Connect a WiFi device and access your carrier data?

Question

Level 1

61 points

Connect a WiFi device and access your carrier data?

Hello all,

I have a bit of an unusual (?) dilemma. All my searching turned up zilch! :(

I recently purchased a media device that communicates over WiFi. Unfortunately, while I am connected to this device, I lose Internet access. I have not found a way to use my data plan while simultaneously using this device.

Is this a strict hardware limitation of the iPhone (5) or is there a work-around that I am not aware of?

Important note: this device allows bridging to another WiFi connection (that has Internet), however, I plan to use this media device where my only available Internet is through my cellular data plan.

Thank very much.

Shawn

iPhone 5, iOS 7

Posted on Apr 29, 2014 11:17 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,345 points

Apr 29, 2014 11:23 AM in response to sdc01

If the iPhone is connected to wi-fi, it disables the cellular data portion of the phone. The only way this changes is if you have personal hotspot enabled. Then you get the cellular data on the phone to share with another device via wi-fi. If this device needs to have internet connection, this is the way you would have to connect it. You can only activate the personal hotspot if your carrier supports it and your plan allows it.

Reply

Answer 2

sdc01 Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 29, 2014 11:37 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for your reply.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. The media device doesn't need Internet.

The problem is that I (personally) need Internet while using this device. But the default way that the iPhone software works is that cellular data is shut off when connected to a WiFi device.

Hmm... Hotspot... Rethinking that idea...

So, if I enable hotspot, connect the device (actually, Kingston MobileLite) to my iPhone's hotspot (acting as bridged connection)...that might just work.

Thanks, in a round about way, I think you helped.

Reply

Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,345 points

Apr 29, 2014 11:50 AM in response to sdc01

I'm not sure if it will work, but in theory, it should. Again, the carrier needs to support personal hotspot and your plan does as well. Good luck.

Reply

Answer 4

sdc01 Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 29, 2014 12:15 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

No, didn't work. I saw the flaw in this plan as I began to implement it.

This is what I tried:

- turned on personal hotspot (no restrictions with carrier)

- connected to MobileLite wifi signal

But this is where (again), my cellular data plan is shut off

At this point, it is moot to try bridging to the iPhone's hotspot in the MobileLite config. because the cellular data is turned off.

Any other ideas?

Reply

Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,345 points

Apr 29, 2014 3:41 PM in response to sdc01

So is this device transmit a wi-fi signal? When attempting to connect a device to your personal hotspot, you should be able to do that via wi-fi, unless this external device that you are looking at is connecting to the wi-fi of the phone and the phone is thinking it is going to use it. However, if you have no options in the device setting to select the iPhone wi-fi, that is probably where the problem exists. See this support document and where it talks about sharing the cellular data connection and see if that helps. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4517

Reply