Good morning, everyone! I'm a professional photographer specializing in sports, and I'm in need of a reliable internet connection for my laptop when I'm out shooting events. My phone's hotspot tends to struggle in crowded stadiums, and the stadium WiFi isn't much better either. Is there any device I can plug into my laptop that can provide high-speed internet while I'm working outside? Thanks for your help!
4 Answers
You're in a pretty tough environment for radio signals. I recommend looking for a mobile router with dual SIM capability. This way, you could connect to multiple networks like AT&T and Verizon simultaneously to balance the load, making uploads more reliable even with a huge crowd. Check out Peplink's mobile routers for this setup!
Have you thought about reaching out to the venues directly? Many of them can set up a dedicated WiFi or wired connection just for photographers like you. Although you can get cellular dongles for laptops, they might not be any better than your phone's hotspot since those signals tend to get crowded in stadiums. It could be worth asking the venue for help!
Crowds in stadiums can really wreck your cellular connection. Have you considered using a Starlink mini? You could make it portable by fitting it into a backpack for easier transport. Just set the antenna outside pointing up during the game for a better signal.
As someone involved with professional sports, I can say that the best solution often involves having a dedicated WiFi connection or some hardwired options set up for photographers. Have you checked if the venue offers any such services? If you’re using a laptop without an Ethernet port, you might need to bring a dongle. Alternatively, consider commercial hotspot solutions from companies like Cradlepoint for better signal management.
Definitely reach out! Most venues do have dedicated networks for media folks that are less congested.