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.

[BCam]

Mike-

Thanks for your follow-up and explanation. I don't think I'm ready to completely cut the cord (literally) yet, in part because cell coverage in my house is somewhat marginal (although I'm sure we'll all be wireless in time). Currently I only need wireless data access only about 10% of the time so I've been looking for a relatively inexpensive, pay-as-you-go alternative. It sounds like Alex's suggestion should work for me, I'll just have to remember to turn it on and off so I don't get hit with a monthly fee.

[kcattacam]

one last note:

So far, I am 100% satisfied with the set up I purchased, I have a minimum of 4 bars without an auxilary atenna (and the laptop on wi-fi is running at 10meg per second). The Sprint Nextel service area is huge - perhaps every bit as big as Verizon (which is a dirty word to me for reasons of my own). The Cradlepoint is a top rated top of the line unit - you don't need that much, but I do have a laptop that we run wi-fi and the additional cost for the best was minimal. all attached computers both eithernet and wi-fi are high and wide as they say in CB talk and my Vonage phone service is great... all over this itty bitty Sierra Wireless wireless modem. It even has a port to plug in a 32GB memory chip... I have not figured out how to make it do the dishes yet... can anyone advise me on this aspect? LOL

If I sound like a commercial for these guys, I am not. I am just trying to advise everyone here what I have and what my experience is.

Long term reliability is the only area I can not currently speak to but I am willing to bet it is bettere than the hard wire service I have had... outages and downtime na dwhat call brown outs when the ISP's are jammed with traffic... I have had that with Verizon, AT&T and Charter cable - so far none of that with Sprint. I can speak to Vonage reliability - Very clear efficent service with never a problem for over a year now, and one consistant never changing monthly bill with no gimmicks - very straight forward.

So tht's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Mike (a bit sticky)

[kcattacam]

Bob,

Please don't take my comment the wrong way... I keep trying to inject humor and keep forgetting that this is the sterile internet where nobody has a sense of humor and all seem to have a thin skin... please don't take that the wrong way either ... I AM NOT TRYING TO FLAME YOU!

The bottom line on this issue for me is that I NEED to be able to be connected without a hard wire, and I need to be mobile. For me, wireless communication is a must and I was trying to say, in my unintentional condescending way, was that I was a bit confused over your comments about complexity and was actually trying to explain how easy it all is. Believe it or not, there a lot of people out there, including myself, that have no idea what all of the mumbo jumbo is all about. They are like me... if I can't plug and play it, it is all but useless.

You mentioned that you had read conflicting input from the thread and apparently not sure where to turn.

I guess you need to first decide if you want or need dynamic 24/7 wireless internet and if it is worth it to you to either have it along with your hard wire phones and internet connection, or like I have done... do a way with the wire all together and go 100% wireless.

I was only trying to assure you that it works and it is easy to do... nothing else...

I apologize in advance to all if this or any of my posts were considered a flame... I will try to avoid my feeble humor from now on.

Mike - flameless

[BCam]

kcattacam wrote:
... oh, and as far as it being pretty complex... NO WAY. (unless you have problems with round pegs and square holes...)

Come on, that's a bit condescending and I respectfully suggest that you check your attitude at the door and try being more helpful along the lines of EVDOalex, who has been very helpful to me.

I'm not a technological idiot, among other things, I've been building my own PCs for years, however, wireless communication issues are something I haven't yet explored to any degree.

Most things aren't that complex once you've done them and once you know what to do. My dilemma is knowing which option to pursue and the fact that there are 54 pages of comments, suggestions and opinions on this topic here is indicative that it's not so "simple". The physical act of connecting the pieces and making it work aren't my problem.

I'm not looking to get into a flame fight here and am signing off for now.

[kcattacam]

... oh, and as far as it being pretty complex... NO WAY. (unless you have problems with round pegs and square holes...)

What is easier than plug and play - literally. take you MBR1000 router, plug your Sprint (or Verizon) wireless broadband in to the USB port (2 provided on the router), plug you computer in to one of the 4 eithernet ports and press go - it sets itself up with all of the built in software in both the broadband wireless modem and the MBR1000 - then set your laptop to hook in to the wi-fi and plug your Vonage in to your computer USB port and your cooking with PROPANE!

[AlexSian]

Your understanding is spot on, but applies to a "dedicated data device with service" -- for instance, using a USB modem to provide internet connectivity to the computer it is attached to.

while that is the more popular approach to get mobile broadband service, my response isn't about that, and describes a way to provide what you had asked for in you earlier post (quoted below):

Bcam wrote:
accessing the internet when on the road periodically for relatively short periods of time without committing to a long-term high monthly fee

I don't know what carrier you currently pay $70/mo for cell/voice phone service but:

• if it is Verizon, AND
• at least one of those phones is capable of accessing verizon high speed data service, AND
• if that phone can be tethered to laptop

then you can call verizon and tell them to activate the "data feature" for that phone, which allows you to surf the internet on your computer, while it is tethered to your phone -- when and where you need to.

This does not require a separate contract to do this, its a verizon feature you can enable/disable when you need it. IF you were to have the feature enabled for an entire month, it could add as much as $60/mo to your bill.

BUT, if you only need casual/infrequent use and remember to call and disable when you are done using it, then Verizon will PRO-RATE the monthly service for the days you have that "data feature" enabled. This exactly addresses what you asked for in later post: (quoting again)

Bcam wrote:
I want to spend a few dollars for a few days or couple of weeks, pay nothing for two or three months, pay for a few days and so on.

Hope that clarifies things enough? if not, ask another specific question and i'l do my best to answer.

[kcattacam]

BCam - well... I am there .... currently (I HAD) cable internet, Vonage VOIP phone service whuich is GREAT and a pay as you go TracPhone cell phone.... I need the ability for full time anywhere internet.

I just received my broadband internet device from Sprint - works great, the unit is FREE and the service is $60 month for 5 GB of data -- I could not use that much data throughput in 3 months and I am on the internet 24/7. I just receved my new Cradlepoint MBR1000 from 3g store. FANTASTIC I had my cable modem hooked in to a Linksys wi-fi and had 4 computers attached hard wire and 0ne wi-fi..... NOW I have the same hooked up to the MBR1000 withthe sprint service. Yes it is slightly slower but If I attached an external atenna (I will do once I get the MH I want) I will be fine... no problems now and I wont have more than two computers once we do the FT thing.---

Now I havbe full time wireless internet connection and I also Have my Vonage phones attached to my main computer --- IT ALL WORKS GREAT. So what is my bottom line: I was paying Charter $120 a month for their famous "Bundle" crap, $30 to Vonage for unlimited long distance phone and Trac phone on a pay as I go - about $120 per YEAR.... Now I pay Sprint $60 a month and am able to use my computer just about anywhere (That I will be going anyway) and if I keep Vonage, $30 a month... and of course, Tracphone pay as I go... which I can throw in the trash any time I choose... likely will keep it - I like it......

oh - the MBR1000 cost me 200 - but now its mine - no rental fees...

Cut to the chase, I cut my monthly bill down by $60 and have total freedom --- my laptop on wi-fi even works better because of the level 5 protocol that the MBR1000 uses... an take it 10 campers down and still be on our wi-fi!

Hard wired phone & cable with their high cost and "bundle" games can take a leap!

[BCam]

OK, then explain to me why the following response makes EVDO sound so expensive, plus there are differing opinions as to the "facts":

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21365207/gotomsg/21366435.cfm#21366435

I already spend $50+ for my home internet and $70 for our cell phones. I don't want to spend another $60 or so per month with a 2-year commitment for the convenience of connecting now and then while on the road. I want to spend a few dollars for a few days or couple of weeks, pay nothing for two or three months, pay for a few days and so on.

If I'm missing something, please explain.

[AlexSian]

BCam wrote:
I wonder when the industry will wake up and offer a simple, affordable means of accessing the internet when on the road periodically for relatively short periods of time without committing to a long-term high monthly fee.

already possible. just get a verizon EVDO Rev-A phone and you can activate/deactivate the "data feature" which allows you to tether to your computer for high speed access when/where you need it.

[BCam]

I'm pretty good when it comes to technology but doesn't this all strike you as pretty complex, unpredictable and expensive? Fifty-four pages of often conflicting suggestions, wow!

I wonder when the industry will wake up and offer a simple, affordable means of accessing the internet when on the road periodically for relatively short periods of time without committing to a long-term high monthly fee.

[bill_h]

kcattacam wrote:

I was also looking at the auxilary antennas and am keen on the larger unit with the built in ground plain set up.

I basically have three questions here.

1: does anybody have any reccomendations as to size or model, and how to best mount it to the MH - any problems with clearance issues and such.

I have used a Wilson trucker antenna for years with good result. My present LG Dare seems to need it a lot for Verizon voice coverage, even when I am in sight of their tower. The Dare needs the antenna less for tethering, though. If I were shopping today, I would also look at the Cyfre Super Trucker antenna.

3: is 3G the best place to purchase such an antenna, or would a local marker such as RadioShack or camping world.... maybe Frys be a cheaper and better place to find one.

Avoid radio Shack or Frys. Neither has any knowledge or experienced employees in that area. CW can be either way, depending on who quit or who got hired this week.

I have not used a booster amplifier, but you might think about it. A lot of people report great improvements by adding an amp to a good antenna.

[kcattacam]

Thank you Joelmeyer & Mr Wizard...

I just purchased the CradlePoint MBR1000 from 3g and expect delivery early next week.

I was also looking at the auxilary antennas and am keen on the larger unit with the built in ground plain set up.

I basically have three questions here.

1: does anybody have any reccomendations as to size or model, and how to best mount it to the MH - any problems with clearance issues and such.

2: I note they sell a ligntning/surg protector - but it requires grounding... it would seem that this would not work well in a MH - any thoughts or comments on this?

3: is 3G the best place to purchase such an antenna, or would a local marker such as RadioShack or camping world.... maybe Frys be a cheaper and better place to find one.

Any input on boosting the signal from your own experiences would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Mike

[MrWizard]

yes

you want a 3g router, it connects to the usb modem, and acts the same as your current 'cable router'

you can be wired/Ethernet or wifi , between router and the PC's

[joelmyer]

kcattacam wrote:
Dear Mr, Wizard - etal
How do I hook both computers up to the Sprint wireless USB modem... what do I need to do this (or perhaps the first question - CAN I do this)

Mike

Yes

3gstore

I have no affiliation, several satisfied customers on the RVForum.

Joel

[kcattacam]

Dear Mr, Wizard - etal

So - ok... I am new! Just joined today. Actually, I do not even currently own an MH - expect to in 30 to 60 days if all goes well and that is a diffeent subject all together.

I will be a full timer once we do. I currently depend on high speed internet access and have top speed connection through cable (Charter) with 6 household computers attached .... once we go FT in our soon to be MH I will have one desk top and one lap top.

I have pretty much decided to go with the Sprint/Nextel wireless internet service for many reasons (problems with Veriszon and ATT). Cell phones are separate through Tracphone on pay as you go basis and that will stay that way (no need to screw with attaching my pc's to my phone).

I have perused some of the posts here and so far have not come up with a definiteve answer to my question which is. How do I hook both computers up to the Sprint wireless USB modem... what do I need to do this (or perhaps the first question - CAN I do this)

Mike