Comcast’s options aren’t the only way to stay online during a power outage. There are several 5G-based home internet routers, including the T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. These are intended to replace traditional cable or his DSL connections with high-speed wireless. The T-Mobile gateway doesn’t have its own battery, but by connecting it to a third-party external battery, it was able to survive a power outage without losing connectivity (larger examples typically use Comcast’s 4 time).
Or, you can turn your existing smartphone into a mobile hotspot to connect other devices online. Other than draining your phone’s battery quickly, the main drawbacks are that most carriers impose data limits on tethering, and Wi-Fi coverage is usually not as strong as a dedicated router or gateway. That’s not true. Devices that are further away in your home may not be able to connect.
Chris Davis/SlashGear
5G speeds are obviously desirable, but you’ll be paying more for them. For example, his 5G home internet from T-Mobile costs $50 a month, but existing voice customers can get it for $30 to $45 a month, depending on their plan. Still, it costs at least $360 a year, not including the additional cost of a battery powerful enough to run the Gateway. If you only use it to cover emergencies, it’s a big expense.
Another option could be to simply connect a powerful battery to a regular Xfinity gateway. After all, just because the power goes out doesn’t mean Comcast’s network is down. I have experienced many power outages where when I connect my Xfinity gateway to battery, my regular cable service comes back online. That said, this method isn’t guaranteed to work all the time, as a broader outage could also bring down Comcast’s local Xfinity infrastructure.
