What is a wireless Internet hotspot and do you need one to access a mobile broadband Internet network? That depends on what you want to do and what kind of device you want to use. First let’s define the mobile wireless Internet hotspot.

A wireless Internet hotspot is a small device ranging in size to the equivalent of a deck of cards to a couple of stacked coasters (in other words, they’re small). They connect to a 4G and/or 3G network and broadcast that connection via Wi-Fi. So instead of having to use a 4G or 3G ready device you can use any device that can connect to a Wi-Fi network.

So that means if you want to connect a Wi-Fi device to a mobile broadband network on the go, you’ll want a mobile wireless Internet hotspot. Things like iPads, laptops, netbooks, and even cell phones can connect to mobile wireless Internet hotspots. The best part is that you can share the connection with other devices. If you go with one of those USB-powered wireless Internet sticks you can only use the stick with one laptop or netbook at a time. Depending on the wireless Internet hotspot you buy, you could connect up to eight devices at once.

If you’re going to connect multiple devices and you’d really like a sort of “network” on the go, then you’ll want to pick up a mobile wireless Internet hotspot.