This article should be useful to everyone who chooses a Wi-Fi router to work with a 3G / 4G modem. It is with a USB modem. If you have a cable Internet, then you need a regular router, the choice of which I wrote about in this article. There I described in detail how to choose a router for your home, wrote about various characteristics, and even advised specific models.
Most often, the only way for villagers to connect to the Internet is to use a 3G / 4G modem. As a rule, wired Internet is available only in the city, or in the villages closest to the city. The same ADSL is also not always possible to connect, even if there is a landline phone. All that remains is wireless internet via USB modem. This is exactly the situation in Ukraine. In Russia, most likely the same.
For example: everyone who goes online in the village where my parents live does it through the 3G operator Intertelecom. And almost every family (a young family with children) is connected to the Internet. This is certainly good. However, Intertelecom is practically the only 3G operator. In fact, there is no choice, and this one is bad. It's just that Intertelecom has the largest coverage. And there is no normal coverage for other operators. In Russia, it seems to me, the situation is a little better. There Yota, MegaFon, MTS, Beeline. Although, I could be wrong. There are also many operators in Ukraine. But they do not yet have 3G coverage throughout the territory (and most likely will not). I'm not even talking about 4G. It's good when there is choice and competition. This is a big plus for the user. After all, operators are trying to provide the best conditions for a better price.
It doesn't matter which country and which operator has 3G / 4G Internet. In any case, we go to the Internet through a USB modem, which is connected to a stationary computer or laptop. And that's the whole problem. More precisely, problems begin when more than one device needs to be connected to the Internet. For example, another laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. appeared in the house. And the Internet can be used only on one computer. And here the question arises, how to distribute the Internet from a USB modem to several devices, including over a Wi-Fi network.
Everything is decided by purchasing and setting up a Wi-Fi router that supports 3G / 4G modems. This means that the router will connect to the Internet through our modem and distribute it to all devices. Via a Wi-Fi network, or a network cable (if you have a PC, or another device without a Wi-Fi receiver).
The main points in choosing a router for a 3G / 4G modem
This is important information, don't miss it!
- The router must be able to work with 3G / 4G modems. This is indicated in the characteristics. As a rule, it says "WAN port: USB 3G, USB 4G".
- If the router has a USB port, this does not mean that it supports the connection of USB modems. The USB port is also used to connect printers, USB drives.
- The most important thing is USB modem compatibility with a router... If the router has support for USB modems, that does not mean that it will work with your modem. You need to carefully check a specific router model for compatibility with a specific modem model.
- The official websites of router manufacturers have lists of compatible modems. True, if the modem is not in the list, then this does not mean that it is incompatible with a Wi-Fi router. You can search the internet for compatibility information. Below I will write about this in more detail.
- Please note: if, in addition to the modem, you want to connect a USB storage device or a printer to the router, then you need a router with two USB ports.
- Almost all routers that support wireless modems can distribute cable internet without any problems. They have an RJ-45 WAN port for connecting a cable from an ISP, or an ADSL modem.
- Some operators block the distribution of the Internet through a router, or from a computer. There are no such problems with Intertelecom. As far as I understand, this is a feature of Russian operettors. To be honest, I am not in the subject at all on this issue. As I understand it, the problem is solved by a changeable TTL. You can easily find this information on the Internet for your operator.
These are the main points to understand and remember when choosing a router.
Once again 🙂 The main thing is that the router is compatible with your 3G / 4G modem model. Compatibility lists are available on the official websites of router manufacturers. Below I will provide links to these lists. If the modem is not in the list of compatible ones, then we search the Internet for information on the request "router model + modem model". Maybe they are compatible, and someone has already configured them.
Now we will take a closer look at different models of routers with WAN 3G / 4G support from different manufacturers. Consider the cheapest and most affordable routers, share my experience, tell you about the pros and cons of different models and manufacturers.
I must say right away that I have experience in setting up 3G modems on ASUS and TP-Link routers. And only with the modems of the Intertelecom operator. Therefore, it is difficult for me to judge about routers from other manufacturers and other operators. But TP-Link and ASUS are still leaders in the router market, and they have a sufficient number of router models that support the connection of USB modems. Almost every manufacturer of network devices has at least 1-2 models that work with 3G modems.
At the moment, with a USB modem (Huawei EC 306, formerly Novatel U720) from Intertelecom, I have an Asus RT-N18U router working for me. The router is not cheap, with two USB ports. But without Wi-Fi 5GHz support.
ASUS routers supporting 3G / 4G modems
Let's take a look at the models from this manufacturer first. It seems to me that ASUS devices are the best in this category. Not because they distribute the Internet better than others, or work more stable, but because everything is very simply organized for them. And a good list of compatible modems. It is more or less clear whether the modem will work on the router or not.
Almost all ASUS routers that have a USB port support 3G modems (and rightly so!). And this is more than 10 models. The cheapest router modelif I'm not mistaken: Asus RT-N14U. Feel free to consider this router. Other models: Asus RT-AC750, RT-AC51U, RT-N18U, RT-N56U, RT-AC1200G +, RT-N66U, RT-AC87U, RT-AC55U, RT-AC3200. And that is not all.
List of compatible modems for all models: https://www.asus.com/event/networks_3G4G_support/
Useful articles:
- Setting up a connection via a 3G modem using the example of an ASUS RT-N18U router: https://help-wifi.com/nastrojka-interneta-3g4g/kak-podklyuchit-i-nastroit-3g-usb-modem-na-routere-asus-na -primere-asus-rt-n18u-i-provajdera-intertelekom /
- Separate article on this topic: ASUS routers with USB 3G / 4G modem support. Choice and compatibility.
- What else do you need a USB port on an ASUS router: https://help-wifi.com/asus/dlya-chego-nuzhen-usb-razem-na-routere-asus/
TP-Link Routers Compatible with USB Modems
At first I had TP-Link TL-MR3220. Nice, inexpensive router. But now it seems to be out of production. Therefore, TP-Link has released several new, modern models. At TP-Link, everything is somehow a little more complicated. In the sense that it is difficult to figure out which router model supports which modems, and in which country.
The following models are indicated on the manufacturer's website:
TP-Link TL-MR3420, TL-MR3220, TL-MR3020, TL-MR3040, TD-W8968, TL-WR842ND (RU), TD-W8970, Archer VR900, Archer C2, Archer C20, TL-WR1045ND, Archer C7, Archer C50, TL-WR842N, TL-WR942N.
I would advise considering the TP-LINK TL-MR3420. This is an old model, there is a good database of compatible modems. Of the new ones, with support for Wi-Fi 5GHz, there is an interesting Archer C2 model. But before buying, you need to make sure that it supports modems. The box must have a corresponding badge.
The list of compatible modems can be found at the link: http://www.tp-linkru.com/comp-list.html.
We have instructions for setting up: https://help-wifi.com/tp-link/kak-podklyuchit-3g4g-usb-modem-k-wi-fi-routeru-tp-link-i-nastroit-ego-na -primere-tl-mr3220 /. However, so far there are no instructions for new models with a new control panel.
Routers ZyXEL
ZyXEL also has many models with support for 3G / 4G modems. The list is large:
ZyXEL Keenetic II, III, Omni, Omni II, 4G II, 4G III, Giga II, Giga III, DSL, VOX, Extra, Extra II, Viva, Ultra and Ultra II
For a list of compatible modem models, see the link: https://zyxel.ua/kb/3390/
D-Link
D-Link also has routers that support USB / 3G / LTE modems. These are the models:
DIR-620 / GA, DIR-632, DIR-620, DIR-815 / AC, DIR-320, DIR-816L, DIR-825 / A, DIR-825 / AC
To find out the list of compatible modems, you need to open the page of a specific router on the D-Link website, and there you will see "Supported USB Modems".
Other manufacturers
There are such routers from other manufacturers. For example, MikroTik, NETIS, Cisco.
Which router model to buy? How to choose the right one?
Go to some large online store, go to the section with routers, and in the filter settings, select routers with support for "WAN port: USB 3G, USB 4G". This setting may be called differently. But most likely there is such a function. Then, you can sort the routers from cheap to expensive if you are on a budget or want to find the cheapest router.
We will get a list of routers that work with modems. Choose the model that suits you in terms of price and performance. Then, be sure to check it for compatibility with your modem (as I wrote above). Also, type in Google or Yandex the query "router model + modem model". Open a couple of pages, read. I think you will find a lot of useful information. Check the page for a specific model on the manufacturer's website.
It seems to me that this is the best way to choose the optimal model for yourself, with minimal risks of getting incompatible devices. And then you can already order online, or buy in a regular store.
If after purchasing the router does not see the modem
First, find the setup instructions to make sure you're doing everything right. Above I gave links to some instructions. Connect the modem without a USB extension cable, if available. Update the router's firmware. Check again for device compatibility.
I wrote a separate article on this issue: https://help-wifi.com/nastrojka-interneta-3g4g/pochemu-wi-fi-router-ne-vidit-3g4g-usb-modem/
I hope this article helped you in choosing a router to work with a USB modem. Write in the comments what kind of router you have and with what modem it worked. This is useful information. You can also ask questions. Good luck!
