Connect a cell to a Wi-Fi router for internet access.
Connect a cell to a Wi-Fi router for internet access.
Right, so I can turn off wifi on it and there are 4 ethernet ports. One going to another computer and one going to another router. I have the WAP for the mobile devices, but I guess i cant remove the coaxial cable, tether the phone to the gateway and use the phone as the source of the internet and distribute using the gateway/wap. I had a 3G USB thing years ago that I did this with but I forget what I needed in the router to get it working.
It seems strange that you're getting such limited internet speeds despite having cable service. Comcast offers much higher bandwidth, and the speeds you're seeing are quite low compared to what's available. If your usage is minimal—like for a student on the lunch program—you might be below the legal minimum for broadband. Your provider could be underperforming or there may be an issue with your account.
Looking into it here: https://www.vpnuniversity.com/tutorial/h...our-router We’re discussing two types of connections. My speed is 100Mbps down, while my parents don’t have it—they’re not living with me. I own the equipment and a phone that will help upgrade them from a poor Verizon unlimited plan.
Remember that most LTE carriers operate similarly. Even with "Unlimited" plans, you may encounter throttling or reduced priority for your data. Also note that tethering usage is treated differently from regular phone usage. Most services limit how much data you can share through a device.
I grasp the constraints of mobile connections more clearly than most users, especially regarding what 'unlimited' really means and how providers differ. It’s been my experience over the past twenty years to dig into these details. While I recognize the challenges of rural internet and the reality of limited options, this isn’t the main focus. If you’re interested, I’m checking out visible.com. Their network is powered by Verizon, which I’ve confirmed has coverage in the area. Should they drop, I’ll switch to Sprints as a backup. There’s no easy mobile-only solution—either satellite or a costly WISP plan would be needed. Unless Elon finally steps up, satellite delays are frustrating and not practical. The real question is how to efficiently send data from phones to multiple devices. Right now it seems installing a repeater could help. If anyone has insights, I’m listening. Thanks.
WiFi repeaters reduce your data speed significantly. If cellular service is slow, it will further slow down connected devices. The optimal choice would be a standard WiFi router, though connecting a phone via a router isn’t straightforward. Locating a router with cellular data support over USB will be difficult. I’m aware my router supports this, but it’s a costly model priced around $200. Have you checked how Verizon performs inside your home? That would help determine if a mobile hotspot works. They use cellular antennas for outdoor use, but they connect to a modem/gateway—this won’t work with a phone. What makes a WISP more reliable than LTE is mentioned; speeds are capped at 5 Mbps and only one device can be tethered at once. That’s the information I found online. It seems a 5 Mbps solution might be too limited for your needs.
Back then I used a 3G USB card with a $20 device that connected via Wi-Fi. I bought an Encore 3G extender on Amazon for $20, and it performed adequately. However, I’m wondering if there’s a superior choice now. Performance varies by location; my home cable connection is much faster than the extender at my parents’ place. The WISP plan costs $400 upfront plus $50 monthly for 1 Mbps, which is essentially a premium option. If it were that simple, I wouldn’t be here. Cellular antennas could help if you need a stronger signal from the tower into your phone, especially at poor reception spots like -90 dB or higher. They’re stable but only support one tether. I’ve heard of pdaNet and hardware-based solutions, though details are limited. Given these constraints—5 Mbps, 1 Mbps, or no signal—I’d likely go with the faster option unless it’s cost-effective.
The proper way would be using a LTE modem or LTE Gateway. The gateway option would provide WiFi access as well as some also provide some Ethernet. BUT because this is a phone we are talking about and yes they can and will limit what devices that SIM card will go in, these options are not available to you. Your best option if you have good signal in the house is to try to find a router with USB port that supports tethering. Like I said my router supports this https://www.synology.com/en-global/produ...00ac#specs but like I also said it costs around $200. I dont have to use LTE for internet. Also I only get 4 Gigs of data a month with the plan I have with T Mobile. While I get 1 Tb a month with Comcast for my home internet.
Investigating further, for those curious about future needs from Google (hello future!), consider these points:
1. You require a router supporting 4G tethering – a unique capability rarely built-in.
2. This feature is uncommon; most devices lack it by default.
3. ASUSWRT offers a viable option starting at $60 new, eliminating the need for expensive routers.
4. Using a router that physically handles the SIM card limits users to restrictive options.
5. Alternatives like PDANet are cheaper (around $10) and provide similar benefits.
For guidance on implementing this in your setup, begin with the suggested resources.