps
– 20+ connected devices (smart home)
– Recommended: Virgin Media Gig1 £35/mo, BT Full Fibre 900 £45/mo
3. Professional Home Office
– Guaranteed uptime (99.9% SLA contracts available)
– Consistent upload speeds
– Low latency for video conferencing
– Recommended: BT Full Fibre £36+/mo (superior reliability)
4. Gamers (Competitive)
– Ping <20ms essential
– Fixed fibre: 10-20ms typical
– 5G/hotspot: 30-80ms
– Recommended: Community Fibre £25/mo, Hyperoptic £26/mo
5. 4K/8K Streaming Enthusiasts
– Symmetrical upload/download (FTTP)
– No congestion during peak times
– Consistent 100+ Mbps
– Recommended: Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, BT Full Fibre
6. Smart Home (20+ Devices)
– Router handles many connections better
– More stable for IoT devices
– Mesh WiFi systems work best with fixed broadband
– Recommended: 150+ Mbps full fibre
Cost Comparison: Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single Person, Light Use
Option A: Mobile Hotspot
– Three Unlimited SIM: £10/month
– Use phone as hotspot
– Total: £10/month
– Best if: Already have phone, minimal internet use, maximum flexibility
Option B: 5G Home Broadband
– Three 5G Home: £21/month
– Total: £21/month
– Best if: Prefer dedicated router, moderate use, renting
Option C: Fixed Broadband
– NOW Broadband 67 Mbps: £26/month
– Total: £26/month
– Best if: Want most reliable, own property, plan to stay 12+ months
Winner: Mobile hotspot for budget, 5G for balance, fixed for reliability
Scenario 2: Couple, Moderate Streaming/Working
Option A: Mobile Hotspot
– Three Unlimited: £10/month
– NOT RECOMMENDED (too many devices, heavy use)
Option B: 5G Home Broadband
– Three 5G Home: £21/month
– 100-300 Mbps
– Total: £21/month
– Best if: Renting, need flexibility, good 5G coverage
Option C: Fixed Broadband
– TalkTalk 150 Mbps: £27/month
– Hyperoptic 150 Mbps: £26/month
– Total: £26-27/month
– Best if: Own home, want most reliable, no 5G coverage
Winner: 5G home broadband for renters (£21), fixed broadband for homeowners (£26-27)
Scenario 3: Family (4+ People), Heavy Use
Option A: Mobile Hotspot
– NOT SUITABLE (too many users, will exceed data caps or suffer poor performance)
Option B: 5G Home Broadband
– Three 5G Home: £21/month
– Can work but may struggle at peak times
– Total: £21/month
– Risky—only if 5G signal excellent
Option C: Fixed Broadband (Recommended)
– Virgin Media M500 (362 Mbps): £30/month
– BT Full Fibre 150: £36/month
– Total: £30-36/month
– Reliable for whole family
Winner: Fixed broadband 150-500 Mbps (Virgin £30, BT £36)
Scenario 4: Renter (Short-Term, 6-12 Months)
Option A: Mobile Hotspot
– Three Unlimited: £10/month
– Only if very light use
Option B: 5G Home Broadband (Best)
– Three 5G Home: £21/month (1-month rolling)
– Cancel anytime
– Take router when leaving
– Total: £21/month
– Winner for flexibility
Option C: Fixed Broadband
– NOW Broadband: £26/month (1-month rolling)
– Requires activation, engineer visit
– Can’t take with you
– Total: £26/month + £5 delivery
Winner: 5G home broadband (Three £21/mo) for maximum flexibility
Speed and Latency Comparison
Real-World Performance
Mobile Hotspot (4G/5G):
– Download: 20-150 Mbps (4G), 100-300 Mbps (5G)
– Upload: 10-50 Mbps
– Ping: 30-80ms (variable)
– Stability: 3/5 (depends on signal, congestion)
– Best for: Light use, backup, travel
5G Home Broadband:
– Download: 100-300 Mbps typical
– Upload: 20-50 Mbps
– Ping: 20-50ms
– Stability: 4/5 (dedicated router, better antennas)
– Best for: Home use, renters, quick setup
Fixed Fibre (FTTC/FTTP):
– Download: 36-1,130 Mbps
– Upload: 10-110 Mbps (symmetrical on full fibre)
– Ping: 10-30ms
– Stability: 5/5 (most reliable)
– Best for: Long-term, multi-user, heavy use
Latency Matters For:
Gaming (Competitive):
– Need: <20ms
– Best: Fixed fibre (10-20ms)
– Acceptable: 5G home (20-50ms)
– Avoid: Mobile hotspot (30-80ms)
Video Conferencing:
– Need: <50ms
– All options work, but fixed fibre most reliable
Streaming:
– Latency less important
– All options fine if speed sufficient
Reliability and Data Limits
Connection Stability
Most Reliable → Least Reliable:
Data Limits Reality
Mobile Hotspot:
– Capped plans (20-100GB): £8-15/month
– Unlimited plans: £10-20/month
– Risk: “Unlimited” may have fair usage policies (read terms)
– Three: Truly unlimited (no cap)
– Others: May throttle after 600GB-1TB
5G Home Broadband:
– All providers: Unlimited data
– No fair usage policies (as of Jan 2026)
– Three, EE, Vodafone all truly unlimited
Fixed Broadband:
– All UK home broadband: Unlimited data
– No caps, no throttling
– Use as much as you want
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use my phone hotspot as full-time home internet?
A: Technically yes, but not recommended. It drains battery, struggles with multiple devices, and may exceed data caps. Use 5G home broadband (£21/mo) instead.
Q: Is 5G home broadband as fast as fixed fibre?
A: Similar for most use. 5G: 100-300 Mbps typical. Fixed fibre: 150-1,130 Mbps. For everyday use (streaming, browsing), both are sufficient.
Q: Does mobile hotspot work for Netflix?
A: Yes for HD (10 Mbps needed). 4K uses 7GB/hour—only do this with unlimited data plan. Fixed broadband or 5G home better for daily streaming.
Q: Can I game on mobile hotspot?
A: Casual gaming: yes. Competitive gaming (CoD, Valorant): no. Latency too high (30-80ms vs 10-20ms on fibre). Use fixed fibre for competitive play.
Q: What’s the cheapest internet option for renters?
A: Three 5G Home Broadband at £21/month (1-month rolling, no installation, portable). Perfect for short-term rentals.
Q: Will mobile hotspot work in rural areas?
A: Depends on coverage. Check 4G/5G signal strength at your address. If signal is strong, yes. If weak, fixed broadband (FTTC/FTTP) more reliable.
Q: Can I work from home using mobile hotspot?
A: Light work (email, documents): yes. Heavy work (video calls, large file uploads): not ideal. Use 5G home broadband (£21/mo) or fixed broadband (£26+/mo) instead.
Q: Is Three 5G really unlimited?
A: Yes. Three’s unlimited plans are truly unlimited—no fair usage caps or throttling (as of January 2026). Best for hotspot and home broadband use.
Bottom Line: Mobile hotspots are perfect for backup, travel, and very light home use but cannot replace home broadband for most households. 5G home broadband (Three £21/mo) is the ideal middle ground—offering broadband speeds with mobile flexibility, perfect for renters and quick-setup needs. Fixed-line broadband remains best for long-term residents, heavy users, gamers, and multi-person households, with the most reliability and lowest cost per Mbps over time.
Quick Decision Guide:
– Backup/travel internet: Mobile hotspot (Three Unlimited SIM £10/mo)
– Renter (short-term): 5G home broadband (Three £21/mo)
– Light use (single person): 5G home (Three £21/mo) or NOW Broadband (£26/mo)
– Family/heavy use: Fixed broadband (Virgin £30/mo, BT £36/mo, TalkTalk £27/mo)
– Gamer: Fixed fibre (Community Fibre £25/mo, Hyperoptic £26/mo)
– Homeowner (long-term): Fixed broadband 150+ Mbps (£25-36/mo)
Pricing verified December 2025/January 2026. Prices subject to mid-contract increases (typically CPI+3.9% each April). Check coverage for 5G home broadband at your specific address before ordering.
