Does Anybody Here Use A Treo 700W As A Bluetooth Modem?

[jamiphar]

Does anybody here know how to use a Motorola Treo 700W smartphone as a dial-up modem? I've been able to use bluetooth to dial-up through the Samsung phones we have, but I can't quite figure out how to use my brother's Treo like this. Our carrier is Verizon. Any info is appreciated.

[k2jsv]

It works best if you can get the PDANet software. A bit on the expensive side, but there is a cheaper older version out there somewhere.

[jamiphar]

It works best if you can get the PDANet software. A bit on the expensive side, but there is a cheaper older version out there somewhere.

Will that work with Verizon? It seems that it might only work for Cingular and T-Mobile.

:EDIT:

By the way, I wasn't talking about using the EVDO network, but the CDMA.

[k2jsv]

Yes, and Yes.

Point of clarification... EvDO is CDMA... Just with higher data throughput. 1xRTT is the standard slower speed and EvDO is the higher speed.

I have a friend with a Treo 700w that uses PDANet on both EvDO and 1xRTT. My MotoQ on the other hand comes with the ability for DUN (Dial Up Networking) to utilize both 1xRTT and EvDO networks.

Happy surfing.

[jamiphar]

Yes, and Yes.

Point of clarification... EvDO is CDMA... Just with higher data throughput. 1xRTT is the standard slower speed and EvDO is the higher speed.

I have a friend with a Treo 700w that uses PDANet on both EvDO and 1xRTT. My MotoQ on the other hand comes with the ability for DUN (Dial Up Networking) to utilize both 1xRTT and EvDO networks.

Happy surfing.

Ok, I see. If I'm connecting with CDMA, would it just count as a phone call like it would normally, or is there some other charge?

Also, why is it that it only works with PDANet? In other words, I wonder if there's some other work-around that will let me connect without it.

[k2jsv]

Perhaps a trip to howardforums is in order... The Treo does not come with any DUN features... therefore you need an application like PDANet. There are others out there, but PDANet is known to be one of the best.

As far as how it gets billed... that falls under the category of "not my problem dude". Call VZW and ask them how it would get billed, don't go looking for answers on the internet like this when it comes to spending your own money.

Go to http://www.howardforums.com and do a little searching. And of course you are connecting with CDMA... ITS A BLOODY CDMA PHONE!!! Re-read my very brief synopsis of the difference between 1xRTT and EvDO... it'll save you time, confusion and embarrassment down the road.

[SafeHarbor]

I would suggest that you NOT call Verizon if you're planning on using PDAnet. Verizon, on the models that THEY SAY support DUN, will want to add another $15 on top of the $40 PDA "unlimited access" (5 GB max download) to enable DUN. With PDAnet, you still need a data plan, though, to use your Treo as a modem.

[jamiphar]

See, that's the thing. I understand that EVDO and CDMA are the same technology, with one simply being faster. But they are quite different when it comes to dialing up. EVDO is measured by data transfer by Verizon because it is what they use as the broadband connection and offer a plan for. But the slower CDMA is a separate network used for phone calls and such.

I haven't been using any plan at all, and Verizon probably doesn't even know that I'm using this, but I have my phone dial a certain number and I get free internet while my phone is making this "call". No limit or cap, just counts as minutes on the bill, and it doesn't have to be in range of an EVDO antenna because it doesn't use it. This can be done on pretty much any phone, it doesn't have to have bluetooth or EVDO, a plain phone with a data cable will work (bluetooth is simply faster).

I don't think it would do any good to ask Verizon, because nobody would have a clue about what I'm talking about, they would assume I'm talking about the broadband plan.

I haven't been using any programs to do this, either, I just install the phone as a modem. And I'm wondering if there's some trick to getting the Treo to work the same way, because it's not the same as the other phones. I don't mind posting at howardforums, I've done that before, but I figured I'd try this first.

[k2jsv]

See, that's the thing. I understand that EVDO and CDMA are the same technology, with one simply being faster.

Ugh. You are killing me...

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access. CDMA technology was developed by Quallcomm as an alternative to TDMA (Time Division Multiple Acces) and FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access). CDMA is a basic protocol used in data transfer in the world of Digital Cellular Communications and global positioning technology. CDMA will mathematically calculate the vectors needed to put multiple data streams together on 1 RF (Radio Frequency) channel. It calculates the spaces needed to allow the receiving radio properly acquire a decode the data received from multiple sources.

1xRTT - Also called CDMA2000 basically means 1 times radio transmitting technology. What it does is take the data you are sending as either a pure data connection (internet) or a voice transmission and pushes it through one 1.25mhz channel per receive and transmit. Because of bandwidth limits on those channels most data tops out at about 140 or so KB/Sec. Not terribly fast.

EvDO - Also know at 3rd Generation CDMA. EvDO stands for Evolution - Data Optimized. Rev 0 EvDO is mainly for Data. When they lay it onto a voice channel any data that is transmitted is done so through it's own seperate high bandwidth channel in order to achieve higher data throughput. Rev A and B EvDO are future trends that will optimize the packet transmissions through lower latency times.

So in saying that CDMA and EvDO are the same things you are only partially correct. CDMA is the data transferring protocol that is used, with 1xRTT and EvDO being the data optimization and utilization through the CDMA protocol.

Now... when it comes to hooking your Treo to your computer and using it as a modem, understand this. You are going to burn your minutes and you are going to burn allowances on your data plan. So tread carefully. There are people at HoFo that have been dropped for doing exactly what you are doing. When it comes to tethering VZW is very unforgiving about it and do whatever they can to prevent it. The reason I said to call a VZW rep about this is to make sure that your account is set up in such a way that you will not get boned with a large bill in the rear end for hooking your phone to your laptop. It doesn't matter what time of day, night or weekend you do this either. It will burn your minutes regardless of any plans for Free Nights and Weekends, etc.

All I was trying to do was help you understand the technology you are utilizing in order to get what you need to do done. On the other hand, the screen on the Treo is of a fairly decent size, why not browse right on there using the unlimited data plan and not burn any minutes? Lastly, you may want to just use your regular USB cable for doing this as well. Less points of failure.

[jamiphar]

I think I see what you're saying now. It seems to me that I cannot use the Treo in the same way I use my Samsung A930. With my Samsung, I do not need any type of plan or program, it uses minutes and it is completely free on nights and weekends. Thus, I'm not burning any more minutes than I would if I were simply making a phone call and I can use as many minutes as I want during nights, weekends and holidays. That's why I'm wondering if the same is possible with the Treo. Through bluetooth, my computer only detects the serial and object push services of the Treo, but no DUN. And I'm wondering if there's a way to enable DUN. I haven't tried using USB yet, but I think I will.

I appreciate the help, James!