Wireless internet everywhere

ApltnHkyMutt · 05-25-2003, 10:37 AM

Is there any possible way to get wireless internet anywhere on a laptop? maybe through a cell phone.. ive been looking and cant seem to find anything.. cost isnt a problem. just want to know if the service is available

Devhux · 05-25-2003, 12:28 PM

There are various PC Cards that will connect to a cellular network and allow mobile Internet access. While the oldest devices used the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network (9.6kbps), newer cards use 2.5G standards such as the 1xRTT or GPRS networks (56kbps or so I believe).

I'm in Canada, and I know Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer such services (typically aimed at the business customer). I'm presuming that most (if not all) of the US carriers would have similar options (Sprint PCS is the only one I'm certain of).

Hope this helps.

ApltnHkyMutt · 05-25-2003, 01:30 PM

Thank you very much. this is for work and my work would cover the expense so cost isnt a problem thanks for the info.

NuTs62 · 05-25-2003, 05:12 PM

I believe Verizon offers it through their cell service.. which costs extra..

spigidygak · 05-25-2003, 06:47 PM

GSM providers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Cingular provide a service called GPRS. It is pricey as heck since they all charge by the amount of data. Here is T-Mobile's cost for it: http://www.t-mobile.com/tmobile_internet/rates.asp

And verizon has CDPD which I believe sprint uses also. Anyhow more info at verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mobile_ip/index.html

http://www.verizonwireless.com/expre...ork/index.html

Devhux · 05-26-2003, 12:07 AM

Here's one of the SprintPCS cards that I was thinking about when I mentioned the use of 1xRTT networks. Apparently transfer rates are higher than I thought, since some people are reporting up to 100kbps and higher with it.

As for the CDPD service that was mentioned, I'll re-state my opinion in that you probably will want to avoid it if possible, since it's a slow, outdated standard.

coleslaw · 05-26-2003, 01:34 AM

Why use cell phone service? Just buy one of those Centrino laptops, go out into the middle of an empty field and surf the web! If the people in the Intel commercial can do it, why can't you!?!?

ken · 06-05-2003, 04:59 PM

verizon offers free internet connectivity with their regular service, its just at 14.4 - 9600 bps, and uses your regular minutes, if on weekend or night, ie free.

hoey222 · 06-05-2003, 05:51 PM

we priced the verizon setup - has a pc card - speed is about 100k burst upto 144k. price is i think $90 /month for unlimited data transfer. it's ther express network setup

http://www.verizonwireless.com/expre...ork/index.html

you can call them - they will come gve a demo. we got a demo, worked very nicely.

I had a bad experience with sprint. everyone i talked to had NO detailed knowledge about the service. and it was priced at about $120/month for unlimited access.

Joshua · 06-06-2003, 09:56 AM

I've seen this question coming up a lot lately. Has anyone actually subsribed to one of these services? Any comments?

ride2bhi · 06-06-2003, 12:05 PM

I recently upgraded my plan with Spint PCS and added the "Vision" internet service to my plan. It is unlimited and doesn't count toward my minutes. I did a little research and found that you can buy a USB adapter for your phone which can be plugged into your laptop. You will need some extra software from futuredial.com called "SnapDialer" which allows you to connect through the cell phone. I found a good deal at Radio Shack which might still be valid which gives you the cable and the software for $40 and includes "SnapSync" program which allows you to sync your phone up with Outlook. With this setup I was receiving 230 kbps which I found to work pretty well. One word of warning, supposedly there is termination threat in the SprintPCS agreement that you won't use vision the way I just described. I think if you use it as your main internet connection, they might notice the amount of data transfered and cancel your account. The guy at Radio Shack said not to worry because there is no way to tell the difference. If you want more info, go to SprintUsers.com and check their forums. All sorts of info there.

05-25-2003, 10:37 AM	#1
ApltnHkyMutt Captain Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wisconsin, Appleton Posts: 1,870	Wireless internet everywhere Is there any possible way to get wireless internet anywhere on a laptop? maybe through a cell phone.. ive been looking and cant seem to find anything.. cost isnt a problem. just want to know if the service is available

05-26-2003, 01:34 AM	#7
coleslaw Arrrhh! Join Date: May 2000 Location: LI NY Posts: 6,807	Why use cell phone service? Just buy one of those Centrino laptops, go out into the middle of an empty field and surf the web! If the people in the Intel commercial can do it, why can't you!?!? __________________ A priest, a paladin and Varimathras walk into a bar...

06-06-2003, 09:56 AM	#10
Joshua Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,390	I've seen this question coming up a lot lately. Has anyone actually subsribed to one of these services? Any comments? __________________ The Apexer formerly known as SnotRocket. "Like I **ing said, "Ok, so I hear it may be a repost. Blah But I had never seen it, so..." ** you Canta." -Jenny 12/4/2003

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05-25-2003, 12:28 PM	#2
Devhux Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,511	There are various PC Cards that will connect to a cellular network and allow mobile Internet access. While the oldest devices used the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network (9.6kbps), newer cards use 2.5G standards such as the 1xRTT or GPRS networks (56kbps or so I believe). I'm in Canada, and I know Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer such services (typically aimed at the business customer). I'm presuming that most (if not all) of the US carriers would have similar options (Sprint PCS is the only one I'm certain of). Hope this helps.

05-25-2003, 01:30 PM	#3
ApltnHkyMutt Captain Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wisconsin, Appleton Posts: 1,870	Thank you very much. this is for work and my work would cover the expense so cost isnt a problem thanks for the info.

05-25-2003, 05:12 PM	#4
NuTs62 Vice Admiral Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,763	I believe Verizon offers it through their cell service.. which costs extra..

05-25-2003, 06:47 PM	#5
spigidygak Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Redlands & San Diego, CA. Posts: 5,882	GSM providers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Cingular provide a service called GPRS. It is pricey as heck since they all charge by the amount of data. Here is T-Mobile's cost for it: http://www.t-mobile.com/tmobile_internet/rates.asp And verizon has CDPD which I believe sprint uses also. Anyhow more info at verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mobile_ip/index.html http://www.verizonwireless.com/expre...ork/index.html

05-26-2003, 12:07 AM	#6
Devhux Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,511	Here's one of the SprintPCS cards that I was thinking about when I mentioned the use of 1xRTT networks. Apparently transfer rates are higher than I thought, since some people are reporting up to 100kbps and higher with it. As for the CDPD service that was mentioned, I'll re-state my opinion in that you probably will want to avoid it if possible, since it's a slow, outdated standard.

06-05-2003, 04:59 PM	#8
ken Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: LA, CA Posts: 291	verizon offers free internet connectivity with their regular service, its just at 14.4 - 9600 bps, and uses your regular minutes, if on weekend or night, ie free.

06-05-2003, 05:51 PM	#9
hoey222 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: a little more to the left Posts: 2,426	we priced the verizon setup - has a pc card - speed is about 100k burst upto 144k. price is i think $90 /month for unlimited data transfer. it's ther express network setup http://www.verizonwireless.com/expre...ork/index.html you can call them - they will come gve a demo. we got a demo, worked very nicely. I had a bad experience with sprint. everyone i talked to had NO detailed knowledge about the service. and it was priced at about $120/month for unlimited access.

06-06-2003, 12:05 PM	#11
ride2bhi Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 362	I recently upgraded my plan with Spint PCS and added the "Vision" internet service to my plan. It is unlimited and doesn't count toward my minutes. I did a little research and found that you can buy a USB adapter for your phone which can be plugged into your laptop. You will need some extra software from futuredial.com called "SnapDialer" which allows you to connect through the cell phone. I found a good deal at Radio Shack which might still be valid which gives you the cable and the software for $40 and includes "SnapSync" program which allows you to sync your phone up with Outlook. With this setup I was receiving 230 kbps which I found to work pretty well. One word of warning, supposedly there is termination threat in the SprintPCS agreement that you won't use vision the way I just described. I think if you use it as your main internet connection, they might notice the amount of data transfered and cancel your account. The guy at Radio Shack said not to worry because there is no way to tell the difference. If you want more info, go to SprintUsers.com and check their forums. All sorts of info there.

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