A wireless adapter that connects a laptop computer to a cellular telephone system for data transfer. Cellular modems, which contain their own antennas, plug into a PC Card slot or into the USB port of the computer and are available for a variety of wireless data services such as GPRS, EDGE, HSPA and EV-DO.
Cellular Modems Vs. Cellphone Modems
If a cellphone has a built-in modem, it can function like a wireless counterpart to a landline modem. Early cellphones offered an analog modem option for dial-up service, while later smartphones added high-speed, digital data services. Such phones plug into the USB or serial port of the computer and are said to be "tethered" to the computer. Cellphone modems may also connect wireless to the computer via Bluetooth. See cellular hotspot.
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