Many of the new laptops are pushing the 3G card. Some have deals for the first year. So it is possible this young man is using it with the cell phone towers.

For example, the govt who owns my hubby's computer refuses to activate the wifi because of "security"...

So just before we left for vacation, some new policy was enacted to give agents the 3G card.

I used that a bit this summer to come on here and check weather.com

Because not all towers are 3G capable yet, we defaulted to 2G and it was HORRIBLE... slower than dial up... you wouldn't believe it.

AND...I just saw a Sprint commerical for 4G...to go with laptops and special phones! So just when you learn something new, bingo you're out of date already!

I think buying another modem for DSL would cost more than getting a router. And they may not let you do it anyway.
Our modem for AT &T was free with rebate ...if it dies, we will have to BUY another!