For fixed internet at home you can already use cable, copper or fiber optic. But sometimes requesting such a landline is not practical and you would prefer to use the 5G network. That’s possible! You have several options to use it. Mobile networks are so fast these days that you can use the internet easily, even if you want to stream all day or work from home. This can be done in three ways: via the mobile hotspot of your iPhone, with a portable 5G router or with a fixed 5G router that you plug into the wall socket.
A 5G connection at home comes in handy at different times in your life. For example, you are moving to a new residential area and the permanent connection will take a few months to arrive. Or you like to spend time at the campsite and the WiFi on site is a must. Another situation: you plan to travel for a longer period of time and want good internet everywhere. In all these situations, you would prefer to have your own 5G connection, which you can manage yourself.
Option 1: Hotspot via your iPhone
A simple and quick solution is to use your iPhone’s hotspot, for example to work on your MacBook or to watch a movie on your iPad. This is easy to arrange: you can be online on your other devices within a minute. The main disadvantage is that you have to reconnect again and again. If you take your iPad, you will have to wait until the hotspot connection with the iPhone has been re-established. Another disadvantage is that your iPhone’s battery drains faster and that with unlimited data subscriptions you often have to deal with a daily limit (which you can replenish).
If you are with a group of people, it is practical if each person has their own 5G subscription. Otherwise you will always have to ask for permission.
Option 2: Mobile hotspot
With a MiFi router you can set up a wireless network at any location. There are MiFi routers from different brands, for example Netgear, Acer and TP-Link. Some work with 4G+ while others are suitable for 5G. These portable routers are also suitable for on the go, because they do not require a power socket. If you go abroad, it is best to get a SIM card from a local provider. Several people can use a MiFi router, but you must ensure that it is always on. This can be a good solution for holidays or on the road. The main disadvantage is that the 5G routers are very expensive: count on a few hundred euros to a thousand euros.
Option 3: 5G for the home
You could also choose 5G for your home. This is currently only possible via Odido, with the newly announced Klik&Klaar Internet service. This allows you unlimited internet access via a router, via your own 5G connection. This works just like your iPhone’s hotspot connection, but via a router that you connect to the wall socket. In practice, you will notice little difference with a fixed internet subscription via cable. All your housemates’ devices automatically connect to the router as soon as they get home. You can expect speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s download and 30 Mbit/s upload and there is no daily data limit.
You can take out this subscription anywhere there is 5G coverage, which is now the case in almost all of the Netherlands. So you don’t have to do a postal code check to see whether there is cable, copper or fiber optic at your (temporary) address. You can also cancel this subscription monthly. So if you have used it to cover a move and suddenly the cable or fiber optic connection is not going well, you can cancel it immediately.
Such a subscription costs 25 euros per month. For comparison: a regular fixed internet subscription from Odido costs 35 euros per month and only offers 100 Mbit/s in places where fiber optic is not available. In both cases the upload speed is a disappointing 30 Mbit/s. People who already have another Odido subscription to the same receive a monthly discount of 5 euros.
| Odido subscription name | Speed | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Click&Run (5G) | 300 Mbit/s | €25,- |
| Internet 50 | 50 Mbit/s | €32.50 |
| Internet 100 | 100 Mbit/s | €35,- |
| Fiber optic 100 | 100 Mbit/s | €35,- |
| Fiber optic 400 | 400 Mbit/s | €40,- |
| Fiber optic 1000 | 1 Gbit/s | €45 per month |
| Fiber optic 2000 | 2 Gbit/s | €60,- |
| Fiber optic 8000 | 8 Gbit/s | €85,- |
Odido uses a Zyxel router with 5G connection for Klik&Klaar, which you receive on loan. If you think such a device looks ugly in your interior, you can purchase a special modem cover (€25), which can be seen in the photo above.
For people who need a fast internet connection for a short time, this can be a quick and convenient temporary solution. If you like it, you can also continue to use it continuously, because it is a lot cheaper than most fixed subscriptions from this provider.
For all these solutions you need an unlimited internet subscription and you can choose from four providers in the Netherlands: the big three, plus Budget Mobiel.
See also
