Mobile broadband modem

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Cellular router
)
"Connect card" redirects here. For the smart card system termed ConnectCard, see
Port Authority of Allegheny County § Fare structure
.
USB broadband modems

A mobile broadband modem, also known as wireless modem or cellular modem, is a type of

Internet Service Provider (ISP) to get Internet access.[1][2]

History

1G and 2G

While some

dial-up connections, usually 2.4 kilobit per second (kbit/s) or less. The next generation of phones, known as 2G (for 'second generation'), were digital, and offered faster dial-up speeds of 9.6 kbit/s or 14.4 kbit/s without the need for a separate modem. A further evolution called HSCSD used multiple GSM channels (two or three in each direction) to support up to 43.2 kbit/s. All of these technologies still required their users to have a dial-up ISP
to connect to and provide the Internet access - it was not provided by the mobile phone network itself.

The release of

packet data changed this. The 2.5G networks break both digital voice and data into small chunks, and mix both onto the network simultaneously in a process called packet switching
. This allows the phone to have a voice connection and a data connection at the same time, rather than a single channel that has to be used for one or the other. The network can link the data connection into a company network, but for most users the connection is to the Internet. This allows web browsing on the phone, but a PC can also tap into this service if it connects to the phone. The PC needs to send a special telephone number to the phone to get access to the packet data connection. From the PC's viewpoint, the connection still looks like a normal PPP dial-up link, but it is all terminating on the phone, which then handles the exchange of data with the network. Speeds on 2.5G networks are usually in the 30–50 kbit/s range.

3G

cellular routers
.

A further evolution is the

mobile network operators that provide 3G or faster wireless internet access offer plans and wireless modems that enable computers to connect to and access the internet. These wireless modems are typically in the form of a small USB based device or a small, portable mobile hotspot that acts as a WiFi access point (hotspot) to enable multiple devices to connect to the internet. WiMAX based services that provide high speed wireless internet access are available in some countries and also rely on wireless modems that connect to the provider's wireless network. Wireless USB modems are nicknamed as "dongles
".

Early 3G mobile broadband modems used the

Option N.V., Novatel Wireless. More recently, the expression "connect card" is also used to identify internet USB keys. Vodafone brands this type of device as a Vodem.[3]

Often a mobile network operator will supply a 'locked' modem or other wireless device that can only be used on their network. It is possible to use online unlocking services that will remove the 'lock' so the device accepts SIM cards from any network.

Variants

Standalone

Standalone mobile broadband modems are designed to be connected directly to one computer. In the past the

GPS support, providing geographical location information.[4]

Integrated router

Many mobile broadband modems sold nowadays also have built-in routing capabilities. They provide traditional networking interfaces such as Ethernet, USB and Wi-Fi.[5]

Smartphones and tethering

Numerous

Hayes command set and therefore can be used as a mobile broadband modem. Some mobile network operators charge a fee for this facility,[6] if able to detect the tethering. Other networks have an allowance for full speed mobile broadband access, which—if exceeded—can result in overage charges or slower speeds.[7]

An Internet-accessing smartphone may have the same capabilities as a standalone modem, and, when connected via a USB cable to a computer, can serve as a modem for the computer. Smartphones with built-in Wi-Fi also typically provide routing and wireless access point facilities. This method of connecting is commonly referred to as "tethering."[7]

Service providers

There are competing common carriers broadcasting signal in most countries.

Technologies

Device driver switching

Mobile broadband modems often use a virtual CD-ROM switching utility and have the device drivers on board. Those modems have two modes, a USB flash drive mode and in the other mode they are a modem. Via the USB Protocol.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Purpose and Use of Broadband Modems in Internet Networking".
  2. ^ "What is Wireless Modem? - Definition from Techopedia".
  3. ^ "Vodafone mobile broadband devices". Archived from the original on 2015-09-12.
  4. ^ "Phone". Sony Xperia (Global UK English). Archived from the original on 1 June 2009.
  5. ISBN 978-0-470-25889-7
    .
  6. ^ Brian Nadel (November 4, 2011). "Wi-Fi tethering 101: Use a smartphone as a mobile hotspot". Computerworld. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  7. ^ a b Kim, Eugene and Alex Colon, "The Best Mobile Hotspots of 2015", June 10, 2015, PC Magazine retrieved November 4, 2015

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mobile_broadband_modem&oldid=1220399594"