I'm even more confused than ever! Would someone please let me know what "wi-fi" stands for? Re: the really high cingular bill, wouldn't it just be cheaper to take the $80 per mo. unlimited KB plan?
"WiFi" is an anacronym for Wireless Network connection. In other words, with a "wireless" network card in your computer, IF your computer is within the signal range of someone's wireless network, you may be able to connect to it and enjoy network speed internet access.
However it is no guarantee. It all depends on whether or not the network is open to the public or not.
Wirless networks have a general range of 1000 feet. So we're talking pretty close to "line of sight" range. But it beats being tethered to a cord.
Quote: ...wouldn't it just be cheaper to take the $80 per mo. unlimited KB plan?
I have the Cingular/AT&T high speed plan for $80 and unlimited data and it's great! I just got my bill for last month - over 500 Meg of data for one price. I just leave it on all the time and I can use my phone at the same tme.
Dave
Life doesn't come with a safety fence around it... enjoy it anyway.
Quote: "you can't receive or place voice calls & your minutes are charged for all carriers as far I know".
Not so with Sprint. At least two years ago I was able to use the USB cable cord together with Sprints PCS software and be able to connect with my laptop 24/7 at no additional charge. That said, during Hurricane Charlie, I was unable to have access so I called Sprint's tech support. It seems that Sprint doesn't want their clients to use the cell phone as a modem other than the stupid use of the cellphone's screen. They have refused to give support stating that they do not want us to use the laptop connection unless we buy their $79. (or so) monthly program.
No one has stated they use Sprint. Is there anyone out there that does? I haven't tried mine of late and this thread has kicked up my curiousity to try it again. More later.
I have reported on this and another program called Slingshot (ggogle it) which is an inexpensive way to connect to the internet.
How can I tell if my Verizon plan (Digital Choice, LG VX4500 phone, Sacramento, CA area) will let me access the internet without an additional charge? I'm not sure that they'd give me the straight story if I call them since it looks like they want to charge for internet access. I'd hate to go to the time and expense of purchasing the USB cord, software, etc. only to find out if I need to pay additional $ for what would only be occassional access while on the road.
hi
this does get complicated real fast-doesn't it. drove me nuts for the longest time. like you i have cingular nation but i think where the confusion comes in is weather you plan to use their service (big bucks) or you have a dial up you can use(just min used). i ended up getting a modem capible phone(nokia 6200) the data cable and then d/l(free) the nokia suite software. i have sbc dsl which also gives you dial up access so i use that. you'll end up calling cingular to get the gprs access point-hopefully who you get on the phone will know what that is-took me a few ppl to get it(write it down and keep-just in case) you'll have to enter it into your phone and make sure gprs(atleast on my fone) is turned on, install the software and fill in the blanks. should be fairly straight forward. note of caution-if you have more than 1 usb-remember which one you use as it will look there and make sure you aren't running nokia suite or have it open when you try to connect. takes a bit of fiddling around but it does work. don't expect to break any speed records but for email and simple stuff works fine. i use mainly for on line banking and email and it does ok. the thing i can't figure out-99% of all laptops have built in modems-why can't they make a fone to use as a phone and use the built in modem-then all you'd need is a $1 phone cable
2004 silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 long bed 8.1L gas hog
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1 very part time camping son and 3 full time camping, 4 legged fur balls
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Man oh Man....this is just so complicated. My problem with the $70+ monthly fee is that we only take a couple trips a month for just the weekends. But, I can hardly stand to be without my internet for that long. Right now we use At&t but I think I will switch to Cingular to get the Media Net unlimited for $24.99 monthly and use the USB connection.
There is a lot of information on VERIZON at the "internet by cellphone" Yahoo group.
If you have a phone that can do "Get It Now", then you should be able to use a data cable with it and go on the net for minutes used, which is free after nine and weekends for most plans.
Jim
Jim,Sr., Jean & Sedona (K9) Ray 88 - 25'HR AlumaFrame, 460/C6, 02 Forester Dinghy, DirecTV, XM, 6-210amp GC, Separator, Link-10, PD9280/Wiz, ProSine 1800, PowerPoles, VZW Internet, Smith & Wilson
JamesRaySr@gmail.com Glendale, AZ, SUPER BOWL XLII (2008)
Following up on my earlier post, I have rechecked using my Sprint PCS Vision cell phone as a modem to my laptop and it still works just fine. Not the speed of cable's broadband, but nevertheless, it works at no additional charges.
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