BajaNomad - USB wifi Router

USB wifi Router

heike - 8-7-2009 at 05:32 AM

Hi,
I was thinking of getting a USB wifi router from TelCel and am wondering if anyone has any experience with these? Or what the monthly cost is?
Thanks

monoloco - 8-8-2009 at 11:51 AM

I have the telcel 3G router, it works reasonably well. It costs about $ 35 a month. It is really convenient when traveling around Mexico. The worst part was getting it to work initially, the folks at the Telcel office in La Paz were totally clueless it took about 5 trips to get it working and to get the billing right. Maybe they have it a little more together now, but I don't know.

BMG - 8-8-2009 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by heike
Hi,
I was thinking of getting a USB wifi router from TelCel and am wondering if anyone has any experience with these? Or what the monthly cost is?
Thanks

We've used the Telcel router for the last 2 years in La Paz. No problems with using it via wireless or hardwired, USB cable or ethernet cable.

Are we all talking about the same thing here?

BCSTech - 8-8-2009 at 06:52 PM

When did TelCel came out with a 3G "Router?" Can't find one on their web site. All they have ever listed are 3G enabled phones and "modems:"

http://www.telcel.com/portal/3G/equipos.html

Are you sure you're referring to a Telcel wireless 3G "router," and not a TelCel 3G Modem or a TelMex wireless DSL router?

A TelCel 3G Modem plugs into your computer's PC Card slot or USB port. It connects wirelessly to the Telcel 3G network but not wirelessly to the computer, and can only be used with one computer unless you're skilled with setting up Internet connection sharing.

A TelMex DSL Router is a stand alone device that connects to TelMex's telephone lines using a standard telephone cord. It would have Ethernet ports on the device that you could connect to one or more computers using LAN network cables, and/or optional wireless broadcast to one or more computers.

A TelCel 3G "Router" would also be a stand alone device but it would need to connect wirelessly to TelCel's 3G cellular network, not thru a telephone cable. Like a TelMex router, it would also have Ethernet ports on the device that you could connect to one or more computers using LAN network cables, and/or optional wireless broadcast to one or more computers.

If you do indeed have a TelCel 3G "Router," please post the manufacturer and model number. I'd be very interested in these for a number of clients.

[Edited on 8-9-2009 by BCSTech]

monoloco - 8-8-2009 at 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BCSTech
When did TelCel came out with a 3G "Router?" Can't find one on their web site. All they have ever listed are 3G enabled phones and "modems:"

http://www.telcel.com/portal/3G/equipos.html

Are you sure you're referring to a Telcel wireless 3G "router," and not a TelCel 3G Modem or a TelMex wireless DSL router?

A TelCel 3G Modem plugs into your computer's PC Card slot or USB port. It connects wirelessly to the Telcel 3G network but not wirelessly to the computer, and can only be used with one computer unless you're skilled with setting up Internet connection sharing.

A TelMex DSL Router is a stand alone device that connects to TelMex's telephone lines using a standard telephone cord. It would have Ethernet ports on the device that you could connect to one or more computers using LAN network cables, and/or optional wireless broadcast to one or more computers.

A TelCel 3G "Router" would also be a stand alone device but it would need to connect wirelessly to TelCel's 3G cellular network, not thru a telephone cable. Like a TelMex router, it would also have Ethernet ports on the device that you could connect to one or more computers using LAN network cables, and/or optional wireless broadcast to one or more computers.

If you do indeed have a TelCel 3G "Router," please post the manufacturer and model number. I'd be very interested in these for a number of clients.

[Edited on 8-9-2009 by BCSTech]

Forgive my technological cluelessness I indeed have the 3G modem.

comitan - 8-8-2009 at 07:32 PM

monoloco

Don't worry I think the 3G Modem is what this whole thread is about. One thin to consider if you use it out of the area in Laptop it will cost. Telcel never did get mine to work had to take it to a computer shop.

BMG - 8-8-2009 at 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
monoloco

Don't worry I think the 3G Modem is what this whole thread is about. One thin to consider if you use it out of the area in Laptop it will cost. Telcel never did get mine to work had to take it to a computer shop.

I thought the thread was about the Telcel wireless router for DSL.

I also thought today was Friday.

heike - 8-9-2009 at 08:43 AM

Thanks for all of the replys, they have been helpful, I am looking for a reasonable way to have wifi at my casa when I am there, since I am only there about 2 months out of the year I guess it would not be worth it to have... oh
to the wifi spots I will go .. gigiddy gig gig gig!
(or something like that)

heike - 8-9-2009 at 08:50 AM

oops sorry I was reffering to a USB Wifi Modem.....

SDRonni - 8-9-2009 at 08:53 AM

Was reading in the SD Union Trib today in the business section about something called a MiFi....a wireless thingie you can take with you and access the internet anywhere. Any of you know if this works in Baja? Would love to be able to not have to pay for Time Warner in SD AND something else in Baja.

dianaji - 8-9-2009 at 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
Was reading in the SD Union Trib today in the business section about something called a MiFi....a wireless thingie you can take with you and access the internet anywhere. Any of you know if this works in Baja? Would love to be able to not have to pay for Time Warner in SD AND something else in Baja.

the strangest thing happened. my desktop had connections problems, so plugged in my laptop and it worked with no dsl connections...SO IT'S FREE! any explanations? also would love to know about the miFi.

dianaji - 8-9-2009 at 09:07 AM

MiFi info:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/verizon-mifi-personal...

SDRonni - 8-9-2009 at 09:12 AM

"30-foot bubble" I wonder if this means my neighbor in our condo tower could somehow access my info...???? I also wonder if I could use it on my home PC (not wireless) AND a laptop I would take to Baja....????????

larryC - 8-9-2009 at 09:53 AM

Quote:

SDRonni
Don't know if this would work for you but what I do for internet in both baja and San Diego is I bought a Starband system and installed an antenna here at my house in San Diego and at my house in Bahia. I just bring the modem back and forth. Starband does not come close to cable modem speeds but it is god enough for what I do, just general web surfing and e-mail. Check it out, might work for you also. My service is $50 a month but faster services are available for more money.
Hope this helps,
Larry

BajaNomad - 8-9-2009 at 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
"30-foot bubble" I wonder if this means my neighbor in our condo tower could somehow access my info...???? I also wonder if I could use it on my home PC (not wireless) AND a laptop I would take to Baja....????????

Here's the SD U-T article you mentioned:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/09/1b9novate...

Although it doesn't state it explicitly, one would imagine it would be like most any other wireless access point, and could be setup with security settings requiring a password, or left open for anyone to access. If left "open" - yeah, your neighbors could potentially access your network, and with the know-how access insecure areas on your machine, etc.

These look to be a step-up on the USB modems and PCMCIA cards available up to now. With the USB (or PCMCIA) modem, you can either use it with one machine at a time - or as BCSTech alluded to, must need the know-how to setup Internet Connection Sharing on the machine. With the MiFi, wherever you are, not only can you access the 'net, but so can 4 other people (or for up to 4 other devices that are able to connect to a wireless access point).

Note however the limitation on data throughput that I saw noted in one of the articles linked to. Doesn't look, yet, to be for anyone using the 'net extensively throughout the month.

It also necessitates having the wireless carrier's service in Baja if you're planning to use it there. Definitely something to confirm before jumping into this service.

-
Doug

[Edited on 8-9-2009 by BajaNomad]

RE: Free Wireless

BCSTech - 8-9-2009 at 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianajithe strangest thing happened. my desktop had connections problems, so plugged in my laptop and it worked with no dsl connections...SO IT'S FREE! any explanations? also would love to know about the miFi.

If you're on a Windows laptop, check to see if the little wireless icon appears in the lower right corner of your computer:

If it does, you can double click it and see what your laptop automatically connected to. Unless your DSL modem/router has wireless, most likely your laptop hooked onto a neighbor's unsecured wireless router. You might see a name like "Linksys" or "D-link"

Note: If you can't see the wireless icon, you may need to go here instead to check your wireless connection:

Locate your wireless device in the list and double click on it.

BCSTech - 8-9-2009 at 10:50 AM

Quote:

Be sure to ask Verizon first about their roaming rate for accessing the Internet in Mexico. You may find it's hella expensive.

Riom - 8-9-2009 at 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by heike
I am looking for a reasonable way to have wifi at my casa when I am there, since I am only there about 2 months out of the year I guess it would not be worth it to have...

You can get data by the day/week/month on Telcel Amigo (prepaid, only for the days or weeks you need it). It's been mentioned on here several times before, details in Spanish are at http://www.bat.telcel.com/

In summary: get the right hardware - either a *suitable* unlocked phone or USB GSM/UTMS modem ($80-200) - get a Telcel Amigo prepaid card (like you would get for phone calls) - connect phone or modem to computer - fiddle with settings until the "by the kB" data works - then buy data access for a day/week by sending a text message as shown on that site - you are now online with "unlimited" data until that time expires.

In some areas it's still slow (192 kb/s when I tested it in San Felipe last year), in other areas that have been upgraded to 3G (and if you have the right hardware) it's much faster (somebody on here mentioned about 3MB/s, most would probably get less).

It's also possible to get the data on a plan (monthly contract) and get discounted hardware that way (which is what any Telcel dealer will try to sell you), but if you're here only part time it's cheaper to get you own hardware and go prepaid.

flyfishinPam - 8-10-2009 at 06:37 AM

There IS a Telcel 3G ROUTER in the offerings now.

It seems as though this is brand new. I will be looking into it as I've been using the 3G usb modem since March now and would like all three of my systems to run from the same connection. It is on the Telcel website but since they use popup windows and a lot of flash I cannot give you a direct link to it. The manufacturer is Huwai or something like that. It appears as though you plug your usb modem to it and then it acts as a normal router. I can't imagine there would be any monthly cost apart from the usb modem itself but likely a charge to buy the equipment.

BCSTech - 8-10-2009 at 06:43 AM

Cool! Thanks for the tip off. I'll take a look.

flyfishinPam - 8-10-2009 at 06:45 AM

For information on this router go to

www.telcel.com

on the margin at left you will see where it says "equipos" click on that

then below it click on "Routers" there is only one listed click on it

Huawei E 968

says up to seven computers can share this connection.

hope that helps

BCSTech - 9-15-2009 at 04:20 PM

Hmmm...

This page: http://www.bat.telcel.com/equipos_routers.html

Says it's only available in D.F., Edo. de México, Morelos e Hidalgo.

This would be a good way to go if it was available here. These are probably locked units married to TelCel's service. They also don't seem to be available in the US, at least not on EBay :)