Desperate - Need to print using only 3G/4G or Bluetooth connection from iPad Air2

You might look into something like the Mifi, which is a portable wifi hotspot that uses cellular networks. Use the Mifi to make a hotspot (or whatever device your carrier has, same premise but maybe different name) then connect the printer to that wifi hotspot, and the iPad and you should have a portable battery powered network to allow printing.

Looks like that model (PJ-763MFi) does not support Airprint:

https://www.brother-usa.com/Mobile/lp/pocketjet7/pocketjet_specifications.aspx

Airprint allows you to print directly from iOS device without installing additional apps. However, you can still use PJ-763Mfi printer with Brother iPrint&Scan free app. Here's iPrint&Scan manual (brother.com).

That printer can set up its own WiFi network (ad hoc) and then you connect your iPad to that network and then print. Would be a much neater and cleaner solution and also save some money as you will have monthly fees for the MiFi.

I see what you're saying. If iOS is smart, it'll find its way to the internet if the WiFi connection fails to find a route out of the network. FYI, I have not tried this myself but I think iOS should be smart enough to find a "working" connection to the web.

If it turns out that internet connection does not work when WiFi (connected to the printer) is on, switch it off. Turn it on when the user is ready to print.

Btw, WiFi assist feature comes to mind: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205296

not sure if that is going to help or not.

AlexFromBeth wrote:

Can you explain and expand upon adhoc connection (iPad to printer direct print without needing extra devices/wireless router)? I saw that on their web site but didn't find details.

Here the printer link: http://www.brother-usa.com/Mobile/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=PJ673&PG=26

From Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_ad_hoc_network

A wireless ad hoc network (WANET) is a decentralized type of wireless network.^[1][2] The network is ad hoc because it does not rely on a pre existing infrastructure, such as routers in wired networks or access points in managed (infrastructure) wireless networks. Instead, each node participates in routing by forwarding data for other nodes, so the determination of which nodes forward data is made dynamically on the basis of network connectivity.^[3] In addition to the classic routing, ad hoc networks can use flooding for forwarding data.

Wireless mobile ad hoc networks are self-configuring, dynamic networks in which nodes are free to move. Wireless networks lack the complexities of infrastructure setup and administration, enabling devices to create and join networks "on the fly" – anywhere, anytime.^[4]

Here's Brother airprint manual:

http://download.brother.com/welcome/docp100152/pj773_eng_ap_0.pdf

and here's PocketJet manual (to configure airprint):

http://download.brother.com/welcome/docp100149/cv_pj773_usaeng_usr_lbe501001.pdf

Connecting Using Wi-Fi® (PJ-773 only)

1. Press and hold the (Wi-Fi) button for one second.

The (Wi-Fi) indicator on your printer starts flashing in blue once every three seconds.

2. Use your computer or mobile device to select the SSID of your printer

("DIRECT-*****_PJ-773"). If required, enter the password ("773*****").

1. On your iPad, using your cellular connection to the Internet visit the website you want

2. Your iPad is connected to this Ad Hoc wireless printer (like a local wireless network).

3. Use iPad (or the printer app) to print.

Best you go to a printer dealer and test it out.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on this but the problem I see with the ad-hoc options is that you would have to switch back and forth between being connected to the web via cellular to access website material and the ad-hoc Wi-Fi generated by the Wi-Fi printer in order to print - this is doable but a pain. FWIW I use various Wi-Fi enabled cameras that generate their own ad-hoc Wi-Fis and when my iPhone or iPad connects to them I am off the other type of connections. Maybe someone has a workaround for this.

Cellular and WiFi use different frequencies and hardware. Both can be enabled simultaneously. Think of hotspot feature, both WiFi and cellular are enabled for it to work. I don't see any problem pulling up a web page through cellular and printing the content over WiFi adhoc connection to the printer.

ShagCA wrote:

Cellular and WiFi use different frequencies. Both can be enabled simultaneously. Think of hotspot feature, both WiFi and cellular are enabled for it to work.

Yes, both can be enabled simultaneously but if I am on Wi-Fi and try to do a web search, it searches through the Wi-Fi connection which will not work for the OP as that Wi-Fi is the printer (just like my camera). The only way I can search the web through cellular is to disconnect from Wi-Fi - then it reverts to cellular.

AlexFromBeth wrote:

Thanks! So the printer sets up its own little WiFi network. How does it do that with no internet connectivity? I'm trying to wrap my head around this. The social worker will be sitting with a client, the printer on a nearby table and the social worker wants to print a form from a web site for the client to fill out. The social worker is accessing the web via a cellular connection. How/Where does the ad hoc work in this scenario?

WiFi network can exist without internet connectivity. The social worker accesses a website thru cellular connection and prints the content through WiFi connection to the printer.

Do you really expect your people to lug an office all-in-one printer into a persons house, set it up and print and scan?

The only company I know that is selling AirPrint compatible printers that can set up and adhoc network is HP.