How to Connect to the Internet Using a Cell Phone As a Modem for Xbox Live
Tethering, or using a cell phone to connect to the internet, has long allowed the owners of laptops to connect to the Internet. What most people don't realize is that this same method can be used to connect an entire network to the Internet. An Xbox 360, or any other networked device can use this connection just as if they were connected using a cable modem, albeit at much slower speeds. All you need is a Ethernet switch and a computer to tether the phone to.
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Things You'll Need
- Cell Phone (must support tethering)
- USB Cable
- Cell Phone Driver software
- Computer (Windows Vista or higher)
- Ethernet Switch
- Ethernet Cables
- Xbox 360
Instructions
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Tethering the Phone
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1
Connect the cell phone, using the USB cable, to the computer.
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2
Using the drivers available from the cell phone, install the phone on the computer.
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3
Connect to the Internet using the cell phone.
Sharing the Internet Connection
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4
Right-click on the button on the task-bar that represents network connections. It looks like a monitor with a Ethernet cable in front of it.
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5
Select "Open Network and Sharing Center."
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6
Look for the option marked "Change adapter settings." Click on it.
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7
Select, on the next screen, the icon that represents the cell phone. It may be called "Local Area Connection X," where X is a number.
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8
Right-click on the selected icon. Choose "Properties."
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9
Click on the tab marked "Sharing."
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10
Check the box marked "Allow other computers to connect through this computer's Internet connection." Click the "OK" button.
Setting Up the Network
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11
Plug in the Ethernet switch.
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12
Connect an Ethernet cable to the switch, and the other end to the computer sharing the connection.
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13
Plug another cable into the Xbox 360, and the other end into the switch.
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1
Tips & Warnings
This setup will work with any device with an Ethernet port, including other computers, Sony's PS3, or Nintendo's Wii. While speeds will be limited, if you use at least a 3G connection, it should be fast enough for some light gaming.
This kind of setup is also possible with wireless networking. You won't need the Ethernet cables or the switch, but you will need an Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter, which retails for about $79.99. Otherwise, the process is nearly identical.
The biggest problem with this kind of setup is that connecting to the Internet with a cell phone can get very expensive very quickly. Even so-called "Unlimited" data plans tend to have 5 Gigabyte per month usage limits, and providers will charge for over usages.
