Cell phone as a modem

[Franke261]

Has anyone tried to see if there is a way to use a cellphone as a computer modem for internet, while in a remote sitation.

yeah I know that most cell phones can access the internet, but staring crosseyed at some tiny cellphone screen, versus using a laptop, would not be an option.

There's supposed to be a new 3G network coming, anyone have any experience in the bush with this?

[Vince]

yeah mine will work on the blue tooth mode some how . the wife sets it up... some how...but my lap top works if i have phone service.. how do you think i keep in touch here so well?:rolleyes:

[goosepilot]

Had not heard about the bluetooth to laptop net. What carrier do you have and which phone
I have verizon w/Blackberry Curve usually on 3g here in midwest. Have to have the $30/mo data with this phone w/ unlimited net. But then they stick you for another $30 prorated only when you use it when you use wired to laptop. Makes it like their verizon usb air card. Faster than dial up slower than dsl. Curious to know for the next time I come up

[LuJon]

If you have a windows or symbian based smart phone w/ a data package then you should look int the "walking hotspot" software that can be downloaded of the web. It lets you convert your phones WIFI card into a wireless router. This lets you connect your PC directly to it just like any standard WIFI hotspot. If you are connected to a 3G network it is surprisingly fast. Probably not going to let you get caught up on the latest youtube highlights but more than capable of letting you bang out emails or surf the AODD

[ak257]

I don't believe there is any 3G in Alaska yet. It's definitely not in Fairbanks and the last time I was in Anchorage (Feb.) it wasn't there then.

[LuJon]

I don't believe there is any 3G in Alaska yet. It's definitely not in Fairbanks and the last time I was in Anchorage (Feb.) it wasn't there then.

If you have a data plan with a smart phone using the above mentioned OS's that also has WIFI then you can get connected using walking hotspot. 3G just makes it quite a bit faster. According to my source within ATT, 3G equipment has been installed in many locations in AK but the central framework hasn't been upgraded yet. The word I have is early summer, we shall see! I know that I would love to have a good 3G network that would reach a few of my favorite fishing holes. I appreciate that many of you want to leave the office behind when you hit the river, I do too but I also want to go fishing Wednesday morning, and to do that I need to take the office w/ me.

[ak257]

[QUOTE=LuJon;482995]If you have a data plan with a smart phone using the above mentioned OS's that also has WIFI then you can get connected using walking hotspot. /QUOTE] This works on my Blackberry 8900 too. I was always a Windows Mobile guy until I got the 8900.....now I won't go back.

[goosepilot]

I suppose that is why most new verizon phones don't have wifi. They are making sure they get another $30/mo out of you so it equals the aircard @ $60/mo

[Franke261]

Thanks Guys

Just trying to figure out a way to get emails in the bush without setting up the satcom systems.

'thanks--

[LuJon]

Thanks Guys

Just trying to figure out a way to get emails in the bush without setting up the satcom systems.

'thanks--

OOOH that is easy, I-phone or pretty much any "smart" phone will do that w/ no additional hardware. I-Phone will even let you surf/contribute to the AODD

[HuntNphotos]

3G is already here

ACS has had 3G for a while now and my HTC Mogul smart phone can share the internet with a laptop anywhere there is data service through its USB cable. Before you spend a bunch of money though make sure there is a data tower in your area. Not all ACS cell towers have data capability. I bought mine partly so I would have internet at my cabin but found out after the fact that the tower in that area was not a data tower. :rolleyes:

[Jack49]

Both ACS and GCI offer 3G CDMA technology in Fairbanks, Anchorage and a few other spots. The GCI plan is much cheaper but they limit bandwidth to 4G per month. I've used both and as far as speed and reliability are about the same.

It's not an answer for remote locations as you need decent signal strength to establish the connection and outside of towns the towers are not set up for it due to the cost of backhaul of the traffic.

[Vince]

OOOH that is easy, I-phone or pretty much any "smart" phone will do that w/ no additional hardware. I-Phone will even let you surf/contribute to the AODD

not quite...


went on the wifes Att tilt ust fine... but i have the palm centro... is a no go... oh well..

[yetnaman37]

i have the palm treo with mta, and i get internet service at my place up the yetna river. i think it comes off the tower at shell lake. i have never tried to run internet through my laptop, but sure i can, just to dumb to figure it out

[COtoAK]

I don't believe there is any 3G in Alaska yet. It's definitely not in Fairbanks and the last time I was in Anchorage (Feb.) it wasn't there then.

ACS has had 3G for a while now and my HTC Mogul smart phone can share the internet with a laptop anywhere there is data service through its USB cable. Before you spend a bunch of money though make sure there is a data tower in your area. Not all ACS cell towers have data capability. I bought mine partly so I would have internet at my cabin but found out after the fact that the tower in that area was not a data tower. :rolleyes:

I also had the ACS 3G on our laptop before we were able to receive internet connectivity here on our property.
Back in the "Good ole days" I used to have to set my cell phone on a window sill, flip open my 3G card and log onto the internet to get to Alaska Outdoors Directory. We only received reception on one window. I did that for the first 18 months I was on this board. It was the only way that I was able to obtain my connectivity, check my email to communicate with family and friends, and log onto here.

I know that ACS has upgraded tremendously. I still have our AirCard and can use it whenever I find Wifi.

Honestly, though. Upgrade. Get an iPhone and use internet that way. Be sure that your remote bush location has the AT&T service because I can assure you that Barrow and parts of Prudhoe Bay definitely don't get good AT&T service. Treos are wonderful, but definitely hard to upgrade and hard to replace here in AK. I know a local youth pastor that found a Treo at a garage sale for $20 and it works awesome for him. Then again, he hasn't dropped it or cracked the touch screen, either. (smiles)

Let us know how it pans out.
COtoAK