Using Cell Phone as a Modem?
 

I've had a Verizon broadband card in the past, and I'd like to investigate using a cell phone as a modem (to reduce $, and the number of contracts).

I can choose any carrier. I am currently not under contract for a cell phone, or a broadband card. I'm on the phone approx 2000 minutes a month.

I travel a two days to two weeks each month in the US - in major cities. I like to have emails pushed to me.

My company uses MS Exchange Server, it does not have a Blackberry corporate server.

Speakerphone is not critical.

Are you happy with using a cell phone as a modem?

Are you going to need to take a call while tethered? Any use outside the US?

I won't need to take a call while tethered.

I'm US only.

I am quite happy! Actually using it right now on the traind ride home. AT&T's 3G speed is awesome!

Which phone?

The reason I asked the question about usage outside of the US was because of the CDMA/GSM issue. I have ATT's 3g system and am very happy with it, but I think EVDO coverage is still a little more extensive.

I tether on an HTC Tytn and it is very good. On my wife's TyTN II, the connection speed matches my Sierra 881 aircard (which usually remains in my desk drawer). On HSDPA and HSPA you can take calls and surf simultaneously. On the slower EDGE area, you can only do one or other. I have a friend with Sprint Blackberry with tethering and is thrilled with it.

TMobile's internet is the cheapest, but they are only EDGE. There will be limited 3g on TMobile in a couple of months, but I'm mostly posting this because someone will call me out if I don't. NYC is live; other major metro areas will go live in the fall.

I just got an AT&T Tilt and am very happy with the 3G speeds using internet sharing and a laptop--usually running 600-800k. AT&T appears to be expanding its 3G network pretty rapidly--and look for a big push for even more areas this year with the new version of the iPhone coming out.

Sprint has had this for some time now on both their 2g and 3g networks.

Their "PAM" (phone as modem) plans start at 39.95 over whatever your existing plan costs. Note that their $99 "everything" plan does _not_ cover PAM.

Almost all of their phones that are data capable can be used PAM. You will need a USB cable to tether to your computer. They will tell you that you need some software, but all you need is the USB driver for your phone and to set up dial-up networking to call *777 and you're in.

Some of the older Sprint phones (my old Sanyo 4920 was one of them) could act as a PAM without any additional plan, but it was on a slower network. It was still good enough for checking e-mail for a few minutes when no other Internet service was available.

The downsides: As you noted, your phone is not available while being used as a modem. Most of the USB cables will not charge the phone so you will be limited to the talk-time battery life of your phone. Finally, I noticed a lot of latency (turn around send/receive time) with the PAM. Steady-stream downloads were pretty good though.

Cheapest option, get a sprint SERO plan (search here, if it works, for much detail). 30$ a month for phone and data plan. Now, TECHNICALLY, it doesn't include PAM or tethering, but it works fine, and there are free and 20$ programs that simply do it for you over the phones data connection.

I use a sprint mogul FAR, and BT to connect to my computer, and get about 1.2mbs connections, 400kps upstream. For the past two years, do between 250mb and 3GB a month in data transfers with no problems. I have acutally never heard of anyone with problems doing this type of cheap laptop data.
This phone does GPS, reva data, takes a BT keyboard, does the slingplayer mobile justice, etc.

I use it with the following phones depending on the the one I am using that day/week. Moto Q9H, Samsung Blackjack, and Treo 750.

I'm not saying that I've never run the battery down while tethered, but I've noticed that the retractable cables don't seem to recharge my TyTN, but the regular kind do. Don't ask me why, it seems to be the case.

Sprint Treo 700p, basic plan + unlimited data, $34 third-party app. Have used it all over the US, use a sync'n'charge cable to the laptop so the phone stays charged. Speed is good, not great, but it works like a champ. Usually better and more reliable than the 'free wireless internet' you get at motels.

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

The AT&T Tilt looked really nice, but AT&T treated me quite poorly last summer, after I'd been a wireless customer for 10 years. I've fought a $180 charge with them for almost a year now, and will never engage in a contract with them again.

One Sprint representative was really eager for me to get the Instinct/'iPhone killer' when it is released on 6/20 - www.nowisgood.com, $199 before rebates. I want a keyboard - so I chose the Mogul. (I did ask the rep to check that the pricing on the mogul won't drop on Friday.)

The company pays for my air time. As a credit union member, there is a 10% discount the monthly charges, and waiver of activation fees.


Martinp13 - thanks for the Treo info - I'll keep it in mind if the mogul doesn't work for me.

Retractable USB cables probably don't include the connections and conductors for USB power. Removing a few conductors is likely what makes the cable thin enough to retract.

+1 Sprint Mogul (HTC 6800)
Have to plug/unplug tether from time to time ...
Unlocked GPS works great with Google Maps