A USB modem offers another method to connect wirelessly to the Internet. USB modems, marketed by cell phone companies, run off of a specific carrier's network and offer Internet connectivity anywhere that has a phone signal. USB modems allow you to connect to the Internet without needing a wireless router, landline modem or wireless PCI card, and can allow you to take your Internet on the road with you. Modems come with software and, like any other computer component, must meet certain hardware criteria. Refer to the specific USB modem's manual to see if your computer meets the requirements.