Probably, every tablet owner is familiar with a situation where the Internet is urgently needed, and there is not a single Wi-Fi signal nearby. In this case, only the modem and the 3G module help. But if you don’t have the latter, don’t be upset, because most modern tablets can work with the modem through an ordinary OTG cable. How to connect an Android tablet to a 3G modem? Read about it later in our article.
Modem Properties
First, a few words about what this device is. 3G-modem - a transmitting and receiving element, which serves to exchange data via a radio channel. Each 3G modem is connected to its mobile operator.
According to their capabilities, these elements are capable of transmitting information at speeds up to several megabits per second. In addition, unlike cable Internet, the modem network “catches” almost everywhere where there is mobile communication. Therefore, such devices are indispensable for those who travel frequently and travel on business trips. Some tablets have their own connector - a module for reading SIM-cards. In this case, the tablet itself works as a modem, without additional settings (except for the basic ones). The communication range itself can be the most diverse - WCDMA, UMTS, HSDPA, as well as HSPA +. But if there is no such module, you have to work hard to connect the modem to the gadget via the OTG cable. In principle, the connection speed and data transfer quality are the same in both cases. The only difference is that without a module for SIM cards you have to connect the modem directly through a short cable to the device, and this causes some inconvenience with frequent use of the Internet.
Tablet Features
Let's find out what elements a modern modem consists of. This element includes two main components: a flash drive that stores data for the connection, as well as the 3G module itself. And if laptops and PCs automatically recognize these two details, then tablets most often see the modem as an ordinary USB flash drive. In order for your gadget to recognize it correctly, you need to make a few simple manipulations. We will talk about them in the following paragraphs. By the way, on almost all tablets like Android tablet 3G-modem USB type is connected via OTG cable. This is a universal USB cable with which the gadget can recognize and read any flash drives, make and copy any information.
How to connect a 3G modem to Android? We switch to the modem only mode
There are two main ways by which you can adjust its operation in the right direction. Consider the first one. To do this, we need a 3GSW program and a computer. Download this utility on your PC. Next, insert the modem into the connector and open the program. In the menu that appears, click the "only modem" button and click on exit. As you can see, the method is quite simple. However, it has one significant minus - it does not work on all modems. In this regard, we consider an alternative method of transferring to the "only modem" mode.
To do this, we again need a computer and Internet access. Download a trial version of the HyperTerminal utility. Next, connect the modem to the computer, start the Windows device manager . In the list of equipment we find our 3G element and go to its properties. How to connect the Android tablet to the 3G modem further? Next, select the “modem” button and rewrite the speed and port number. After we start HyperTerminal and specify the name of the connection in the connections (it can be arbitrary). Then in the new window we enter the rewritten port number, connection speed and click “ok”. In the tab that opens, write the command "ate1", and then "at ^ u2diag = 0". We wait while the answer is “ok”, turn off the modem.
Root rights
In order for our modem to work correctly in the future, we need to open Root rights. What it is? Root is the login to enter the user account. In this case, this is the “admin”. Simply put, these rights give us all the administrator’s capabilities (as in the Windows OS):
- Editing system files.
- The right to change the visual design of the Android OS, replace shortcuts.
- Saving and changing settings of system applications, as well as their backup.
- The right to remove old and install new applications.
Connecting a 3G modem to Android - how to get administrator rights?
The first method is the most popular - its essence is to use certain programs. However, it should be noted that they all have their own list and their limited number of supported devices. The most popular of them:
- Kingo Android Root.
- Unlock Root Pro.
- Super One Click (ideal for Android 4.0 operating systems).
3G-modem can be connected in another way. It consists in using android applications. The main advantage of this method is the lack of the need to use a personal computer, as in the first method. The entire process of rutting is performed using only the tablet itself, without additional devices. The most popular android applications for rooting:
- Universal AndRoot.
- Z4root.
- Framaroot.
It is worth noting that most programs of this type use system vulnerabilities - exploits to obtain administrator rights. Because of this, anti-virus programs installed on the tablet can perceive the operation of these utilities as a threat and block their action. However, this is not so - all programs are absolutely safe and harmless (of course, provided that you download them on sites you know).
The next method will be to install the firmware with administrator rights activated. Most often, in addition to Root rights, they have a number of other improved modifications. The most popular utility of them is CyanogenMod.
This program allows you not only to expand user rights, but also makes it possible to change all system settings. It:
- Status bar.
- Quick Settings Panel.
- Topics.
- Lock screen.
- Buttons on the external control panel.
- Panel and navigation bar.
- Arranging external shortcuts.
- Expansion screen.
- Sound settings, music effects.
- Profile and screen configuration.
- Language settings and input.
- Additional menu with device parameters.
- Clock widgets, event indicators, and many, many other useful features.
Change the tablet settings for working with a modem
So, we already have administrator rights. How to connect the Android tablet to the 3G modem further? To do this, we need to download the RRP Widget application in the “Play Market” and install it on the gadget. To make it more convenient for us to work, we create on the desktop a small shortcut with the installed program.
Next, on the utility developer’s website, we find the driver specifically for your brand and tablet model. The driver must be placed in the folder at the address "sdcard / pppwidget / lib". Then we connect the modem using the OTG cable and go to the settings menu of the PPP Widget widget.
We find the “Connection Settings” section and prescribe all the settings that were provided by your operator (access point, etc.). We save the settings and try to connect to the Internet. After reconnecting the modem, the Internet should appear on the tablet. Also on the main background, a small “3G” icon will appear on top, as shown in the photo below:
What to do if the Internet does not appear?
In this case, you must determine whether the modem is in the list of supported for your tablet. If it is incompatible, you will have to replace the modem with another one that is on this list.
Conclusion
So, we found out how to connect an Android tablet to a 3G modem with our own hands. As you can see, you can configure and connect the modem to the gadget in a few minutes. But most importantly, in order to connect Android 3G-modem USB, you do not need to have special knowledge in the computer field or special tools.