USING A USB MODEM WITH A WIRELESS ROUTER

In order to access any form of hi speed connection in our home I have purchased a Novatel USB modem that will connect with the local Bell digital network. It connects to my desktop obviously through the USB port. My question is, can I connect this modem someway to my linsys wireless router so that my laptop elsewhere in our home can access the web.I believe I can ethernet back to the router from the desktop, but for that to work I believe the desktop has to be on for the USB modem to work and I would of course prefer to have only the router “always on”. Has anyone out there experienced this situation-connecting a USB modem directly to a wireless router