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How to share your 3G Broadband connection to more than one device.

  • What does a 3G network look like?
  • What other features do routers have?
  • What type of 3G modem do I have?
  • How do I find a router that will be compatible with my 3G modem?
  • See all 3G capable routers.

    • Creating a LAN

    First up, you will need to create a Local Area Network, or LAN, which is simply a name for bunch of computers and other devices such as game consoles, WiFi phones, media players and/or printers all linked together either by cables or wirelessly to share resources including an Internet connection.

    Here's an example of a LAN sharing a 3G Internet connection:

    In the centre of the LAN is a Router. The 3G modem (USB in this case) plugs into the Router and the Router then shares the 3G Internet connection with other devices on the LAN.
    Note: The Router in this case has a built-in Wireless Access Point so we can connect devices to it either wirelessly or with cables. Not all Routers have wireless capability.

    Other Router Features

    Besides having the ability to share an Internet connection and protect devices on the LAN from Internet hackers, a Router might have other features and capabilities such as a Wireless Access Point so other devices on your LAN can connect wirelessly, an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) for VoIP so you can make and receive VoIP calls* over your 3G Internet connection, and VPN endpoints for remote connections into other LANs such as your office when working from home.

    * Note about VoIP capability. Some of the products mentioned in the list below have built-in ATAs (look for the word "VoIP" in the product descriptions). You can of course purchase a separate ATA later such as the Linksys SPA3102, and WiFi or IP phones do not need an ATA. If you plan on adding either of these options later, one feature I do advise you look for is QoS (quality of service). QoS ensures the VoIP data gets priority so other downloads that might be occurring at the same time don't interfere with the call quality.

    For more about Routers click here for my Router FAQ.
    For more about wireless networking click here for my Wireless FAQ.
    For more about VoIP click here for my VoIP FAQ.

    Most routers that support 3G modems also accept other types of broadband modems such as Cable modems, or might even have a built-in ADSL modem. These capabilities won't be relevant to you if you're only ever going to have a 3G modem in the forseeable future but if you think you might want access to Cable or ADSL one day then one type of Router might be a better choice for you if there is more than one type of Router for you to choose from.

    USB or PCMCIA?

    Another important consideration is the type of 3G modem you have. There are two basic types:

    USB, such as the Huawei E220 -
    Or PCMCIA (Card Bus) such as the Sierra AirCard 880E -

    Some Routers such as the D-Link DIR-451 can* accept both types but most will only support one so read the manufacturer's spec sheets carefully.

    * Check manufacturer spec sheet for model compatibility.

    The Draytek routers in the product list below support USB modems. Originally the USB port on Draytek routers started out as print servers and most will still be labelled "printer" on the back but don't be thrown off by that. That's still where the modem goes.
    Incidentally, it can still be used as a print server if you don't need it for a 3G modem. Also, the 2910, 2820 & 5510 series can support a USB hub so you can use it for both a print server and the 3G modem at the same time. However, this feature is not available on the 2800 series because it doesn't have the processing power to cope with it.

    How to find a compatible router.

    The easiest way to find a router compatible with your 3G modem is to use my Find-A-Router tool.
    Select the type of 3G modem you have (eg USB) from the pulldown menu beside the “3G Support” option (4th one down) and any other feature you’d like, then click “Go” at the bottom.
    Then you can click each product that comes up for more info and you’ll find a link to the manufacturer’s modem compatibility list in the comments sections.

    Here’s a quick list of links to the main manufacturer 3G modem compatibility lists:

  • AXIMCom
  • Billion
  • D-Link DIR-412
  • Draytek
  • EnGenius
  • Netcomm N3G series
  • Netgear

    Note: I cannot keep up to date with which 3G modems are getting around so please don't ask me which router I recommend to go with "XXX" 3G modem. I can only direct you back to this FAQ so you can find routers that match your requirements and budget and then check the manufacturer's published lists to make sure your modem is listed.

    3G router table

    Below is a list of all current routers that support 3G modems* taken from my Router Review database with a quick summary of the main features in the description column. Click the product name for more information about each product or go to the Router Review database to refine the search. For example you might only be interested in routers that have 802.11n wireless capabililty that will support a USB 3G modem.

    * Note: compatibility problems with 3G modems are frequent so it is vital to check the router manufacturer's modem compatibility list (usually linked in the comments section you will see when you click each product below for more information) or consult the manufacturer prior to purchasing. If you cannot get absolute confirmation that your modem is compatible with the router, don't buy it!

    Model Manufacturer Description Price Rating
    3GO11 (click for more info) 3GO 3G Modem $55.00 Not Yet Rated
    MR-102N (click for more info) AXIMCom N150 3G/4G Travel Mobile Router $137.50 Not Yet Rated
    MR-105N (click for more info) AXIMCom 4 Port 802.11n Wireless Router with support for 3G USB modems $178.20 Not Yet Rated
    MR-108N (click for more info) AXIMCom 4 Port 802.11n Wireless Router with support for 3G USB modems and QoS $211.20
    MR-216NV (click for more info) AXIMCom Dual WAN 3 Port 802.11n Wireless Router with QoS, VPNs and support for 3G USB modems $295.90 Not Yet Rated
    C100 (click for more info) Bandrich 3G Modem $180.40 Not Yet Rated
    6200NXL (click for more info) Billion 802.11N Wireless Router with Ethernet WAN Port & USB Port for 3G modem $144.10 Not Yet Rated
    7402XL (click for more info) Billion 4 Port Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port & USB 3G support $138.60 Not Yet Rated
    7402GXL (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11g Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port & USB 3G support $171.60
    7402X (click for more info) Billion 4 Port Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G support & VPN $178.20 Not Yet Rated
    7402GX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11G Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G support & VPN $226.60 Not Yet Rated
    7402NX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11N Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G support, 4 port giga switch & VPN $276.10
    7404VGPX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11G Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G modem support & VoIP (2 x FXS + 1 x FXO) $185.90
    7404VGOX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11G Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G modem support, VoIP (2 x FXS + 1 x FXO) + VPN $223.30
    7404VNPX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11N Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G modem support & VoIP (2 x FXS + 1 x FXO) $283.80
    7404VNOX (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11N Wireless Router with ADSL Modem, Ethernet WAN Port, USB 3G modem support, VoIP (2 x FXS + 1 x FXO) & VPN $335.50
    7800GZ (click for more info) Billion 4 Port 802.11g Wireless ADSL Modem/Router with built-in 3G SIM slot & VPN $399.00 Not Yet Rated
    DIR-412 (click for more info) D-Link N150 3G Broadband Router $66.00 Not Yet Rated
    DIR-451 (click for more info) D-Link 4 port 802.11g+ wireless 3G Mobile Router (supports several USB & PCMCIA 3G modems) $181.50
    Vigor2110 (click for more info) Draytek 4 port Router $171.60 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2110n (click for more info) Draytek 4 port 802.11n Wireless Router $257.40 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2110Vn (click for more info) Draytek 4 port 802.11n Wireless Router with VoIP $300.30 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2130 (click for more info) Draytek 4 port Gigabit Router $257.40 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2130n (click for more info) Draytek 4 port 802.11n Wireless Gigabit Router $343.20 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2710 (click for more info) Draytek 4 port ADSL modem $171.60 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2710n (click for more info) Draytek 4 port 802.11n Wireless ADSL modem $257.40 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2710Vn (click for more info) Draytek 4 port 802.11n Wireless ADSL modem with VoIP $300.30
    Vigor2820 (click for more info) Draytek Dual WAN 3 10/100 + 1 Gigabit LAN Port Router with built-in ADSL Modem, SPI Firewall, VPN & Print Server & USB 3G support $281.60
    Vigor2820n (click for more info) Draytek 802.11n Wireless Dual WAN 3 10/100 + 1 Gigabit LAN Port Router with built-in ADSL Modem, SPI Firewall, VPN & Print Server & USB 3G support $369.60
    Vigor2820Vn (click for more info) Draytek 802.11n Wireless Dual WAN 3 10/100 + 1 Gigabit LAN Port Router with built-in ADSL Modem, SPI Firewall, VPN & Print Server, USB 3G support & VoIP (2 x FXS + 1 x FXO) $371.80
    Vigor2910 (click for more info) Draytek 4 Port Router with Dual WAN capability, VPN, Firewall, USB Print Server & USB 3G modem support $257.40 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2910G (click for more info) Draytek 4 Port 802.11G+ Wireless Router with Dual WAN capability, VPN, Firewall, USB Print Server & USB 3G modem support $300.30
    Vigor2910VG (click for more info) Draytek 4 Port 802.11G+ Wireless Router with Dual WAN capability, VoIP (2 x FXS), VPN, Firewall, USB Print Server & USB 3G modem support $343.20 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2920 (click for more info) Draytek Dual WAN + 4 x 10/100/1000 Port Router with 3G Support, SPI Firewall & VPN $352.00 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2920n (click for more info) Draytek 802.11n Wireless Dual WAN + 4 x 10/100/1000 Port Router with 3G support, SPI Firewall & VPN $440.00 Not Yet Rated
    Vigor2955 (click for more info) Draytek Dual WAN Router with 5 Port Giga-switch, SPI Firewall & IPSec/PPtP VPN + SSL VPN with 3G backup $558.80 Not Yet Rated
    ESR-6650 (click for more info) EnGenius 802.11n Wireless Router with 2 LAN ports & support for 3G USB modems and QoS $102.30 Not Yet Rated
    ETR-9350 (click for more info) EnGenius 802.11n 3G Pocket Router $148.50 Not Yet Rated
    3G17Wn (click for more info) Netcomm 2 port 802.11n wireless Router with ethernet WAN port and support for USB 3G modems. $132.00
    3G18Wn (click for more info) Netcomm 4 port 802.11n wireless router with support for USB 3G modems. $146.30 Not Yet Rated
    3GT1WN (click for more info) Netcomm Wireless 150 802.11n portable travel router with support for USB 3G modems. $146.30
    3G15Wn (click for more info) Netcomm 4 port 802.11n wireless ADSL modem with support for USB 3G modems. $187.00 Not Yet Rated
    MBR624GU (click for more info) Netgear 802.11g Wireless 4 Port 3G Router Price Not Available

    For more discussion on this topic check out my blog entry.


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