AirTalk is a relatively new wireless company and Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provider, as it has only recently been rebranded from FeelSafe Wireless. Yet, in this short time, it has already become one of the most popular and generous government assistance providers in the country. The company is powered by AirVoice and owned by HTH Communications – a wireless telecom giant from Texas. AirTalk offers free monthly wireless plans with free minutes, texts, and data, free smartphones, and highly discounted tablets. Obviously, it offers numerous amazing benefits. But, does AitTalk Wireless have hotspot? Let’s figure it out!
What is a Hotspot and Why is it Important?
A hotspot is a feature that allows you to create a portable Wi-Fi network by using your smartphone, tablet, or other devices with internet connectivity. It essentially turns your device into a wireless router, enabling other devices to connect to the internet through it.
Hotspots are important for several reasons. Firstly, they provide internet access on the go, allowing you to connect your devices to the internet even when you’re outside your home or office. This is particularly useful when you’re traveling, attending meetings, or in locations where Wi-Fi networks are not available.
Secondly, hotspots can be a valuable backup option in case your primary internet connection goes down. If your home Wi-Fi or wired internet is experiencing issues, you can rely on your hotspot to maintain your online activities and stay connected.
Hotspots also offer convenience and flexibility, especially in situations where you need to connect multiple devices simultaneously. Whether you’re working on your laptop, browsing on your tablet, or streaming content on your smart TV, a hotspot allows you to connect all these devices using a single internet source.
Moreover, hotspots are often used by individuals or businesses in remote areas where traditional wired internet services may be limited or unavailable. They provide a reliable and accessible means of staying connected and conducting online activities in such locations.
Does AirTalk Wireless Have Hotspot?
AirTalk Wireless offers free smartphones for eligible Lifeline and ACP customers in many U.S. states. These devices may not be the latest or most advanced models but they are of high quality and from top brands, such as Samsung, Apple, and Motorola. As such, most of the devices offered by AirTalk have a hotspot feature, allowing users to create a portable Wi-Fi network. This way, you can share your free data with other devices nearby.
However, having a hotspot-enabled phone may not be enough to share your data with other devices. You must also have a wireless plan that offers data. Unlike some other Lifeline and ACP companies, AirTalk does not offer special and additional hotspot data on any of its plans. This means that you won’t get dedicated data just for hotspot use.
Nonetheless, AirTalk’s plans all come with a certain amount (up to 15GB of high-speed 4G/5G data in some areas) of regular data. Now, the question is if you can use your general data to create a hotspot on your phone. AirTalk doesn’t disclose that, however, according to customer reports, it may vary between states and areas. In some areas, you can use your regular data to set up a hotspot and share it with others, and in others, you can’t, even though you likely have a phone that has the hotspot feature. To check, it’s best to contact AirTalk’s customer support service (if a hotspot is a very important feature for you, make sure to do so before enrolling) and ask if you can use regular data for hotspots in your area. To contact the company’s customer support service, you can call +1 (855) 924-7825, email the team at [email protected] or https://airtalkwireless.com/contact, or get in touch via chat on AirTalk’s official website. The customer’s support service is available from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM CST and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 7 PM CST.
This is the current situation, however, the provider has recently created a webpage dedicated entirely to hotspots. Currently, the webpage isn’t active yet, but as it says ‘Coming soon’, it’s safe to assume that the company will either start offering dedicated hotspot data or that it will provide other important news about its hotspot offer. You can check if the webpage is already active by the time you are reading this article at https://airtalkwireless.com/hotspot.
How to Set Up a Hotspot on My AirTalk Wireless Phone?
AirTalk enables customers to either bring their own compatible device and use it with AirTalk’s services or to get a new device directly from them. If you get a phone from AirTalk, the device is likely to offer the hotspot feature, as most of AirTalk’s phones are decently advanced and therefore offer such features. However, if you brought your own phone, you must definitely check whether or not it supports hotspot creation, as the device can be a very old flip phone and thus doesn’t have this option or it can be the newest Android or iOS device, which definitely has this feature. You can check by pulling down the feature panel on your screen or by searching in the Settings app. To check if you have this option on your phone and to set it up follow these simple steps:
- If you have an Android phone, go to Settings, Connections, Mobile Hotspot and Tethering and make sure the Mobile Hotspot feature is on.
- On an iPhone, go to Settings, Cellular, Personal Hotspot or Settings, and make sure the Personal Hotspot feature is on.
- Then press on the Mobile Hotspot or Personal Hotspot on the pull-down bar or in Settings.
- Turn it on if it wasn’t on before.
- Check the network name and password, as you will have to share this information with the person who wishes to connect to your hotspot with another device.
- On the other device, you (or another person managing it) can press the Wi-Fi option to search for available networks. Among those, your hotspot’s network name should appear. If it does, press on it and enter the password. Press Connect and if your AirTalk plan allows you to share your data with other devices, you will be able to use your AirTalk data on the other device (another smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer).
What Other Providers Have Hotspots?
As mentioned before, in order to use a hotspot, you must have a phone that enables you to share your data and a plan that offers data to be shared. AirTalk definitely offers many phones that offer a hotspot feature (and eligible customers can even choose the device themselves, making sure to select a hotspot-enabled device). However, it is a mystery whether or not you can use AirTalk’s regular data for hotspots in your area. As such, you must contact the company and ask.
However, there are some other Lifeline/ACP providers that surely allow customers to share data via hotspot, as they offer dedicated hotspot data in their plans. Such companies include:
- Life Wireless (offering up to 5GB of monthly hotspot data)
- SafeLink Wireless (offering up to 10 GB of monthly hotspot data)
- Total by Verizon (offering up to 5GB of monthly hotspot data)
- Easy Wireless (offering free hotspot access and up to unlimited data)
- Assurance Wireless (offering up to 2.5GB of monthly hotspot data)
- Access Wireless (offering free monthly hotspot)
If you bring your own hotspot-supported device, you will surely be able to enjoy free monthly hotspot data with these companies. However, it is unsure if these companies will be able to provide you with a phone that enables hotspot sharing, as these companies tend to offer a bit less advanced devices.