How to Route in Mobile Networks

Internet-enabled smartphones can serve as routers using the Windows operating system.

Households and offices commonly use a router to share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet service with multiple computers. However, these services don't allow for much movement and freedom while on the go. Mobile broadband is a service that uses cell phone towers to offer high-speed Internet connectivity just about anywhere. This hardware ranges from traditional cell phones to USB stick-modems. Mobile broadband modems greatly differ from other high-speed modems in design and construction. Nonetheless, if you want to continue using a router for networking with mobile broadband service, you can use functions already available in the Windows operating system.

Instructions

1. Be sure your mobile broadband device is plugged into the USB port on your computer and connected to the Internet, per the cell phone provider's or manufacturer's instructions. The device is either your cell phone using a USB cable or a USB modem stick.

2. Click "Start" in the bottom left corner of the Windows "Desktop." Type "Sharing Center" in the search box at the bottom of the "Start" menu. Press "Enter" to open the "Network and Sharing Center" window.

3. Find the mobile broadband connection under "View Your Active Networks" section. Click the blue hyperlink next to "Connections" to open a dialog box. The name of the connection is usually the branding of the cell phone company or the manufacturer, such as "Verizon Wireless" or "Samsung," respectively.

4. Click "Properties" on the "General" tab, which opens another dialog box.

5. Click the "Sharing" tab. Click a check mark in the box next to "Allow Other Network Users to Connect Through This Computer's Internet Connection." Click "OK."

6. Plug the Ethernet cable from the Internet port on your router into the Ethernet port on the computer. Wait while the Windows operating system automatically detects the router and grants sharing for the mobile broadband connection. Monitor the icons on the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop for notification messages indicating set up is successful and complete.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need additional guidance on how to set up the router or mobile broadband connections, navigate to the links in the Resources section.

• The router's Internet port is where the cable or DSL modem connects via Ethernet cord.

• Alternatively, purchase a mobile broadband router that can connect directly to the USB modem. This means your computer does not have to always maintain a connection to the Internet so that the router can share the service with other computers.

• Be aware of monthly bandwidth limitations before allowing other computers to connect to the router and use your mobile broadband. If you and other users, combined, go over the cap, you may be charged a penalty. Contact customer service for your mobile broadband provider and ask about the terms and conditions.

References

• Microsoft: Windows 7: Set Up a Shared Internet Connection Using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)
• Microsoft: Windows Vista: Set Up a Shared Internet Connection Using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)
• Microsoft: Windows 7: What is Mobile Broadband?
• ARS Technica: Sharing 3G on the Cheap With a Mobile Broadband Router
• Tech Crunch: Report: Number of Mobile Broadband Subscriptions To Surpass 1 Billion in 2011

Resources

• Microsoft: Windows 7: Use Mobile Broadband to Connect to the Internet
• Microsoft: Windows 7: Set Up a Wireless Router
• CNet News: Mobile Bandwidth Caps Challenging Web TV
• ZDNet: Can You Survive on 500 MB Mobile Data Per Month?