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.

[xctraveler]

Using PDAnet bypasses VZW tethering charge and in my past experience also bypasses the 5GB limit (although I never got that high anyhow) as they just see you as using the internet on the phone. That was with a Kyocera a couple of years ago.

Now using BB wiwth CradlePoint M1000 for hot spot on the coach. Works great but $$$ and not available for the Droid 😞

[donn0128]

chrisguld wrote:

Jodum wrote:
When configured correctly, as soon as I turn on the HOTSPOT function, my laptop connects to the network automatically giving me instant access to the internet.

.

You're still limited to 5GB/mo - right?

That is only if you are using the computer. Wifi on the phone is unlimited as the salesman tells me.

[califRVers]

I have the HTC Droid Eris on Verizon and also use PDAnet for internet access while camping. As long as I have 3G coverage, I have quick internet. Your not really limited to any amount because I pay for UNLIMITED access.

Julie

[chrisguld]

Jodum wrote:
When configured correctly, as soon as I turn on the HOTSPOT function, my laptop connects to the network automatically giving me instant access to the internet.

.

You're still limited to 5GB/mo - right?

[Jodum]

My wife and I both have the Verizon Palm Pre Plus and love them. The HOTSPOT function works very well. When in the HOTSPOT mode, up to four computers at a time can access the WIFI network generated by the phone. It sure beats the aircard. When configured correctly, as soon as I turn on the HOTSPOT function, my laptop connects to the network automatically giving me instant access to the internet. The Verizon Palm Pre Plus cannot function as a phone and router at the same time though. When being used as a wireless router, it will ring if you receive a call but the wifi network drops if you answer the phone. So don't answer if you are downloading a big file. Just my $.02 worth.

[sigman]

I use the Motorola Droid with Verizon and through PDAnet have very good internet access.

[chrisguld]

SRT wrote:
The upgrade was to Verizon's Palm Pre.

Cool - I'd love to hear your experiences with it. I almost got the Palm Pre just for the hotspot feature - but decided I wanted the Droid more.

[SRT]

Thought I'd stick an oar in the water here. I did an upgrade from my LGxxxx phone that could be tethered to my Vista OS laptop. The upgrade was to Verizon's Palm Pre. Decided to "kill 2 birds with one stone" approach. I can get rid of my old Handspring (Palm OS) and use the Palm Pre. Additionally the Pre can be used as a "WiFi hotspot." Using the Pre can save $20 each month versus going with the MiFi.

The only problem with the Pre is there isn't an external antenna port. May have to get that cradle antenna thing from the 3G store (more $$ spent :E).

Of course, I have to spend more money to get the synch software working with Outlook (also had to get Outlook 2007). I DL'd the Pre user guide PDF to my desktop to read the necessary information. Then will use the 21st century "sneaker net" to transfer the PDF to my laptop.

The plan is to get rid of the local broad band service and it's cost. The Pre would provide the service in the house (about 1 mile to Verizon tower) to two desktop computers and the laptop. I'd do the same when traveling with just the laptop. According to the Verizon rep, the Pre's hotspot works up to 30'.

After some experimentation, I hope to have this working by the end of May. Having tried things in the past, I'm sure there will be some hair pulling and gnashing of teeth while working through problems.

Wish me luck....:B

[glennemay]

CJBill wrote:
I don't have a Cingular account so guess I am stuck with Verizon. I sure am disappointed.

Don't be disappointed, it's almost the same configuration as the Cingular connection.

Configure a dial up connection with the following:
Phone Number
#777

user name
5555555555@vzw3g.com use your number with area code

password
vzw

keep domain blank


Make sure you select your modem as the cell phone connection. This should do it.



Glenn

[rwkxxx]

.I was worried about using my cell phone for Internet access as roaming charges could run up the cost and I spend a lot of time on the computer. I signed up for Sprints Internet for $59 a month unlimited and free roaming and I love it. A small device in plugged into my laptop and I am on lime. I have added a router and it lets all my family get on line also at no added cost

[MrWizard]

there is a free data monitor program called bitmeter , I use it to track my usage, also the data counter in the phone look under the timer menu in phone info our call info

[CJBill]

Thank you MrWizard!

I downloaded the Motorola 64 bit driver from the Web site which he provided and then followed his instructions and manually set up a connection to Verizon from my Windows 7 computer. It works!

Following his instructions I copied the information from the old XP computer. The main things needed was the user name and the dial up number.

Since this process was not too difficult I do not understand why Verizon doesn't set it up for us. I got used to having VZaccess tell me what my usage was. Now I don't have that information. This may not matter as when we are traveling I am not a heavy user but I still felt it was comforting to know.

At least I can get online with my new computer now and can carry it with me while traveling.

[MrWizard]

i've been told the drivers available at this link from motorola

should work for win7 http://www.motorola.com/consumers/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bda09ec8009a0210VgnVCM1000008806b00aRCRD

good luck

[CJBill]

I'll see if I can figure out how to follow Mr. Wizard's instructions but maybe I'll have to look for a new phone. Hate to spend the money but what is the cheapest phone that will tether Win7 to Verizon?

[MrWizard]

CJBill wrote:
I have been tethering my Windows XP laptop to the internet with my Motorola RAZR V3m cell phone using VZaccess. Now I have bought a Windows 7 computer but Verizon does not seem to have a version of VZaccess for this phone. Their site says "check back later". Is there some way I can use my new computer with Verizon? I sure hate to buy a new phone.

you can do a manual setup for a new dial up connection, just copy all the data ( settings info ) from your old PC and create the NEW dial up internet connection and enter all the setup info thats the easy part!
the troublesome part will be whether win7 will connect with your phone as a MODEM, very likely the USB storage modes will work, but those are not the same as modem or diagnostic modes, try to load the winXP driver for the phone into your win7 pc, or go online and search for a motorola rzr driver for win7

you need a win7 compatible driver for the phone & PC to communicate and work as a modem

its a motorola hardware issue NOT a verizon software issue

since your phone is NO longer sold by vzw, they will NOT be looking for a win7 driver and will NOT be updateing vzw access to work with the rzr on win7, in fact most of the vzw lineup will not work as a modem on win7 unless win7 can use the XP or vista drivers