Share 3G internet over WIFI

Nowadays 3G cellular internet connections are usually fast enough to share it among several other users. Specially with flat-fee cellular internet access and unlimited bandwidth it's worth the effort to setup 3G internet sharing. Although world travelers still have to deal with two different 3G protocols - HSPA and EVDO, it seems HSPA, largely used in Europe and Asia, is gaining moment on EVDO.

Here are 2 scenario's how to share a 3G cellular internet connection:
 

1. Using external 3G WIFI router equipment
    
2. Using Windows using ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)
    

The easiest 3G internet sharing is through a portable 3G router - with default WIFI settings for all users

The cheapest 3G internet sharing is through ad-hoc WIFI networking, though WIFI settings require adjustment.

The most flexible 3G internet sharing is through WIFI routers allowing falback on 3G USB modem sticks.
 

3G internet sharing by WIFI router

Below an overview how to share a 3G internet connection over WIFI using the router option.
 

3G internet connection sharing using 3G routers

3G smartphone / iphone ad-hoc WIFI router

Your smartphone (iPhone, Nokia N95/N97) can be changed into a micro WIFI router using additional software. This solution uses ad-hoc WIFI networking, requiring WIFI settings to be changed for all those who want to connect to the WIFI hotspot.
 

This solution is ideal for those who are tech savvy and know their way around with WIFI networking. Read about it in sharing a 3G connection using a Nokia N95 in France.

For those who favor a more simple 3G internet connection sharing solution, have a look at the 3G portable WIFI router.
 

3G portable WIFI router

This nifty portable device - known as the MIFI - allows you to share a 3G internet connection without having to change the WIFI settings of your laptop, notebook or netbook. The SIM card of the wireless network operator goes into the portable WIFI router. WIFI access settings such are WEP/WPA keys are set in the MIFI 3G portable WIFI router.

The MIFI is available in 2 versions, EVDO and HSPA - with the HSPA version as the most popular one.
HSPA is gaining momentum over EVDO, though check with the cellular provider what standard they use.
Unfortunately there's no global 3G version yet, developments in that direction are still fresh such as the multi-standard GOBI modem.

A more flexible solution for global travelers is the WIFI router capable of using external 3G USB modem sticks. Though more WIFI networking experience is required here.
 

Looking for fixed 3G sharing solution? Have a look at professional 3G router with external antenna + internal simcard

WIFI router using 3G USB modem stick

WIFI routers capable of sharing a 3G cellular internet connection over a 3G USB modem stick are primarily designed to use it as a fall-back internet connection in case the main wired internet connection fails. This fall-back feature can also be used as the primary internet connection.

A new 2010 development is the Netgear 300N WIFI router allowing to share USB 3G as well as USB 4G internet connections, such as WiMAX.
 

Here are examples of G3 USB data modems.
 

3G internet sharing by Windows ICS

Below an overview how to share a 3G internet connection using the Windows Internet Connection Sharing service.

3G internet connection sharing using Windows ICS

Windows ICS over ad-hoc WIFI connection

Using Ad-Hoc WIFI connections in combination with Windows ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) it's possible to share a 3G connection using a laptop, notebook or netbook as a simple router. Unfortunately, Ad-Hoc WIFI connections require WIFI settings for all connecting users to be changed. Also the laptop, netbook or notebook sharing the internet connection requires to activate Windows Internet Connection Sharing.

The solution is not hassle free, specially if different brands of WIFI connection managers are involved. For instance the DELL WIFI connection manager behaves quite differently with Ad-Hoc WIFI access points than the Intel WIFI connection manager or the Windows WIFI connection manager.

For those who don't want to mess around with WIFI settings, using an external portable WIFI router eases connection hassles. This solution is preferred for those who have no experience in dealing with WIFI ad-hoc networking.
 

Portable WIFI router

A portable WIFI router is a versatile device allowing anyone to create a WIFI access point on the spot. Most portable WIFI routers have 2 inputs; Classic phone-line dial-up and UTP network cable input. In this scenario the internet connection comes from the laptop, notebook or netbook using Windows ICS. Power comes from either AC power adapter or a USB cable connected to a laptop, notebook or netbook.
 

Portable WIFI hotspot / access point
D-Link DWL-G730AP portable WIFI hotspot

 
The D-Link DWL-G730AP portable WIFI hotspot is very popular among (business) travelers.
 

3G USB modem stick

USB based G3 data modems are very popular in Europe and on the rise in Asia and the Middle-East. Same as with the MIFI, there are 2 standards, EVDO for the US and Australia, HSPA for Europe and Asia. HSPA is gaining momentum over EVDO, though check with the cellular provider what standard they use.

When there's an incompatible 3G signal available, internet connection speed will usually drop to GSM based slower data standards such as EDGE (2,5G) or GPRS (2G). Though check the specification of the 3G USB modem stick what GSM standard it supports.

The USB modems are small in size and have 1 or 2 leds as connection indicators. For 3G connection diagnosis, the LED's are a bit flimsy. A smart phone with 3G modem has a display to show the connection status and allows better diagnostics and direct viewing of traffic counters (bytes received / sent).
 

3G Smartphone modem

3G smart phones, such as the Nokia N95/N97 and the iPhone, use the HSPA / HSDPA 3G protocol. When there's an incompatible EVDO based 3G signal available, internet connection speed usually drops back to the 2,5G EDGE / (2G) GPRS protocol which is a slower speed based on older GSM standards. Most smart phones are QuadBand making them work in the US/Australia/Japan as well as on European/Asian soil for voice as well as data (internet) connections.