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Could I replace my Comcast internet with this? Is there a way to buy a "modem" that will plug into my existing router via ethernet? Does anyone know?

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T-Mobile won't allow you to tether a phone that uses this package, so they presumably wouldn't allow another device to share the package.

Src: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/08/t-mobiles-service-to-...

They use SIM cards, right? Just pop the card in a 4G USB stick and you are done.

Sure, but that's against the rules.

Huh? How could there be rules against that? That seems weird. I'm not aware of any such rules in Germany. If you have a SIM card you can do with it whatever you want.

Well, I guess T-Mobile USA ain't the same. One of the rules you agree to when you sign up for this plan is that you won't use the SIM card in a modem.

How do they know? IMEI?

I've heard that they do deep packet inspection so if they see e.g. a desktop Chrome user agent, they know you're not on a phone. Sounds excessive, but it could be true. (And yes, you could probably find ways around that, but I'm not sure what the goal is here.)

If you want a portable data service for your laptop, this is not the plan for you. I was using Clear (Sprint WiMAX) for a while and it was relatively cheap and fast. Only downside is the limited coverage area -- check the map before you buy.

I have heard rumors that they use the TCP TTL field to detect tethering, regardless of device type. If you open a connection from a tethered device, the TTL field will be one count smaller than if the connection originated on the device itself. (This assumes that all devices being used have the same default TTL).

Ref: http://netmgt.blogspot.com/2011/03/detecting-obscuring-tethe...

Most cellular modems are USB devices, intended to be plugged into (laptop) computers.

You should be able to use something like the awesome ASUS WL-330N3G credit-card sized 3G router (http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/WL330N3G/), once 4G-capable versions become available. Which I really hope they will.

Of course, you could also replace your router with a 4G USB-capable one.

Could you point me to an example of a 4G USB-capable router with ethernet ports?

For some reason my searches are failing.

Look at the "Cradlepoint" brand, such as:

http://www.cradlepoint.com/products/mbr1000

I'm sure you can then find some similar offerings.

I use this one: http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?categoryid=218&#...

It has to be restarted every couple of days and the wireless signal is not very strong, but I found is acceptable for my usage.

There's Clear Internet http://www.clear.com/ but I've heard mixed reviews.

4G for home/office is at http://www.clear.com/devices/hubs

Clear internet is absolute crap. Simply not going to replace wired broadband.

You could use Windows Internet Connection Sharing.

Right-click the connection on your computer, share it, and then plug the ethernet cable from your computer into your router.

I did this once on Verizon Wireless when our DSL went out. I got a bill for $700 in data overages.

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