This post was most recently updated on September 6th, 2019

In this tutorial, you will learn almost everything you need to know about a 3G Wireless routers. As long as you own an electronic device such as a computer, a smartphone, a satellite decoder, a game console, you need a router.

What are 3G Wireless routers?

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, commonly specialized hardware. This creates an overlay internetwork, as a router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks. When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the router reads the address information in the packet to determine its ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey. Routers perform the “traffic directing” functions on the Internet.

From the above definition, it means a router doesn’t work for itself, it simply works on behalf of other networks. It is like a middleman between two networks. the source network and the destination. e.g the 3g modem you connect to your router supplies the internet, the router converts it to a wifi connection that your decode, computer, or game console can use. Now let us proceed to the meaning of a wifi router.

What is A Wireless Router

A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is commonly used to provide access to the Internet or a computer network. It does not require a wired link, as the connection is made wirelessly, via radio waves. It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), in a wireless-only LAN (WLAN), or in a mixed wired/wireless network, depending on the manufacturer and model. examples of wifi routers are azsky G3, Tp-link routers, Huawei routers, Vodafone routers etc…

And of recent, we now have a 3g/ 4g router (also known as mobile broadband routers. For example, your smartphone with inbuilt wifi hotspot can serve as a good example of a mobile broadband router. However, it is not convenient using your smartphone(which serves many other more useful purposes)as a router, hence the need for dedicated mobile broadband routers.

What is a 3G/4G router(Mobile Broadband Router)

A stationary device that converts cellular signals (3G, 4G, LTE) to Wi-Fi and vice versa. It creates a local Wi-Fi hotspot to provide access to the Internet as an alternative to cable, DSL and other wired services that are either not available in the location or are more costly. All laptops and tablets, which have Wi-Fi built-in, as well as all desktop computers with Wi-Fi adapters, can share the hotspot for Internet access.

A mobile broadband router is typically a stationary device; however, portable cellular hotspots may be branded by their vendors as mobile broadband routers as well.

Instead of plugging the carrier’s cellular modem (air card or 3g modem) into one laptop, it is plugged into the mobile broadband router, which turns the service into a hotspot. examples of modern mobile broadband routers are hame 3G wifi router, T1 WIFI ROUTER + POWER BANK + CLOUD STORAGE, M1 wifi router + power bank + 3g dongle and so on

Who are Eligible to use a Router?

Many people can use a router, especially a modern-day mobile router. I will itemize those who can use a router, before then, to use a router, you need at least an electronic device that can use either a Lan / Ethernet port or a wifi capability. In other words, if you have a decoder, a smartphone with wifi network, a game console like play station, Xbox, Nvidia shield, Nintendo … or a computer. Then no matter your income, your level of exposure or your educational background, a router will make your online experience better. One outstanding thing is that modern routers, now comes with a power bank capability meaning when your battery is dead or about to die, you can easily recharge your mobile phones battery with your router. Now to who can use router/router combos specifically.

• Those without 4G/LTE or 5G network

Of course, it is reasonable to use the fastest available internet network in your area. Therefore, if 4G/LTE is out of your reach, you will surely want to resort to 3G connectivity. As we already know, 2G/Edge is a deal-breaker in modern times.

• Hardcore gamers

If you own a mobile gaming console like PSP(play station portable) or Nvidia shield, or your game ready iPhone, or your android phone loaded with a lot of games, for you to keep your charge or to recharge your device in other to enjoy a seamless gaming experience, you need a router combo like T1, M1 or at worst hame. those routers mentioned above will supply both internet access as well as battery charging capabilities to your device.

• A nuclear or Extended Family

You can easily buy one large data bundle, load it inside an independent sim card and place it inside your router. You can then create a password for it and give it to your families they can all be in their comfort zone and enjoy internet browsing. that way you can keep things in check especially among your kids.

• Travellers

It doesn’t matter if you a business traveller or a tourist freak, as long as you have cause to leave the environment where you will have easy access to a wall socket to charge your phone, you need a router combo(mind you, a router combo has a power bank functionality).

• Hardcore Internet Surfer(Just Like Me)

 Each and every one of us has its internet needs. Mine is to download software, conduct research does very light chatting and update my site. Others are mainly to send emails, others especially women love nothing but chatting and downloading music. whichever category you fall into, you need a router combo to keep you charged up

• Businessmen /women

If you receive endless calls and you attend different conferences of seminars, you may have little time to connect your phone to the mains and charge. what you need is internet on the go and charging on-the-go only a router, can give you that.

• Dwellers in Areas with Poor Internet Connection

If you stay in a location where there is generally poor Network signal on all available ISP Imagine, whenever I use an airtel sim for my internet needs with my router, I will need to place my router in an extreme corner in the room, while my electronics remain positioned in the living room. It is not my wish to place my router that far away, but the only area where I can receive a strong 3g airtel network is in my room.

• Office, Hotels and Companies: You can buy and use powerful routers such as TP-Link, T1 etc.. to network connections wirelessly or through LAN cables in your Hotels, Offices or Companies

Importance of 3G Routers

• Convenience

well this cannot be over-emphasized. A router can give you access to a wireless internet connection with its inherent convenience over a wired connection. secondly you can easily carry your router about. In fact, hame is not as big as a techno phone.

• Cost-effectiveness

Especially in Africa where data bundle subscription is very expensive. The more money you pay, the more Data bundle you receive. Why not pay big and share it with friends and families instead of you allowing ISP to cheat you. e.g some men pay #5000 per month in Nigeria to get just 3gb of data, most times they only use 300mb before the plan expires and they have to resubscribe.

• A router saves power

It saves the battery lifespan of your mobile devices e.g game consoles or mobile phones. We all know that browsing with either 2g, 3g or 4g network of your mobile phone consumes more battery power than browsing on your phone through wifi connection

• Mobile (OTA) Software Updates

some smartphones especially tablets, iPads, comes only with wifi network. This indicates that you can only access the internet on such devices, with the help of a wifi hotspot which a router readily provides. Furthermore, in other to update the software of most smartphones, you need only a wifi connection. Finally, to download most heavy games data, you need a wifi connection

• Advantages to your Computer or Decoders

A router grants the fastest and most stable connection to your decoders or computers. in fact, older satellite receivers can only connect to the internet via a router.  You can also connect several computers simultaneously wirelessly with a router

• One-for-All Connection

Imagine a situation whereby you want to receive an important email or chat message on your phone, you want to watch satellite tv on your IKS decoder, and you want to open a website on your computer. Hitherto, this would have spelt three different internet package or bundles, however with a standard router, you can perform all the task with one single connection.

• Miscellaneous

we have many more advantages like making all your kids happy at home cos they can all start browsing and stop browsing simultaneously.

Disadvantages of a 3G Router

• First off, a 3G router is not the fastest around as we already have devices that support 5G networks. Apart from this, 4G is the new global standard for acceptable internet speed.
• The first setup requires a computer: If you really want to customize your router, you need a computer to the first customization like assigning your name, your password, choosing your network mode e.t.c
• The second inconvenience is that you need to use your money to buy the router(Although the router is not very expensive compared to its functions)
• The final demerits have to do with the African continent. Routers are not popular in Africa, Most people have to order for it, or buy a branded one. I personally ordered for mine

General Features/Specifications of 3G WiFi Routers

802.11 b/g/n, 802.3/802.3u supported, Wireless speed rate up to 150Mbps

※ Support smart mode, 3g router mode, AP mode, Repeater mode

※ Support DLNA protocol, a free app for ios or android devices

※ Wireless Storage, share files from U disk wirelessly

※ Built-in 6600mAh battery

※ Support most type of the 3G/4G(WCDMA / CDMA)& 4G LTE dongle

※ One 10/100M self-adaption Ethernet interface, both LAN/WAN compatible work

※ Support Local/Remote web manage with multi-language

※ Easy server link setting through web manage

※ 5V DC Micro USB power adaptor universal work with all USB device power

Types of Routers

We have standalone routers e.g tp-link, Vodafone, g3, t1 etc. and we have branded routers or routers locked to an Internet Service Provider e,g mtn Nigeria Hynet, Etisalat mifi, ZTE routers locked to a network, swift 4g router, spectranet Nigeria routers e.t.c. I am generally advising you to buy a standalone router instead of a branded one.

1.T1 Wifi + Power Bank +Wireless Storage Capabilities

2. M1 Wifi Router + Power Bank + 3G Dongle

3. TP-LINK 3G/4G Wireless N Router

4. Vodafone/Huawei Routers

5. Hame MiFi WiFi_A1 USB Broadband Hotspot + Power Bank

6. Azsky G3 WiFi Router + Dongle

How to Setup A Router for the First Time 

To configure a router for first use, you can read up my article here

WHERE TO BUY A ROUTER?

You can buy a router from major electronic shops or online. especially from those who sell computer accessories.