WiFi is available for free in so many public places that Internet access via a UMTS mobile cellular system would appear to be unnecessary. However, a Raspberry Pi with a UMTS stick can create a personal hotspot that creates independence from public WiFi networks.
A UMTS router splits mobile data connections among several devices. Using a Raspberry Pi and a UMTS stick, you can construct your own UMTS router. These router systems are commercially available at a low cost, starting at $45.
They use a SIM card for mobile access to the Internet and typically generate a WiFi network for up to five devices at one time. Differences in price are based on the capacity of the integrated battery, the quality of the workmanship, and the user interface. Many models come with an integrated OLED display that lets you see information about the status of various operations.
Some manufacturers market very inexpensive devices like the TP Link TL-MR3020 [1] as a mobile router, but if you look at the fine print for this type of router, you will learn that you need your own UMTS USB stick to use the device. With this state of affairs, why not just bypass the inexpensive devices and use your own UMTS stick to create a mobile router? The Raspberry Pi has no problems with this task with the right equipment. Because the Rasp Pi itself is more expensive than off-the-shelf mobile routers, the Rasp Pi router cannot compete in terms of price, but if you already have a Rasp Pi at hand, then the price comparison looks quite different.
[...]
US / Canada
UK / Australia
A network of access points consisting of several Raspberry Pi computers provides an economical way to establish reliable WiFi access, even in difficult-to-reach areas. The resulting coverage is good enough that you can freely roam, even with latency-sensitive applications like video chat.
With a WiFi stick and a few simple steps, you can turn your Raspberry Pi into a Tor proxy that will route all Internet connections from your home network over the anonymous Tor network.
The BPi-R1 is an attractive and affordable combination of switch, access point, and server. We look at how this Banana Pi-based router performs.
Integrated Bluetooth and WiFi are important additions to the Raspberry Pi 3. We show you three different methods for adding your Pi to a wireless LAN.
The Raspberry Pi 3 changes the game with its fast, 64-bit CPU and support for WiFi and Bluetooth.
Price $15.99
(incl. VAT)