cellular network for Internet access

Posts: 266

I gotta hear more about this ... Shocked

Was thinking to try Verizon cell service, as seems to have good coverage in my area --- & now I hear you can also settup PC internet service w/this cell phone ??

Posts: 6275

When I went to the first rally at Paddy's Bluff I brought my laptop and was able to connect it to my cell for internet service. That was 2 years ago. Is that what you are talking about?

Posts: 56 · Enthusiast Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 56 Pictures: 0

you've been able to get internet via cell phones connecting to a computer for at least 10 years now.

the broadband cell service is fairly new though. I have it with sprint and it requires a USB or PCMCIA card.

Posts: 1850

There are two different transmission standards used widely in the US: CDMA by Sprint and Verizon and GSM by T-Mobile and AT&T. There are other systems in operation (like Nextel, TDMA and AMPS), but these are either going away or do not offer high speed data service.

Currently CDMA offers EVDO Rev A for high speed access. Download (receiving) from the Internet may exceed 2000 Kb/s and upload (sending) to the Internet may exceed 500 kb/s. GSM offers a service called HSDPA, but in only a few areas.

There many factors in your speed: Service provided in the area, distance from cell tower, Utilization of cell (the more people on the same tower the slower the speed), Geography and local interference, and End point radio and antenna quality (this is where you can make the most difference by selecting quality equipment and supplemental antennas). If you can get a cell signal, you are usually guaranteed 20 kb/s (this system has been in place for years and is the fall back data rate). Although you could surf the Internet at this speed, it would be painful and forget about downloading or streaming video. This slow speed however is still quick enough to get your email and to use instant messaging.

To connect the Internet from the cellular network to your computer you a couple options:

1. Purchase a phone that can be "tethered" via wire or Bluetooth to your computer.

2. Purchase a laptop with integrated cellular modem.

3. Purchase an adapter card that plugs into PCI Express, PCMCIA or USB to get a connection. Note: Be aware that USB cannot provide sufficient power to give full cellular coverage. Manufacturers have created crutches for this problem by requiring additional batteries or a second power supply to power the cellular device.

4. Use one of the devices in option 3 with a cellular router. This router works like many of Wi-Fi routers some of you may have at home - However, it will take the Internet connection from the cellular network and share it between wired and Wi-Fi connections allowing you to connect your desktops and laptops at the same time.