so is there a way to use dialup networking on your cellphone to dial to MSN instead of using GPRS? When I try to use my cellphone as a modem, it gives me a carrier error and doesn't work. Is there an unlimited data plan through Cingular?

thanks!

5/16/2006 12:55:56 AM

sprint has the cheapest unlimited data plan - dial #777 through dialup networking to get online via cellphone - but it's also the slowest of the major carriers right now

cingular and verizon both have unlimtied plans at faster rates but they cost much more than the worth

5/16/2006 12:59:20 AM

i'm not familiar with gsm because i try to limit myself to technologies that don't suck, but alltel sells PCMCIA cards in their stores that do exactly what you want to do with high-speed service

5/16/2006 1:03:59 AM

I am on Cingular's GPRS connection right now, and the speed is faster than dialup, but it's gonna cost me $$$.

I tried to search but couldn't find an unlimited data plan on cingular.com, whereas a lot of message boards say that one could be had for $20 a month. Anyone on here use a data plan?

^ GSM and GPRS are two different things, IMO, and it isn't sucking where I am using it from.

5/16/2006 1:46:39 AM

of course GPRS and GSM are different things...GPRS is a data service offered only by GSM (right?)...but since GSM sucks all over, i am not familiar with their data services

5/16/2006 1:49:01 AM

Jesus

Dude

I know you hate GSM and love European technologies, but I have no issues with coverage at all...even in downtown areas. I am sorry your experience sucked so much that every cellphone thread makes you post about GSM's step children, but please let me find answers to my questions.

5/16/2006 1:50:22 AM

well, seeing as CDMA has been around longer than GSM, your comment isn't really all that accurate...and of course you aren't having issues in the downtown areas...GSM is at its best in the city, no one ever argued that it wasn't...it's when you actually go somewhere that it starts to suck

5/16/2006 1:54:58 AM

well, I drove halfway across the country, and it didn't suck for me.

These national calling plans with America's largest cellular network are awesome...you should try one.

5/16/2006 1:56:08 AM

FWIW, I'm on cingular's unlimited blackberry data plan and use it as a data modem. The blackberry supports EDGE so its faster than dialup but not really "broadband"

5/16/2006 11:33:50 AM

Excuse me

Did you just say CDMA has been around longer then GSM?

*edit

And before you get all excited, we're talking cellular service implementation.

[Edited on May 16, 2006 at 11:50 AM. Reason : .]

5/16/2006 11:48:10 AM

GSM: fundamentals created in 1987, standard in 1990
CDMA: IS-95 revision 1 in 1995. This created the first PCS band

I believe GPRS was implemented in 1997, CDMA2000 1xRTT in 2001

the CDMA before GSM may be true in the U.S. (not sure when GSM hit North America), but since most of your posts in the thread talk about the technology/reliability, you obviously were going for CDMA technology has been around longer than GSM, which, in fact, is false.

[Edited on May 16, 2006 at 12:02 PM. Reason : ]

5/16/2006 11:56:44 AM

If you go to Cingular's site and log into your account, there's a thing on the left sidebar that says "my features". Click that and you'll have a tab of current features and a tab of available features. I don't see an option for unlimited data, but I have the cheapest rate plan, so it may only be available if you have a better plan. This is on the Cingular Extras site, "...the MEdia Net Unlimited Package for $19.99 per month. If you do not have MEdia Net Unlimited Package, please call 1-866-CINGULAR and ask that it be added to your account.." so you could try that.

As for GSM/GPRS vs. CDMA, it's not as simple as one being better than the other. GSM/GPRS gets better voice quality and higher data speeds, but the towers don't have as high a range as CDMA, so it's best suited to metropolitan areas. CDMA has longer range, so it's easier for wireless companies to cover rural areas, but the voice quality and data rates suffer. It's really just a matter of how you use your phone that determines which is going to serve you better. Not every technology you use has to turn into a pissing contest.

5/16/2006 2:40:58 PM

No, CDMA has been around for a long long time but implemented in personal wireless communication recently (relative)

5/16/2006 3:38:34 PM

Just out of curiosity, what is Alltel's analog service?

5/16/2006 6:15:57 PM

this is way off topic

5/16/2006 6:17:10 PM

Cingular: mediaNet is WAP access.. if you want to use your cell phone as a modem for a desktop or laptop, then you need Laptop Connect which is $60 (special offer right now), or $75 normally for unlimited access.

if you're asking if your cellphone can dial into an AOL or MSN access number, then the answer is no.. your cell phone isn't a modem, so it won't recognize the handshake. You'll need the Laptop Connect or the equivalent feature to use your cell phone for the internet.

[Edited on May 16, 2006 at 7:18 PM. Reason : ]

5/16/2006 7:15:04 PM

If you have verizon, you can use their express (~100kbit/sec) and quick2net (much slower) networks for free--it just uses airtime. You may already have to be on a picture messaging or wireless web plan for it to be activated. Otherwise you have to call them and have it turned on.

5/19/2006 12:51:22 AM