How to set up T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home

1. Insert the SIM card in the Linksys router

Once you take the router out of the box, you’ll notice you can remove the back cover by simply sliding it while applying a little bit of pressure. When the router is open, you’ll want to flip open the black cover that locks the SIM card into place. Slide the SIM card (the tiny card that comes on a credit-card-size piece of plastic containing all the information about your service) that you received when you signed up for T-Mobile Hotspot @ Home service into place just above where it says “Line 1.” There’s another SIM card slot available if you’d like to have more than one phone number in the house. We should note that you cannot use an existing SIM card with the router.

Note: If you already have a landline telephone number that you’d like to use for you T-Mobile @ Home phone service, you can take the number with you.

2. Lock the SIM card into place

Now that you’ve slid the SIM card into place, it needs to be secure, Press the small black cover down and lock it into place. Once it’s in, replace the gray cover and set the router in the black rubber-like stand for more stability.

3. Plug in the router

Remove the AC adapter from the router box and plug the appropriate end into the back of the router and the other end into a wall plug (you can use a power strip, also).

4. Hook up the router to a broadband connection

Next, take the blue Ethernet cable out of the router box. Plug one end into the blue Ethernet port on the back of the router that says “Internet.” Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on the back of your DSL modem or cable modem. Typically, the cord that would be in the Ethernet port will go directly to your computer. Once the router is set up, you can use it to create a home network through which all the computers under your roof can access the Internet.

5. Plug the cordless phone into the router to get a dial tone

Unpack the cordless phone from the box. There will be two base stations; you’ll need to use the bigger base station as the main phone. You can still use the second phone included in the box as a separate extension with the same home number, but you’ll need to connect the router to the main base unit. You’ll also need to insert the batteries into the phone and plug the charger into the corresponding plugs on the base unit and on the wall. We recommend charging the phone for about an hour before making any long calls. Once the base is plugged in, using the telephone cord included, hook up one end into the base unit and the other into the Line 1 jack on the back of the router. Wait a moment for the light to appear on the front of the router, indicating that it’s working, and then place a test call from the cordless telephone.

Note: To see this device in action, check out our video.