You may be toying with the idea of buying router with sim card. It is a device that we can use to create a wireless network in a place where there is no direct connection to a telephone line. A very practical gadget if what we want is make sure that we will always be connected.
Many people buy this type of router when they have to go on vacation somewhere without an Internet connection (the town house, for example). Others simply buy it to have a kind of safety net when the connection from home or work fails.
In this post we are going to explain what exactly these devices are, how they work and what we have to pay attention to when buying one. This is very interesting and useful information, so we encourage you to continue reading:
How is a Router with a SIM card?
These types of routers are similar to WiFi routers that we have in our homes, although with the particularity that these They have a slot to accommodate a SIM card, one of those cards used by mobile phones.
It is precisely this card that is responsible for connecting the router to the mobile network, thus providing an Internet connection without the need to use cables of any kind.
Another characteristic of routers with a SIM card is that they have a external antenna. The main function of this antenna is to increase the signal reception of the wireless network. On the other hand, it also makes it easier for the router to reach a higher connection speed and for it to be more stable.
Finally, it should be mentioned that certain models of routers with a SIM card incorporate a function of firewall to protect all devices connected to the network.
Configure a Router with a SIM card
A router with a SIM card connects to the mobile network through wireless technologies such as 3G or 4G. The data necessary to establish said connection (network code, telephone number, account data, etc.) are contained on the SIM card itself.
In addition to this, almost all routers with a SIM card have a ethernet socket through which to connect to devices such as a computer or smartphone. The idea of this is to allow users to share the Internet connection.
For everything to work properly, the most important thing is to properly place the SIM card in the router. These are the steps to follow to do it correctly:
- First, we need to check that the SIM card what we are going to insert is compatible with the router.*
- Afterwards, you have to insert the card into the slot. In some cases, it will be necessary to resort to the help of a adapter.
- Then you need activate the card from the user interface. For this, you need to do the following:
- Access with a browser.
- Enter the IP address of the router.
- Go to the settings section and add the details of the SIM card (phone number, PIN, etc.)
Once the previous process is completed, you must go to configure the router, which we can do from the configuration tab of the router itself. From there we will be able to change the connection settings so that everything starts working.
(*) And, of course, that the SIM card is not expired. In that case, it will have to be renewed.
What to know before buying
Once we decide to buy a router with a SIM card, we find a wide variety of models and prices. For choose well and not make a mistake in our choice, it is important to pay attention to a series of aspects:
- First of all, we must be completely sure that that there is good mobile network coverage in the place where we plan to put the router. Otherwise, the device will be of no use to us. A good way to find out is to carry out a preliminary test with our mobile phone to check the upload and download speed, as well as the latency.
- No less important is check the compatibility of the router with the frequency bands usually used by the main operators. Although this is generally the case, it does not hurt to make sure to avoid unpleasant surprises. As a rule, it is advisable to opt for routers that, at least, offer support for 4G networks.
- is always better that the WAN port is separated from the LAN ports. This ensures that more ports are available, thus multiplying the connection possibilities of the router.
- Finally, it is necessary to be clear that the scope of the new network created will be sufficient for our needs. This will depend on the characteristics of our home or workplace and the WiFi range of the router with a SIM card. In any case, when necessary, you can always resort to the use of a WIFI amplifier.