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.

[Dave_From_AK]

wip wrote:
Moving back into the motorhome now, so I tried Verizon. Because that has even better coverage, right? There map shows that we're covered here in Anchorage, but I couldn't get online. Customer support says that's because we're in Alaska. In Alaska, Verizon doesn't own the towers, so they get just enough service to be able to put Alaska on the coverage map, but not enough coverage to actually log on. I'm interpreting somewhat, but I think that's the upshot of what she said.

I had four bars, but I couldn't log on. Customer Support's explanation was, "That's because you're in Alaska." So how much of the rest of the coverage map is like like that?

I sent the aircard back.

Don't know whether to go back to Sprint, which everybody says has worse coverage, or wait until I'm in the lower 48 and try Verizon again.

This was a 4G aircard. I don't know what that means. I have no idea what G I was using three years ago.

I have used Verizon for data in Alaska for years. It works fine.

The problem you had was almost certainly that your 4G card was trying to find 4G service, and there is none of that in Alaska. It's unfortunate that the Verizon rep you talked to was unable to help you get 3G service with the card; it will certainly do that.

[Motorhome_Georg]

When you say "wireless" are you referring to WiFi and MiFi? Or are you referring to cellular phone service (which is wireless too)?

All can be vulnerable, but you protect yourself in varying way one of which is using good common sense.

[anchor]

Have read the "W" word (wireless) a few times on this topic. Having been into PCs since about '92-'93. Mostly while using our cell tethered and Verizon while cruising the Gulf and Atlantic on our boat and now with our RV for quite a few years. O.K. here is the question: have always steered away from using wireless. Not sure if the 3-4 protection softwares we carry would be efficient with wireless. SO, just what do you all use to protect while using wireless? Have no experience using wireless. We are fulltimers.

[xctraveler]

Sitting in Valdez AK with my Verizon droidx. Great phone service and data service is acceptable for being off their net. Campground I am in provides free wifi, but I just logged in to 3G Mobile Hotspot to check and the connection was fine. I will check in when I get to Anchorage in a few days. Data was even available in Canada had I wanted to spend $2/mb for the privilege. I have Canadian phone service in my plan.

[Motorhome_Georg]

I currently use Verizon Wireless for cell service 3G on Droid x here in Atlanta and service is awesome. I am now very new to motor homing and picking up my first RV this Friday. I want to initially travel the southeast and next year take on the whole USA. I know Verizon will serve me well, but I think they cost too much. I have unlimited plan on one phone costing me with taxes, fees, etc. $107 mo. I want to add MiFi service and all Verizon offers is 10 gb service month for $80 plus taxes, etc. For 4g service.

I saw where sprint offers MiFi unlimited 4G for $50 a month plus taxes, fees, etc. and that appeals to me not only for the lower cost, but also for the unlimited as I would like to stream my Netflix movies through it as well. With Verizon that would eat up the allowed 10 GB mo. real fast.

I not only want to use MiFi on the road, but also at my city home in Atlanta as primary Internet service.

Anyone have experience using Sprint's MiFi service 4G??

[wip]

RV Student wrote:
Hi, is anyone currently using Sprint for their 3 or 4G services? I'd be interested in your feedback. I have used the virgin 3G, $10 at a time USB dongle, and it's worked well.

thanks for any hard learned experience.

thanks, GP.

I used Sprint three years ago. It was great almost everywhere. Constantly surprised us with the places we got reception.

Moving back into the motorhome now, so I tried Verizon. Because that has even better coverage, right? There map shows that we're covered here in Anchorage, but I couldn't get online. Customer support says that's because we're in Alaska. In Alaska, Verizon doesn't own the towers, so they get just enough service to be able to put Alaska on the coverage map, but not enough coverage to actually log on. I'm interpreting somewhat, but I think that's the upshot of what she said.

I had four bars, but I couldn't log on. Customer Support's explanation was, "That's because you're in Alaska." So how much of the rest of the coverage map is like like that?

I sent the aircard back.

Don't know whether to go back to Sprint, which everybody says has worse coverage, or wait until I'm in the lower 48 and try Verizon again.

This was a 4G aircard. I don't know what that means. I have no idea what G I was using three years ago.

[thefivers]

Road Princess, thanks.....

My problem is "I THINK" the Verizon Thunderbolt is having an antenna issue and not connecting to 3g and sometimes no 1X even at my house in Las Vegas.

With what you said about your friend I have no choice but to send the Sprint phone back.

Now I may have to send back the Verizon Thunderbolt and get something else before my demo period is up. 1 week to go! ( Battery dies in a few hours )

What model versizon phone are you using?
AL

[Road_Princess]

thefivers wrote:
I am in the Trial Period for both Verizon with a Thunderbolt and Sprint with an EVO...... I am not sure what phone to keep. I am not getting great 3G with either phone (maybe I'm expecting too much). I live in the Las Vegas area and can't leave for a camping trip for another month so I can't test the phones to see how the connections are when I'm camping.

Can you all please give me your experience with how both phones and services are working with 3G & 4G. I realize I will most likely only get 3G ( if I'm lucky )when out camping. I need to send one phone back and keep the other before my trial is up next Tuesday. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,AL

I have a friend who is a full time RVer. She has two phones, a Sprint and a Verizon. She has reported that the Verizon is getting service while the Sprint phone is a "brick"

As for 3G or 4G, I wouldn't count on 4G anywhere outside of very major cities for a while. We just came back from a trip and had 3G for most of the way between Fredericksburg, TX and Las Cruces, NM. There were a couple of places where we had 1X service (south of I-10) on Verizon but it worked fine for voice and the smartphone operated just great, which surprised me, so I'm assuming it would have worked for data, too.

[Road_Princess]

jack o lantern wrote:
OK, haven't seen any new posts for several months so maybe lots of new things now. My husband and I are now going on the road and need traveling internet. We have old cells with no current data programs with At&t but willing to do whatever we need to, to get mobile internet and the best cell service for east to west, to Alaska and back cell service. Please make this simple. What cell service was found to be best across the U.S.in general or consider internet service also? I'll take whatever advice you can give or send me to someone who can help me. Thanks, John and LInda

Verizon Wireless is probably the best for coverage. I was a full timer for 9 years and I can't tell you how many times I had cell service for voice and data when my near neighbors in the RV park with other companies had useless phones. I was getting on line with my Verizon phone right next door to a lady in a coach with a brand new AT&T air card who could not.

I now am a part timer and I still use Verizon. Now I have an Android phone and I use PDA Net to tether the phone to the netbook while in the RV. Verizon has a service for $20 per month that will let you do the same, but PDA Net and Easy Tether,apps do it for free without Verizon knowing about it (read that as FREE). PDA Net's latest version even has a setting to "cloak" your usage from the cell provider.

I strongly suggest you sign up to subscribe to InternetBySmartphone and/or InternetByCellphone Yahoo! groups. You will find a lot of information there that should be helpful.

BTW, I love my Android phone. The apps are awesome for RVing. I have a free one for Passport America campgrounds and a 99 cent one that gives me more information than I need to know about rest areas on the Interstates, including which ones have free WiFi. There are also ones for gas prices and Androids come with Google's navigation which is pretty darned good. The ability to search an attraction on the internet on my smartphone as we wander down the highways and byways is just plain awesome!

[thefivers]

I am in the Trial Period for both Verizon with a Thunderbolt and Sprint with an EVO...... I am not sure what phone to keep. I am not getting great 3G with either phone (maybe I'm expecting too much). I live in the Las Vegas area and can't leave for a camping trip for another month so I can't test the phones to see how the connections are when I'm camping.

Can you all please give me your experience with how both phones and services are working with 3G & 4G. I realize I will most likely only get 3G ( if I'm lucky )when out camping. I need to send one phone back and keep the other before my trial is up next Tuesday. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,AL

[claudalfa]

This is the way we will be going VERIZON

[anchor]

Have used Verizon for about 20+ years in our travels tethered to laptop. I understand there are very experienced RVers here that have many views. If you view a Verizon coverage map it seems to cover more then any other cell service. We have not much more to offer except what we mentioned above.

[jack_o_lantern]

OK, haven't seen any new posts for several months so maybe lots of new things now. My husband and I are now going on the road and need traveling internet. We have old cells with no current data programs with At&t but willing to do whatever we need to, to get mobile internet and the best cell service for east to west, to Alaska and back cell service. Please make this simple. What cell service was found to be best across the U.S.in general or consider internet service also? I'll take whatever advice you can give or send me to someone who can help me. Thanks, John and LInda

[rbthom]

AT&T has a USB connect shock wave 4G Thats free to get on line right now but cost about $50.00 per mo. , is anyone using this ? seems like a simple way to have internet access while traveling.

[1492]

RV Student wrote:
Hi, is anyone currently using Sprint for their 3 or 4G services?

Yes, but not through Sprint. I'm using Clearwire 4G hotspot device, which is what Sprint is currently using for their 4G service. Getting between 9-10Mbps download speed.