HOW-TO: Use your CDMA cellphone as a USB modem
posted Jan 18th 2005 1:58PM
Travel plans about to take you beyond the land of broadband? Venturing far afield from the great kingdom of WiFi? You may have been born with 802.11b in your mouth, but you're going to want to get prepared for that next trip to the sticks. This How-To will show you how to get a decent Internet connection for no cost other than the phone minutes you use while connected. It should also come in handy for you folks not located on the left or right coasts, and for those of us non-urbanites when the coffee shops are closed (stay tuned next week for Phillip Torrone's USB coffee maker How-To...). And remember, the Motel 6 does not offer WiFi. Get prepared, scout!
Gather ye materials while ye may:
- Laptop running Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
- CDMA phone (If you have a GSM phone, see GSM USB modem for OS X on the Mac. Windows users, first configure your phone as a modem, then use a separate dial-up ISP or paid GPRS connection.)
- Phone plan: You need to have Sprint PCS Vision enabled to access their 3G network, which gives you access speeds
typically somewhere between a 56K modem and DSL/cable. If your carrier is Verizon, you don't need to pay any extra
fee for data transmission, and you have two connection options: the Quick Connect Network, zipping along at 14.4K but
dead easy to set up, or the Express Network, which gets you into the same speed range as Sprint PCS but can be
funkier to set up.
- USB data cable for your phone model (Usually pretty cheap. More on this later.)
- Possibly, drivers for your phone (Under OS X, you probably have a built-in driver already. Windows users, we'll help you track yours down in a bit.)
First, let's find your data cable. You can order a USB "data kit" for your phone from Verizon, Sprint, or from your phone manufacturer, but it comes with some extra junk you probably don't need. If you want to save a few quid you can just get an OEM data cable (sometimes called a 'replacement data cable' because they really want to sucker you into buying that "data kit."). One end is standard USB, and the other end will fit the data port on your phone.
Check 3gcables.com or
Cellular Factory for OEM cables for a wide range of phones,
or just do a Google search for "your phone+usb modem."
FutureDial also sells OEM cables; their web site
claims they are for use with FutureDial software only, but this is pure marketing shinola.
For most phones, you can score a cable for between $15-$30. You also might have luck at Radio Shack - note that if you
do find your cable there, and you are on OS X, they may tell you the cable 'won't work with Macs.' Disregard them. Or,
they may try and tell you that you need special, lucrative drivers to use the cable with OS X. Again, this is total
bunk that you can safely disregard. Feel free to chuckle at them on your way out the door with your cable.
If you're running Windows XP, you most likely will need a driver for your phone. Your OEM cable may have come with a
driver disk, in which case we recommend that you pause for a moment to do the dance of joy, then skip the rest of this
paragraph. If it didn't, fear not - a little poking around should uncover a driver specifically for your phone or a
generic driver that will do the trick. Start with a Google search for "your phone+USB modem driver" to try and find the
driver that is specifically for your phone model. This is often faster than going direct to the phone manufacturer's
web site, which is what you should try second. If both of these fail, there are some generic drivers that may work if
you have a Sanyo or Samsung phone: try the USB-Serial.exe driver package from
Supplynet. If you still haven't found your driver, please see the
"Good places to track down obscure drivers" section at the end of this how-to.
Setting up your CDMA phone modem, Windows XP
Find your driver as per above, download it and unpack it. Or, insert the CD that came with your cable. Next, plug the
data cable into your phone, and plug the USB end into your PC. The ever-lovable Hardware Wizard should appear:
You can let Window Update search for a compatible driver if you had trouble locating yours, but otherwise select "No,
not this time" and we'll go ahead and select the driver since we already know where it is. Click Next.
The Wizard will now want to know if you will let it try and install the device drivers automagically:
It is my experience that the Wizard is not terribly wizardly in this regard, so we're going to live dangerously and
choose the 'Advanced' route, "Install from a list or specific location." Click Next. The Wizard will try once again to
take over, so in the next dialogue select "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install" and click Next.
Now we choose what type of device we're installing: Modems.
The next dialog box will tell you that Windows didn't find any drivers, but we're not surprised because we wisely
never let it search for any. Just click 'Have disk.' You'll get the familiar 'browse to find your file' dialogue. Click
Browse, find the driver for your phone, then click 'OK.' You should now be presented with an 'Install New Modem'
dialogue:
Your phone modem should show up in the 'Models' pane. You may get a warning message that "This driver is not digitally
signed!" and, when you click next, you get another warning that says installing the software can impair or destabilize
the operating system, make you prematurely bald, cause irreversible blindness, under no circumstances should you
continue, blah blah blah. Don't panic.
Microsoft is just trying to cover its own arse, and the worst than can happen is likely the driver won't work. Live
life on the edge and click 'Continue Anyway.' You'll get a 'Please wait' dialogue while Windows installs the driver.
The Wizard will announce when it is done installing the new hardware; just click 'Finish.'
Now we're ready to establish our connection. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections. Click "Set
up or change your internet connection." Click the "Connections" tab.
Click the Setup button, which will bring up another Wizard. Click Next.
Select "Connect to the Internet." Click Next.
Select "Set up my connection manually." Click Next.
Select "Connect using a dial-up modem." Click Next.
It's likely you already have an internal modem in your laptop, so you'll see a dialogue asking you to choose which
modem to use:
Select your phone modem and click Next. The next dialogue will ask you to name the connection. Do so; click
Next.
For phone number, enter #777 and click Next.
Next, we enter our account details:
If you're on Sprint PCS Vision, your username/password combination is web/web. If you're on Verizon, you can connect
to the 14.4K QNC network with qnc/qnc. To connect to the Express network, your username will be your 10-digit phone
number followed by the string @vzw3g.com, e.g. 4235551212@vzw3g.com, with the password vzw. If you can't get the
Express Network running and you just want something that works without hassle, do the QNC network. Remember 300 baud?
14.4K ain't so bad.
You'll probably want to uncheck both "Use this account name and password when anyone connects to the Internet from
this computer" and "Make this the default Internet connection." Click Next, check "Add a shortcut to this connection..."
to create a shortcut on the Desktop, then click Finish to exit the Wizard.
Double-click the shortcut to the connection on the Desktop (you can also go to Start > Connect To > Your
connection name). The following connection window will appear:
Click Dial to dial the phone modem. Without too much fanfare, you should shortly be connected. The Network icon in
your system tray should reflect this. If not, you can try resetting the chip in your phone. Keep all cables connected
and turn off your phone. Wait at least five seconds, then turn the phone back on. Try dialing again. Good
luck!
Setting up your CDMA phone modem, Mac OS X
Mac users, rejoice, for ye don't have too much in the way of setup, nor do ye have to visit the Wizard. Sprint users
will not need any additional drivers. Verizon users can use the generic Verizon Wireless Standard Driver, available
here. If that mirror
ever goes down, the Yahoo Maccellphone users group has a copy
of it in their Files section. Plunk this driver down in your /Library/Modem Scripts folder. Then, let's dig in!
First, plug the data cable end into your phone, then the USB end into your Mac. Your computer will 'discover' your
phone and you will see a new hardware dialogue:
Click OK. Then, open the System Preferences Network panel. Let's create a new location so you can easily switch back
and forth between the modem and your other configurations. In the Location pop-up menu, select "New Location..." and give
the location some sort of meaningful name.
Next, click the Show drop-down menu and select "Network Port Configurations."
Your phone should be in the list of port configurations:
If it isn't, try resetting the chip in your phone. Quit System Preferences, keep the cables connected, and power down
your phone for at least five seconds. Power up the phone and relaunch Network Preferences and resume.
Click the Show drop-down again and select your phone modem port. Click the Modem tab:
You will now need to select the proper modem from the Modem drop-down menu. If you are a Sprint user, your choice is
Sprint PCS Vision. If you are a Verizon user, your choice is Verizon_Wireless_STD_Driver. Be sure to check "Show modem
status in menu bar" so you can have a handy way to connect from anywhere (you can also always use the Internet Connect
program in your Applications folder).
Supposedly you should uncheck "wait for dial tone before dialing," but it still works for me if I leave it checked. If
it's not working for you, try unchecking it.
Click the PPP tab:
For Sprint, you ought to be able to get a connection by merely filling in the Telephone Number as #777, and nothing
else: no account name, no password, zip, zilch, nada. Verizon users: to connect to the Express network, your username
will be your 10-digit phone number followed by the string @vzw3g.com, e.g. 4235551212@vzw3g.com, with the password vzw.
If you have trouble connecting this way, try connecting to the Quick Connect Network by entering in the Account name
and Password both as qnc. Click Apply Now.
It's time to roll. Click on the phone icon in your menu bar and make sure that your phone modem is checked instead of
the Internal Modem. Select Connect.
You'll see a "Dialing..." message ticker across the menu bar, followed by a "Connecting..." ticker, and then voila! For
those about to browse, we salute you. To disconnect, simply choose Disconnect from the same menu.
If you use webmail, no further instruction needed on the email front. If you use pop mail, just launch your client
of choice and you shouldn't have any trouble receiving mail, and chances are good that outgoing mail will work
swimmingly, as well. If anything, you may run into a snag trying to send outgoing mail, in which case you might want to
try changing the outgoing SMTP server to smtp.sprintpcs.com. If you're still having trouble sending out, it could quite
possibly involve some voodoo to make it work. If you've gotten this far and all you needed to do was send a single
freakin' email, just remember that there are far more important things in life to be shedding tears over, such as why
the Japanese get all the cool phones. Stay strong, pardner. Remember that there was life long before Al Gore invented
the internet.
Good places to track down obscure drivers, or to ask for help if you get stuck with your particular
phone/driver/operating system conglomeration:
There you have it, folks. The next time you find yourself saying "Where the Fi is my WiFi?!" you can think of Engadget, and kick yourself for not having printed out this How-to.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!! THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!
So is this functionally equivalent to AT&T's mMode? (You're not sneaking bandwidth past the noses of The Man, are you?)
Been doing it this way for years.
Everyone should know how. It's very very useful.
I have a regular Verizon plan. I have no internet/WAP of any sort in my plan. Are you sure this won't waste anything more than minutes? Is it true that it doesn't waste any minutes for both Quick Connect Network and Express Network?
it'll just waste your minutes. I use it with my verizon kyocera slider. works great.
This is fantastic. I used to do this with my sprint phone but after I upgraded thinkpads I realized they pulled the driver. Hopefully this will work as a replacement. Thanks!
Even better, if your cellphone provider doesn't charge you for 1800/toll-free numbers(most don't), you can use SIMPLE.NET to access the internet through your cellphone, virtually from ANYWHERE your cellphone works!
re: above comment--
To explain further: www.simple.net offers a number of toll-free 56k dialup numbers with their internet access, for no additional charge. I use it where Wi-Fi doesn't, with my cellphone, and have been for over 2 years.
One correction to your Verizon info. You can get on the quick2net (aka quick connect) option for free, but you have to have a data plan in order to use Express Network. There used to be loopholes to this, but not anymore.
Yeah, what's the story with AT&T Wireless/Cingular? Is it still free? And is the setup similar?
matt and baz and other cingular-types - try these deets:
for username: wap@cingular.com
password: cingular1
dial: *99##2
Setup is similar, yes. Note also this will work just as easily via bluetooth connections. Same exact setup, sans cable.
aw man, this is so simple and so old school, i've been using it since i first had the sanyo 5000 with sprint. if i've known that this was widespread, i've would submitted this to engadget years ago.
If you are a T-Mobile user, check out:
http://us.t-mobile.mywds.com/
They hide it really well, but it is a great resource to figure out how to get your devices to talk together.
I used it to help setup my Clie to get to the internet via BT through my T610. Nothing beats the thrill of connecting to the internet via myriad handheld gadgets to get restaurant reviews for sites you see coming up on your GPS unit. Ahh... the life of a gadget freak.
what's the deal with free minutes on nights and weekends? does that mean i can stay connected forever?
be careful, sprint users. the general wisdom at sprintusers.com (read the forums there, specifically sprint underground for a lot more info, including on different phones) is that sprint will look the other way for casual #777 usage, but some people have actually gotten billed for it, and that goes out at some very high prices.
I'm on Verizon's Express Network, just uses my minutes. I'm on the road a lot, and having mapquest all the time is great!
Oh - Any one else using Express Network? If I let it sit, it'll still say it's connected, but the two-computer icon in the system tray stops lighting up, and I have to disconnect/reconnect for it to work... any one?
Will this also work for NEXTEL which uses TDMA technology.
This might seem off topic but does anyone know where I can get that lovely background image on the laptop picture that is on the left?
Is it digital bla?
Even better, if you have bluetooth, you can use it to do away with the USB wire. People freak out when they realize that you're using your phone as a modem while it's in your pocket.
I recieved an error "there was a hardware failure with your modem" if some one can help me e-mail me at dmx434343@aol.com
I've been using this service from Verizon for two years. This is old news... I've had steady 115k CDMA connections - it's been a lifesaver.
I'm using a verizon wireless with an ibook.
I'm constantly getting an authentication failure. anyone getting the same?
there a way to do this w/ a treo 600 on osX.. i tried that wireless modem proggy which craps out after 5min of use.. been reading that many people have had the problem.. but havn't figured out a way to get the machine working as a modem w/o it...
I was able to set my phone up with verizon express and I do not have a data plan. Unless maybe they automatically started charging me. The only thing it said I conncected at 230kps but when I did a internet speed test I came up with 79. But it is better than my dial up.
I tried this using my bluetooth phone and my powerbook with Cingcular. I'm not sure if I didn't have it set up right or I didn't have the right dial-up number (I used #99***1 or somethin' like that) and I got charged under their data plan....NOT JUST MY USUAL MINUTES. I connected a few times and not even that long and it cost me around $90 tacked onto my normal bill.
Does anyone know how to set it all up so its just a regular dial-up call and not a chargeable "data" call??? Thanks in advance...
What if my laptop is running Windows 2000?
Sprint doesn't require any kind of a password - I leave my username/password fields blank when making a connection.
Note: technically this violates the ToS of your vision agreement (Vision packs don't cover tethered usage, you're supposed to pay $.01/kb or some such nonsense. In practice, if you don't use it as your primary ISP or otherwise push a lot of data a month; they'll let it slide.
Side note: With Verizon, if you buy a mobile office kit, you get support from verizon on this - at least to do QNC, and very likely to use their express network. If you have an OEM cable, or a driver that's not the Verizon one, you're on your own.
I'd be interested if there is a way to do this with NEXTEL phones as well as poster #16.
Yes you can use Verizon's NationalAccess all night and weekends and not be charged anything.
NationalAccess is three (3) times faster than dialup and six (6) times faster than quick2net. Here is my videoscreencapture of using it.
http://www.geocities.com/phrentec/nationalaccess.htm
http://www.geocities.com/phrentec/nationalaccess.avi
note: geocities sometimes prevents direct linking of the avi so use the .htm
note: you need the tscc codec to view the video.
If you have the cables and drivers you can download the VZAccess software from Verizon although you should really purchase it if you like it.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/nationalaccess/index.jsp
Hey Guys,
Anyone know how to get on using suncom? I've called in the past and they said this feature was not available. Anyone know if they are avoiding the truth?
Hey Guys,
Anyone know how to get on using suncom? I've called in the past and they said this feature was not available. Anyone know if they are avoiding the truth?
Anybody ever find modem drivers for the Verizon Blackberry 7750? TIA
What is the story with AT&T/Cingular wireless? Is it the same procedure? Do I get to use my free Nights & weekend minutes for free or do I get charged??
Someone please help.
Africano....ATT CINGULAR uses data pricing not minutes....you get charged a penny per kilobyte....it adds up quick......on a different note......how do i get the vx7000 to work? my powerbook wont detect it
Are we sure this is free for both options for Verizon? I want to do this, but if it will cost me something other than minutes than i do not want to.
I'd be interested if there is a way to do this with NEXTEL phones as well as poster #16.
I'm using Mac OX 10.3.7 and I also have that constant "Authentication failed" message.
Did somebody have any clue?
Ok, I went ahead and bought the data cable and tried this with my powerbook running osx 10.2 with a samsung a670/verizon service.
It connects for exactly 1 second then disconnects? What the hell!!!
Easy my ass
Jon,
Is it an authentication failure? Because if so, I have the save problem. I've been trying to find out how to fix that by searching the web, calling Verizon, Apple... but nothing. Good luck
I've used verizon express network using my minutes only for several years. No problems with authenication failure - ever. Are you dialing #777 and using nnnnnnnnnn@vzw3g.com as your userid (nnnnnnnnnn is your 10 digit cell phone number) and vzw as your password.
If you cannot connect this way, then perhaps you do not have high speed national access turned on. It used to be called Express Network, now NationalAccess, I believe. A couple years ago I called Verizon to have it turned on. After being told many times (on different calls) by customer support that I needed to pay an extra $80 (at that time) I finally asked for tech support and they turned it on, no questions asked. No extra money. No charge except using my minutes - with my unlimited weekends and nights.
SLIDER WITH VERIZON - POST #5 - i have done everything to get it to work for me. any chance you can break it down for me?
I have a G4 PowerBook with OS X 10.3.7, a LG VX6000 phone, a cable from 3gcables.com, and service from Verizon Wireless. I installed the Verizon modem script per above instruction. When I connect the phone to the PowerBook, I never see the "New Port Detected" notice. This suggests (to me) that I'm missing some other driver.
Can anyone point me at whatever I'm missing?
Stephan, I had been getting the authentication failure too until I followed Kathleen's directions, post #40 (Thanks Kathleen=) Also, I sent an e-mail to Verizon requesting the Quick Net Connect be actiivated(Not sure if this was one the whole time or if they activated it? Bottom line, it's working!!! The speed of the connection is about half that of regular dial up-still cool though.
Mr Moustache, It was only after I opened up System Preferences, then clicked on Network did I see "New Port Detected"
Hope this is helpful,
Jon
Jon-- I should have mentioned that I tried that, as well. System Profiler shows that the phone is there as a USB device, but for some reason I cannot create a "network port" for it... I'll ping Verizon and see what I can turn up.
Verizon Mac users - I owe you a huge apology. The Verizon Express Network settings that Kathleen helpfully (thanks, Kathleen!) pointed out in comment 40 were included in the Win version of the how-to and didn't get replicated in the OS X version. That is my bad as an author for glossing over the fact that the Mac peeps have no need/interest in reading the Win side of the story!! :) I've corrected the article.
Note also that, as a Verizon representative noted in the comments, whereas there used to be loopholes around connecting to the Express Network, you may in fact have to call Verizon to enable your phone to connect now. Good luck!
What about for PDAs (specifically an IPAQ 4350)? I have bluetooth on this PDA so I was looking forward to using a bluetooth connection for using my Sprint phone as a modem. But, because sprint has barely any bluetooth phones, it looks like I'm going to have to use another way to get online. I know I can get a Treo 650, but buying a PDA-phone to use my PDA kind of kills the point...
What about for PDAs (specifically an IPAQ 4350)? I have bluetooth on this PDA so I was looking forward to using a bluetooth connection for using my Sprint phone as a modem. But, because sprint has barely any bluetooth phones, it looks like I'm going to have to use another way to get online. I know I can get a Treo 650, but buying a PDA-phone to use my PDA kind of kills the point...
Yes, this should work to connect your PDA as well, via bluetooth. Sprint is not big on Bluetooth phones but there is the LG PM325:
http://cellphones.engadget.com/entry/1234000533022363/
Thanks for the info barb. I've been hearing mixed things on the bluetooth actually working for sure so that's why I was preparing myself to just use a cable instead of relying on bluetooth. Plus, the LG isn't really an attractive phone. I was just curious though on how I would link a PDA to my cell phone? Carrying the data cable around is going to be annoying enough - but carrying the cradle to my PDA as well? Is there a better 2nd plan to use my cell phone as a DUN for my PDA if bluetooth isn't an option? Thanks again.
Thanks for the info barb. I've been hearing mixed things on the bluetooth actually working for sure so that's why I was preparing myself to just use a cable instead of relying on bluetooth. Plus, the LG isn't really an attractive phone. I was just curious though on how I would link a PDA to my cell phone? Carrying the data cable around is going to be annoying enough - but carrying the cradle to my PDA as well? Is there a better 2nd plan to use my cell phone as a DUN for my PDA if bluetooth isn't an option? Thanks again.
Have tried to get XP to recognize the phone as a modem (have Verizon LG VX10), but can't get it to despite installing the USB drivers.
Have tried to get XP to recognize the phone as a modem (have Verizon LG VX10), but can't get it to despite installing the USB drivers.
Thank you so much Kathleen. Everything works perfectly now. Slow but still very cool.
Thank you again.
cha_cha_mia - it depends on what kind of phone you have and if there is a USB host cable made for it. you will have to do some sleuthing to find out, but some phones support using a usb host cable to connect to your pda, in which case you can use it to provide internet access for your pda. one good place to check if your phone has a cable is Gomadic:
http://www.gomadic.com/
good luck!
I have the Sprint Vision plan. Was able to get the phone working as a modem. Was wondering since I have the Vision plan doe's that mean I will be charged by the minute usage or is it unlimited? Also, is there anything I can do to speed it up a little?
Thank you
Hi everyone! I was wondering for the Verizon Wireless network do you have to have Mobile Web enabled ($5 additional to your regular mobile plan -- not data access plans) in order to use the quick2connect or the expressnetwork? I know that if I wanted to browse the web on my phone I would have to have Mobile Web. Otherwise the only way I would think this USB modem thing would work would be to use a connection established from a similar network like that of GetItNow. I havent tried yet (still waiting for that data cable to come in), but I will as soon as I can! If anyone could answer this question it would be great! Thanks!
I have been able to use my Nokia 6340i (GAIT) phone with Cingular and Ir to connect my laptop to the internet via my ISP dialup numbers.
There are only minutes billed, no data plan fees.
Now that I am ready to upgrade phones I can't find one that will allow me to use it as a dialup modem without having to pay outrageous data fees. It seems that (forgive me if I'm wrong) the newer phones will not support CSD (Circuit switched data) as used for decades with regular analog modems. Instead they use digital only networks that require subscriptions. The instructions at the top say that a "phone plan" is one of the requirements.
I have no "data plan", just a voice plan and want to know if there is newer hardware and a carrier that will allow me to use only voice minutes rather than subscribe to the ripoff data plans.
I used your method for 3 to 4 weeks before I was being blocked from the service possibly as a result of the new EDGE technology. I use Cingular and SBC dial up.
I then tried Net Zero and was able to use it for a few days before blocking or the call seen on the phone's display but the call was dropped short of connection. I trried the ,,, or periods after the phone number without success.
Any suggestions?
Can anyone advise me?
I cannot seem to get online using my cell phones as the modem.
Here is my setup
G4 450 MHZ
Samsung A500
OS. 10.3
I have purchased a cable from radio shack and have downloaded modem script
"sprintpcs.vision.tgz" and placed it in my modem scripts folder.
I think I have configured the dial up correctly with #777 and not using any passwords or account name.
So why can't I get this to work? Has anyone out there had problems successfully getting online with this or a similar configuration using Mac and OS.10.3?
Thank you.
Does anyone know if I can use this through Cellular South? I have the USB cable for my Audiovox 8615??
I know this is a pretty isolated case, but I've got MetroPCS. Anyone able to get online via Metro? I'd really like to know. It's unlimited minutes.
Is there a way to access the optional gps funcition in my Verizon Samsung a670? I used the data cable as a modem with my Access4free.com account and it works great. But I really want to be able to use my laptop with gps as a Navigation device but the thing is I already have a phone with built in GPS...Help Please!
So I have sprint pc vision and about to recieve my apple 64 ibook. Will the connection be 56k. I would like it for surfing the web, and emailing. But mostly for web. Just want to know what the connection would be and if it is good for surfing. Thanks In advance for any replies will be apprichiated.
So I have sprint pc vision and about to recieve my apple 64 ibook. Will the connection be 56k. I would like it for surfing the web, and emailing. But mostly for web. Just want to know what the connection would be and if it is good for surfing. Thanks In advance for any replies will be apprichiated.
So I have sprint pc vision and about to recieve my apple 64 ibook. Will the connection be 56k. I would like it for surfing the web, and emailing. But mostly for web. Just want to know what the connection would be and if it is good for surfing. Thanks In advance for any replies will be apprichiated.
CAN THIS BE USED ON NEXTELS?
for verizon do you need to call them and set up the express network? cause i can connect to it without calling them, but will they know and charge me?
hey guys could anyone help me choose a phone for using as modem. thanks
my emails kaysniper@hotmail.com
and live in london BTW.
Verizon will will know. If you are not a heavy data user, they will let you through.
I did exactly as the directions said and worked in no time with my sprint sanyo 5500....one question tho...since i have vision service to begin with is this taking up minutes or my unlimited vision???
I have two identical (VX6100) phones on the same (national access) plan on Verizon. One works great. The other, no matter how I try to connect....as a modem for dial-up, or #777 national access....gives me a "Call failed data service currently unavailable" error after about 1/2 second. Verizon will not help because I don't have their Mobile office kit (MOK) software which is the only thing they apparently know how to use. Any ideas? Or I would appreciate the location of where I could download the MOK software to get Verizon to help me. Can contact me @ forty-one_magnum@juno.com
Help me!!!! I spent an hour on the phone with a Verizon tech without coming to a fix. My phone has all drivers installed, works with bitpim. even reponds to the windows dialer. But the call fails every time. I am dialing *777...using qnc....tried the express network settings, even entered and initialization string. Nothing works!! Please help, I don't want to spend $40 on a kit from verizon!!
Hey guys, I use my Nextel i90c nightly to connect to the internet at work. You have to order the (rarely heard of) Nextel Dial-Up option. This DOES NOT include ISP service and will charge against your minutes. Most people have unlimited night/weekends so this shouldn't be a factor for you fellow night folk. Voyager.net ISP has a $5.95/mo no contract,no fees no frills 56k plan.
Your Nexsmell will only connect at 19.2Kbps but will tell you that it is connected at 115Kbps. Hey, its fine for AOL IM and browsing forums. Besides, I'm driving a truck around with my laptop in the passenger seat.
Beware that Nextel will try to bill you like $15/mo to have the CAPABILITY to dial-up to the internet. If you talk to the right person they will add it on for free. Nextel does offer the PackstreamGold which allegedly performs at 56Kbps but I have never used it.
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choukry from morocco
have you nice time
Earlier today, I went to RadioShack and bought a data cable for my verizon moto t720. I downloaded the driver for my Mac (iBook G4 running 10.3.7) and I followed as told in the how-to above but, my laptop doesnt even detect the phone. Perhaps the phone can't be connected to my laptop? I also have Verizon moto v120e and samsung sch-a610 that can be used. Any help greatly appreciated.
Just set it up with my Mac Mini in case my connection isn't available tomorrow while moving. Couldn't have been easier.
http://homepage.mac.com/jrc/contrib/mobile_office/
Had what I needed. Plugged in my Samsung a530 (I think that's the model #), and it worked just like the instructions. [I should point out that I have this on my windows xp laptop, so I knew it should work, I just had to get the right file for the Mac.]
Followed the rest of the instructions, then I downloaded the 1x ON and 1x OFF drivers from
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maccellphone/files/Modem%20Scripts/
And finished. BTW, you'll want to follow the link posted by Randal L Schwartz to get on the EN network.
The 1x ON driver worked first time for me. Connected, authenticated, and got an IP address.
And, Michelle, try dialing #777 (note the # and not the *).
I have cingular LG L1400. Can anybody tell me how to use it as a modem with my laptop. And will cingular charge me money on my bill or charge my minutes? If anybody knows please help me and email at Gregor2004@inbox.ru
I'm trying to access Verizon express network with a Kyocera slider hooked up to a g4 on 10.3 and my connection is still @14.4kbps. Any ideas? (I'm using the Kyocera HiSpeed 1.0 script, since the generic Verizon script didn't work for me.)
I have verizon and a LG 6100 phone and have connected to the internet using my phone as a modem. Will this only cost me minutes since my calling plan says that it includes National Enhanced Network or do I still need to sign up for something else to avoid extra charges? Help if you can!
This is the best thing ever since slice bread.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Worked great with a Powerbook G4 800Mhz running Mac OS 10.2.8 and an LG VX6000. Got my cable from SmartArea.com and came with PC drivers as well. Called Verizon and confirmed that only my minuites are being used with no additional charges.
Peace!
Chris
Hey ppl i've got sony ericsson z500a and im triyng to connect to internet using it as a usb modem. And so when i dial up internet connection it shows calling on cellphone's display and than hangs up, computer says eror 678: The remote computer did not respond. for further assistance... Does anybody know what is the problem and how do i get rid of it? If yes please Email Gregor2004@inbox.ru or IM me on aim Gregor2004ua
Help! I'm using XP and I can't get the cable recognized as a modem. The only hardware selection I get is USB cable when installing. Any other way around this?
Hello i've got Motorola RAZR V3 and cingular. I installed all the usb motorola modem driver which works. when i dial up a provider number it just starts dialing and in 1 sec hangs up. Please if anybody can help me email me @ Gregor2004@inbox.ru
Thanks for the How To. Extremely helpful. I have a Mac OSX and wanted to know if i'll need to install drivers if I'm using the LG LSP350T wireless phone as the drivers are not supplied along with the data cable for Macs. Any solutions?
I have a different spin on this. I want a cell phone to recieve as a modem and interface with a Random Access Server. I have equipment that is remote that I want to dial up and run diagnostics on. There are no land lines but I can install a Cell and have it wait.
How can I make this work.
I have a Kyocera 2325. I've tried Kyocera USB Wireless Modem, Kyocera CDMA Wireless Modem and Standard Modem drivers. When I try tdial, I get a hardware error and when I try to query the modem in Modem Diagnostics, the PC can't see the phone as a modem. Any ideas? Does the data cable need USB drivers of its own installed? Very frustrating, I've been at it for hours.
I just saw a cellular modem on ebay that can connect in Analog areas and switches automatically between analog and digital. Is this possible with these methods? The thing's not too expensive, but I'd sure love to do it for free.
Im using the verizon Q2C right now, however I am still uncertain if the Express network uses minutes or is billed in a certain manner. I have both show up in the verizon software, and have used the Express network, but have no way of knowing if it was billed to anything even when I checked the billing records. so if anyone knows for sure whether or not it uses minutes I would be greatly joyed. Thanks in advance.
SR
9 minutes from start to internet connection.
THANKS!
Hi, I got a data cable for my Verizon V265, and I have no data plan. I used my phone to dial up my normal home internet and it connected at 14.4kbps. It said it was a data call(on my phone), but I just wanted to make sure its not using anything other than my minutes. Thanks
I'm trying to use my cell to RAS into my server which has a 56K modem. I've been trying with a usb cable but something is amiss and I cannot get the ip dispensed by the server into my local machine. The system works well using the standard modem local out, but with the cell as a modem no luck. What I want I think is different than connecting to an ISP, I'm looking for peer to peer connection. Any suggestions.
Hey Matt C #86, I figured out how to do what you asked for. I was looking to do the same thing. I made it work on the Nextel system. Drop me a line and I'll give you the specifics.
patrick.ritch@siemens.com
Works great with my Sprint Samsung A660 phone with PCS Vision. I do pay $14 a month for internet access via the phone, but this is certainly better. Running Tiger on a PB G4. Found the data cable at Radio Shack for $25. Just followed the steps provided by Barb.
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/index.php? has more information about wireless and IP over cell than you want to know. Check out the "Wireless Data and Internet" forum.
To ty #55 and johnny #70:
On Sprint PCS, your internet connection does not use your voice minutes. You are paying Sprint $10 a month for Vision for those data minutes. You are paying Sprint $10 a month, are you not?
Is it unlimited? Well, you can stay connected all you want; Vision is always on, anyway. But Sprint does pay attention to the amount of data you download. If you are downloading movies and running a Kazaa music server in the background, Sprint will call your attention to the Terms of Service that forbid using Vision as your computer internet service, and that pretty quickly.
"Also, is there anything I can do to speed it up a little?"
A little. You ask for a little; a little you shall receive.
If you are using Windows XP, you can bump the Network Connection speed up a notch.
Click on Start / Control Panel / Network Connections.
Right-click on your Sprint Dial-up connection, and click Properties.
On the General page, under the modem name, click Configure.
Change the speed to 230400, and click the three Enable boxes.
This will increase your download speed from 115kbps to 144kbps and make your connection more stable and steady as well. It still hesitates a lot; perhaps the huge latency inherent in cell connections has something to do with that.
After being connected for two minutes, or sooner if the network is busy, seven seconds of user inactivity causes Sprint PCS Vision to stop transmitting. You can use a ping as a keepalive; it sometimes works when the network is not busy.
Click Start and Run, then type
ping -t -l 1 -w 2000 192.168.1.5
The "-w" parameter is in milliseconds; you can try any value from 1000 to 5000.
The IP address is bogus; except for 0.0.0.0 and 127.0.0.0, any dummy address will do.
You can create a shortcut on your desktop with this ping command; set the properties to minimize automatically.
If you have deep pockets and a need for speed or increased stability, you may consider UMTS (Cingular) or EV-DO (Verizon).
To robert #92:
This is not your dad's 56K connection. If you set the connection speed to 230400, you should get 144kbps for downloads, about three times the typical speed on a landline. But it hesitates much more on web pages with numerous objects, so it averages out slower. I'm not sure about the uplink, but it is probably 144kbps as well.
Great page, Barb. You make it clear for the novices and accurate for the geeks, and you remove from the installation process a lot of frustration for frazzled users.
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
by Robert Herrick
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.
http://www.odonwagnergallery.com/dynamic/artwork_detail.asp?ArtworkID=828
This works superbly. I have successfully tested and used Ventrilo while being connected through my Sprint PCS Vision phone. May test my limits and see how much bandwidth I can use before running up additional charges on my bill next.
-5N
Ok I've been using this for while and its great. I live in a large apartment complex where we have a T1 split between everyone. It is absurdly slow for "highspeed" internet but its still better than dialup. I was wondering if it was possible to use the cellphone in tandem with ethernet or wifi? I realize the the ethernet card can only process 1 set of data packets at a time. But doesn't the cell phone bypass this via the USB port?
Thanks to all and engadget, cheers!
-Logan
Worked like a charm for my Sprint/Samsung/XP setup. Thanks!
I have a LG VX3200 phone, verizon, mac with OS X v10.4.
My laptop does not detect the phone (same problem as some
others have had, see e.g. message 75). Does anyone know
the problem?
whats up--- PLEASE HELP
i am getting this error message when i attempt to dial.
connecting through...
error 692: there was a hardware failure in the modem (or other connecting device).
i am using a samsung a530 with windows xp. verizon. all the drivers have been installed and the computer recognizes the device as a CDMA modem... is there anything im missing? anything i have to do in the phone itself?
i am thinking this is a port issue. but as far as i know all the port numbers are matched.
PLEASE HELP ME OUT!
thanks so much