Only one device allowed - using Android as a wifi router?
 

OK... sometimes a hotel charges per device. So I bought the Edimax micro travel router, which is a great little piece of kit. So it may be a moot point, but I got to realizing - why didn't I use my Galaxy S3 as a router?

Then - in further realization, I do believe it's impossible to use your phone as a wifi only hotspot. Somehow, unless I've missed something, the only hotspot data it will serve up is mobile data.

Anyone found any differently? It would mean one less device to bring along, or a redundant system.

Looks like it's pretty easy to do. http://blogs.computerworld.com/smart...d-wifi-hotspot

Don't believe there's any way to do what you are trying to do, any of the solutions I'm aware of will use your phones data plan, not the hotels wifi, for the connection.

Nope. That's using a mobile wireless phone company-type data as your data source (ie AT&T). I want to use existing hotel wireless wifi data (ie: Marriott wifi), and spread that data around to other devices.

I haven't seen a single program or tutorial that allows it... I'm wondering if there's some sort of technical reason why not?

I believe this is a hardware limitation. You're asking the WiFi radio to act as both an access point and a client at the same time. The Linksys WTR54GS (my old favorite travel router) used one radio to connect to the local wireless network, and a second radio to share that wireless connection out as a hot spot.

Sorry, I misunderstood.

What hotel charges per device? I thought it was a 'room' charge? Up to 4 people in room? Next resort fees will be per persons in room?

Most rooms I've been in charge per device. Each device, when it longs on, will go through the authorization screen which includes the fee structure. That was a big surprise to me when traveling with my children and their laptops.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...er-device.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ess-fee-2.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...s-devices.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-per-stay.html

And dozens of other threads about it

The best solution I've found so far is the Connectify program with a laptop.

It will allow you to take a wired, or wi-fi, internet connection and create your own hotspot.

The major catch being, that you need to always have your laptop on for it to work.

Sometimes I use it just because my laptop gets better wi-fi reception (especially with an external antenna), that I can then 're-transmit' to my other devices.

I have a small linksys WRT54GC compact router that lives in my laptop bag. It only supports 802.11b/g but at 4x4x1 inches it does the job quite well. Unfortunately it can't run third party firmwares but it works well enough for my travel needs.

I do it with my iPhone and PDANet. It also worked with MyWi.

I just ran across Virtual Router Plus, an open source program that supposed to do the same thing. Has anyone here tried it?

Depends on the hotel and the particular benefit. I've never had an issue at places like Courtyard or HGI, where they have free wifi anyway. Some places, like Kimptons, tell you that up to 4 devices per room are allowed. With others, you get a code that is good for one device. I've had mixed success getting multiple codes, but doesn't hurt to ask. With Hilton status, I've never had an issue getting more than one device connected at any Hilton property.