4G options for desktop?

K3Nv2 · Friday at 5:54 AM

I'd like to know what my cheapest option is other than using my cellphone to tether a connection. Why am I Interested in this? Back up, as well as wanting a different provider to use on my PC. I'm hoping there are dirt cheap options out there these days. Or possible methods I could use to buy one of those $25 a month unlimited Data Sim cards and pop that into it.

Honestly I don't even know if could take a old smartphone get a data plan on that and tether a lte signal via usb. So I'm just curious if there are any ways to do this.

During bad weather we've been having random power outages so with a decent battery back up and a lte signal I can still use my pc at least.

BigOnYa · Friday at 6:07 AM

I know Verizon has a 4g/5g internet receiver that works by satalite, you just put it near a window. I set one up for a friend at his lake house for him, and I did notice it had an optional backup battery pack on the bottom of it. Not sure on price at all tho. Maybe check Verizon website. It looked something like this:

Or if your current phone can create a hotspot, just link your pc WiFi to it.

tech3475 · Friday at 6:21 AM

1) Check if there's a UPS available which would last long enough to get any meaningful use out of, generally the intent of a UPS is to allow for a 'graceful' shutdown, at least on lower end ones.
2) You can get USB dongles, portable WiFi dongles, routers with built in cellular modems (I know TP link offer a few) and potentially pci-e options (also known as wwan), but be careful with the latter, I usually see these more in laptops.

Some other things to consider:
1) You need to check the signal strength, a mobile with a long USB cable/WiFi hotspot may allow for a stronger connection, where I live I have to put my phone by a window at the front of the house for a decent connection.
2) Check the mobile network to see if they'll allow you to use a mobile SIM in a different device, I know some networks sell Sims specifically for dongles, etc. so they may restrict e.g. a cheap mobile SIM.
3) If you're looking at a UPS anyway, a low power modem/ONT and router may last a while on one, so you may be able to avoid buying the phone plan.

Note: by "pc" I'm presuming a desktop and not a laptop.

lookingattech · Friday at 8:23 AM

USB tethering from an old smartphone should work fine. Just make sure your carrier allows it and you have a decent data plan. Could be a cheap option if you've got an old phone lying around.

impeeza · Friday at 8:30 AM

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-4g-usb-modem.html

k0walski · Friday at 8:42 AM

Something like this? 5040mAh battery should allow surfing for a few hours...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP9SWJRB?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_K3VQKYQWN6BJ454FNS5X
*Just an example. I personally prefer ZyXel, Netgear (this one is Netgear) or Asus (e.g., 4G-AC86U - it has a nice feature of hot-switching between fixed link, like cable, and 4G and back, when connection on main channel drops; but no battery so no power redundancy)...

Pleng · 2024-06-29T03:44:15+0100

K3Nv2 said:
Honestly I don't even know if could take a old smartphone get a data plan on that and tether a lte signal via usb.

Yes, yes you absolutely could do that.

Well, depending on what exactly you mean by "old". I'm not sure when Android first got usb tethering, but it was definitely at least a few years ago.

In fact, if your router supports it, you can connect your phone to that and use usb tethering as a backup for all your devices. This is far less simple to achieve, however.

K3Nv2 · 2024-06-29T03:46:49+0100

Pleng said:
Yes, yes you absolutely could do that.

Well, depending on what exactly you mean by "old". I'm not sure when Android first got usb tethering, but it was definitely at least a few years ago.

In fact, if your router supports it, you can connect your phone to that and use usb tethering as a backup for all your devices. This is far less simple to achieve, however.

Galaxy s8 it's doing hell all and I could get unlimited 4g for $25 a month

4d1xlaan · 2024-06-29T09:37:28+0100

BigOnYa said:
I know Verizon has a 4g/5g internet receiver that works by satalite, you just put it near a window. I set one up for a friend at his lake house for him, and I did notice it had an optional backup battery pack on the bottom of it. Not sure on price at all tho. Maybe check Verizon website. It looked something like this:
View attachment 444316
Or if your current phone can create a hotspot, just link your pc WiFi to it.

It's definitely an option, but if it works with satellite then it's not 4g/5g, and satellite internet is generally unreliable for bad weather too

Anyway this box is specifically 5g, which has shorter range signal and is more prone to interference. So I don't think it's satellite, putting it near a window is just to guarantee the best signal without interference from walls and other things in your home. Op did specifically ask about 4g but maybe 5g is an option too unless it doesnt work in their area

4G options for desktop?

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