What does 3G mean in a tablet?
Due to their low weight, tablets are not only suitable for use at home, but can also be used comfortably on the move on the train or in a café. However, many functions cannot be used without an Internet connection. You can solve this problem with a tablet with 3G. This means that the tablet has its own modem.
What you need:
- SIM card with data plan
3G means UMTS mobile radio
Due to its low weight, a tablet is an ideal travel companion. While the display of a smartphone is usually too small to work properly with it, a tablet offers more space for content thanks to its larger screen diagonal. The catch with many tablets is the connectivity and the connection to the inside Internet.
- Many apps cannot be used fully on the tablet without a connection to the Internet. This means that your e-mails will not be synchronized or that you will not be able to access the latest news.
- Regular tablets offer WiFi, but this is not always available on the go. Although the number of free hotspots is increasing, nationwide WLAN networks are still the exception and are heavily regulated, for example due to limited volumes.
The solution is simple: some tablets have their own 3G modem - you can use this to directly access the Internet with the tablet. However, the functionality is usually sold at a high price.
Tablets with cellular technology are more expensive
Tablets with a 3G modem usually cost more than "normal" tablets to justify the extended connectivity. You also need your own SIM card for the tablet, which incurs additional costs.
"WiFi only" is a term that is heard frequently thanks to the tablet boom. It still is …
- Such devices with modems are basically tablet-sized smartphones and combine the best of both worlds. You must personally weigh the increased costs against the benefits.
- A cheap alternative to a 3G tablet is the "tethering" option (also known as "personal hotspot"), which is supported by almost all current smartphones.
- In this way, you create a WLAN with your smartphone, via which your tablet connects directly to the Internet. But this also means that the battery consumption is immensely increased during this time. If this is used frequently, the tablet with the 3G option is the better option.
How helpful do you find this article?
