If you don’t know how to connect Verizon jetpack to wireless router, we have got you covered!
By the end of this post, you’ll learn how to hook up your jetpack to almost any router, which will allow you to connect as many devices to the internet as you wish.
To hook up a Verizon jetpack you would need a network bridge device. This device could be a laptop or a computer, where the operating system does not really matter. You need to hook up your jetpack to the bridge device wirelessly and then share the network via WiFi so other devices can connect to it.
The explanation sounds really simple, but if you have never opened a network bridge before you’ll definitely need our assistance.
What Equipment Do I Need?
Connecting your Verizon jetpack to a wireless router is fairly easy if you have the right equipment.
Next, we’ll check exactly what you will need to open the bridge and share your connection so you can be prepared accordingly.
1. Verizon Jetpack
Your jetpack must be in working condition, utilizing cellular data with a paid and active subscription plan.
2. Ethernet Cable
The cable carries a broadband signal between a wireless router to a PC or other devices with an Ethernet port.
3. Ethernet Device
You can use almost any computer as long as it has an Ethernet port.
4. Operating System
You can open a network bridge on devices using Windows and macOS.
5. Wireless Router
Almost any router can get the job done because it will only serve as a WiFi transmitter and nothing more.
6. USB WiFi Adapter (Optional)
Only if you’re using a PC that does not have an inbuilt LAN card.
Once you’ve got these things ready, the very last thing you need is 10 minutes of your time to read the next section of this post.
Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you’ll be able to hook up your Verizon jetpack to your wireless router.
How To Connect Verizon Jetpack To Wireless Router?
For the ones of you that are not in the IT field, we’ve made a step-by-step tutorial to guide you through the process.
We recommend not skipping any of the steps below because each part of the process is crucial to the end result.
With that said, let’s connect your devices first.
Step #1: Connect Jetpack To The Bridge
First, make sure your Verizon jetpack is working and cellular data is being delivered successfully.
Then you need to connect your jetpack to the device that you intend to use as a network bridge (PC/laptop).
Since the jetpack does not have an Ethernet port, you’ll need to hook up the devices via WiFi.
In case you’re using a computer that does not have an inbuilt LAN card, thus cannot connect to WiFi, you’ll need to acquire a USB WiFi adapter.
USB WiFi Adapter
A device that plugs into your PC’s USB port and acts just like an inbuilt WiFi such as the laptops.
If you’re using an older version of Windows, you’ll need to install drivers manually.
Once the network bridge device is connected to the Verizon jetpack’s WiFi, you’ll need to establish the bridge.
Step #2: Hook Up Your Wireless Router To Bridge Device
The next step is to connect the bridge device (laptop or PC) to the wireless router so we can set up the network bridge in the next step.
To do so you’ll need the Ethernet cable that we’ve mentioned earlier.
Hook up one end to your bridge device and the other to the blue (internet) port of your router. If you connect the Ethernet cable to a yellow port, the setup will not work so pay attention!
Lastly, make sure to plug the router in a power outlet so you can turn it on and you’re ready to set up the network bridge.
Note: Your connection might start working before you even set the bridge since some newer network cards automatically assign all the information it needs to work.
Step #3: Set Up Network Bridge
It is now the time to answer the question “how do I connect a Verizon jetpack to a wireless router?”.
Since we cannot know which operating system you’ve chosen to go with, we’ve made separate guides to share your network on both supported operating systems.
For Windows
- Open the Start Menu.
- Type “Network Connections” and open the settings.
- Holding alt, highlight and right-click both connections (the Verizon jetpack & Wireless router Ethernet networks).
- Click Bridge Connections.
It will take about 10-15 seconds to set the bridge but once done, it should be working already.
Note: Note the device hosting the bridge will no longer have access to the Verizon internet.
For macOS
- Open the System Preferences.
- Click on Network Sharing.
- Tick Internet Sharing on the left.
- Choose WiFi on the right.
- That’s it!
Note: Using macOS, opening a network bridge cannot be easier.
At this point, the Verizon Internet should be going directly to your wireless router and if the WiFi of your router is turned ON you can test by connecting to it.
Step #4: Set Up Your Router
The last step is to enable the WiFi on your wireless router if you haven’t done it beforehand.
To access your settings, you’ll need to type “192.168.0.1” in your web browser and search.
Alert: Don’t forget that the router should be connected to the computer you’re entering the settings from via Ethernet cable or WiFi.
Once you’re in the router’s control panel you’ll only need to go to Network Settings and find where the WiFi setup is.
At this point only make sure that it is enabled and if it is, then you can test your new connection right away.
Step #5: Test Connection
Take a device and connect it to the WiFi and test the reliability of your new network. Now you can connect as many devices as you want to the router, without the limitations of the Verizon jetpack.
You should know that the network bridge device must remain connected to the Verizon jetpack at all times.
You can’t really turn OFF the bridge device as it will disconnect from the jetpack’s WiFi and prevent internet access to your router.
Note: To delete the bridge you only have to open the control panel on Windows, right-click on the bridge and choose the delete option.
For macOS, you can stop the network bridge by disabling the sharing in System Preferences.
Hence, to connect a Verizon Jetpack to a wireless router you’ll need a bridge device and Ethernet cable. Simply connect your bridge device to the jetpack’s WiFi and hook it up to the router via Ethernet cable. From there you only need to set the bridge and you’re ready to go.
Read Next: Why Is Verizon Jetpack Not Working?
Bottom Line:
Now that you’ve learned how to connect Verizon jetpack to wireless router, you should be able to disconnect the setup apart when you don’t really need it.
Then when you decide to establish the bridge again you always come to this post for a quick guide, so you won’t have to memorize all the steps.
For more posts related to wireless networking and setup, make sure to check our blog and discover any solutions that you’re looking for!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues.