How do you connect a PC to a mobile network?
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
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 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
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 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
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 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 16 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 16 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 16 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
asked Nov 16 at 4:04
DaMaxContent
1264
1264
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
add a comment |
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 at 4:28
Most people connect a computer to a cellular network using a WiFi mobile hotspot.
– Appleoddity
Nov 16 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@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
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
4
down vote
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 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
7
down vote
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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@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
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
7
down vote
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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@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
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
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 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
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 $25 US. It's a different radio technology than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It's probably best to contact your wireless carrier and ask if they have a preferred USB LTE modem for their network. The modem will have its own SIM card slot.
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
answered 2 days ago
Spiff
75.8k10116158
75.8k10116158
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
1
Also many high-end Lenovo and Dell laptops have LTE build-in modems nowadays. In that case You just need to check where the SIM card slot is.
– Skipper
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@kasperd A SIM card is just a smart card variant that the wireless telephony industry adopted, and I've seen people confuse the two before, so I figured OP just had a smart card reader and he didn't realize it had nothing to do with wireless data service.
– Spiff
2 days ago
7
7
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
Hm... on amazon.com, an LTE USB stick goes for 20-50 US$. Where did you get the $200 figure?
– sleske
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
It sounds like the question is looking for something even more basic as the machine already has a SIM card reader.
– kasperd
2 days ago
1
1
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@sleske Thanks, fixed. I think I was only looking at the longstanding brands I trust and not the recent import brands.
– Spiff
2 days ago
@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
2 days ago
@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
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
4
down vote
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 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
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 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
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 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
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 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
answered 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
answered 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
answered 2 days ago
Keltari
48.7k17112161
48.7k17112161
add a comment |
add a comment |
DaMaxContent is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
DaMaxContent is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
DaMaxContent is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
DaMaxContent is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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 at 4:28
Well, yes, but the "mobile hotspot" is still just a cellular modem regardless of its shape.
– grawity
2 days ago
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
2 days ago