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.

[res08hao]

one solution: 3G iPhone

[MrWizard]

I haven't had any recent feedback on this issue, the only confirmed problem area'S ,are the ones that have been posted

[Jbird]

Mr Wizard or ???: Anyone know whether Verizon has cut off the 1X dial-up thru Vpak in Colorado?

[MrWizard]

LONG story made short, i'm off the PDA/PPC and back to using the LG voyager, with the $15 vpak, and DUN is alive and well, i'm posting from my laptop with the voyager & DUN right now, so for me with the NationWide plan the $15 Vpak DUN is still working here in So Calif.

I really like the HTC TOUCH/xv6900 Pocket PC, and the internet connection was much faster, but i was having problems making calls from one area, verizon would give 'authentication ' error msg when trying to call out, incoming calls worked, internet worked, but i couldn't call out from this one area, really strange

I tried to fix the issue by updating the FW, and ended up with a $400 paper weight, i'll keep trying to fix it, but for the time being i'm back on my Voyager 'dumb phone' as they say on HOFO

[garym114]

I configured my phone for data and then setup a dial up connection for the phone.
How to setup for data on at&t
If phone tools is working your phone is probably already setup for data.
How to setup a dial up connection.
How you setup the connection depends if you are using a 3G (HSDPA) or an EDGE phone. If it is EDGE use Windows Dial Up Networking. If it is 3G use the HSDPA Handset Configuration section on the page.

[Caseydon]

garym114 wrote:
at&t has a Unlimited MediaNet add on for $15.00 a month, no texting, just data. It is for phone data, browsing. It is not unlimited though, there is a 5GB cap. It is not supposed to be used for tethering but they have not shut anyone down for doing so. only for going over the cap.

I'm glad to hear about the cap, since I hadn't seen it in any of their literature. I use the $20. MediaNet plus 200 SMS package, primarily for tethering and occasionally for browsing as intended. Of course, at more or less 100k, I don't do many large downloads.
My phone is a Razr v3xx, and I'm using Motorola Phone Tools software, which is very flaky, especially on Bluetooth. Does anyone know of something better?

[Anthony21403]

I use a MotoQ with the 1200 minute Nationwide w/data plan (1200 anytime minutes, 7pm nights and weekends, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited text, unlimited data)plus I have 10 people I can use for MyCircle. It costs 109 dollars before tax, and then I pay an additional 10 dollars a month to tether my laptop to it for regular internet. Works pretty good for me and haven't had too many complaints. Funny thing is, a lot of the places where Verizon is, they are using Alltel towers. They both use the CDMA technology for their phones.

[MrWizard]

I think its because Altel is a much smaller company when compared to VZW or sprint, if you are not in their home coverage area, you are not likely to know about them.

I don't know if somebody with an out of area address, could even get an account with them,

almost everything i've heard about them is good, including their 'roaming & data' coverage agreements with vzw and sprint.

[Anthony21403]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have noticed that there are not that many of us that use Alltel out there. Is there any reason for this? I have had good luck with them and have been with them for six years. Any ideas on this?

We now return you to your regularly scheduled topic.

[BackroadNiagraF]

I am about to start using my LGVX 8350R as a modem (tethered to my laptop) and Verizon's $59.99/Month Data Plan for Internet Access while on the road. I'm also thinking about an external antenna. This one in particular: http://www.wilsonelectronics.com//ViewProductB.php?ID=24

Does anyone know if these external antennas are any good? Ideas? Thoughts? Stuff I should know?

Thanks

[Tech1]

I have had T Mobile,Cingular and now Verizon. Verizon has given me the best coverage anywhere in the US. Good luck.

[folkie]

I am sooooo interested in this thread, We are about to start our RV adventure in October and we have been trying to find which company offers fast Internet access with the widest service area. Just to complicate matters we are also looking for the best Cellular package also with the widest coverage.

We may have found what we are looking for in T-Mobile, does anyone have experience with this carrier and how is it working for you?

We are considering their 'myFaves for family 800' package that offers:
Two Lines, 800 anytime minutes, unlimited weekends & Nights, and the part we like best with T-Mobile is unlimited talk with your 5 favorite numbers. $69.99/Month.

Internet access: We are considering 'T-Mobile Total Internet' which offers unlimited data and unlimited e-mail for $39.99/Month.
Same question, does anyone have experience's to share about T-Mobile Internet Access?
Thank you for your comments.
folkie.

[MrWizard]

Btravelen wrote:
If I didn't like Verizon for their voice service, I'd look elsewhere as I think BB access is cheaper elsewhere.

I know exactly what you mean.

[MrWizard]

Jbird wrote:
Another question born of ignorance as I try to avoid 59.99/mo for internet access as I travel now that Verizon has shut off my 1X ability. Can I just subscribe to an ISP such as Juno, use my LG8300 as modem to dial up, get slower speed browsing using my Verizon minutes? Mr Wizard?? Or any other experts? Seems like somebody suggests this on the Howard forum, but that forum is way over my head.

some people have success that way, that is we used to do it, before phones had the OLD QNC, but other have reported problems

if you have a HOME ISP, they might have an 800# for dialup when you travel, call them and ask about it, then try using the that #

and what ever ID & PW info they tell you too use

[Btravelen]

I guess that eliminates my plan to try vcast for 1x access. If I didn't like Verizon for their voice service, I'd look elsewhere as I think BB access is cheaper elsewhere.