CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS

[DanaMc]

CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS

This is designed to explain the basic approach to using your cell phone with your computer to connect to the internet. It is not intended to be an in depth coverage of the topic. Rather it is intended to help folks get acquainted with what is necessary and a suggested resource or two. The first step in this process would be to check with your cell phone carrier. Make sure there is no reason you can’t use your phone like a modem. Some carriers can provide this for an additional fee.

It is the most cost effective way to keep up with your email and favorite web pages from nearly anywhere. In most cases you do not need a separate or different phone plan. You will use your plan minutes and can manage it to take advantage of the unlimited nights and weekends just as you might for conversations. Regular cell phone roaming charges may apply depending on where you are and whether your carrier has an agreement with the local service provider. This is no different than any other situation.

The key components needed are your cell phone, a special USB cord designed specifically for your cell phone. It will connect your cell phone directly to your computer via a USB port on the computer. Finally you will want software to manage the connection and compress the data being sent. There are many sources for this equipment. You can check with your local cell phone retailer. Radio Shack is a good source on this topic as well. But they will only be familiar with the phones they sell. I have been using SnapDialer. I have been very happy with the combination of Verizon and SnapDialer to connect to the internet.

Once your software is installed and configured for your internet service provider, you will only need to click on the Icon to launch your internet session. What service provider you use is not part of this topic. However there are many low cost or free email services such as Google’s Gmail, Microsoft’s Hotmail, or Yahoo.

Below is some additional reading on this topic:

HOW-TO: Use your CDMA cell phone as a USB modem

Cell Phone Internet Connections

Cellular Fills Gap Between Hotspots

Looking for a boost in your signal? There are third party systems that can enhance your cellular signal and/or facilitate the use of a cell phone in your RV or your home. One example of this is Wilson Cellular Antennas & Amplifiers. Properly installed, these systems can enhance your range of coverage.

[FLMOHOMER]

Well I have read the entire thread and I am more confused than ever.

I have ATT/CINGULAR service and a Motorola V-180 cell phone and AOL internet service. I ordered a USB cable and software from Motorola called Mobile Phone Tools in order to connect to the internet.
Got it to work. Problem was that I got the first bill for $459 for Data service. I had previously contacted Cingular about the charges and they had assured me that they were false charges, however they checked after I received the bill and then they said that the charges were ligitimate. They are going to give me credit for them since they hadled me to believe that there would not be charges using the system that I have.
They stated that in the future if I want to use my cell phone for connection, I should pruchase the $24.99 data plan that they have. My question is can I use that plan and drop AOL who is my service provider? I asked the customer service rep that and she was not very clear on the answer.

Thanks for any help that you can provide

Doug

[ExecRoadRunner]

Thanks DanaMc for your origianl post. Very helpful - got me where I needed to be. I'm not very technical and your post was a wealth of information. I enjoyed reading everyones input also. I've been reading this forum for over two years, but this is the first time I've felt the need to reply (although they have been a valuable resource of information). The links saved valuable time and searches. I purchased the FutureDial software, installed and was online with no problems. Thanks again.

[c_heifner]

Why am I still confused after reading all these great posts? I read DanaMc's original posts & thought I understood it all clearly. So off to the Verizon store I go armed with my printouts from this thread. I asked if all I needed was a phone with 1X capabilities and an aircard to access the internet on the road at a decent speed?

I was told yes & no.The Mgr who I talked to there said most of the phones are 1X already so he didn't understand what the big deal was about that. And b/c National Enhanced coverage is only available in about 1/2 the country he said I would have to supplement my coverage using my cell phone. He could not tell me what the dial up speed would be using the cell as he said it would depend on the tower strength in that area but in the National Enhanced areas it would be 60kb-80kb. I guess you would have the aircard for that. Does the Aircard just cover usage in the National Enhanced areas?

I was under the impression from reading this thread that a phone with 1x would allow me speeds of 60kb or more basically anywhere.

I would like for a current Verizon user to explain to me in simple terms exactly what I will need to get the best & fastest internet coverage while traveling.

I need to upgrade my phone anyway so I want to make sure & get the right one. I am willing to pay whatever to get good service (except Satellite) as we depend on the internet for many things. The Verizon Mgr. was nice but not really certain about some of my questions or maybe I didn't explain it right.
Thanks

[Manning]

Liberty Wireless has a website: www.libertywireless.com

I think that they are a subcontractor of Sprint and through them you have access to the entire sprint network; which is nationwide coverage. Just like you can get inexpensive land line coverage from companies that use SBC or AT&T equipment, you can also get inexpensive coverage from cell phone companies who use other cell phone companies’ networks. It's more flexible because, for instance, Liberty Wireless did not setup the Sprint network but through FCC laws they have access to it.

Many cell phone companies consider roaming to be anything outside of your calling area, but as Sprint has a national network, and Liberty Wireless uses that Sprint network; roaming is a mute point. I like it because they have very simple up front plans that you can change anytime that you want.

[campinladies]

I have never heard of Liberty Wireless. Is it part of the SprintPCS system in just certain areas of the country? When you say no roaming or long distance charges, have you tried touse it outside the Sprint or Liberty wireless areas? I know some companies say no roaming, but they mean if you are within their wireless areas or you will receive no reception? Just curious about Liberty Wireless....can you tell us more?

[Manning]

This is such a great thread with lots of valuable information. I too want to make a contribution here because I have the “Future Dial” software, which you load onto your laptop; it has two programs; SnapDialer; which is for wireless internet connections, and SnapSync; which is a phone book and contact editor for mobile phones. But, and this is very important, the software only works with certain cell phones. They have a bunch of models listed on the side of the box; various models from Sprint PCS, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. You must also purchase a USB cable separately with the software. I got both my software and cable from Radio Shack for about $100.00. If your cell phone is not listed on the side of the software box this will not work for you, so first read the box and Radio Shack staff were also very good in helping me. I had a Sprint LG 1200, which did not work with this software, so I purchased a Sanyo 4900 which does work, and it had a rebate attached to the phone purchase. Further, my cell phone service is through Liberty Wireless, 1000 anytime minutes monthly for $50.00; no roaming or long distance charges. Liberty Wireless is on the Sprint PCS system, but they are a separate company. I have Windows XP Home Edition on my laptop and have had no problems with this setup; nor have I been contacted by Liberty Wireless or Sprint about using my cell phone to access the internet.

[Tsalagi]

Be careful of the fine print -- Verizon has a very good voice network and the data specs are definatly better/faster than the others. But, the data services are normally only available if you're on their system. Just because they have voice coverage in a particular area doesn't mean they have data. They have agreements with several other providers for their voice service, but don't necessarily share data with those same partners.

[bearsnob]

From what I've been able to figure out, Verizon is clearly the winner when it comes to coverage. I'm frustrated because they don't offer service in my area. The best alternative I have is U.S. Cellular which shares towers with Verizon. But they don't seem to have any way to use your phone for dial up interent connections like verizon does and I would really like to have that option.

[pmaley]

My husband and I are planning a cross country trip from Massachusetts to Texas, up the coast of Calif, and on to Alaska this coming January. We currently have Cingular cell phones and our contract is up in July--we want to purchase the cell phone and internet provider that will give us the best coverage nationwide. Can anyone give us advice--the nationwide maps look like Verizon has better coverage but I hate losing our rollover minutes and free after 7PM. Thanks Pat

[Bustopher]

mrwebman wrote:
Ok, you cell phone gurus, I've read this entire thread and I can't find the answer to my question.

I have a nokia 6360 cell phone with the irda interface. I downloaded the software from nokia to manage contacts on the computer and send the contacts back and forth between the cell phone without a cable. That works well.

What I want to do though, is use the cell phone while on the road to dial my ISP (road runner's dial-up number) to connect to the internet. Road Runner gives me 10 hours per month of dial-up service which is more than enough for me. And, I have plenty of minutes on my cell phone (Suncom).

Question is, how do I make Windows XP see the cell phone (through the irda port) as a modem?

The speed is no problem to me as all I'll be doing is checking my e-mail via webmail interface.

Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis,
Did you ever get and answer to this?
I use a Nokia 3650 regularly in the TT (slight exageration--I'm a newbie) to hook up IR with a Toshiba series A25. The connectivity package that Nokia supplies has modem features for IR and Bluetooth. Once the pkg is installed, you are given a choice /connect to/ on the start menu. When you select the Nokia modem you get a screen where you enter dialup number.

My carrier sells unlimited access for $20/mo and has a 4 digit access code. Have not yet tried my RR dialup program.

[Tsalagi]

Marinermark wrote:
I have Cingular's $3.99/mo data plan, with Motorola V180 and V400 phones. Got Susteen Data Pilot USB cables (1 for each phone) and software from Susteen.com. I have a Toshiba laptop, XP Home. Just got it going. Works OK through Compuserve, my ISP. Susteen's tech people talked me through setup. I'm using it just to test, until I see how much it's going to cost.

It's gonna cost a whole lot !!!

If you're using GPRS at 2 cents per page, this page alone at approx 50k just cost you a dollar to load one time (and there really aren't even any graphics on this page). I suppose if your using CSD you are only using minutes, but you may want to verify your phone setup to be sure.

If you're gonna use your computer you almost have to go to the unlimited plan. Otherwise it will cost you a small fortune. I've heard horror stories with people getting bills in excess of 2000 dollars.

Be careful...

[lifter]

I have Sprint PCS and an Apple computer. As long as you have the "data package" that the cell phone companies sell, the Apple system OS X has the capability to run the cell phone like a modem. It works great for me. I have email and internet service all over the country. The cable to hook the computer to the phone is only a couple of bucks. I got one at Radio Shack.

[Marinermark]

I have Cingular's $3.99/mo data plan, with Motorola V180 and V400 phones. Got Susteen Data Pilot USB cables (1 for each phone) and software from Susteen.com. I have a Toshiba laptop, XP Home. Just got it going. Works OK through Compuserve, my ISP. Susteen's tech people talked me through setup. I'm using it just to test, until I see how much it's going to cost.

[Just_Lee]

I have never used my cell phone to hook up to the INTERNET. But I want to... I have Verizon and my phone is a Samsung A650.. I found this cable on Ebay. Is this the one I need to get started?Click Here Also what else do I need to get hooked up? Do I need to call Verizon? Do I need some software? I use Outlook with Windows XP on my laptop.. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[mrwebman]

Ok, you cell phone gurus, I've read this entire thread and I can't find the answer to my question.

I have a nokia 6360 cell phone with the irda interface. I downloaded the software from nokia to manage contacts on the computer and send the contacts back and forth between the cell phone without a cable. That works well.

What I want to do though, is use the cell phone while on the road to dial my ISP (road runner's dial-up number) to connect to the internet. Road Runner gives me 10 hours per month of dial-up service which is more than enough for me. And, I have plenty of minutes on my cell phone (Suncom).

Question is, how do I make Windows XP see the cell phone (through the irda port) as a modem?

The speed is no problem to me as all I'll be doing is checking my e-mail via webmail interface.

Thanks,
Dennis