Question regarding PDA -> Phone (Data Plan/ISP) -> Internet

[br-]

I have a newbie question for you guys. I'd like to have a setup where I have a bluetooth PDA and a bluetooth cell phone and can access the internet wirelessly on the PDA. Now, I know its generally done by buying an expensive data plan from your cell phone provider, but I'm wondering if its possible to use your phone to dial the number for your dialup ISP and browse the internet that way. I ask this because I get 10 free hours of dialup per month, and it would be much cheaper to use phone minutes instead of paying exorbitant fees for data service.

Thanks.

[squeff]

In theory, yes. However, the ability to do so and what you'll be charged is dependant on your cell phone provider. Some providers won't say anything if you use your plan minutes. It's only if you have an unlimited web plan (e.g., Sprint's Vision in the US) will you run the risk of violating rules, getting charged, etc.

First thing that I'd do is check my cell phone provider's web site and/or other information (including calling them). If you call them and they say NO, then you have been warned. If they say YES, then I'd suggest you ask them to FAX or e-mail you confirmation that it's OK.

[squeff]

As a followup: I just realized that you might have been asking if it was TECHNICALLY possible, not if you were allowed. The answer to that depends on your phone. You should check out other messages here to see information on communicating with your phone via Bluetooth for the purpose of getting an Internet connection.

[br-]

Just to clarify, in this situation, I would have the following:

PDA: Tungsten Tx
Phone: T68i
Provider: Fido (in Canada)

Does anyone have any more information on this? Has anyone done it through an ISP successfully?

[TechnoCat]

Based on several years of experience, I don't agree with one of the answers you've received. Here's what's typical:

GPRS uses your phone company as the ISP. You pay by the megabyte or for an unlimited plan. It's typically expensive. When you surf the web on your phone itself, that's how you're doing it. To do that, connect to your phone as a "network".

You can also use the phone as a modem. I've been doing that for years, especially when in Europe. In those cases you must dial up an ISP in addition. You pay for the time with the ISP (perhaps a flat fee if that's what you have with the ISP) and you pay for the cell phone minutes. So it might be more expensive or it might be less expensive than GPRS.

Once you get it configured, GPRS is more convenient. Except I haven't managed to get my UX50 - Siemens S46 - Cingular connection configured. And if you're only going to do a tiny amount and don't need a dial-up ISP otherwise, it's probably best.

[cliekb]

br,

What you are trying to do is no longer allowed. Fido Canada, used to have that service, but shortly after introduction of gprs plans they stopped it. Some old customers where grandfather in, but not new accounts. Even old customers will loose that privilage if they make *any* changes in their exsiting plan. And I believe this is how it's gonna be everywhere sooner or later because using dialup is cutting into carrier's profit.

I have 400min +5mb and I would love to use my minutes but as things are they get waisted.

cliekb

[br-]

How would they know that I'm doing this? And is there any where that they specifically disallow it? This would be REALLY good if I could do it since I get free dialup and I have tons of left-over minutes.

And thanks for the info TechnoCat.

[theturtle]

Originally posted by TechnoCat
Once you get it configured, GPRS is more convenient. Except I haven't managed to get my UX50 - Siemens S46 - Cingular connection configured. And if you're only going to do a tiny amount and don't need a dial-up ISP otherwise, it's probably best. [/B]

You probably never will get that configuration to work. There's some mysteriously evil interaction between the S46 and the recent Sonys such that PPP over IR never works. I have AT&T, a TG50, a UX50, and a Siemens S46, and no one involved can explain why PPP always times out. AT&T spent more than a day on the phone with me, trying many possible combinations, and essentially admitted that they know of no one who has EVER gotten a Clie to tether to a Siemens S46 via IR. Tethering via the nonexistent Clie-to-Siemens serial cable would probably work, and tethering the Clies to other phones (I tried a Sony/Ericsson T68i) via Bluetooth works, and tethering other PDAs through the Siemens via IR works, but that particular combination is EVIL BEYOND COMPREHENSION and no one seems to know why.

What pisses me off is that neither my TG50 nor my UX50 will do it. I could see if maybe it was some weird PPP stack bug in Palm OS5.0x, but the UX50 is running 5.2 and the behavior is precisely the same.

While you're here, does anyone know of an AT&T-available phone that does all the following?

- Good strong volume
- Good antenna and signal selectivity
- Color screen
- Bluetooth
- Solid construction
- Doesn't look like a &^%@#&^@#@ Nintendo?

Thanks...

Turtle

[Nate1749]

im also new to this whole accessing the web on the palm through your cell phone... So all I need is to have a GPRS compliant phone with the service obviously supported by my provider?

I'm looking into getting the Nokia 3650 phone, with att or cingular service... here's the phone specifications

http://www.attwireless.com/buy/consumer/devicedetails.jhtml?id=400083

Also,,, just an FYI for myself, if the phone is GPRS compliant and you have that service on your phone then you need to buy an extra cable to connect to your palm, if not the bluetooth should work just fine?

-Nate

[Nate1749]

anyone know the answer to the questions in my post above? I'm going to switch cell phone providers in a month.

[phienix]

HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO SPRINT. I HAVE BEEN USING SPRING LG 1100 W/MY CLIE. I KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE A VISION PHONE THE BPS ARE HIGHER AND FASTER THAN WHAT I USE. ALSO SPRINT VISION IS A FLAT FEE FOR UNLIMETED USE. I GOT MY CABLE THRU SUPPLYNET AND THEY HAVE INSTRUCTION HOW TO SETUP YOUR CLIE TO MATCH YOUR SERVICE CARRIER. MINE IS JUST STANDARD CDMA. BUT I STILL ENJOY IT. THATS WHAT I AM USING NOW TO POST THIS REPLY. CHECK IT OUT. BESIDES SPRINT IS THE ONLY CARRIER I KNOW THAT DOESNT CHARGE PER KB.

[TotalDeejay]

To my belief, it varies a lot depending on cell phone companies but also on providers. Some providers will reject calls from cell phones. And also your cell phone company, if it sells a separate fax/data plan, is likely to make it impossible for you to use your cell for data unless you suscribe to their plan...

[squeff]

Originally posted by phienix
HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO SPRINT. I HAVE BEEN USING SPRING LG 1100 W/MY CLIE. I KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE A VISION PHONE THE BPS ARE HIGHER AND FASTER THAN WHAT I USE. ALSO SPRINT VISION IS A FLAT FEE FOR UNLIMETED USE. I GOT MY CABLE THRU SUPPLYNET AND THEY HAVE INSTRUCTION HOW TO SETUP YOUR CLIE TO MATCH YOUR SERVICE CARRIER. MINE IS JUST STANDARD CDMA. BUT I STILL ENJOY IT. THATS WHAT I AM USING NOW TO POST THIS REPLY. CHECK IT OUT. BESIDES SPRINT IS THE ONLY CARRIER I KNOW THAT DOESNT CHARGE PER KB.

Be aware that Sprint can, at any time, "ban" you from Vision service for doing this.  There have been a number of arguments over whether this violates your terms and conditions.  Basically, if you use your phone as a modem, they have the right to cancel you or to start charging you by the minute.  There a number of people who this has happened to (see www.sprintusers.com (http://www.sprintusers.com)).  That said, if you're reasonable about your usage, they likely won't care.

[phienix]

WEL WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIND THAT POST ABOUT THE CARRIERS BUT I DID FIND THIS ONE AND STATES THAT IT IS ALLOWABLE. CHECK IT OUT : HTTP://WWW.GATORPRESURE.COM/DAVID/ARCHIVES/000006.HTML .

[Nate1749]

phienix: when you post can you please turn CAPS LOCK off (much easier to read lower case). Also, the link you posted is dead =(

Thanks!

-Nate

[squeff]

Couple of problems with phienix's post. First, I agree that all caps is hard to read (and represents shouting). Also, it messes up the URL.

Second, it's www.gatorpressure.com, not www.gatorpresure.com.

Third, the information here is based on someone who "got away with it." There are several people who got caught by Sprint and were told that they were banned from Vision service because they used their phone as a modem. The whole question of whether Sprint changed they terms and conditions is questionable. So, unless someone has a link to a Sprint web site that says it's allowable, you're taking your chances. Again, I'd suggest looking at the forums on www.sprintusers.com. There are plenty of messages there from people who've lost their Vision service.

[Nate1749]

So In conclusion, what is the best plan and provider (assuming coverage is good in your area) that is for sure 100% legal? Of course there's no right/wrong answer, I'm just looking for opinions on plans that are for sure legal (in case sprint or whoever decides it is going to crack down).

It seems that the best one that is kinda, maybe, only bad if you get carried away provider, would be sprint and their unlimited plan. However, I would love to be told otherwise (since sprint coverage in my area is not that great).

-Nate

[squeff]

By the way, Sprint DOES have an unlimited data plan. It's $80, though.

[silversurfer20]

For all those thinking of using Sprint as a modem, think twice. I have had extensive pains in learning how this operates. I used to have a Sprint phone that worked off the old network and when I had unlimited wireless web everything was fine, but when I switched to a vision phone everything changed. I had unlimitted vision, but what happens is when your pda dials out to your phone it's dialing the wireless web address instead of a vision address. I spent hours on the phone with tech support, and there is no way to configure a vision phone with a pda to just be charged minutes. Sprint won't allow you to have wireless web added to your plan because you now have a vision phone. So it definately can be done, but if you are using a vision phone get ready to pay by the minute for wireless web usage. I had extensive arguments with Sprint over this, and according to everyone I talked with this is fact. Just one more way for wireless carriers to give it to us in the bum!

Everyone's Friend, Derek