How do you connect a PC to a mobile network?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty height:90px;width:728px;box-sizing:border-box;
Using a SIM card, and a SIM card reader, what other equipment do you need to connect a computer that doesn't have support for cellular connectivity to a cellular network?
My understanding of SIM cards and mobile networks is that they are simply smart cards that only authenticate your access to a mobile network and that the cellular device is what actually facilitates the mobile connection.
wireless-networking
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
add a comment |
Using a SIM card, and a SIM card reader, what other equipment do you need to connect a computer that doesn't have support for cellular connectivity to a cellular network?
My understanding of SIM cards and mobile networks is that they are simply smart cards that only authenticate your access to a mobile network and that the cellular device is what actually facilitates the mobile connection.
wireless-networking
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13
add a comment |
Using a SIM card, and a SIM card reader, what other equipment do you need to connect a computer that doesn't have support for cellular connectivity to a cellular network?
My understanding of SIM cards and mobile networks is that they are simply smart cards that only authenticate your access to a mobile network and that the cellular device is what actually facilitates the mobile connection.
wireless-networking
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
Using a SIM card, and a SIM card reader, what other equipment do you need to connect a computer that doesn't have support for cellular connectivity to a cellular network?
My understanding of SIM cards and mobile networks is that they are simply smart cards that only authenticate your access to a mobile network and that the cellular device is what actually facilitates the mobile connection.
wireless-networking
wireless-networking
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
asked Nov 16 '18 at 4:04
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
1386
1386
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13
add a comment |
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Nowadays most people use an LTE personal Wi-Fi hotspot, or enable the personal hotspot or tethering feature of their smartphone.
If you don't want a separate device with its own power to manage, then you need a cellular radio card (a.k.a. "wireless modem", "LTE modem", "LTE USB stick" etc. ). You can buy them from Sierra Wireless, Novatel, ZTE, Huawei, and others. They cost as low as $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
|
show 1 more comment
You need a mobile hotspot, or a cellular modem. Both devices connect to a cellular network and need a data plan from that cellular provider.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "3"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fsuperuser.com%2fquestions%2f1375879%2fhow-do-you-connect-a-pc-to-a-mobile-network%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Nowadays most people use an LTE personal Wi-Fi hotspot, or enable the personal hotspot or tethering feature of their smartphone.
If you don't want a separate device with its own power to manage, then you need a cellular radio card (a.k.a. "wireless modem", "LTE modem", "LTE USB stick" etc. ). You can buy them from Sierra Wireless, Novatel, ZTE, Huawei, and others. They cost as low as $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
|
show 1 more comment
Nowadays most people use an LTE personal Wi-Fi hotspot, or enable the personal hotspot or tethering feature of their smartphone.
If you don't want a separate device with its own power to manage, then you need a cellular radio card (a.k.a. "wireless modem", "LTE modem", "LTE USB stick" etc. ). You can buy them from Sierra Wireless, Novatel, ZTE, Huawei, and others. They cost as low as $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
|
show 1 more comment
Nowadays most people use an LTE personal Wi-Fi hotspot, or enable the personal hotspot or tethering feature of their smartphone.
If you don't want a separate device with its own power to manage, then you need a cellular radio card (a.k.a. "wireless modem", "LTE modem", "LTE USB stick" etc. ). You can buy them from Sierra Wireless, Novatel, ZTE, Huawei, and others. They cost as low as $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
Nowadays most people use an LTE personal Wi-Fi hotspot, or enable the personal hotspot or tethering feature of their smartphone.
If you don't want a separate device with its own power to manage, then you need a cellular radio card (a.k.a. "wireless modem", "LTE modem", "LTE USB stick" etc. ). You can buy them from Sierra Wireless, Novatel, ZTE, Huawei, and others. They cost as low as $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:35
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
78.4k10119163
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
|
show 1 more comment
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
7
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
Nov 16 '18 at 11:25
1
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
Nov 16 '18 at 12:34
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
Nov 16 '18 at 15:12
1
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:36
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
Nov 16 '18 at 15:40
|
show 1 more comment
You need a mobile hotspot, or a cellular modem. Both devices connect to a cellular network and need a data plan from that cellular provider.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
add a comment |
You need a mobile hotspot, or a cellular modem. Both devices connect to a cellular network and need a data plan from that cellular provider.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
add a comment |
You need a mobile hotspot, or a cellular modem. Both devices connect to a cellular network and need a data plan from that cellular provider.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
You need a mobile hotspot, or a cellular modem. Both devices connect to a cellular network and need a data plan from that cellular provider.
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:33
KeltariKeltari
51.7k18119171
51.7k18119171
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Super User!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fsuperuser.com%2fquestions%2f1375879%2fhow-do-you-connect-a-pc-to-a-mobile-network%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 '18 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
Nov 16 '18 at 9:24
It's a bit unusual to have a SIM card reader not part of a modem. Are you sure you don't actually have a modem that includes that reader?
– jcaron
Nov 16 '18 at 15:43
You can use USB to share your mobile network with PC. You can refer to: makeuseof.com/tag/tethering-use-mobile-internet-pc
– Peter.G
Nov 20 '18 at 9:13