Cell phone as modem

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GoyoNeuff · #1 Post by **GoyoNeuff** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:01 am

I've been looking around for info to get connected my Siemens cf62t or my wife Samsung e105 cell phones to our T42 and use them as modems. I'm almost there, but still having problems. I know there are many people here who use their cells as modems for internet on-the-road, so any help would be really appreciated. The main idea is to get connected to the web without paying more than the regular family plan we have, e.i., not paying $19.99 internet charge from T-Mobile plan.
Thanks to all,

K.

#2 Post by **JaneL** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:11 am

Try searching/asking in http://www.howardforums.com/forumdispla ... forumid=52

JHEM · #3 Post by **JHEM** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:19 am

K.,

It totally depends on the phone and your cell provider. Do you have data cables for your phones? When you plug them into your laptop, are they seen as modems? Any software come with them?

I've been using a succession of Motorola phones over the years as my backup for internet access when I'm on the road. I have Verizon cell service and I've never had any problems with them when just dialling a local access number or even dialling my local backup ISP as a long distance call. It just burns my monthly minutes, no additional charges.

If I access Verizon's cell based broadband system, then there's an additional charge.

Regards,

James

CChoi83 · #4 Post by **CChoi83** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:28 am

Back then when StarTac's were the best (and IMO, they were one of the best phones) I used to use it as a dial-up modem. It was terribly slow but very reliable. The speed was a "true" 14.4kbps connection and with the included compression software that came with Mobile Phonetools, it ran at anout 28.8 or so. After that, I had the V60i which did the same. Now I have the Moto V710 and now I connect to the Express Network aka National Access at 114kbps. Running in tandem with Venturi compression software, it's fairly quick for most things. I tested the bandwidth with DU Meter which I have running all the time and I do reach the full 114kbps quite often depending on what and from whom I'm downloading data from. I pay for Mobile Web 2.0 service which includes both Mobile Office (14.4) and National Access (114). As for T-Mobile, I really don't know how the pricing structures/plans go.

The real question is, what will you be using it for? Web browsing, e-mail, VPN, etc etc etc. Also, what protocol's do your cellphones support? Also, what connection speeds?

BTW, I'm also on Verizon Wireless.

#5 Post by **JaneL** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:05 pm

I was using a StarTac as a phone and modem up until last week. I just got the V710 (snatched it up during the 2 days that Alltel had it for $79.99 - yay, me!). I don't have a cable or Bluetooth card for my notebook to use with it yet, but I'll still be using it at 14.4 for now since I'm not in an area where Alltel is offering the higher speeds yet.

Love the phone, though. I already had a Bluetooth headset that I had gotten doing beta-testing for Jabra and had no problems pairing it up with the phone. I picked up a 256mb TransFlash card on sale to use with it and have had a fine time playing with ringtones, the camera and videos.

Oh, yeah, camera sucks unless there's plenty of light. But I mainly wanted it for the Bluetooth, tri-mode, clamshell qualities anyway. The camera is just a toy.

CChoi83 · #6 Post by **CChoi83** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:09 pm

Yeah, the camera SUCKS!!! Not to get off topic but I'm thinking about switching to Cingular in a year or so and getting a Nokia 7710, SE P910x or something of that sort. Verizon Wireless has the best service but in terms of phones, they pretty much suck.

mattfromomaha · #7 Post by **mattfromomaha** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:22 pm

If you happen to have Nextel, you can get the USB data cable for the phones for about $20 and they have several plans available, depending on your needs.

MadeInJapan · #8 Post by **MadeInJapan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:06 pm

I've got a Samsung A530 and my wife the Samsung A670 with camera (yeah, the camera sucks on this one too), but with the same data cable and help from the Howard forum (mentioned above) we are able to use our phones as modems to get on the internet with our laptops. It's very convenient to do this when traveling (even in the car) and to receive and send emails. It works great and even in East Tenn the speed is better than home dial-up. Only uses air time and it's free after 9 and on weekends....we have Verizon.

Cell phone as modem

Cell phone as modem

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