Anyone connect a D-Link router to cell card via usb port?

[cacloss]

I am in need of a temporary solution for my home office. I have three laptops and a usb printer in a temporary residence. I am unable to obtain broadband service since I'm only here a few months. However, I have a Sprint USB card with unlimited access that I am considering using for all of the machines to get online.

I've been reading about various cellular broadband routers (Kyocera, Cradlepoint, Linksys, etc) but I hate to invest that much in a device I only need for a few months.

Somewhere, I read that the USB port on a D-Link DIR-825 can be used to connect it to a 3G Cellular device. However, I can't find any information about making this work via google and nothing on the D-Link site either. I like this as a possible solution because I could use all of the functions of this router after my temporary situation ends.

Does anyone have experience with this or know if it will work? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[thiggins]

I think that is unlikely to work. The USB port does not support a WAN connection, but is used to share USB devices like printers and USB flash and hard drives.

 

[overdrive31]

I don't have any evidence that is does or doesn't work the way he intends. I do know that D-Link does have routers designed for cellular, with usb and pc card slots as forms of cellular connectivity/internet share. On that note, I own the 825, do not have a 3G device to test, but given there is a choice in setup whether to use the usb port as a WCN, MFP or storage, and 3G. Depending on what setting chosen, determines it's functionality. Otherwise, why is there a setting to change? I wouldn't see why it cant do what he would like it to. I would consult D-Link support before purchase to make sure, because publicly, there is no list of devices supported. Good Luck!

 

[thiggins]

Well, I stand corrected. There is indeed a 3G USB Modem USB setting, that leads to a WWAN settings page.

For the U.S. there is only an ATT option for ISP, however. And no clue on supported modem types.

I have a query into D-Link.

 

[cacloss]

I received the following reply from my D-Link inquiry:

Hi Craig,

Jose with D-Link Systems here. Below is the response I received from my System Engineer.

The DIR-825 is a Wireless broadband gateway/router.

If the customer is looking to use a Cellular Service type card.
our DIR-450 is a 3G capable gateway/router which supports the Sprint Novatel Ovation U720 not the U727.

Not very helpful as far as explaining this feature on router... and it doesn't solve my issue.

 

[thiggins]

From my D-Link contact:
"The 3G function is not yet active. It will take awhile to get the cellular adapter and cellular service support. No target date yet."