Mobile phone as a permanent router?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Mobile phone as a permanent router?

justinflux

23 posts

Geek

#92084 26-Oct-2011 13:16

Hi there
From my experience VODEMS & TSTICKS lose connection frequently and require physical unplugging/replugging when they lockup or overheat...
I believe it is due to the USB port (issues!!)

I need to put a computer in a very remote location and run it on mobile internet connectivity 24/7
As I said, VODEMS overheat & disconnect and cease up in the ports...
I have tried tethering the computer to an iPHONE that is plugged in next to it.
I have turned on PERSONAL HOTSPOT, but it occassionally turns itself off.
I just need 24/7 robust, remote friendly connectivity for this computer to feed off.
If the phones/mobile device occassionally cuts out, I need it to reconnect without the need of a human present....

Hope someone can help

J

Paulthagerous

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#537719 26-Oct-2011 13:33

Something like this may do the trick, not sure if it will auto-reconnect in the event of a disconnection though:

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/netcomm-wireless-router
http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/reviews/netcomm-myzone

Paulthagerous

698 posts

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+1 received by user: 16

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#537721 26-Oct-2011 13:34

Or this one is a bit more serious (an if you would prefer to use ethernet):

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/telecom-turbo-router

bluey

86 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

#537728 26-Oct-2011 13:57

I too frequently experience the lock ups and drop offs with a telecom t stick.

On a few occasions I have swapped the sim into my android phone and enabled wifi tether with great results. It has run for 24hrs without problems (have not tried it for longer periods) which is unheard of for the t-stick.

Also at times when the neighborhood has been without data connections with t sticks, the phone was still able to transfer data.

I would not buy another usb data stick.

justinflux

23 posts

Geek

#537731 26-Oct-2011 14:01

Totally agree Bluey
Tethered mobile routed data is quicker than VODEM TSTICK data....
If only I coul dfind a phone that will play nice 24/7 365 days p/year....
I'm sure some phones will remain in "contact".....

Iphone is very fickle.
I have to reset personal hotspot switch every 48 hours

J

sbiddle

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#537733 26-Oct-2011 14:02

There are a massive number of industrial 3G routers in the marketplace that will do what you want, the question is entirely how much you're willing to pay.

Sierra Wireless make some fantastic units and the Raven XE is IMHO the best device on the market, you should be able to land them in NZ for around $700ish

If you want to go with cheaper options such as what you've already tested you will have problems.

chevrolux

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#537888 26-Oct-2011 18:35

I have a mate who used to work for Netcomm/dynalink. He was always going on about their 3G products. Fairly well priced too from what I hear.
Have a look at this...
http://www.netcomm.com.au/netcomm-products/3g-mobile-broadband/3g19w

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BerG

61 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#537891 26-Oct-2011 18:41

I used to use iPhone as permanent with no disconnects using iphonemodem.

http://www.iphonemodem.com/

sbiddle

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#537898 26-Oct-2011 18:56

justinflux: Totally agree Bluey
Tethered mobile routed data is quicker than VODEM TSTICK data....

Not quite true. It depends entirely what spec hardware you're using. If the HSPA category of one device is greater than the other of course there will be a speec difference. If the category is the same there will be very little difference.

BerG

61 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#537949 26-Oct-2011 20:36

justinflux let me know what you choose in the end.

I am completely sick and tired of my Telecom USB modem disconnecting all the time and requiring unplugging/plugging back in.

justinflux

23 posts

Geek

#537951 26-Oct-2011 20:38

BerG

Looks like VEENCY ..... needs jailbreak of course

J

bluey

86 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

#537963 26-Oct-2011 21:08

BerG: justinflux let me know what you choose in the end.

I am completely sick and tired of my Telecom USB modem disconnecting all the time and requiring unplugging/plugging back in.

me too... so over it

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Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Tom_Rush

208 posts

Master Geek

#538288 27-Oct-2011 19:44

I've just used phones as I always thought these USB WWAN sticks were an added cost when one already has a mobile phone and one is the sole user of any mobile data service.

Started on a Sony Ericsson T610 (~56Kb over GPRS), then SE K610 (~384Kb over UMTS) and now Android SE X10i (~3-5Mb over HSDPA)

Using MS Windows the K610 USB connection emulated a 10Mb Ethernet connection and was always pretty solid when I used it.

USB tethering on the Android seems to work OK. I've never had it drop, but I've only used it for stints of a few hours.
Again, never had any problem with WiFi with a max. usable range of approx 8Metres at -73dB RSSI. Mostly only a metre away.
On standard Android(My Phone) the WiFi hotspot channel is stuck on 6, which is something to consider if channel 6 is already in use/in conflict.

Given the phone has a good signal and the devices are configured not to disconnect if they 'go to sleep', the connection should remain pretty stable. If using USB, one needs to remember all USB ports are normally shared data, so what happens on one USB port effects another ports.

It all sounds good on paper anyway.

justinflux

23 posts

Geek

#538800 28-Oct-2011 17:03

Ok.
I wonder if this is totally out of the question:

I have installed VEENCY VPN server on my jailbusted iPHONE and am wondering (based on some googling) if it is possible to create a reverse SSH tunnel to the phone over 3G.
Basically I am wanting to use VEENCY to control iphone remotely over 3g, not wifi.
I realise this may be pushing it in terms of security, but some people seem to have managed it.
This is required so that I can have access to iphone settings. Mobileme doesn't offer that.

J