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 canโt 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 Googleโs Gmail, Microsoftโs 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.
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 canโt 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 Googleโs Gmail, Microsoftโs 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.
"...Just a quick note on AT&T:
... Last I checked, they have a 'tether' package but I don't recall the rates..."
AT&T's tethering package costs 60.00 a month for 5 Gigs of date. If you have a blackberry, there is a program called tether (www.tether.com). It handles all the connection stuff for you and connects your PC to the net through you berry. It costs around 50.00, but is feequently on sale for half price. Once time charge, no monthly billing. My understanding is that it cloaks your tethering and is undetectable by the carrier. I've been using it for over a year, sparingly. I don't use large amounts of data when I tether, just email, surfing, etc...
HTH,
Brian
... Last I checked, they have a 'tether' package but I don't recall the rates..."
AT&T's tethering package costs 60.00 a month for 5 Gigs of date. If you have a blackberry, there is a program called tether (www.tether.com). It handles all the connection stuff for you and connects your PC to the net through you berry. It costs around 50.00, but is feequently on sale for half price. Once time charge, no monthly billing. My understanding is that it cloaks your tethering and is undetectable by the carrier. I've been using it for over a year, sparingly. I don't use large amounts of data when I tether, just email, surfing, etc...
HTH,
Brian
