Decoding WiFi Hotspots: Meaning, Categories, Security, Range, and Prices

Decoding WiFi Hotspots: Meaning, Categories, Security, Range, and Prices

What are hotspots, and why have they been trending over the last decade? To answer your question in simple words – WiFi hotspots are nothing but internet access points that allow users to connect to a WiFi network using any device of his/her choice. The hotspot technology can make you connect to a WiFi network even when you are away from a home or office internet network.


We are writing this article to help you truly understand the concept of hotspots. We will avoid using technical jargon and keep our content simple, easy, and to the point. You can expect topics like what WiFi hotspot is, its types, security concerns, and the different providers available to Indian users.

Let us kickstart the explanation!

What is WiFi Hotspot, and why is it gaining popularity?

Hotspots can be summed up as physical locations that provide internet access to the users present in that specific zone. Eateries such as coffee houses were the first few places where the trend of using WiFi hotspots commenced. Today, this trend has been forwarded to places like airports, malls, hotels, and others where people gather or assemble.

Many cities, organizations, and even businesses now offer WiFi hotspots for public use. This initiative gives the users easy and convenient access to faster internet speed than their respective cellular networks.

Not to forget that we have been highly dependent on internet usage since the starting of the pandemic. With the digital world we live in, having hotpots is often a necessity rather than a want.

Today, product or service promotions are more efficient in the digital world than in the physical world. Therefore, high internet speed is something that businesses cannot neglect no matter what.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what WiFi hotspots essentially are, let us dive into the types of hotspots available at your disposal.

Types of WiFi Hotspots

Although the workings of all WiFi hotspots are mainly similar, we do have a few different types available to us. These types also have noticeable differences in their properties which will be discussed next.

We have broadly classified hotspots into three (3) categories for your easy understanding, namely Free or Public hotspot, mobile hotspot, and portable hotspot.

1. Free WiFi Hotspot/ Public WiFi Hotspot

As the name suggests, free or public hotspots are usually free to use. Eateries like cafes or places like libraries or stores may offer public WiFi connections to those inside the property. At times, this hotspot service may be provided to you to complement some other service that you have bought. For example, a restaurant owner may offer complimentary hotspots to its customers.

These providers might have a predefined bandwidth limit for each user, so you will heavily rely on the router owners for speeds.

If you wish to, you can also connect to somebody else’s free WiFi hotspot if it is left unsecured. Again, this means that you are relying on the owner. You will also be compromising your security by using someone’s hotspot.

2. Mobile WiFi Hotspot

We are sure that you might have used your smartphone as a hotspot in times when there was no sign on WiFi around your location, the electricity went off, or when your WiFi was dysfunctional or not providing high speed. Smartphone users can easily use cellular data to make A WiFi hotspot of their own! Upon activating this feature on your phone, you can connect other devices such as tablets and laptops to the internet.

These days you can also purchase built-in mobile hotspots, which are specially designed to turn cellular data networks into high-speed WiFi.

3. Portable WiFi Hotspot

A portable hotspot brings the internet to you instead you trying to look for one in your location. The mechanism of portable hotspots is instead an interesting one.

Portable hotspots are devices with mobile routers within them. Several devices can be connected to a single hotspot without having to download any additional application.

Though portable hotspots are easy solutions, users have to carry them with themselves all the time. Moreover, the internet speed may not be as fast as you are used to.

WiFi Hotspot Security

Cybersecurity is an uncompromised element of smooth and secured internet usage. Users should vary hotspot providers that may compromise their cyber safety to keep them satisfied with high-speed internet. A crucial figure of cybersecurity is encryption. If your wireless connection is encrypted, then hackers will not be able to access your data.

The data flowing from WiFi hotspot to your devices may not be encrypted. Moreover, cyberattackers have also been found to creating fake hotspot sites to hacking personal information.

Below are a few tips that you to consider when making efforts to protect your personal information while using WiFi hotspots:

  • Always buy a hotspot device that has data encryption
  • While using others’ hotspot, say no to visiting sensitive sites like banking
  • Use multiple user names and passwords to ensure the security of your sensitive personal information
  • ALWAYS Keep your hotspots password-protected to prevent piggybackers from consuming your data.

WiFi Hotspot Providers in India

India’s massive telecom industry has given birth to cut-throat competition amongst internet providers. We have access to 3G and 4G WiFi hotspots provided by various telecom players like Airtel, Jio, Vodafone, BSNL, and others. These companies provide hotspot recharge packs and dongles (another name for portable hotspots) to its 1.3 billion Indian population.

Airtel WiFi Hotspot

Here is a list of Airtel’s best data recharge plans for 4G dongles

Airtel 4G data recharge planDateValidityAdditional Benefits
Rs. 298 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day28 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 349 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day28 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps and Amazon Prime membership
Rs. 398 Airtel 4G data recharge plan3GB/day28 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 448 Airtel 4G data recharge plan3GB/day28 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps and Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Rs. 449 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day56 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 558 Airtel 4G data recharge plan3GB/day56 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 599 Airtel 4G data recharge plan3GB/day56 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps and Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Rs. 698 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day84 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 2498 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day365 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps
Rs. 2698 Airtel 4G data recharge plan2GB/day365 daysFree subscription to Airtel apps and Disney+ Hotstar VIP

Jio WiFi Hotspot

Here is a list of Jio’s best data recharge plans for 4G dongles –

JioFi PlanDataValidityAdditional Benefits
Rs. 2492GB/day28 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 3493GB/day28 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 4013GB/day + 6GB28 daysDisney+ Hotstar VIP and Jio Apps subscription
Rs. 4442GB/day56 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 5982GB/day56 daysDisney+ Hotstar VIP and Jio Apps subscription
Rs. 5992GB/day84 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 9993GB/day84 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 23992GB/day365 daysJio Apps subscription
Rs. 25992GB/day + 10GB365 daysDisney+ Hotstar VIP and Jio Apps subscription

Vodafone WiFi Hotspot

Here is a list of all the popular data recharge plans for Vodafone users –

Vodafone Dongle Plans NameVodafone Dongle Plans DetailsValidity
Vodafone Dongle Plans Rs. 450 4G Data PackGet 6GB 4G/3G Data every month at Rs. 450 a month1 Month
Vodafone Dongle Plans Rs. 650 4G Data PackGet 10GB 4G/3G Data every month at Rs 6501 Month
Vodafone Dongle Plans Rs. 999 4G Data PackGet 20GB 4G/3G Data every month at Rs. 999 a month1 Mon
Vodafone Dongle Monthly Plan at Rs. 993 GB of 4G/3G/2G speed. Post FUP limit, the user will be charged 4p/10kb.1 Month
Vodafone Dongle Three Months Plan at Rs. 2996 GB of 4G/3G/2G speed. Post FUP, the user will be charged 4p/10kb.3 Months
Vodafone Dongle Half Yearly Plan at Rs. 4996 GB of 4G/3G/2G speed. Post FUP limit, the suer will be charged 4p/10kb.6 Months
Vodafone Dongle Yearly Plan at Rs. 99710GB of 3G/4G speed. Post FUP limit, the user will be charged 4p/10kb.1 Year

BSNL WiFi Hotspot

Here is a list of BSNL’s dongle recharge plans –

BSNL Dongle Plan NameBSNL Dongle Plan DetailsBSNL Dongle Plan PriceValidity
BSNL Dongle Plan NIC(CDMA 1X DATA CARD) prepaid new connection2G/3G, unlimitedRs. 1099, (initial usage value with card- 299)30 days
BSNL Dongle Plan NIC(CDMA 1X DATA CARD) postpaid new connection2G/3G, unlimitedActivation charge- Rs. 250, Sale price of card- Rs. 1099, Fixed monthly charge- Rs. 150 Security deposit (refundable)- Rs. 1000NA
BSNL Data Card Plan EVDO prepaid new connection2G/3GSale price- 1199, Initial usage value- Rs. 39930 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO prepaid new connection2G/3G, 1GB/dayRs. 15030 days
BSNL Data Card Plan EVDO prepaid new connection2G/3G, 2GB/dayRs. 25030 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO prepaid new connection2G/3G, 5GB/dayRs. 50030 days
BSNL Data Card Plan EVDO prepaid new connection2G/3G, unlimitedRs. 750Unlimited
BSNL Data Card Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3GActivation charge- Rs. 500, Rs. Sale price of card- Rs. 1199, Fixed monthly charge- Rs. 200, Security deposit (refundable)- Rs. 1000NA
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3G, 1.5 GBRs. 19930 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3G, 2.5 GBRs. 29930 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3G, 4.5 GBRs. 44930 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3G, 7 GBRs. 64930 days
BSNL Dongle Plan EVDO Postpaid New Connection2G/3G, unlimitedRs. 75030 days
BSNL Data Card Plan2G/3G, 1.5GB/dayRs. 9826 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 2 GB/dayRs. 15517 days
BSNL Data Card Plan2G/3G, 2.7 GBRs. 24130 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 6GBRs. 597180 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 3GBRs. 60290 days
BSNL Data Card Plan2G/3G, 14GBRs. 1197365 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 91GBRs. 1498365 days
BSNL Data Card Plan2G/3G,1.5GB/dayRs. 3998365 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 30 GBRs. 330290 days
BSNL Dongle Plan2G/3G, 2GB/dayRs. 4498365 days
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