Converting USB cell modem to wifi router
Mar 23, 2009, 12:57 pm
#1
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Converting USB cell modem to wifi router
I am currently on a long travel vacation in central America. I travel here often so any hardware investment can be considered.
I just bought a USB cellular modem (has a Sim card in it). It is chinese no brand. Works great...in theory I will get 36gb for my $75.
Is there a way to connect this usb modem to a wifi router so multiple pcs can access it?
Any other ideas on how to convert the cellular signal to a wifi signal? Keep in mind that I may not have access to all the settings since it seems that it worked pre programmed out of the box.
Converting USB cell modem to wifi router
I am currently on a long travel vacation in central America. I travel here often so any hardware investment can be considered.
I just bought a USB cellular modem (has a Sim card in it). It is chinese no brand. Works great...in theory I will get 36gb for my $75.
Is there a way to connect this usb modem to a wifi router so multiple pcs can access it?
Any other ideas on how to convert the cellular signal to a wifi signal? Keep in mind that I may not have access to all the settings since it seems that it worked pre programmed out of the box.
Mar 23, 2009, 1:33 pm
#3
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Wanted wifi for iphone, blackberry wifi calls, etc.
Originally Posted by potfish
Could you run Internet Connection Sharing on a PC it's plugged into?
Mar 23, 2009, 1:41 pm
#4
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I use a Cradlepoint MBR-1000 router, per ScottC's recommendation. Got it from 3Gstore.com
But make sure your modem is supported.
Look at their forums, very helful- http://www.evdoforums.com/
Also, check the details on your account- if there is a data usage cap and you exceed it, it could suddenly get extremely expensive.
But make sure your modem is supported.
Look at their forums, very helful- http://www.evdoforums.com/
Also, check the details on your account- if there is a data usage cap and you exceed it, it could suddenly get extremely expensive.
Mar 23, 2009, 1:50 pm
#5
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There are a few wifi mobile broadband routers out there,
Cradlepoint and Netgear make them, Linksys did make one, not sure if they do or not anymore,
You want to make sure it's compatible with both your modem and whatever service plan you have on it.
Cradlepoint and Netgear make them, Linksys did make one, not sure if they do or not anymore,
You want to make sure it's compatible with both your modem and whatever service plan you have on it.
Mar 23, 2009, 3:57 pm
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
Could I use ICS and connect from my cell/Laptop via a crossover cable to a wifirouter? (and then have all the sharing PCs use that wifi router)
Everything I have read always state that this method only works PC to PC
****
OR could I use the Apple's OS internet sharing sw??
Everything I have read always state that this method only works PC to PC
****
OR could I use the Apple's OS internet sharing sw??
Last edited by AAaLot; Mar 23, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Mar 25, 2009, 9:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Detroit, MI, USA
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I use a Cradlepoint MBR-1000 router, per ScottC's recommendation. Got it from 3Gstore.com
But make sure your modem is supported.
Look at their forums, very helful- http://www.evdoforums.com/
Also, check the details on your account- if there is a data usage cap and you exceed it, it could suddenly get extremely expensive.
But make sure your modem is supported.
Look at their forums, very helful- http://www.evdoforums.com/
Also, check the details on your account- if there is a data usage cap and you exceed it, it could suddenly get extremely expensive.
I also bought my parents the CTR350 to use as their primary internet connection at home (northern Michigan - they can't get cable or DSL broadband!!). My dad connects his Palm 700W to it and he and my mother can both be online at the same time. Surprisingly, he is on Alltel which doesn't list the Palm as compatible, but since they were bought by Verizon (I believe), it could be a fluke.
Mar 26, 2009, 8:36 am
#8
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I wish I could find a cell router for my network (TIGO in El Salvador). That would be the best solution.
However, I did get my Mac internet sharing to work. The secret was pretty easy, but confusing. The cell modem either picks bluetooth, port, or modem to be the active connection...this varies every time I connect...I just need to make sure to share that connection.
The signal is week, but I have added a repeater to the equation.
The speed is fast enough for me to use skype, or make wifi calls from my cell phone.
If anyone gets any better ideas on how to research for a cell wifi router that will work on this network let me know.
However, I did get my Mac internet sharing to work. The secret was pretty easy, but confusing. The cell modem either picks bluetooth, port, or modem to be the active connection...this varies every time I connect...I just need to make sure to share that connection.
The signal is week, but I have added a repeater to the equation.
The speed is fast enough for me to use skype, or make wifi calls from my cell phone.
If anyone gets any better ideas on how to research for a cell wifi router that will work on this network let me know.
Apr 15, 2009, 4:09 pm
#11
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As I mentioned above, check the usage caps. We do use cell as our primary connection, and with AT&T there is a 5 gb/month cap. After that prices shoot through the sky. So far we're staying around 2.5 to 3 gb, but I steer clear of YouTube and streaming news video.
Apr 29, 2009, 8:43 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Posts: 642
What wifi routers will take a broadband sim card as input, without a card/usb modem? I think Anydata has one but can't find for sale and maybe expensive. I'm on AT&T and have an internal wwan modem so would prefer not to have another modem to carry.