Almost everyone who connects to the Internet in villages does so via 3G USB modems. Both in Ukraine and in Russia. This is because there is no way to connect a regular cable Internet, and ADSL can not be connected everywhere (besides, not everyone has a telephone line). Therefore, you have to use wireless 3G / 4G Internet. In Ukraine, the most popular provider is probably Intertelecom. I use it myself from time to time. MegaFon, MTS, Beeline are very popular in Russia. But today is not about that.
It doesn't matter where you live and what kind of Internet you have, sooner or later you will most likely want to install a Wi-Fi router at home. To distribute the Internet to all our devices: smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. After all, when we use the Internet via a USB modem, the Internet can only be on one computer. And what to do with other devices, how to distribute 3G Internet from a modem to other devices over a Wi-Fi network. We will figure it out now, using the example of TP-LINK routers.
How to choose TP-LINK router for 3G modem?
We need a dedicated Wi-Fi router that supports 3G / 4G USB modems. It is a special router, in our case we are considering TP-LINK devices. Since not every router is able to distribute the Internet from 3G modems. And even if you already have a TP-LINK router, it’s not a fact that it supports modems, even if it has a USB connector.
People often ask how to connect a 3G modem to a TP-LINK router TL-WR741ND, TL-WR841ND, etc. No way, it simply does not support them. TP-LINK has several models that are suitable for working with modems from Intertelecom, MTS, MegaFon, and other operators. These are two common routers:TL-MR3420 and TL-MR3220... And two portable ones:TL-MR3020and TL-MR3040... Perhaps at the moment there are already other models. This means that you can connect our modem to these routers to the USB connector, and we will get the Internet via a Wi-Fi network, and via a network cable, for example, for a stationary computer. I have TP-LINK TL-MR3220, worked with Novatel U720 modem before.
A very important point. If you have already bought a router, and just realized that it does not suit you, then it is not too late to return it back to the store.
And if you are going to buy, be sure to make sure that the model of the router you have chosen supports your 3G modem specifically. Yes, routers do not work with all modems. And it may turn out that the router simply does not see your USB modem.
What would check compatibility, go to the official website. For Ukraine - http://www.tp-link.ua/ru/comp-list.html, for Russia - http://www.tp-linkru.com/comp-list.html in the section "List of compatible 3G / 3.75G USB Modems "click on the router model you want (which you want to buy), and save the .xlsx file to your computer. Open it and see what modems it supports.
We also have a useful article on this topic: how to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi from a 3G USB modem? Routers with USB modem support.
I think everything is clear with the choice of a router. Let's now look at the process of connecting a 3G modem to TP-LINK. We will also configure the router to work with a modem and configure a Wi-Fi network. I'll show you using my TP-LINK TL-MR3220 as an example.
Connecting and configuring a 3G USB modem on a TP-LINK router
Nothing complicated. We connect power to the router and turn it on. We connect our 3G modem to the USB connector on the router (you can use an extension cable, if there is an antenna, then we connect it the same way).
We need to connect to the router from the computer in order to enter its settings. You can connect via cable (as shown below), or via Wi-Fi network.
Next, we need to go to the router settings, and configure everything. To enter the settings, go to the address indicated at the bottom of the router. it 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.1... And provide your username and password. Factory settings: admin and admin (also indicated on the bottom of the router on the sticker). We have more detailed instructions for entering the settings on TP-LINK.
In the control panel, first open the tabNetwork – Internet Access, highlight the item3G / 4G Only (Recommended), and press Save.
Then open the tabNetwork – 3G / 4G... On the contrary3G / 4G USB Modem should be writtenIdentified (or the name of the modem). This means that the modem is detected and ready for use. If the router does not see the USB modem, then try updating the router's firmware using this instruction. There is a chance that everything will work after the software update.
On the menuLocation select our region (in my case, Ukraine), and in the menuMobile ISP choose a provider (I have Intertelecom). Farther,Connection Mode leaveConnect AutomaticallyandAuthentication Type exhibiting Auto.
Click on the buttonConnect... The router must connect to the Internet through our modem. The status should becomeConnected... If so, then everything is fine. Push the button Save to save the settings.
There is also a button thereAdvanced Settings, if you click on it, the settings will open, where you can manually set all the parameters necessary for connection (dial-up number, username, password). But these settings are unlikely to be useful to you.
We've almost set everything up. If the router "made friends" with the modem and connected to the Internet, then it already distributes it both via cable and Wi-Fi network. It remains only to configure the wireless network. Change the name of the wireless network itself, and put a password on Wi-Fi.
Open the tabWireless, set a name for the Wi-Fi network, and set our region. Save the settings by clicking on Save.
Then open the tab Wireless – Wireless Security, and protect our Wi-Fi network with a password, as shown below. Enter a password of at least 8 characters and remember it. Better write it down.
Do not forget to save the settings by clicking on the button Save... I would also recommend changing the default admin password, which is used to enter the router settings. You can do this on the tabSystem Tools – Password.
Then reboot your router. This can be done in the same way from the control panel. TabSystem Tools – Reboot, and click on the Reboot button.
The router will reboot. It should already automatically connect to the Internet via a 3G modem, and distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi and a network cable. Connect to the Wi-Fi network using the password that we set during the setup process.
Now through one USB-modem we can connect several computers and other devices to the Internet. At the same time, the payment remains the same as before. But, if you have a tariff with metered traffic, then you need to understand that several devices will use metered traffic faster. And very often, traffic that is over the limit is not cheap.
Possible problems and solutions
Unstable work, the Internet very often disappears
Wireless 3G Internet is certainly not as stable as wired, and therefore, the modem may periodically lose connection with the base station. The Internet may disappear on those devices that are connected to the router. The computer will have "No Internet access" (limited in Windows 10).
If the Internet is gone and does not appear, then just restart the router (turn off and turn on the power). Everything, of course, depends on your provider, and on the base station to which you connect. This happens with Interetelcom. Sometimes you have to reboot the router. And sometimes it doesn't help, you have to sit and wait for the Internet to work.
After connecting the 3G modem to the router, it does not connect to the Internet
If you have a bad signal at home, and there is no antenna, then it is possible that in the place where the router is located, the modem simply cannot connect to the Internet due to the lack (or very bad) signal. What you can do: Connect the modem through an extension cord and lift it up. If necessary, move the router along with the modem to another location. Or install an antenna. We have a separate article on this topic: installing and configuring a 3G CDMA antenna using the example of Intertelecom provider.
In any case, I advise you to disconnect the modem from the router, connect it to the computer, and use the AxesstelPst EvDO BSNL 1.67 program to check the signal strength and set the modem for better reception. I wrote about this in detail in the instructions How to increase the speed of the Internet from Internettelecom? We configure the 3G modem or antenna with the AxesstelPst EvDO BSNL 1.67 program.
Very low internet speed
This is most likely due to a bad signal. In this case, we apply exactly the same advice as I gave above: raise the modem, install the antenna, and set up the whole thing with the AxesstelPst EvDO BSNL 1.67 program.
Afterword
In this article, I tried to give all the necessary information that will help you choose and install a TP-LINK router that will connect to the Internet via a 3G modem and distribute it to all your devices.
This is a very relevant topic, as more and more providers provide completely unlimited tariffs, and more and more people want to use the Internet via Wi-Fi on mobile devices, tablets, etc. And you cannot do without a router. Although, there is one way, you can try to distribute the Internet from a laptop, here is a link to the instructions: https://help-wifi.com/nastrojka-virtualnoj-wi-fi-seti/kak-razdat-wi-fi-esli-internet- cherez-usb-modem-3g4g /.
If you still have any questions on this topic, maybe I missed something, or something is not working out for you, then write in the comments. I will be happy to answer and try to help.
