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.

[Caseydon]

Oops, sorry, I misread / misinterpreted your information. Cingular is now AT@T Wireless, but a few vestiges of the old Cingular still hide in their system.

[CJBill]

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

[Caseydon]

I too have an XP laptop and a Motorola RAZR V3m (now called an IZAR V3m or some such). I used to tether the phone to the laptop via USB cable, using an old "Cingular" connection. It would work with a Bluetooth tether also. See if it still works:

Create a new network connection as though you were creating a dial-up phone line connection to an ISP.
The connection is to "WAP@CingularGPRS.com" (omit the quote symbols)
The "dial-up" number is *99***3# (include all symbols)

Please, post your results here for my interest. My laptop isn't available right now for me to check it out.

[CJBill]

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.

[Samarai]

Google Voice is also a great way to connect through the Internet for free to any telephone in the U.S./Canada. You can use your cell phone or any land line telephone.

[danglo]

Thanks OldBob,

Sounds like you got the same results as mine.

I may try again from a different location before I give up.

If Verizon has made connection via Quick to Net impossible for everyone, I am supprised more forum members haven't responded.

danglo

[OldBob]

I have had pretty much the same Verizon problem as danglo.

I used my tethered phone while traveling in around labor day and it worked just fine, as it has for about 5 years (also).

I am on another trip and tried to get on the internet a week ago and got an error to the effect "Server does not respond. Contact support and give this error number." No error number was stated.

Two days ago I tried again and got the error message "Server name and password not recognized on this domain"

These error messages are from memory becasue they go away very quickly.

I have kept my old Verizon phone and plan mainly because of this internet feature. I will be home in a few days and work the problem. Maybe it is time for a change.

Fortunately, there is a lot a free WiFi around now.

[danglo]

I have been using my Verizon minutes to get on the internet (I think this is call Quick to Net) for several years. Just occasionally when traveling. I ususally do this on weekends to take advantage of free weekend minutes.

I use the Verizon CD I bought with a cable some 5 years ago and my HP Laptop running XP connected to my LG VX 4657 phone.

While travelling last month I used the program (I think it's called VZ Access?) to connect to the internet (using the slower connect modem option, not high speed) and accessed a few web pages successfully.

The next day, although the program said I was connected and everything on my laptop looked OK (I hadn't moved locations and the signal strength was the same)I kept getting DNS errors and was never able to access any web sites. I was using IE 7 both days.

What could have changed from Saturday to Sunday?

I haven't changed phones or plans in several years.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

danglo

[cmdcmhix]

Don't upgrade your iphone firmware to 3.1 or this won't work to tether the phone to your computer. I am back to square one on this one.

[magicbus]

cmdcmhix wrote:
Anybody use an iPhone for laptop internet access? If so how can it be done. I pay AT&T monthly for this service and think I should be able to piggy back off it somehow.

Sorry I just caught up with your post.

Click Here for a recent thread where I described how to do this

Dave

[cmdcmhix]

Mr Wizard thanks I found it within the webpages. Here is the link for those who want to do this. I am going to try it out and will post how it works later.
http://www.iphoneheat.com/2009/06/how-to-enable-tethering-on-iphone-os-30/

[MrWizard]

this might help, or at least point you to some info

http://www.iphoneheat.com/2009/06/19/how-to-enable-tethering-on-iphone-os-30/%&evalbase64_decode_SER...

[cmdcmhix]

Anybody use an iPhone for laptop internet access? If so how can it be done. I pay AT&T monthly for this service and think I should be able to piggy back off it somehow.

[MrWizard]

Rodgers telco wirless has been running a specail that expires Sept 15th

6gig data $30 per month, i just found out about this,

they are also implementing a NEW heavy user plan 15gig of data for $150 a month
might be better than overage charges for some people, but me ( IF i needed it ) would put the 6gig on (2) lines for 12gig at $60.. lot better deal ( IF allowed ) only 3 more days left on the $30 6gig plan

thats all i know, i don't have any details, considering the numbers I am [1]assuming[/1] this is a tethering plan for Phone to PC

[BobandPatB]

"Virgin Mobile Pay as You Go"
I saw this in Best Buy and was very interested as I too am not interested in committing to a two year plan. My wife and I will be traveling to Alaska next summer and we were concerned that the Sprint service that this "Virgin Mobile" card uses would be very limited.
They have a web site that aloows you to check service areas, but when I went to use it every area that I put in came up with a "no information available sign"
Anyone have any idea about how good Sprint service is outside of the lower 48?