RBK53 — Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi System - how to connect the router to AT&T mobile hotspot

[Ramroka]

Hi - i have purchsed an Orbi RBR53|AC3000 tri-band wifi system (1 RBR50 router + 2 satellites) to extend the wifi range outside my house. I have an AT&T mobile hotspot through which i connect to the internet and all my devies are connected via wifi to the mobile hotspot. I do not have wired internet access as my area is not in the service area of ISPs.

1) I realize that the only way to get internet to the orbi router is through an ethernet cable. Is this correct?

2) Is there a way to connect the orbi router to mobile hotspot? 

3) If RBR53 is not the right product for my usecase, any suggestions of other products i should use?

Thanx 

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

Yes, the Orbi must connect to the Internet through an Ethernet cable.  There are cellular modems which provide an Ethernet connection for just this purpose.  For example, this one from Netgear: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=asc_df_B01N5ASNTE/?t...

It claims to work with AT&T.  My guess is you would move the SIM card from your AT&T hotspot to a device like this.  (I have no personal experience with such modems.)

A mobile "hot spot" which is intended to provide WiFi to nearby devices, is a different product which is not intended to connect to a WiFi system like the Orbi.  Not a chance.

Whether Orbi is the right WiFi product depends on how much of a "footprint" you want to create and what expectations you have about performance.

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

Yes, the Orbi must connect to the Internet through an Ethernet cable.  There are cellular modems which provide an Ethernet connection for just this purpose.  For example, this one from Netgear: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=asc_df_B01N5ASNTE/?t...

It claims to work with AT&T.  My guess is you would move the SIM card from your AT&T hotspot to a device like this.  (I have no personal experience with such modems.)

A mobile "hot spot" which is intended to provide WiFi to nearby devices, is a different product which is not intended to connect to a WiFi system like the Orbi.  Not a chance.

Whether Orbi is the right WiFi product depends on how much of a "footprint" you want to create and what expectations you have about performance.

[Chuck_M]

I am thinking that you could use a Windows 10 PC as a hub of sorts and share the internet connection although I have never tried it.

PC connects wirelessly to access point

Orbi connects to PC via LAN with PC as gateway

I am not sure it would work, but would be a fun experiment to try.

[Ramroka]

Thanx for your response and suggestion. I am ordering the Netgear Cellular modem and will try your suggestion.

[Ramroka]

Thanx for your response and suggestion. I have tried your suggestion, but could not get it to work.

i get the message the router is not connected to the internet, as i guess, i do not have an active ethernet connection to the router.

[Chuck_M]

Did you connect to the network via the wireless and then connect the Orbi and then "Share" the internet connection on the windows machine?