Mobile wireless broadband or 3G networks is a nice solution for heavy mobile users and organizations that need to set up mobile outposts for special events or impromptu occurrences like natural disasters. 3G broadband sources can connect to 802.11x networks via 3G routers.

As we know that all the Cellular phone providers today, beside voice services, they offer optional Mobile wireless broadband or 3g data access packages: digital data services for email, Web browsing and other Internet applications. These services allow you access Internet services from your cell phone, laptops, or other devices that employ specialized modems in the form of PC-card, ExpressCard, or USB. Some brand new laptops today are shipped with this kind of modem built-in. Or you can purchase one for your laptops.

The mobile wireless broadband or 3g networks offered by the cellular phone providers are typically slower than traditional Wi-Fi networks which are ranging from 100 Kbps to 700 Kbps. While traditional Wi-Fi Cable or DSL connections are faster, ranging from 300 Kbps to 6 Mbps. While the new DOCSIS 3.0 and Euro-DOCSIS 3 cable infrastructure provide a much faster speed up to 100 Mbps downstream. Cable or DSL Internet connections are delivered to the subscribers through the modem via local loop to the ISP office. See also router with built-in DSL modem and router with built-in Cable modem.

You can extend the Cable or DSL Internet connection wirelessly using the wireless router, and this network is called Wi-Fi network. Just like Cable or DSL connection, you can also extend the 3g network wirelessly using Wi-Fi equipment similar to traditional wireless routers, but the router is designed specifically for 3g networks with the 3g modem peripheral either PC-card or ExpressCard with 3g account. See also popular Cable modem – surfboard cable modem.

To access Wi-Fi network, your laptop (with Wi-Fi adapter enabled) must be within the network coverage in order to maintain connectivity to the Internet, normally depends on the wireless access point’s range that can span around 1000 ft or more. But with mobile wireless broadband or 3g networks, you can access the internet using the cellular networks that can span large geographical areas around cities and highways where the cellular providers provide the base station towers.

The figure below shows a connection diagram for mobile wireless broadband or 3g networks. Connect the PC-card or Expresscard Internet adapter to the cellular routers and you can create and share mobile wireless broadband.

The further you are from the base station, the weaker the 3g network coverage is. 3G coverage is not reliable deep inside office buildings (due to structural limitations) and in areas where cell phone jamming equipment has been deployed.

One thing that we need to remember is that 3g is per user designation. The 3G user can only connect for one session, unless assisted by additional router technology. You cannot buy a bunch of generic 3G PC cards and use the same account or phone number to connect multiple users. Each PC card, for instance, is coded with one finite phone number that is allowed to access the cell network. It’s not like a traditional Wi-Fi card that can connect to any available network. But you can use one 3g account and share it wirelessly using the 3g router such as DIR-450 D-Link mobile router (for EV-DO) or DIR-451 D-Link (for UMTS and HSDPA networks) or Cradlepoint CTR500.

With a 3G mobile router, groups of people can create wireless networks virtually anywhere there is 3G cell service. You can even set up VPNs for private networks (like crime scenes, emergency response situations, financially sensitive engagements, or any instance where sensitive information is being passed around). See also how to secure a wireless network.

The 3g technology is ideal for trade shows, conventions, off-site meetings, and sporting events or concerts. Jumping from hot-spot to hot-spot is no longer an issue with this type of solution. Passengers on buses, trains and even boats can check email, use networked applications, and surf the Web while commuting. You can even bypass cellular usage billing (like minutes overage) by using Skype or other VoIP services. Of course, with a 3G mobile router, costs can be spread out among users which was impossible previously.

Performance Differences

Like DSL and cable connection speeds, mobile wireless broadband data rates can vary quite a bit depending on the availability and proximity to a 3G cellular tower. The average 3g download speeds can be between 400 and 700Kbps. While typical DSL speeds can provide 1.5M downstream and 350Kbps upstream and vary by location due to proximity to the telephone switching installation.

On the other hand, cable internet services can produce much faster speeds, generally up to 6Mbps for consumer downloads and 700Kbps for uploads. While new DOCSIS 3.0 cable infrastructure, the speeds can be much faster both for downstream and upstream. Both DSL and cable modem connections can be consistently extended with Wi-Fi routers. Wi-Fi hot-spots in public and at businesses may run at faster speeds. It depends on what kinds of equipment they use and how they are set up. See also how to setup a wireless network.

Generally speaking, if a user has a good Wi-Fi connection to a DSL or cable modem source, it will usually outperform a mobile wireless broadband connection. For example, a 1.5Mbps DSL connection will download a 1Mb file in 5 seconds, whereas a 700Kbps 3G connection would take twice as long. The significance of this difference depends upon the application being performed. Some users use sophisticated Web applications (Rich Internet Applications – RIA) that eat up a lot of bandwidth. Others stream music, VoIP or video, and performance degrades accordingly. Typical email downloading and Web browsing usage would not see much disparity in performance, however.

3G/4g should remain a niche solution for heavy mobile users and organizations that need to set up mobile outposts for special events or impromptu occurrences like natural disasters. 3G technology serves a very specific purpose by connecting users that are in transit or away from populated areas. Now that 3g broadband sources can connect to 802.11x networks via 3G routers, 3G becomes just another data stream source for Wi-Fi.

See also:

• Build home wireless networking – do it yourself
• Some Ethernet Cable modems – modem with Ethernet port
• How to choose the best gaming routers