Mobile broadband modem

The PC needs to send a special telephone number to the phone to get access to the packet data connection.

From the PC's viewpoint, the connection still looks like a normal PPP dial-up link, but it is all terminating on the phone, which then handles the exchange of data with the network.

The first personal computer with a built-in mobile broadband modem was the ITC 286 CAT, a laptop by Intelligence Technology Corporation.

These wireless modems are typically in the form of a small USB based device or a small, portable mobile hotspot that acts as a WiFi access point (hotspot) to enable multiple devices to connect to the internet.

Early 3G mobile broadband modems used the PCMCIA or ExpressCard ports, commonly found on legacy laptops.

The expression "connect card" (instead of connection card) had been registered and used the first time by Vodafone as brand for its products but now is become a brandnomer or genericized trademark used in colloquial or commercial speech for similar product, made by different manufacturers, too.

It is possible to use online unlocking services that will remove the 'lock' so the device accepts SIM cards from any network.

[7] Numerous smartphones support the Hayes command set and therefore can be used as a mobile broadband modem.

Smartphones with built-in Wi-Fi also typically provide routing and wireless access point facilities.