How do you connect a PC to a mobile network?
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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
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
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
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
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4vHNW.png?s=32&g=1)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4vHNW.png?s=32&g=1)
DaMaxContentDaMaxContent
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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
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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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. 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.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
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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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. 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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. 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.
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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:35
answered Nov 16 '18 at 5:42
SpiffSpiff
78.4k10119163
78.4k10119163
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. 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.
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.
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.
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
51.7k18119171
add a comment |
add a comment |
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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