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Knowledge document #1561

Setting up the FRITZ!Box for internet access via USB tethering

Not only can the FRITZ!Box establish its own internet connections over a mobile network dongle, it can also use the existing internet connection of a mobile network dongle (USB tethering). This allows all of the network devices in your home network to use the internet connection of the mobile network dongle, even if the FRITZ!Box does not establish the internet connection itself.

Note:If the FRITZ!Box displays internet access via USB tethering, the FRITZ!Box can only control the mobile network dongle via USB tethering.

Requirements / Restrictions

  • Depending on the mobile network provider, internet telephony and all other functions for which a public IP address is required (for example incoming VPN connections) are either not available or available only to a limited extent.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Configuring the FRITZ!Box

  1. Click "Internet" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Mobile Network" ("Mobile Communications") in the "Internet" menu.
  3. If the mobile network should always be used for the internet connection, enable the option "Internet connection via smartphone or mobile network dongle by USB tethering enabled".
    • If the mobile network should only be used for the internet connection when the DSL connection is interrupted, enable the option "Internet connection via smartphone or mobile network dongle by USB tethering automatically whenever the DSL connection is interrupted".

      Note:Once the DSL connection has been stable and available again for 30 minutes, the FRITZ!Box clears the connection to the mobile network and switches the internet connection back to DSL.

  4. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

2 Configuring the mobile network dongle

  1. Use the mobile network dongle's IP address, for example 192.168.10.20, to open its user interface. The mobile network dongle's IP address is displayed in the FRITZ!Box user interface in the menu "Mobile Network" ("Internet > Mobile Communications").
  2. Enter the PIN of the SIM card in the mobile network dongle and enable internet access. You can find information on configuring the mobile network dongle in its manual, or consult its manufacturer directly.
  3. If you received account information for internet access from your mobile network provider, enter the account information in the mobile network dongle.

The FRITZ!Box now establishes all internet connections using the mobile network dongle connected to it.

Note:If you no longer want the FRITZ!Box to use the mobile network dongle's internet connection, disable the option "Internet connection via smartphone or mobile network dongle by USB tethering" in the FRITZ!Box user interface under "Internet > Mobile Network" ("Internet > Mobile Communications").