How-To Roundup: Modem Tethering

Wireless carriers are caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, they want to sell you shiny new broadband PC card and ExpressCard upgrades for your laptop, and charge you $59 per month or more for the privilege of using them. On the other hand, they also want to sell you smartphones with expensive data plans—which in turn negate the need for the broadband cards.

Surely they don't expect you to pay twice for two different data pipes when you only need one? Fortunately, they don't. In most cases, you can use your current smartphone as a broadband modem for your laptop. It will likely cost more than you're currently paying, but still less than the exorbitant cost of broadband access plans.

There are many benefits to tethering your modem to your laptop. You no longer have to hunt around for free WiFi hotspots (which may or may not work) or paid hotspots (which cost too much and require separate accounts with multiple providers). You also don't have to worry about WiFi security. Since your line is private and tied to your carrier, no one can sniff your data or read your passwords. In fact, while tethering your smartphone, you can turn your laptop's hardware WiFi radio switch off.

"Sounds great," you say. "But isn't it tough to set up?" Granted, it's not a cakewalk. But the process is something anyone with a spare hour and the right instructions can accomplish. That's where we come in. Here at Smart Device Central, we've produced five how-to articles, broken down by carrier and laptop OS, to show exactly what you need to know.

Back when we first conceived of this series of articles, I wrote two columns offering my own thoughts and opinions on the process (see "Modem Madness" and "Modem Tethering Wrap-Up: Clumsy but Workable"), plus another in late 2008. Since that time several months ago, a few new handsets have been released, but the general principals remain intact. With that, here's what you need to get started:

Use your AT&T Phone as a Modem: If you find yourself caught between hotspots, or don't feel like paying for access, here's how to tether your AT&T smartphone to your laptop PC as a modem. (Updated w/late 2008 edition)

Use Your Verizon Phone As a Modem: Fly solo at EV-DO speeds with your laptop, without having to locate or pay for a WiFi hotspot. (Updated w/late 2008 edition)

Use Your T-Mobile Phone as a Modem: Connect your laptop to your smartphone to get the most out of your unlimited data plan. (Updated w/late 2008 edition)

Use Your Sprint Phone as a Modem: Here's how to take advantage of Sprint's ultra-fast data network when using your laptop PC on the go. (Updated w/late 2008 edition)

Tether Your Smartphone To Your Mac: Got an Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, or older Macintosh laptop? Here's how to surf the Internet using your smartphone as a modem.

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