Basic question about hotspot vs. non-hotspot internet

[LTEGreen]

Hello, new to the forum, not very tech-savvy, and have some questions.

I live in a rural area and for 6 months was happily serviced using a MOFI 4500 router with a 400gb/mo plan from a reputable reseller until AT&T changed their terms in 2021 and left thousands of people like me high and dry with extremely throttled internet. We use about 130 - 150gb of data per month.

So because I work from home I had to switch gears and started looking into what you guys do here. AT&T is the strongest signal we have here by far, with Verizon only fair and T-Mobile more or less non-existent. I switched my Verizon iphone line to AT&T and got their best current plan available -- the Unlimited Your Way Elite which comes with 100gb of premium data, 30gb of which is permitted hotspot -- on my iphone. As far as I can tell, no new iPad plans (standalone or add-on) come with unlimited hotspot, just unlimited data.

So now I am using that hotspot for working remotely, but I know after 30gb, I'll have to somehow have my iMac (sorry for all the Apple, I am a graphic designer) access the remaining 70gb of premium data. I purchased a $20 add-on iPad plan so I could mirror the streaming video on it to my tv with HDMI and just have it reserved for any streaming entertainment we do.

Tl;dr: My question is, will the EM7565 modem + WG3526-P router combination help my iMac access the 70gb of non-hotspot data available to me through my iPhone WITHOUT having to turn on my phone's hotspot?

[Dr-BroadBand]

EM7565 Is a very nice modem but you don’t have a Modem Problem you have a SIM/Data problem.

The MoFI is an entry level Modem that can play the games you need to play to get Internet in a rural setting. It can do all the tricks needed to get connected to the Internet

The biggest thing that makes a Mofi a Mofi is the software GUI, graphical user interface.

You can also load other software onto the Mofi but it makes it slightly less user-friendly.

To answer your question, you may be able to install the SIM from your phone into a modem and play with the TTL setting to make the modem act / look like it’s a phone to the network. This is getting harder to do, it also violates the terms of agreement for your SIM.

The iPad SIM may also be Helpful to setup your home Internet.

Can you send a link to your data plans.
Would need to read the fine print to find a loop hole.

Getting Internet in a rural setting is doable just takes time and money

[LTEGreen]

Thanks for the reply, Dr. Broadband.

I definitely would like to avoid removing the SIM from either the iPhone or the iPad to the router, for the reasons you mentioned. If I could USB tether my iphone and the iPad so that it reads as proper usage, that would be ideal. However, I’d also like to distribute the non hotspot data to my other devices such as the iMac so I can work from my desktop’s user interface.

For the phone line, my Unlimited Elite plan includes 70GB of premium data and 30GB of hotspot for a total of 100GB before deprioritization.

For the iPad line, my plan includes 100GB of premium data, but no hotspot. I am open to using apps such as Tether Me and VPNs to get around that, but I am not sure what AT&T sees on their end and I don’t want them to find out and suspend my account. Again I’m not tech savvy, so I don’t really know what I am doing.

You’re right, the mofi isn’t the problem since it was more than fine for our needs before the reseller started having issues with AT&T. I think I want to avoid mofi because 1) it seems like it’s harder to hide mofi routers (I could be wrong) and 2) is still like to take advantage of the Band 66 of the newer modems if that gives me a better chance at non congestion during deprioritization.

[LTEGreen]

Here’s part of the TOC of my plan if that’s helpful. I believe my usage falls under permitted categories so long as I limit video streaming and large file transfers to the iPad, but I can’t do/send all my work from iPhone or iPad due to the different UI and screen size and that’s what I would like to modify, as legally as possible.

“Permitted Activities. AT&T's wireless data services are intended to be used for the following permitted activities: (i) web browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access if permitted by your rate plan (for example, access to corporate intranets, email, and individual productivity applications like customer relationship management, sales force, and field service automation); (d) uploading and downloading applications and content to and from the Internet or third-party application stores, and (e) using applications and content without excessively contributing to network congestion.

You agree to use AT&T's wireless data services only for these permitted activities.

Prohibited Activities: AT&T's wireless data services are not intended to be used in any manner which has any of the following effects and such use is prohibited if it: (a) conflicts with applicable law, (b) hinders other customers' access to the wireless network, (c) compromises network security or capacity, (d) excessively and disproportionately contributes to network congestion, (e) adversely impacts network service levels or legitimate data flows, (f) degrades network performance, (g) causes harm to the network or other customers, (h) is resold either alone or as part of any other good or service, (i) tethers a wireless device to a computing device (such as a computer, Smartphone, eBook or eReader, media player, laptop, or other devices with similar functions) through use of connection kits, applications, devices or accessories (using wired or wireless technology) and you have not subscribed to a specific data plan designed for this purpose, or (j) there is a specific data plan required for a particular use and you have not subscribed to that plan.

The following specific uses of AT&T's wireless data service are prohibited:
AT&T's wireless data services may not be used in any manner that defeats, obstructs or penetrates, or attempts to defeat, obstruct or penetrate the security measures of AT&T's wireless network or systems, or another entity's network or systems; that accesses, or attempts to access without authority, the accounts of others; or that adversely affects the ability of other people or systems to use either AT&T's wireless services or other parties' Internet-based resources. For example, this includes, but is not limited to, malicious software or "malware" that is designed, intentionally or unintentionally, to infiltrate a network or computer system such as spyware, worms, Trojan horses, rootkits, and/or crimeware; "denial of service" attacks against a network host or individual user; and "spam" or unsolicited commercial or bulk email (or activities that have the effect of facilitating unsolicited commercial email or unsolicited bulk e-mail).

AT&T's wireless data services may not be used in any manner that has the effect of excessively contributing to network congestion, hindering other customers' access to the network, or degrading network performance by maintaining a sustained and continuous wireless data service connection or active wireless Internet connection. For example, this includes, but is not limited to, server devices or host computer applications such as continuous Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, or automated machine-to-machine connections; "auto-responders," "cancel-bots," or similar automated or manual routines that generate excessive amounts of traffic or that disrupt user groups or email use by others; use of the service as a substitute or backup for private lines or full-time or dedicated data connections; peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing services; and software or other devices that maintain continuous active Internet connections when a connection would otherwise be idle or any "keep alive" functions, unless they adhere to AT&T data retry requirements (as may be modified from time to time).

AT&T's wireless data services also may not be used with high bandwidth applications, services and content that are not optimized to work with AT&T's wireless data services and, therefore disproportionately and excessively contribute to network congestion. This includes, but is not limited to, redirecting television signals for viewing on computing devices, web broadcasting, and/or the operation of servers, telemetry devices, or supervisory control and data acquisition devices, unless they meet AT&T's wireless data services optimization requirements.

You agree not to use AT&T's wireless data services for any of these prohibited activities.”

[Dr-BroadBand]

Unlikely you will be able to tether with Apple
Hardware, they lockdown most of the controls

Also per the fine print of your plan.
prohibit:

(i) tethers a wireless device to a computing device (such as a computer, Smartphone, eBook or eReader, media player, laptop, or other devices with similar functions) through use of connection kits, applications, devices or accessories (using wired or wireless technology) and you have not subscribed to a specific data plan designed for this purpose.

The bottom line is that the cell network was not design for what you would like to do.
Have home Internet in a Rural setting.

That may change with 5G and with StarLink coming.

It’s a shame that T-mobile is not a option for you. They have a 100GB plan for $50.

Maybe you can get another iPad SIM to play with. Some have gotten that to work for nearly unlimited data, ie a home Internet solution!

Plans change all the time will be looking for you my friend, Good luck on your Quest.

There maybe others here that can offer clues to solve your situation.

[Didneywhorl]

You could set the TTL for the USB via the router. I believe this is how its done to avoid the hotspot usage via tether. Mr BillA is the expert there I believe.

[BillA]

Tl;dr: My question is, will the EM7565 modem + WG3526-P router combination help my iMac access the 70gb of non-hotspot data available to me through my iPhone WITHOUT having to turn on my phone's hotspot?

To bypass some carrier's strict hotspot/router restrictions besides TTL, the best legal way to do it is by tethering a phone or tablet to a router. For more info, take a look here:
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=16343#p16343