Creating a 3G hotspot with the Raspberry Pi
A UMTS router splits mobile data connections among several devices. Using a Raspberry Pi and a UMTS stick, you can construct your own UMTS router. These router systems are commercially available at a low cost, starting at $45.
They use a SIM card for mobile access to the Internet and typically generate a WiFi network for up to five devices at one time. Differences in price are based on the capacity of the integrated battery, the quality of the workmanship, and the user interface. Many models come with an integrated OLED display that lets you see information about the status of various operations.
Some manufacturers market very inexpensive devices like the TP Link TL-MR3020 [1] as a mobile router, but if you look at the fine print for this type of router, you will learn that you need your own UMTS USB stick to use the device. With this state of affairs, why not just bypass the inexpensive devices and use your own UMTS stick to create a mobile router? The Raspberry Pi has no problems with this task with the right equipment. Because the Rasp Pi itself is more expensive than off-the-shelf mobile routers, the Rasp Pi router cannot compete in terms of price, but if you already have a Rasp Pi at hand, then the price comparison looks quite different.
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