Connecting to the internet while travelling

[jponder]

I just bought me a V400 motorola phone and bought the cable and software to use it to connect to the internet. Now thhey tell me I need to sign up for an additional data service, that defeats the whole process. I thought I could just use dial up and my minutes



I know that I read about people doing this, what am I missing?



I have Cingular, Is there any way to not have to add the extra service. Do yall remember the old analog bag phones and the coupler. You just used your minutes.

 

[KS_Cummins]

I did this through T-Mobile. The additional service is $20. 00 a month for unlimited use and does not use your minutes. I leave my laptop connected to it all the time. It places the internet connection on hold when placing or receiving phone calls. I don't even have an ISP or home phone anymore, just my T-Mobile phone for both internet and phone use. Best $20. 00 bucks I spend a month and I can take it with me where ever I go.

 

[bighammer]

Originally posted by KS_Cummins

I did this through T-Mobile. The additional service is $20. 00 a month for unlimited use and does not use your minutes. I leave my laptop connected to it all the time. It places the internet connection on hold when placing or receiving phone calls. I don't even have an ISP or home phone anymore, just my T-Mobile phone for both internet and phone use. Best $20. 00 bucks I spend a month and I can take it with me where ever I go.

What kind of connection speed do you get? I'd love to give up my home phone and do cell only, but I'd have a hard time giving up my cable internet.

 

[LandShark]

I spent all of last year on the road using Sprint PCS. I had two ways to connect. FIrst used a data cable from the phone (Sanyo 4700) to laptop, used the phone minutes and ran at a slow 10k baud.



Second method was a Merlin C201 Sprint PCS connection PCMCIA card. This card used a seperate account and runs at about 100 to 140K baud. I was on a unlimited plan with no contract for $100/ month. Rates are lower now. This worked pretty well around most of the country in metro areas.



I now live where Sprint in not available and have switched to AT&T using Nokia 6200 phones. These phones have a infrared port to connect to the laptop and I pay a data charge for each 1000 bytes (3 cents, I think). It's a very cool way to connect and connection speeds seem to be 120k baud or better. I haven't used this phone for internet except to check the connection setup so I can't say much more about it except that it was easy to set up.



Both the Sprint and AT&T phones have internet browsers built in, but are a waste of time for me. Small screen, small keyboard, etc...

 

[KS_Cummins]

I'm getting a connection in the area of 128k. Its not really all that bad. Takes a little longer on detailed pages with lots of pics, but still works. Its hard to get rid of cable, I have it at the office and love it, but for home where I mostly check email and surf the TDR it works great.

 

[tbrudder]

Originally posted by bighammer

What kind of connection speed do you get? I'd love to give up my home phone and do cell only, but I'd have a hard time giving up my cable internet.

Might want to look at Vonage . Telephone service over a broadband internet connection (cable or DSL). All plans include all the options you'd pay extra for from the phone company (caller ID, waiting, etc. ), free long distance in the US and Canada, and range from $15 (500 minutes) to $35 (as much as you want) per month.



I've been seriously considering this myself, but might not be the best for an apartment (have to disconnect the telco's phone line before hooking this up). When I find a house, I'll definitely be giving it a try...



--Ty

 

[BCook1]

On the cheap

Verizon has a hookup for $6 a month but it uses your minutes and is painfully slow. All I use it for is to check email. The advantage is that it works anywhere I can get a signal - I am not restricted to metro areas. The do have a higher speed set up for additional cost and it only works in certain areas. This T-phone sounds interesting but will it get coverage everywhere - middle of nowhere midwest?

 

[rweis]

I'm about to full time RV and this thread is right on. The DirecWay is suppose to be setup by a tech each time you move it. Gotta be a better way.



Bob Weis

 

[jponder]

You might just want to get certified to do it! Then you can charge your rv buddies to point theres

 

[RMcCulloch]

JPonder: The next time around, go with Verizon - especially their "America's Choice" plan. Free nights & weekends, virtually no roaming fees, free 56 kbps data access in digital areas (uses airtime), analog access.



Bighammer: Are you saying that your telephone company is also your cable TV provider?



RWeis: Datastorm's Motosat lets your computer control the alignment. The catch is the co$t.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I had a cell phone salesmen try to sell me on t-mobile the other day. Their coverage area is HORRIBLE according to the charts they have. If you aren't on one of the MAJOR freeways or in a major city forget it.

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

I'm a full time RVer and use the cell phone only. I use the Verizon Mobil Office Kit to get on the Internet. I wait till after my "unlimited nights & weekend minutes" go into effect and use the computer. With the Nokia I get 19 bps.

Harold

 

[DChatfield]

Motosat datastorm

Some good information on Motosat RV internet. Actually I'm jealous. Check out: http://www.where-rv-now.com/

 

[J&LRam]

-------RV. net has some good forums on this subject. I'm hang'n it up in about 9 mo. , been looking at this myself... ... . JIM

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Originally posted by BCook1

Verizon has a hookup for $6 a month but it uses your minutes and is painfully slow. All I use it for is to check email. The advantage is that it works anywhere I can get a signal - I am not restricted to metro areas. The do have a higher speed set up for additional cost and it only works in certain areas. This T-phone sounds interesting but will it get coverage everywhere - middle of nowhere midwest?

I use this... Quick2Net... It's PAINFULLY slow 14. 4k and works ALMOST anywhere... . anywhere there is a digital connection. I don't pay $6 a month for it... Just takes from my minutes.



I can check my e-mail and that is about it...