Telecom mobile broadband (potentially a stupid question)

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m00sie

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#48523 15-Nov-2009 11:15

Does anyone know if you can have 1 data stick powering internet on 2 computers? (in close proximity).

boby55

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#273173 15-Nov-2009 11:20

You could have it plugged into one, then bridge the connection via the lan port to a second computer but I would imagine this would be painfully slow

nitrotech

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#273174 15-Nov-2009 11:23

If you've got windows 7 you can use connectify which turns your laptop or desktop into a wifi hot spot, the mac has similar features.

You could use windows ICS Internet Connection Sharing

In the next 12 momths we should se MiFi devices in NZ which are amazing - just put in your sim card press one button and it's online with up to 5 machines / wireless devices able to connect.

This is the likely version you'll need for telecom,

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/novatel-wireless-launches-mifi-2372-with-north-american-loving/

I have one running on Vodafone, as I say they are fantastic

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/huaweis-e583x-wireless-modem-turns-3g-to-wifi-beautiful-lights/

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#273177 15-Nov-2009 11:44

Why wait for MiFi? Just get a Cradlepoint PHS300 and a USB modem (from any operator) and off you go. That's what I use.

nitrotech

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#273217 15-Nov-2009 13:58

@freitasm I am interested to know a couple of things about the cradlepoint device.

If you change the stick from a telecom sierra to say a vodafone huawei do you need to change any of the dial settings in the device or does it automatically pick up the new stick and network APN settings etc.

I see there are a lot of retailers for this device which did you use to source your device?

freitasm

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#273220 15-Nov-2009 14:07

If you use the defaults it should just work... Otherwise you can always go to the configuration pages and enter the APN you want to use.

I was sent one by Cradlepoint some time ago.

m00sie

43 posts

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#273264 15-Nov-2009 16:39

Thanks for the replies guys :)

So to clarify, I have three options:

Option 1 - Connect via lan port (would this still be slow even with the turbo stick that supposedly has speeds of up to 21mbs?)

Option 2 - Run windows 7 on both computers (probably expensive)

Option 3 - Buy cradlepoint device

I'm guessing the cradlepoint device (or something similar) would be the cheapest option? Are there any alternatives?

The device I am looking at getting is the MF668 turbo stick. Do you think it would be worth paying the extra $149 for? (the MF636 is free on a 24 month plan).

Any advice would be appreciated :)

nitrotech

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#273278 15-Nov-2009 18:25

Option 1 - run ICS and use a cross over cable via the lan ports - not sure why this would be slow - should be lightning fast infact.

Option 2 - http://www.connectify.me/

you only need one machine running win 7 the others connect via wifi and can be anything - ipod touch, iphone, laptop or desktop with wifi etc. even a mac

Option 3 - is the 668 listed yet as a supported card? the 636 is and 626

Depends on your budget the cradlepoint looks like a nice device, the reason I like my MiFi is you can put it in your pocket and take it anywhere you can check it out here.

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4aff906d002d2ac22740c0a87e0106b2/Product/View/E6939

Easy to get unlocked when you top up with $80 or more but only works on vodafone 900 and 2100

Edit: fix spelling and links