BajaNomad

Telcel USB 3g and 3g router

CortezBlue - 6-1-2010 at 05:26 PM

I have been trying to figure out if I could use a Telcel 3g amigo with a 3g router, but after trying both a Netgear and Craddle something, neither one works.

Bummer. Also, from Eldorado Ranch the speed was not very good.

Riom - 6-1-2010 at 08:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I have been trying to figure out if I could use a Telcel 3g amigo with a 3g router, but after trying both a Netgear and Craddle something, neither one works.

Bummer. Also, from Eldorado Ranch the speed was not very good.


Which 3g modem did you use, which routers, and in what way didn't it work yet? Most of the routers have a list of compatible modems, does you modem model appear on the list?

I'm considering getting something similar (although my current setup, where I plug the modem into a netbook and distribute wi-fi around the house to multiple laptops from that, works fine, although a bit of overkill).

Most of the time I get 800-1200 kb/s download speed with my 3G usb modem at El Dorado (sometimes slower, sometimes faster right up to 2.4Mb/s). Very comparable to basic wired DSL. Upload speed typically around 350 kb/s, more than good enough for internet phones. I'm happy with the speed (compared to the alternatives).

Rob

pepino - 6-1-2010 at 08:26 PM

3G USB from Telcel won't transmit through a router. To the computer it appears to be a phone connection. :) Up in the states Verizon offered a device to share out the 3G signal to other users but nothing like that down here.

Riom - 6-2-2010 at 12:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pepino
3G USB from Telcel won't transmit through a router. To the computer it appears to be a phone connection. :) Up in the states Verizon offered a device to share out the 3G signal to other users but nothing like that down here.


3G routers for UMTS/HSDPA networks (as used by Telcel, AT&T, etc) do exist. There are also different model routers for the EV-DO networks like Verizon and Sprint, but they all work the same way.

There are two types of "3G router": one type is where you plug your USB 3G modem into it. For those you have to be sure the router is compatible with your modem. The other type (pricier) has the 3G modem built in, so everything in one box.

Here's a couple of Huawei 3G routers that include a modem that Telcel have been selling (in limited areas, but there are other suppliers):
http://www.bat.telcel.com/equipos_routers.html

If you don't mind leaving one computer on all the time, you can do the same thing by routing from one computer (the one with the USB modem plugged into it) via wi-fi to the rest of your computers. That's what I do with my Linux netbook (uses very little power). I think Windows has "internet sharing" or similar that would do the same job.

Rob

pepino - 6-2-2010 at 02:39 AM

Thanks for the link Riom, I didn't think they offered those down here. I cobbled an ICS setup together for two computers and this would make it easier.

CortezBlue - 6-2-2010 at 08:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Quote:
Originally posted by pepino
3G USB from Telcel won't transmit through a router. To the computer it appears to be a phone connection. :) Up in the states Verizon offered a device to share out the 3G signal to other users but nothing like that down here.


3G routers for UMTS/HSDPA networks (as used by Telcel, AT&T, etc) do exist. There are also different model routers for the EV-DO networks like Verizon and Sprint, but they all work the same way.

There are two types of "3G router": one type is where you plug your USB 3G modem into it. For those you have to be sure the router is compatible with your modem. The other type (pricier) has the 3G modem built in, so everything in one box.

Here's a couple of Huawei 3G routers that include a modem that Telcel have been selling (in limited areas, but there are other suppliers):
http://www.bat.telcel.com/equipos_routers.html

If you don't mind leaving one computer on all the time, you can do the same thing by routing from one computer (the one with the USB modem plugged into it) via wi-fi to the rest of your computers. That's what I do with my Linux netbook (uses very little power). I think Windows has "internet sharing" or similar that would do the same job.

Rob


Being in the IT industry for the past 30 years I was under the same assumption that you were that the USB device was the issue, however, that is not the issue. The issue is the way that the software communicates with the compjuter or router.

Yes, I will probably have to use one of my laptops to act as a router.

Riom - 6-2-2010 at 01:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
The issue is the way that the software communicates with the computer or router.


Which software is this? My understanding is you plug the USB modem into the 3G router, and use the 3G router's web control panels to configure the setting you send to the modem:

Dial: *99#
APN: internet.itelcel.com
user: webgprs
password: webgprs2002

The computers attached to the network wouldn't run any special software, as far as they're concerned it's just another wi-fi network.

Rob

CortezBlue - 6-2-2010 at 02:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
The issue is the way that the software communicates with the computer or router.


Which software is this? My understanding is you plug the USB modem into the 3G router, and use the 3G router's web control panels to configure the setting you send to the modem:

Dial: *99#
APN: internet.itelcel.com
user: webgprs
password: webgprs2002

The computers attached to the network wouldn't run any special software, as far as they're concerned it's just another wi-fi network.

Rob



On the unit that I had, it required authorization from software on the computer.

The software on the computer dials out and authorizes the usb unit.



I should state that I was using the Amigo version, not the month to month version.


What are you using? Which router etc?

I have posted on here several times, but I was not able to find anyone who was using a 3g router