OT: Cell phone internet access on Mac Laptop?

doofus · 03-06-2006, 11:44 AM

Hey, any of you all fancy smart computer people use your cell phone to connect to the internet on your laptop? I heard it can be done, but is it expensive($$$$$$), fast(slow)... and on a mac? i've got cingular and a moto v600. and a powerbook with bluetooth(and usb cord too)

Thanks

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pulski · 03-06-2006, 11:58 AM

Haven't done it on a Mac, but I've done it with both a Motorola V551 and my Sony Ericsson W600i. Here's the problem. Cingulars data plans are tiered. The unlimited MEdiaNet plan is $20/mo and can be used with a laptop... technically. The terms of service forbid it, however. If you do it rarely, they won't notice I don't think. (Haven't yet, and I've been on for 3 months). The most I've used in a month though is 10MB.. it adds up fast when using a laptop.

Option B: Dialup through the cell. Requires a dialup account somewhere, uses your minutes and only connects at 9600bps, which is almost unusable.

Option C: Get a Laptop Data Connect package for $60/mo that requires a PCMCIA card to connect. The only valid, and TOS frendly option. Expensive, but it's by the book.

pulski · 03-06-2006, 11:59 AM

Oh, to add... Speeds vary based on the phone... If you have Edge access, expect about a 90kbps connection (About 9K/sec). GPRS alone is a bit slower. It's not lightning quick, but it works.

formica · 03-06-2006, 12:02 PM

Or switch to VZW and get like...700k/s or so.

I can't wait until Telus up here gets an EV-DO blackberry so I can get one and use it as a laptop modem. I'm not a huge CDMA fan (had a GSM phone for 8+ yrs) but I'd take 700k > 56k any day for data.

pulski · 03-06-2006, 12:08 PM

Well, he asked about the V600. You can get HSDPA laptop cards, and I believe one phone may be out now that catches everything right up on speed.

redobs · 03-06-2006, 12:20 PM

I have a Blackberry from Verizon and have the tethered modem option. I get speeds of 115kbps. It's fast enough that I can VPN into my office network.

i0nic · 03-06-2006, 12:27 PM

I havn't tried it with a mac, but on my PC laptop i've done it with my verizon lg vx6000. No plan was required. You just set it up as a modem and with the right settings, it just uses your airtime minutes (meaning free internet at off peak). I usualy got 100-150 k/s. Good enough to check mail/internet/instant messenger.

Amplified2000 · 03-06-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

Or switch to VZW and get like...700k/s or so.

I can't wait until Telus up here gets an EV-DO blackberry so I can get one and use it as a laptop modem. I'm not a huge CDMA fan (had a GSM phone for 8+ yrs) but I'd take 700k > 56k any day for data.

Verizon's EVDO based Broadband Access products are not MAC compatible.. sorry.

WRX300 · 03-06-2006, 12:37 PM

get this quarters 2600 magazine

there is an article on this topic with links to phone scripts, info on the different carriers networks etc

I tried a t-mobile razr and my blackberry and it they both work flawlessly

getting about 100-200kbps

EDIT: here is the 2600 edition that has the article

http://store.2600.com/winter20052006.html

WRXFan420 · 03-06-2006, 12:37 PM

Where do you live Doofus? If you are in an area that Cingular has launched UMTS then that is the way to go. You would need to upgrade your phone, or get a PC Card, but you will get connection speeds of on average 700k with bursts to 1.2mbs. I have been testing the UMTS for Cingular for the past few weeks and it is much faster than my Comcast Cable Modem.

WRX300 · 03-06-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified2000

Verizon's EVDO based Broadband Access products are not MAC compatible.. sorry.

yeah they are.... I have the v620 card and mine plugged in and worked perfectly....

ShannonO · 03-06-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified2000

Verizon's EVDO based Broadband Access products are not MAC compatible.. sorry.

False. http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220...O_20050712475/

And I'm working on getting my PB to use my 700w's EVDO thru bluetooth now.

Jeff91082 · 03-06-2006, 12:48 PM

For any of this cell phone stuff, the best place is howardforums (sorry, I don't have enough posts to put up the link, apparently you aren't allowed URL's until after 5 posts

).

They have it all. Guides, troubleshooting, etc. I got my Verizon v710 working to my Powerbook over bluetooth within a few minutes (using airtime, no data plan). Fast enough for most things.

Good luck!

Amplified2000 · 03-06-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShannonO

False. http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220...O_20050712475/

And I'm working on getting my PB to use my 700w's EVDO thru bluetooth now.

OK I guess I should have been a bit more specific.. Verizon Wireless does not support thier BroadBand Access products when used in conjunction with a Mac product.

WRX300 · 03-06-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified2000

OK I guess I should have been a bit more specific.. Verizon Wireless does not support thier BroadBand Access products when used in conjunction with a Mac product.

um I have a v620 verizion broadband PCMCIA card

and a 1GHz titanium powerbook running OSX 10.4.4 and the card works plug and play perfectly... as far as support they sold me that card knowing i had a mac....

Amplified2000 · 03-06-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRX300

um I have a v620 verizion broadband PCMCIA card

and a 1GHz titanium powerbook running OSX 10.4.4 and the card works plug and play perfectly... as far as support they sold me that card knowing i had a mac....

go ahead and call up Verizon's Data Support team and tell them you are having a problem and see what they tell you, your salesperson did you disservice in not notifying you that they do not provide support to Mac owners using these products.

i0nic · 03-06-2006, 01:30 PM

Check out Howard Forums . One of the best online resources for cell phone stuff.

WRX300 · 03-06-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified2000

go ahead and call up Verizon's Data Support team and tell them you are having a problem and see what they tell you, your salesperson did you disservice in not notifying you that they do not provide support to Mac owners using these products.

I have called them about spotty reception in certain areas on the Metra North Train and they sent me a cdrom (albeit pc-based) that 'updated' the coverage map.. I went through a 20minute 'troubleshooting session' with them that was pretty mac-centric too

: ohwell:

doofus · 03-06-2006, 05:15 PM

hmmm. Thanks for the responses.

I just looked up the free verizon mobile office kit... and they only sell it for older phones. looks like they want to move people onto EV-DO... big surprise.

Cingular seems interesting... not to expensive.

Howard forums it is.

03-06-2006, 11:44 AM	#1
doofus Scooby Newbie Member#: 49591 Join Date: Nov 2003	OT: Cell phone internet access on Mac Laptop? Hey, any of you all fancy smart computer people use your cell phone to connect to the internet on your laptop? I heard it can be done, but is it expensive($$$$$$), fast(slow)... and on a mac? i've got cingular and a moto v600. and a powerbook with bluetooth(and usb cord too) Thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-06-2006, 11:58 AM	#2
pulski Scooby Specialist Member#: 70366 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenfield, MA Vehicle: 2009 WRX Hatch (DGM) 1998 Legacy GT (Black)	Haven't done it on a Mac, but I've done it with both a Motorola V551 and my Sony Ericsson W600i. Here's the problem. Cingulars data plans are tiered. The unlimited MEdiaNet plan is $20/mo and can be used with a laptop... technically. The terms of service forbid it, however. If you do it rarely, they won't notice I don't think. (Haven't yet, and I've been on for 3 months). The most I've used in a month though is 10MB.. it adds up fast when using a laptop. Option B: Dialup through the cell. Requires a dialup account somewhere, uses your minutes and only connects at 9600bps, which is almost unusable. Option C: Get a Laptop Data Connect package for $60/mo that requires a PCMCIA card to connect. The only valid, and TOS frendly option. Expensive, but it's by the book.

03-06-2006, 11:59 AM	#3
pulski Scooby Specialist Member#: 70366 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenfield, MA Vehicle: 2009 WRX Hatch (DGM) 1998 Legacy GT (Black)	Oh, to add... Speeds vary based on the phone... If you have Edge access, expect about a 90kbps connection (About 9K/sec). GPRS alone is a bit slower. It's not lightning quick, but it works.

03-06-2006, 12:02 PM	#4
formica Scooby Newbie Member#: 39150 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Canuckistan Vehicle: 2009 Renault Magnum	Or switch to VZW and get like...700k/s or so. I can't wait until Telus up here gets an EV-DO blackberry so I can get one and use it as a laptop modem. I'm not a huge CDMA fan (had a GSM phone for 8+ yrs) but I'd take 700k > 56k any day for data.

03-06-2006, 12:08 PM	#5
pulski Scooby Specialist Member#: 70366 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenfield, MA Vehicle: 2009 WRX Hatch (DGM) 1998 Legacy GT (Black)	Well, he asked about the V600. You can get HSDPA laptop cards, and I believe one phone may be out now that catches everything right up on speed.

03-06-2006, 12:20 PM	#6
redobs NASIOC Supporter Member#: 1501 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua, NH Vehicle: 2009 WRX wagon Dark grey	I have a Blackberry from Verizon and have the tethered modem option. I get speeds of 115kbps. It's fast enough that I can VPN into my office network.

03-06-2006, 12:27 PM	#7
i0nic Scooby Newbie Member#: 88605 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Pittsfield, MA Vehicle: 2003 WRX PSM	I havn't tried it with a mac, but on my PC laptop i've done it with my verizon lg vx6000. No plan was required. You just set it up as a modem and with the right settings, it just uses your airtime minutes (meaning free internet at off peak). I usualy got 100-150 k/s. Good enough to check mail/internet/instant messenger.

03-06-2006, 12:37 PM	#9
WRX300 Scooby Newbie Member#: 17974 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago	get this quarters 2600 magazine there is an article on this topic with links to phone scripts, info on the different carriers networks etc I tried a t-mobile razr and my blackberry and it they both work flawlessly getting about 100-200kbps EDIT: here is the 2600 edition that has the article http://store.2600.com/winter20052006.html

03-06-2006, 12:37 PM	#10
WRXFan420 Scooby Newbie Member#: 72643 Join Date: Oct 2004 Vehicle: 2005 Impreza WRX WR Blue Pearl	Where do you live Doofus? If you are in an area that Cingular has launched UMTS then that is the way to go. You would need to upgrade your phone, or get a PC Card, but you will get connection speeds of on average 700k with bursts to 1.2mbs. I have been testing the UMTS for Cingular for the past few weeks and it is much faster than my Comcast Cable Modem.

03-06-2006, 12:48 PM	#13
Jeff91082 Scooby Newbie Member#: 107166 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Coventry, RI Vehicle: 2007 WRX Wag. Satin White Pearl	For any of this cell phone stuff, the best place is howardforums (sorry, I don't have enough posts to put up the link, apparently you aren't allowed URL's until after 5 posts ). They have it all. Guides, troubleshooting, etc. I got my Verizon v710 working to my Powerbook over bluetooth within a few minutes (using airtime, no data plan). Fast enough for most things. Good luck!

03-06-2006, 01:30 PM	#17
i0nic Scooby Newbie Member#: 88605 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Pittsfield, MA Vehicle: 2003 WRX PSM	Check out Howard Forums . One of the best online resources for cell phone stuff.

03-06-2006, 05:15 PM	#19
doofus Scooby Newbie Member#: 49591 Join Date: Nov 2003	hmmm. Thanks for the responses. I just looked up the free verizon mobile office kit... and they only sell it for older phones. looks like they want to move people onto EV-DO... big surprise. Cingular seems interesting... not to expensive. Howard forums it is.