Tether Mobile Hotspot to Router [SOLVED]

Herc08 · Aug 6, 2016

So long story short, in my area, I don't get to have cable/broadband. Instead, I have to settle for a mobile hotspot with my carrier. I have unlimited data with no throttling, so I am not worried about that. However, I have the Netgear 781S (AT&T Unite Pro). I have a phone that can get an average of 30mbps down and up. But when I use the WiFi mode on the 781S, it barely can get 5 down. However, when I connected it via USB to my laptop, I was getting the 30mbps just like on my phone. Not to mention, the WiFi (even in dual mode) on 781S sucks. Can't get 3 meters (yes about 10 feet) without losing WiFi signal to the hotspot. I live in a 615 sq rt apartment, so I would expect it to reach with no issues. I see different threads, but they work for dongles, and not mobile hotspot with usb cables.

So I am looking to tether it to a router, and broadcast the signal to my devices through the router while using ethernet for my my computer (hopefully strong signals). I did a bunch of research last night (literally stayed up to 4am), trying to figure out the best idea. One person said that had an ASUS RT-N56 router and used their Samsung android device. Another forum said to us ROOter OpenWRT and flash the firmware to a specific router. I am OK with flashing, but no where does it say that my hotspot device is supported. I found some ASUS and TP-Link routers that support tether, and just needs a flash to get it connect it. Again, I do not want to use the wireless function as the WiFi card built in is crap around the corners. So doing a wireless bridge is pointless because I am not getting maximum performance.

So my question is, would this really work? Or should I just get a cheap router and just bridge it to my laptop? I prefer not to do that, because I know ICS isn't the strongest connection. Any suggestions will help. Thank you.

bill001g · Aug 6, 2016

Its pretty easy to find the supported list of USB based modem, tethered phones is another matter. Many of the samsungs work with asus router but you need to spend time digging, they tend to move the list around as they update it.

Still what you will find people complaining about is it even depends on the carrier you have. Some have rigged it so it will not work with the router even though it will work on a different carrier. Rooting the phone tends to solve that though.

Not much I can really suggest. DD-WRT has the largest list of supported things. Asus tends to be the best with factory firmware and their merlin firmware is a form of dd-wrt. I think the list of supported device though is the same. The question I have is where is the list from 2016 of asus supported devices, i get nothing when I search their site. DD-WRT list appears to be scattered all over the site.

Be very careful there really is no such thing as a unlimited plan when you are tethered. Some cut your speed when you hit some limit and others just charge you from the beginning. Again you would have to root the phone to hide the tethering and then use VPN so they could not detect it via packet inspection. They know very well you phone will not play flash videos and if you were to run some online game they will detect it because of the ports a game uses that can never run on the phone itself. Many of these so called unlimited plans even limit how much netflix you can watch on the phone itself....and they still call it unlimited.

Herc08 · Aug 6, 2016

bill001g :

I am aware of the "lmits" however, I have a grandfather plan, and literally ran through the contract with a fine comb. There is no overages or anything like that. I already went through 300GB, and still get those top speeds when using USB. So I am not worried there.

Thing is, I am not using a phone, but an actual mobile hotspot from Netgear (the 781S). As mentioned, I've been doing research. And searching, and looking at the ROOTer firmware using GoldenOrb seems like my best option, however, I can't find if my 781S will be supported, and actually keep the same speeds with USB. I've been looking at DD-WRT as well, and can't seem to find anything. All I want is a router that I can connect my mobile hotspot via USB (maybe 6 inches), and be able to broadcast the signal (like a booster) to other devices and connect one device to the router via Ethernet.

So I understand that the carrier has something to do with it? Or is it just the device has something to do with it? I've seen people get AT&T to work with some routers. Thanks for the reply.

bill001g · Aug 6, 2016

I see I misread I though you were trying to use the phone because the 781 would not work. I have a similar device from sprint and it is really a piece of crap. Still if I put a laptop right next to it the wireless speed is very close to the USB....then again I was putting it out the window most the time and had to use the USB for that reason.

It is really too bad it does not work when you are real close it supports WDS which many do not. That means if it would work with the repeater sitting on top of the 781 you should be able to use the repeaters radios to extend the range.

If you have to go with USB I suspect you are going to be stuck going the ICS route. There does not appear to be a linux driver for that device which tend to mean you will not get dd-wrt support....since all that is a linux distribution built for router cpus.

bill001g · Aug 6, 2016

As a added though have you tried these.
https://uedata.amazon.com/Netgear-AirCard-Signal-Boosting-Ethernet/dp/B00QIH1CWO

They helped a bit with my sprint device.

Herc08 · Aug 6, 2016

bill001g :

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Doing some more research, I see the ROOTer supports"host-less" modems, which I believe my device is one of those. I have it connected right now via USB, and it shows up as a Ethernet device rather than anything else. There is no software that pops up in Explorer, and I can access it through web GUI. Would you think that this could work for me instead? Get a supported ROOTer router, flash it, and connect my 781S to it?

Straight from the website:

A host-less modem is a type of modem that, when plugged into your computer, appears as an Ethernet device and is accessed using your web browser. These are known as web GUI host-less modems.

Herc08 · Aug 6, 2016

bill001g :

I've seen that in my research last night, but as you can see, it is sold out. I've check the NETgear website, and there is no info on where to buy it. I believe it is the DR113. I even contacted them via Facebook and Twitter, but still no response. I believe that would have been perfect for me.

bill001g · Aug 6, 2016

I have never seen that so I can't really comment. When I took a small look at the source software for some of the modems in dd-wrt what I was seeing that it send strange strings of data to some of the modems. Many looked like the old ATDT commands you send a dialup modem. Many ISP have very specific strings that must be sent. Now this was a USB modem I really have no idea with these hotspot type of things.

Herc08 · Aug 6, 2016

I went ahead and picked up a Asus RT-AC56U for $65. It has 4G usb capability, and if doesn't work, I will flash it with the GoldernOrb firmware. And if that still does not work, I will just bridge it using ICS. It sucks, but hopefully I will at least be able to get 10-15mbps which is what I am used to with my old cable provider, instead of 2.7mbps.

Herc08 · Aug 11, 2016

So, I received my ASUS router, and still no go. I flahsed with GoldenOrb to make it a ROOter and, again, no go. I am not sure what to do. Been searching for routers with SIM card slots, but these things are expensive. I will keep searching. Really do not want do an ICS bridge.

Herc08 · Aug 12, 2016

So I finally figured out how to USB tether my Netgear Aircard 781S (AT&T Unite Pro) to my router.

First I picked up the ASUS RT-AC56U router from Amazon. They ranged between $50-90 used/new. Then downloaded the ASUS-Merlin 380 firmware. I flashed the firmware, and just ran through the setup. I went to LAN settings and changed the IP address to 10.0.0.1 Next, I connected my hot spot and it detected that it was a Netgear. I clicked on "Setup" and then select Auto-Detect, Then once it was finished, it was finally connected. I can now go into another room and maintain a ~45mbps connection, which is way better than 5-10mbps.

Hope this helps someone else who may have an ASUS router or the 781S and want to try and get the best WiFi possible.

ILovFriday · Jan 12, 2017

Herc08 :

Thank you for sharing this - it helped me figure out how to tether my Verizon AC791L to a router...

Herc08 · Jan 12, 2017

ILovFriday :

Herc08 :

Thank you for sharing this - it helped me figure out how to tether my Verizon AC791L to a router...

No problem, glad I could help.

MikeMaxx · Mar 19, 2017

Herc08 :

Sorry for dredging up this older post, but it seems like the closest description to my situation and would keep the information provided for the solution here without re-posting, causing a whirlpool of searching.

My setup, iPad Pro with T-Mobile SIM and tethering enabled via USB, ASUS RT-N66R router, Various FWs available and tried(ROOTer,DD, Open, Merlin, Tomato), but no specific configuration discovered that has worked,
My wish: Cell based tetherd hotspot attached to the N66 to serve the Ethernet only devices without involving ICS on a PC.

Your post referenced going into setup on the Merlin FW. Merlin didn't offer iphone tethering that I was able to find, but DD-WRT did. What were the settings you selected to get this working? I can swap FW to get access on the N66.

You also mention changing the LAN IP to 10.0.0.1. Did you select this IP in relation to something on the Netgear setup, or another reason?

The closest I've come is to get the Trust challenge message to pop up on my iPad, then nothing. I'm not recognizing any new port established on the N66 that might relate to the iPad Pro. What did yours look like (WWAN,Lan0)?

The GoldenOrb FW wouldn't install correctly onto the N66, maybe a difference in their Australian version (if there is one) of the device or a Noob mistake on my part.

Herc08 · Mar 20, 2017

MikeMaxx :

Herc08 :

Sorry for dredging up this older post, but it seems like the closest description to my situation and would keep the information provided for the solution here without re-posting, causing a whirlpool of searching.

My setup, iPad Pro with T-Mobile SIM and tethering enabled via USB, ASUS RT-N66R router, Various FWs available and tried(ROOTer,DD, Open, Merlin, Tomato), but no specific configuration discovered that has worked,
My wish: Cell based tetherd hotspot attached to the N66 to serve the Ethernet only devices without involving ICS on a PC.

Your post referenced going into setup on the Merlin FW. Merlin didn't offer iphone tethering that I was able to find, but DD-WRT did. What were the settings you selected to get this working? I can swap FW to get access on the N66.

You also mention changing the LAN IP to 10.0.0.1. Did you select this IP in relation to something on the Netgear setup, or another reason?

The closest I've come is to get the Trust challenge message to pop up on my iPad, then nothing. I'm not recognizing any new port established on the N66 that might relate to the iPad Pro. What did yours look like (WWAN,Lan0)?

The GoldenOrb FW wouldn't install correctly onto the N66, maybe a difference in their Australian version (if there is one) of the device or a Noob mistake on my part.

Hi Mike,

So, it's been a while since I had this set up. I moved and got Cox cable. However, I changed my router's IP address because it was the same for my hotspot (192.168.1.1), and you can't have to network IDs on the same network. As far as the iPad, I'm not sure. You have to remember that Android is open source, so it's easier for a device to find it as a modem. I am not sure if the N66 is supported for Merlin as well. I still would recomend Merlin and do the auto set up so it can detect it. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

jchi22101 · May 26, 2017

I also hate to drag up this old post but you seem pretty knowledgeable and quick to respond.

I have a samsung galaxy s7 edge and I have unlimited tethering and unlimited mobile hotspot at 4G LTE speeds. I was wondering if this setup will work with my phone? I want to be able to tether my phone to a router so that the router can produce Wifi and the router gets the data from my phone. I'm pretty willing to purchase anything as I would like to have a long term solution. We don't get very good internet service out here other than on our cell phones (about 30mbps). Any help would be appreciated!

Herc08 · May 26, 2017

Just like I told Mike, not sure if it will work for you. But the ASUS RT56u router worked well for me. I even use it now that I have a direct landline connection. It really is plug and play. The only thing I recommend is to change your default gateway on your router since your mobile device probably has it at 192.168.1.1. But that should work. I got my used for $95, but it was worth it. If it fails, I probably will just upgrade to a higher tiered ASUS router because I trust that brand (sorry Belkin).

koebelen22 · Dec 4, 2017

Herc08 :

Hey im having issues connecting my galaxy s7 edge to Asus router and it seems like yall know the most about doing this. I tethered it to the router and all the lights are on like it is working and getting data from the phone but when connecting devices it says no internet connection. Contacted asus and they sent me to Samsung which then sent me to Verizon which a cool guy there said maybe would have to root it if there is something closing a port but was going to see if y'all maybe knew what to do?

Tether Mobile Hotspot to Router [SOLVED]

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Titan

Distinguished

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Commendable

Distinguished

Prominent

Distinguished

Prominent

Distinguished

Prominent

Share this page