When sharing a smartphone's internet connection while traveling, which connection type is being used?

When sharing a smartphone's internet connection while traveling, the connection type being used is a hotspot. A hotspot enables a smartphone to act as a wireless access point, allowing other devices such as tablets, laptops, and other smartphones to connect to the internet using the phone's cellular data. This is particularly useful when traditional Wi-Fi networks are not available, ensuring that users remain connected to the internet while on the go.

Using a hotspot typically involves enabling a feature on the smartphone that broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal, which other devices can then connect to by entering a password if one is set. This method is popular due to its convenience, portability, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

In contrast, a virtual private network (VPN) is used to create a secure connection over the internet but does not share the internet itself. Ethernet refers to a wired connection used for networking and is not applicable to smartphone sharing. Bluetooth tethering, while also a method for sharing internet, generally offers slower speeds and is less commonly used for this purpose compared to using a hotspot.