Can you use aircards on more than one device?

[junebuggnc]

I'm asking for a friend of mine who has a Verizon aircard for his laptop.  His wife now has a netbook and they want to know if they can us his aircard in her netbook?  I tried to tell them how to setup a wireless hotspot, but neither of these people are that knowledge of computers much less setting up wireless networks.  So when he isn't using the card, she wants to be able to plug it in her netbook and go online.

Thanks!

[John_Getzke · Accepted solution]

I hope you are using the correct terminology in your question.  To clarify, an aircard could be a USB modem which can only connect to one computer at a time.  There are no restrictions on the number of computers you connect to the USB modem, but only one can connect at a time by design.  A netbook is a special computer designed in partnership with Verizon to have a wireless modem built into it.  There should be no need to use an additional USB modem with a netbook.

Verizon Netbooks:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?&item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverviewByDevic...

If you want to be able to connect multiple computers to a single USB modem then you will need a special router such as those provided by CradlePoint.  CradlePoint routers have a special USB port on them which allows them to connect directly to the USB modem and rebroadcast that signal to multiple computers.  Check the statistics on the router before you purchase to make sure your USB modem is supported.

Here is a link to display many of the possible CradlePoint routers:

http://3gstore.com/category/450_3g_4g_routers.html

Share the specific modem and netbook model numbers with us if you would like more specific information.

[junebuggnc]

Yes, I mean the USB modem.  Basically, one modem, two laptops, no router and not so computer efficient people to set up an ad hoc network.  So, basically, we wanted to make sure there weren't any issues if the modem were to be used in either laptop.

[John_Getzke]

Thanks for confirming,

There will not be any issues.  The USB Modem will not care which computer it is connected to.  As long as the drivers and connection software exist on the computer you are connecting to the USB Modem will work.