High speed internet access is often available to rural users only through expensive satellite or microwave systems. However, many people (rural or not) may find a wireless solution using cell phone towers to be a great alternative way to access the internet.
I often travel. Having a wireless access point is something important to me. A few weeks ago, I purchased the Huawei B310-518 Wi-Fi router. This device works much like tethering with a cell phone, with similar speeds.
But, the Huawei B310-518 is also more powerful than a tethered cell phone:
It has an Ethernet cable for connecting to a computer – or even a large network.
The Wi-Fi capability has more range than a tethered cell phone.
There is a standard wired phone jack built into the B310-518. This allows a cell phone number to be used with a regular wired phone.
The B310-518 is an unlocked GSM device. So, that means that it works with most cell phone carriers except for Verizon and Sprint. AT&T works. T-Mobile works. And companies that resale these services also work. In Canada, it will work with Rogers and others. Simply use your cell phone’s SIM card in the Huawei router, or buy a special SIM card for the device. It even works internationally.
I ended up purchasing a SIM card and service from Mint Mobile:
Plans vary. Mint Mobile charges $15 per month for 2GB of high speed data. They charge $25 per month for 10GB of high speed data. After the high speed data allocation is used, unlimited low speed data is provided.
Of course, you can use AT&T, T-Mobile, or other carriers with the Huawei device.
The only thing that took me by surprise with this device was that the instruction manual was in Spanish and the default configuration webpage for the device was in Spanish. Switching to English was fairly easy. But, one would think the default for the US market would be English. Also, the router came with a European plug and a converter to a US style plug. That works. I wonder if the US market is an afterthought, though. Online research seems to indicate that the DC plug is the standard 2.1mm coaxial DC power plug.