CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS

Pushin40,

I am a bit puzzled with part of your post. When I configure my software, it is set to dial into my ISP. The cell phone is nothing more than a modem. So I have no problem reaching the SMTP outgoing email servers.

Not to take issue because I believe there is a good message there. I was wondering if you could elaborate on how or why someone would have to connect any other way than a direct dial-in to their ISP from their cell phone.

Thanks very much for your input.

My original post assumed the user was using the 1X or Quick2Net connection which presents a problem for some email servers as you are not using your ISP to connect to the internet. Sorry for the confusion :)

Some cell phones can connect to the internet using a special Verizon service much faster compared to using them to dial a regular ISP number.

You can often use many different cell phones to dial your ISP just like you can from your home phone line. However, if you are a Verizon Wireless subscriber and have a 1XRTT (or 1X for short) capable cell phone, you can access the internet using Verizon's 1X "NationalAccess" service at a much faster rate (usually). Other carrier's also have methods to access the internet using them rather than your regular ISP but I have only used Verizon and can't comment on other cell providers.

Using your ISP you will probably get somewhere between 9.6 kbps to 19.2 kbps connect rates even if your computer reports a faster connection. When you use Verizon 1X network, you get on average 64 kbps with bursts up to 144 kbps. That's a lot faster.

It will only work with a 1X capable phone when you have 1X coverage. Most 1X phones will have a 1X indicator on the display so you know you are in a 1X area. Coverage can be found on the Verizon Wireless website here. Select the NationalAccess option and the zip code in question.

To try using the Verizon 1X service, you can create a new dial-up account on your computer that uses your cell phone as a modem just like you currently do when you dial your regular ISP number. Use the following settings:

Number to dial: #777 (include the pound sign "#777")
Username: {9-digit phone number}@vzw3g.com for example [email protected]
Password: vzw

Note: These are very different settings than the smtp server settings in my previous post

It uses minutes of use as if you were talking to someone who is not "IN". On my plan, I get "free nights and weekends" so after 9PM I can use my phone to call the NationalAccess service with no impact on my minutes of use. The rest of the time, the call eats up my minutes just like I was talking to someone. The call appears on my bill as a call to "777-000-0001". Your plan may be different so act accordingly. Your current ISP dial-up number probably behaves the same way when you call it with your cell phone. Again, your plan may be different and if you are not using Verizon, your carrier may have other charges as a previous post indicated. Also, Verizon could change the rules at some point so call them and ask.

Verizon has the Mobile Office Kit that includes software to set all of this up for you. It also includes a 3rd application called "Venturi" which is acceleration software. It can make a big difference for general web browsing so if Internet access on your cell phone is important to you, spend the $40 for the Mobile Office Kit.

FWIW, I also have a Verizon Aircard. However I have found that reception of 1X on my cell phone is far better than the reception for my Aircard. I use an external antenna with my aircard that greatly improves coverage but often my cell phone 1X performs better than my Aircard.

Also, Verizon is rumored to soon release a phone that is EVDO and 1X capable. The EVDO, or "BroadbandAccess" is even faster approaching low end DSL speeds. As of this post, it is available in approx. 30 markets. They claim to be adding more sites in 2005. When Broadband coverage is not available, it falls back to the NationalAccess 1X rates. Today you need a PC5220 Aircard to get Broadband rates, which I have and love!



Moderator's Note: Fixed "Invalid formatting" message.