USB Mobile Broadband Dongles for Laptops – a Real Help for Being Always Online
When there’s no Wi-Fi around, using a 4G LTE / 5G cellular USB dongle for laptop to access the Internet from your PC is a good solution. The connection speeds mobile network providers offer nowadays are more than enough for you to even enjoy video streaming. Actually, many times a 4G / 5G mobile broadband connection is faster than some Wi-Fi hotspots!
You will be able to use this cellular data connection via the USB dongle on your Windows laptop to access the Internet. You can also combine it with a Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet or tethered phone connection using the Speedify app. Speedify is the only app that can combine multiple internet sources into one bonded super-connection for more stable and secure live streaming, video calling, and web browsing.
With that said, in this article, we are going to walk you through the steps to access the Internet through a 4G / 5G USB dongle from your Windows laptop.
Quick answer
Should you have a backup 4G, 5G, Starlink, or cable internet connection?
Yes — every internet connection goes down, including Starlink, which drops for ~34 minutes a day on average. A backup connection from a different provider means one outage never takes you fully offline. The most common options are a 4G/5G cellular hotspot, a cable or DSL line, or a second satellite dish.
4G/5G cellular
Works anywhere. Just a SIM or hotspot — no installation needed.
Learn more →Cable / DSL
Best for fixed locations. Different network, so outages rarely overlap.
Learn more →Second Starlink
Adds redundancy and throughput for remote sites or heavy usage.
Learn more →Speedify bonds any two connections into one — automatic failover, more speed, no dropped calls.
Try free →Speedify
Speedify gives you faster, steadier internet by combining Wi-Fi, cellular, and Starlink
Speedify bonds Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, and Starlink into one connection at the same time, giving you more speed, automatic failover when one drops, and AES-256 encryption on every link.
Download Speedify ›More speed
Upload and download speeds combine across every active connection on your device.
Automatic failover
If a connection drops, Speedify moves your traffic to another in milliseconds. Calls stay connected.
Always encrypted
Every link runs through an encrypted tunnel, including public Wi-Fi, cellular, and Starlink.
Speedify Feature · Pair & Share
Speedify Pair & Share: share cellular between your devices, both ways
Most hotspots give. Speedify's Pair & Share gives and takes. Two devices running Speedify pair up and each uses the other's cellular connection simultaneously, so you both get faster uploads, faster downloads, and a steadier connection. No extra hardware, no new data plans, no setup beyond a tap.
Learn how Speedify's Pair & Share works ›More speed
Every device you pair with adds its cellular to yours, and yours to theirs.
Stays connected
If a paired device drops out, Speedify keeps you online on the remaining links.
Always private
Every shared connection runs through AES-256 encryption. Your traffic is yours.
No new gear
Runs on devices already running Speedify, over your local network. Pair once, reconnects automatically.
Guide to Setup Your 4G LTE / 5G Cellular Dongle for Laptop PC to Access the Internet
Step 1: Install your 4G / 5G USB dongle on your laptop PC.
Connect the dongle through a USB port to your PC. If running Windows 10, it’s highly possible it will automatically set up the connection for you. In order to confirm this, click on the computer / Wi-Fi icon in the lower right area of the taskbar (systray) and check if a “Cellular” tile shows up.
If this doesn’t happen, make sure you run the installer program provided to you along with the 4G / 5G USB dongle. This may be directly on the dongle – check out “My Computer” / “This PC” for any CD / removable drives and run the setup program. You may be required to restart your PC after setting this up.
Step 2: Connect to the Internet using the 4G / 5G USB dongle.
Make sure you run the proprietary software to connect to the Internet on your Windows laptop, if that exists. Usually it will be detected by your PC as a cellular connection or a Wi-Fi connection.
If you can’t connect, check to see if Windows installed a cellular adapter. Go to Network Connections (Windows key + X – “Network Connections”) and click on “Change adapter options” on the right. The 4G / 5G USB dongle should be listed there. If it’s not connected, click on “Diagnose this connection”.
If you still can’t connect to the Internet after troubleshooting this, contact your ISP / network provider.
That’s all there is on setting up your 4G LTE / 5G cellular dongle for laptop to go online!
Now – feel free to toss this cellular connection into any existing combination of active Internet connections on your PC. Use Speedify for Windows to combine them.
Get started with Speedify today!
With Speedify you can combine Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and other satellites into one bonded super-connection to improve livestreaming, video calling, gaming, web browsing, and everything else you do online.
Speed
Stability
Security
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