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







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  • 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















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







share|improve this question







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













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







share|improve this question







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






share|improve this question







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.











share|improve this question







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.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






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asked Nov 16 at 4:04









DaMaxContent

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DaMaxContent is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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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


















  • 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










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.






share|improve this answer



















  • 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


















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.






share|improve this answer





















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    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.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 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















    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.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 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













    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.






    share|improve this answer














    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.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 2 days ago

























    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














    • 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












    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.






    share|improve this answer

























      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.






      share|improve this answer























        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.






        share|improve this answer












        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.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 2 days ago









        Keltari

        48.7k17112161




        48.7k17112161






















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