How To: Connect USB Modem Or Data Card To Android Tablet

Written by vshall | December 24, 2011 | 216

You just purchased new Android Tablet. and don’t know how to connect usb modem to android Tablet to access internet with it? Or having Tablet without inbuilt 3G sim connectivity and wanted to connect your Data card/ USB modem to it, if it is so then this is small guide to all of those who wanted to access internet via USB data card modem whether its 3G data card or any CDMA EVDO data card.

If you have purchased any Android Tablet which has no inbuilt 3G sim support. You can connect any 3G or CDMA USB modem/Data card with any sim with various operator like Tata photon, Reliance Netconnect, MTS, Airtel, Reliance, Tata Docomo or BSNL to that tablet with USB port to access high-speed internet.

Currently in market there are many Android Tablet available with USB port but with no 3G support sim. Tablet like HCL Me X-1, Aakash tablet or Ubislate7, iberry tablet, Acer iconia BSNL penta tablet or almost any Tablet which doesn’t have any inbuilt sim functionality, but USB port is available. Can be connected to any data card or USB modem to access internet with following procedure. Here is a list of USB modem Data card which are supported and can be connected to any Android tablet. Technically any USB modem can be connected to Android Tablet.

Model No.	Make	Type Of Network
AC2737	ZTE	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
AC2736	ZTE	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
EC-150	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
EC-152	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
EC-156	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
EC-1261	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
MF-190	ZTE	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
EC-1262	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
E-169G	Huawaie	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
E176G	Huawaie	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
X230E	Alcatel One Touch	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
LW272	Teracom	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
EC1260	Huawaie	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)
E-1732	Huawaie	WCDMA/3G/EDGE(AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA,BSNL,TATA DOCOMO)
AC2726	ZTE	EVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)

How to connect usb modem to android Procedure : You need Any Android Tablet with USB port or Mini USB port ( You need USB Dongle adapter) .

You may also consider this tutorial which explain how to connect USB modem to Google Nexus 7 tablet or any Android tablet with PPP widget app.

Press the Menu Button on your Android tablet.

Select the “Settings” option from main menu: After select the “Wireless & Networks” option from first row. Make sure that Wi-fi is not connected if connected uncheck it. because wi-fi and 3G and internet dongle cannot be operated simultaneously. Now Connect your USB data card dongle to tablet using the USB port or USB dongle adapter. Enable 3G option by selecting the “3G” option from same menu. Wait for 1-2 min after which the signal strength will show up on the status bar on left side of the battery status indicator. If no signal bar appear on tablet even after 2-3 min then remove USB data card and check if sim is inserted properly then re insert it again. or try after sometime. Now Select “Mobile Networks” from menu. Now Select “Access Point Names” from menu. Make sure that “Data enabled” option is switched on. If not, switch it on by selecting the same. If you are using roaming sim then you also need to select and switch on the “Data roaming” option. After selection of “Access Point Names” option blank screen will be displayed like this. Now Press “Menu” button.. Now Select “New APN” option and insert your network provider given details same like GPRS setting. Given below of all operators setting.

Mobile Operator	Name	APN ( Access point}	password
Airtel (3G / 2G)	Mobile office	airtelgprs.com	-
Vodafone (3G/2G)	vodafone internet	www
idea (3G/2G)	internet	internet
Tata Docomo (3G/2G)	Tata	TATA.DOCOMO.INTERNET
BSNL (3G/2G)	Bsnl	bsnlnet
MTNL (3G/2G)	MTNL	gprsppsmum (mumbai) gprsppsdelhi (delhi) contact customer care.
Aircel (3G/2G)	Aircel GPRS	aircelgprs
Reliance (3G/2G)	Rcomnet	rcomnet or blank

After entering operator details like access point press “Menu” and press save.

Now you can see the APN you just created in the list of APNs like this picture.

Now enable it by pressing round radio button next to it. If enabled radio button will glow green as shown here.

Around 1-2 minute’s later the APN is enabled, the status bar will show the 3G logo like this. This 3G logo indicates that the internet connection has been successfully established.

Your Android Tablet is now connected to the internet. Now you can surf internet from browser of Tablet. If you are not able to connect internet after enabling 3G option then switch it off and switch it on again after 1 min.

Video tutorial on how to connect USB modem to Android tablet :

Tata Photon, MTS, Reliance Netconnect users can use this settings: Create new profile and name it “Tata” or anything of your choice. in APN setting fill #777. In User name and password setting fill input setting provided by your operator. Leave everything blank in all other setting and connect it using that profile. MTS customers: User name: internet@internet.mtsindia.in. password: MTS Note: for all information related to MCC, MNC, Brand, Operator and Bands (MHz) of your mobile operator for any country check this link.

If you want to connect USB modem to Google Nexus 7 tablet or any Android tablet including jelly bean Os then Click here.

Filed in: How-To's/Guides

Gurpreet Singh

This tutorial is not working for me. When I connect my bsnl data card with my Domo slate x3d, there is no signal shown on the tablet whereas the data card light goes green indicating that the data card is receiving signals. I think there is no support for android devices by the companies selling the data cards. VERY SAD!!.
- Gauravbabaria1
  
  gurpreet i ve recently found it ensure you connect data card in host instead of otg its working on my n9 tablet. with super fast speed.
Anonymous

This system does not work. The android tablet does not recognise the Usb modem. I have an andorid 2.3 ta0blet and Tata Photon Plus V-ME 101 – olive dongle. The tablet does not recognise the dongle/modem at all. There is no signal strength.

The drivers for the dongle for android are not available. I checked with Tata Photon and they say that currently they do not have anything for Android.

I have tried everything… as stated above but to no avail.

If anyone has a solution.. pls let me know..

I believe that there is an andorid based usb dongle for 3G available separetly. It is available for Rs.2000/- ( quite expensive) and youhave to provide your sim card. A rather expensive option for those who have already invested in the 3G or USB dongles otherwise.
Sunil

In the list for one of the dongle models is mentioned - EC1260HHuawaieEVDO CDMA(Tata Photon, Reliance Netconnect)Does it mean that only tablets which support cdma would work to connect the dongle or gsm and cdma either would workPlease clarify
- Teletechnologyin
  
  please note that modem work with any tablet is also depend on manufacturer of tablet which officially support that modem connection. that means if your tablet manufacturer officially display supported modem list then those modem will only work 100%. other modem may get connected but not 100% sure. because other modem and tablet firmware need to match. if it matches then you may connect that modem too. HCL Me X-1 has v1.9 firmware. EC1260 is supported modem it should be get connected to any HCl android tablet with android 2.2 or later version. yes and one more thing any tablet do not restrict you to cdma modem only. you can connect any CDMA or GSM modem if it is supported by that tablet. my 1 friend use Tata photon and idea netsetter in HCL Me X-1.
  - Sajo KJ
    
    I tried Reliance Boardband + and its not working.
  - Sunil
    
    Thankyou for replying
    
    You mentioned about HCL X1 , but would Photon plus connect with HCL AM7A1 too?
    
    If yes how?
  - Umakant_228
    
    sir, i need your help for connecting same ,i am facing this prob. since last one month. Please contact on :-09980158358 Umakant
  - Nirajsnh737
    
    sir, i have also the same problem. i have a tata photon of olive manufacturer which doesn,t work with hcl me tab. give me any solution, waiting for ur reply.
  - Goodysunny
    
    hi
    
    Thanks for elaborate reply
    
    Can you please confirm whether HCL AM7A1 works with Tata Photon?
    - A Rangrej
      
      Hi Sunil any luck on connecting AM7 A1 , if yes please mail me how to do it on my mail id :-a.rangrej@gmail.com
  - Ronypaul2007
    
    Can you please give me the settings of Mblaze for my HCL ME U-1
  - Sunil
    
    I understand
    
    What is firmware for HCL ME AM7A1 ,
    Would it connect to E1260 modem?
    - Sunil
      
      You mentioned that EC1260 can get connected to any HCL pad
      
      So for photon modem EC1260 , what would be settings for APN?
http://www.facebook.com/aditlal Adit Lal

I have a ZTE Ac2737 Reliance Netconnect usb dongle , but the Apn method is asking me to enter all details like mcc , mnc etc
- http://www.teletechnology.in veeshaal pokharkar
  
  as i said earlier u do not need to input all in setting just fill out APN name and user name and password all other field can leave blank.
  in case of CDMA modem input #777 as APN name.
- Plasticmindsubstance
  
  were you able to connnect with ac2737
Chits98

I have a Tata Photon and am trying to connect my tablet using that. What do you mean by “Create Profile”? The “New APN” option doesn’t allow me to leave the APN blank, so am not sure what i did wrong….
- Vshall
  
  input #777 as APN name. user name: internet pass:internet
  - http://www.facebook.com/itsvikramthakur Vikram Thakur
    
    It works but we need to switch off Wifi option on tab. – Vikram
Sunil

hi

Can this procedure be used even in HCL ME AM7A1 (which has usb socket through connector wire)
Ranjeet meher

Dear Vishal,
Is there a router to connect Tata photon / Reliance connect and have a wifi accessible by android tab/ phones ?
Sanjeev41178

hello, i purchase tiawan tablet which work on android 2.2. i unable to connect vodafone dongle in it. ZTE make model no. is K3770-Z. In tablet modem support list, there is no name of in this list. please help me how can i connect this modem.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JYGNR245VKDO3EOKNY3WC3UK5U Soham

I am going to buy the Zinglife 10 inch tablet which has both mini and usb 2.0 ports as well as a broadband rj45 port with a network adapter. Now can i use the BSNL EVDO (CDMA) data service in that tablet? If yes, should i follow the above steps like 3g and enable 3g? or will i have to do something else? will be highly grateful if you answer… Need this really bad…
Thanking you,
Soham Bhattacharyya
xeonese@yahoo.com
- http://www.teletechnology.in veeshaal pokharkar
  
  In case of any CDMA EVDO service you do not need to configure APN or access point setting. just create profile with any name i.e Bsnl and just fill out user name and password given by BSNL. you can fill out any thing in APN setting or leave it blank if it allows to do so. i dont know user name and password of bsnl cdma but i am using MTS which has user name like internet@mtsindia.in and no password, do same what bsnl provided and connect it. Reply here if you get connected.
- Vshall
  
  In case of any CDMA EVDO service you do not need to configure APN or access point setting. just create profile with any name i.e Bsnl and just fill out user name and password given by BSNL. you can fill out any thing in APN setting or leave it blank if it allows to do so. i dont know user name and password of bsnl cdma but i am using MTS which has user name like internet@mtsindia.in and no password, do same what bsnl provided and connect it. Reply here if you get connected.
  - Guest
    
    the password is MTS
T.Sai Swaroop

I have Domo Slate N8 3G Tablet,I want to connect to internet through tataphoton + device EC-156 Huawaie.But my internet device is not listed in my tablet ,kindly help me.

Regards
T.Sai Swaroop
swaroop.infi@gmail:disqus .com
- http://www.teletechnology.in veeshaal pokharkar
  
  well for connecting tata photon you must configure your tab. just create any profile name like Tata photon and leave access point or apn field blank. just enter user name and password provided by Tata photon which you always dial when connecting photon device from pc. then dial that connection thats it.
- Vshall
  
  In case of any CDMA EVDO service you do not need to configure APN or access point setting. just create profile with any name i.e Bsnl and just fill out user name and password given by BSNL. you can fill out any thing in APN setting or leave it blank if it allows to do so. i dont know user name and password of bsnl cdma but i am using MTS which has user name like internet@mtsindia.in and no password, do same what bsnl provided and connect it. Reply here if you get connected.
  - Vikram
    
    i followed the procedure mentioned by you on my HCL ME X1 tablet and Tata Photon plus. Initially i could access the net but now when i am connecting it 2nd time it doesn’t show 3G sign and doesn’t connect with the net. Pls help.
    - Hakerzbrain
      
      change netsetter software
      - Vikram
        
        please explore…
      - Santosh
        
        I’m not seeing 3G option in my tablet. I’m using Acer Iconia A500 Tablet.
      - Blitz Bharat
        
        Same proble, please help with acer A500,will be greatful.
      - Mitesh Agarwal
        
        I have the same problem with the Acer Iconia A500 Tablet…Can someone help – it will be of great use to many…
      - Pjignesh7
        
        Hi Mitesh,
        
        Are you able to resolve the issue of CDMA / 2G / 3G dongle connectivity with the ACER ICONIA A500? Pls. do let me know….pjignesh7@gmail.com.
      - TeleTechnologyin
        
        Iconia A500 wont work with this method i will try to add procedure for this tablet in 2-3 days.
      - Pjignesh7
        
        Dear Friend, Please let me know once you are able to through with the process to connect Huawei EC1260 modem with ACER ICONIA A500. Many thanks in advance.
      - Pjignesh7
        
        Dear Friend, Please let me know once you are able to through with the process to connect Huawei EC1260 modem with ACER ICONIA A500. Many thanks in advance.
      - TeleTechnologyin
        
        Iconia A500 wont work with this metod i will try to add procedure for this tablet in 2-3 days.
      - Srikricha
        
        I got Acer A500 can some one tell me how to connect using Reliance data card. I do not have the 3G option in my tablet
      - TeleTechnologyin
        
        can u able to connect with any method? i think Iconia A500 wont work with this metod i will try to add procedure for this tablet in 2-3 days.
      - sheetal
        
        i am also having same problem with my samsung tab 10.1
    - aleem
      
      here also same problem but in reliance netconnect … 1st connected then 2nd time not working …. please leave brief answers friends……
  - Xcellent Dey
    
    vshall i have a domoslate and a MTS DATA CARD, please let me know how to connect those.
  - Issac_biju
    
    I have HCL Me Tablet X1, and i’m using BSNL EV-DO AC8700 800M.
    when i connect it to tablet, it shows signal baar but does not shows any signal.
    it asks for APN. I’ve put the APN, User ID and Password but it is not connecting to net.
    how do i know if the EV-Do is connected??
    Pls Help.
  - robert
    
    i am using reliance net connect mg880+ .then how to connect it with my hcl me tab u1
- Gauravbabaria1
  
  hi as i ve called several time these manufacturer guy i ve got the solution try inserting dongle but 3g dongle in host instead of otg it works and No tata photon app is not supported.