MiFi Plus aerial vs Phone Hotspot

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any data/experience on using a MiFi unit plus an aerial vs a mobile phone as a hotspot?

I wondering if I might reasonably get a better signal with a MiFi unit plus aerial whilst commuting to and from work each day. For reasons I can't fathom, the mobile phone companies, looking at you O2, do not put base stations along the line...you know so that people who pay money each month for data would be able to get it when they're otherwise trapped in a train carriage.

[MI5]

Mifi of any kind still relies on receiving a data signal so if the unit can receive a signal it will provide data for you. This is more dependent on the network you are using but yes generally I’ve found mifi to provide a stronger signal.

[adamtemp64]

The other issue with trains is they are metal boxes with metal coatings on the windows making it  difficult for any signal to get in to the carriages not just the lack of local masts to the tracks 

interesting article here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12068018/Governm...

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies @MI5 and @adamtemp64.

Quiet a few aerials have the option of attach to a window which motivated the question. I may try sticking the smart phone in a mesh bag and suckering that to the window as a first experiement.

Regarding the article, we're now in Q3 2017 and there seems to be very little deployment. The new super uncomfortable and less spotted trains run by GNR do have onboard wifi, but requires re-entering your name, telephone number, etc every single time you use it.

[adamtemp64]

The main issue was the emphasis on population coverage and not sparsely populated areas like road and rail networks even the 4g auction only stated population areas 98% .