T420 as 4G router

[karotlopj]

Just noticed my T420 takes a SIM card, so I was thinking it may be possible to turn it into a 4G router.

Has anyone done this or thinks it might be possible?

[axur-delmeria]

You need to make sure that it actually has the cellular modem installed. Not all models do.

[davidgurvich]

Simpler and cheaper to use old cellphone but possible.

[karotlopj]

You need to make sure that it actually has the cellular modem installed. Not all models do.

How do I tell? There is a slot for inserting SIM cards. Do I need to take the thing apart? How would a cellular modem identify itself?

[axur-delmeria]

Open the access panel at the bottom. Beside the RAM slot is a mini-PCIe slot that can house either a WWAN card or mSATA SSD. https://dranek.com/blog/images/IMG_2557.JPG

If it's empty, then there's no cellular modem. If there's a card, but the blue and white antenna cables are not connected to it (and there's no antenna connector in the card itself), then it's most likely an mSATA SSD and not a cellular modem.

[karotlopj]

Simpler and cheaper to use old cellphone but possible.

I just bought a TP-LINK 4G Modem and it keeps disconnecting, saying there is no SIM card, even though I've been browsing for the previous hour, hence the search for an alternative. Maybe I can install OpenWrt on it...

[karotlopj]

It does have a Gobi™ 3000 Sierra Wireless EV-DO/HSPA WWAN Minicard installed. But this is a 3G Modem so not much use really...

I previously tried installing a 4G Modem in an X61, but this apparently was blacklisted by the BIOS, so tried applying the Middleton BIOS to it. The result was that the X61 never recovered. So, how can I tell if the T420 would be able to make use of a 4G Modem?