DISH Anywhere is one of the unique features of DISH that enables you to watch live television and recorded programs on mobile devices and computers as well when you are not connected to your DISH Network or Wally. However, before you get to enjoy all the features of DISH Anywhere, you should note that you are going to require an internet connection, whether it is Wi-Fi or mobile data. To answer the last question, it is possible to use DISH Anywhere without Wi-Fi, but it is limited depending on the features used. Well, let us put a microscope on it.
What is DISH Anywhere?
DISH Anywhere is a service that lets DISH Hopper or Wally receiver customers watch contents that they have stored on their boxes through other devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. That allows you to view live channels and your recorded programs stored in the DVR list at any time and place.
DISH Anywhere functions just like how the internet works by enabling your mobile device or computer to access the internet. It then delivers live program feeds from your home DISH receiver through the Internet to wherever you are. Thus, whenever you’re on a business trip or vacation, you can always follow your favorite show or a football match on your devices.
That is why DISH Anywhere Needs an Internet Connection
The main cause of the need for an internet connection at DISH Anywhere is that it delivers videos through the internet with the help of a home broadband connection. The home internet connection in your DISH Hopper or Wally transmits data to DISH Anywhere mobile applications and websites.
In the absence of internet connectivity, the devices lack the means through which to connect to the home receiver to access the live shows and the DVR content. The content remains stored on your home DISH DVR until your device can connect to the internet to stream the media.
As such, DISH Anywhere irrespective of its connection type: Wi-Fi or mobile data, requires some form of an internet connection to operate. The good news is that there are options depending on your location available to ensure that you are connected.
This functionality works by connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi when accessing DISH Anywhere.
There are different options on how to link your devices with DISH Anywhere, with the most common being through a Wi-Fi internet connection. Comparatively, at home, you are familiar with Wi-Fi where you can connect laptops, tablets, and phones. The Wi-Fi provides DISH Anywhere to allow you to stream content from your Hopper or Wally into your devices.
It is also possible to access other Wi-Fi networks when you are out of your house such as public Wi-Fi networks. Other popular free public Wi-Fi hotspots include restaurants – cafés, hotels, airports, etc. This Wi-Fi allows you to open the DISH Anywhere application on your device and view live television, as well as anything recorded on your DVR. What this means is that you can have convenient DISH programming anytime you have a Wi-Fi connection available.
They proposed to use ‘Mobile Data’ for remote viewing.
The second and final way to connect your device is by using mobile data connectivity when there is no Wi-Fi. Mobile phones and cell phones with capabilities to the internet can surf the internet using fast 4G LTE connections anywhere there is a mobile network connection.
Since you can use mobile data rather than Wi-Fi, you can then launch the DISH Anywhere app and watch live or recorded content. This works great when you're on the go, letting you watch DISH shows in places like:
- Cabs/autos – use DISH Anywhere while being a passenger in a car, truck, train, or any other vehicle of your choice.
- Remote places – connect to mobile internet when you are at campsites, tailgate parties, etc.
- Other countries – tun into U.S DISH programming while being abroad
The mobility of data works to its strength as you do not have to constantly search for a Wi-Fi connection for DISH Anywhere to function adequately on tablets and phones while on the move. The only thing that you should know is that streaming video will consume your cellular data, and fast!
Mobile data is now an essential tool in everyday life, it is therefore important to learn how to manage it well.
Although one can use data on the move, streaming video consumes data very quickly and is therefore not very suitable for distant DISH Anywhere access. Utilizing video applications through cellular network connections can easily consume gigabytes within hours if one is not cautious.
Here are some tips to help control how much data you use streaming DISH Anywhere over mobile connections:
- Use Lower Video Quality Settings – This is relevant since streaming in high resolution requires a lot of data as discovered when using the DISH Anywhere app. By comparing it with what is termed as high definition or HD, it is clear that SD quality employs only a fraction of the amount of data.
- Content download on the device - In case of a particular knowledge of Wi-Fi unavailability, download DVR recordings in advance via Wi-Fi instead of directly streaming all the content.
- No Auto-Playing – Prevents the continuous playing of the next video in playlists and channels that can cause background streaming.
- Data Controls – Go to Settings->Mobile Network or Network Operators on your device, and then turn off Background Data, while also being able to set warnings or a data limit for when you are running low on data.
- Limit Streaming Through Your Mobile Connection – If you are connected to the internet using a specific service provider, try to avoid streaming through your mobile data plan and use Wi-Fi instead.
The Bottom Line
Even though DISH Anywhere does call for high-speed broadband or mobile data connection to provide for the streaming media, you’re free to watch anywhere. It is also important to connect to Wi-Fi networks if available as this will be cheaper in the long run. Also, for the on-the-go Hopper or Wally experience, access the mobile data connection on the phone or cellular tablet. Just keep an eye on the amount of data and video quality for streaming when away from Wi-Fi connections.
As it was discovered, DISH subscribers can easily plan, capture, store, and transmit real-time TV channels or DVR recordings even when they are not connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Live: DISH Anywhere is your home TV adapted to your favorite devices with flexibility in streaming.
Ready to upgrade your TV experience? Call us now at (877) 471-4808 to find the perfect Dish Network plan for you! Don’t miss out on great entertainment—our team is here to help you choose the best package and get you started today.
