Off Topic Cellphone Internet access

[Artreid]

I've been reading that one get unlimited internet access via a cellphone
with unlimited Data and a PC with a USB connection. I have also heard that
if you have a PC with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth doodle it might be even
easier to accomplish this feat.

Can anyone here expand on this theory?

 

[G. Morgan]

I've been reading that one get unlimited internet access via a cellphone
with unlimited Data and a PC with a USB connection. I have also heard that
if you have a PC with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth doodle it might be even
easier to accomplish this feat.

Can anyone here expand on this theory?

It depends on the carrier. Data is charged at a different rate per
carrier. I have a T-Mobile Windows 7.5 phone that makes tethering a
breeze. USB direct or a built-in WIFI wireless router (5 users). It
integrates with Windows seamlessly, and no cap on bandwidth. It runs on
3G about 600/KB/s - 4G is ~2 MB/s (but I can't get it from my home, a
mile away I can).

I also have a Sprint Android phone that the firmware engineers made it
extremely hard to tether without subbing to the "hot spot" for an extra
$30/mo. So hard that even a VPN won't work. They *really* want that
extra $30 + phone, T-Mobile does not care if it's voice or data. You
can root it, and bypass some locks - but you void the warrantee.

 

[G. Morgan]

It runs on
3G about 600/KB/s

Correction:

It runs on
3G network about 600/Kb/s

 

[Paul]

I've been reading that one get unlimited internet access via a cellphone
with unlimited Data and a PC with a USB connection. I have also heard
that if you have a PC with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth doodle it might be
even easier to accomplish this feat.

Can anyone here expand on this theory?

The keyword is "tethering".

http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/phonesformobileworkers/f/what-is-tethering.htm

What's important though, is how the connection is being made through the
cellphone. What standard is used. That would give a hint about what
data rate to expect.

The provider does not like tethering. Which is the other issue.
The terms of service might not allow it. Or if a data cap is
involved, it might be ridiculously low, and you'd burn up your
cap in one web surfing session. The odds of this feature being
useful, are pretty low. Well, it's the phone company. What did
you expect ?

Paul

 

[charlie]

I've been reading that one get unlimited internet access via a cellphone
with unlimited Data and a PC with a USB connection. I have also heard
that if you have a PC with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth doodle it might be
even easier to accomplish this feat.

Can anyone here expand on this theory?

Don't believe all you hear or read.
It is true that certain cellphones (By model and software load, as well
as the provider) can support "tethering". Unless the phone is "rooted",
It's likely that the provider charges extra for tethering, or does not
allow it.

Years ago, my analog Motorola cellphones supported tethering via a
serial connection at 14.4Kb (max) It was a major fight to maintain the
"grandfathered" capability as the provider morphed from Southern Bell to
Cingular, and then to keep it when the provider insisted that I update
to GAIT phones. AT&T took over from Cingular, and kept screwing with the
Nokia GAIT phone's features until I gave up, and changed to G1
phones and T Mobile. My G1's are a "developer's model" and totally
unlocked, etc., so USB tethering is possible if the required software is
installed. The data plan is "unlimited", however, T Mobile's data
service in this area leaves a great deal to be desired.

It's more a matter of the provider's revenue scheme than technical issues.

 

[G. Morgan]

My G1's are a "developer's model" and totally
unlocked, etc., so USB tethering is possible if the required software is
installed.

That's what pissed me off with Sprint. They took the tethering feature
out of Android. Your G1 should already have it.

 

[charlie]

That's what pissed me off with Sprint. They took the tethering feature
out of Android. Your G1 should already have it.

I don't know anything about your phone or Sprint.
But, most Android phones can be "rooted" one way or another.
Certainly the web has enough info to find out.

A possible problem can be that the provider detects "tethering",
and does something about it. I don't know anything about the details.

 

[Art Todesco]

I don't know anything about your phone or Sprint.
But, most Android phones can be "rooted" one way or another.
Certainly the web has enough info to find out.

A possible problem can be that the provider detects "tethering",
and does something about it. I don't know anything about the details.

My son has T-Mobile (Chicago area). He has a "pay as you go" plan that
give him unlimited text, a fixed number of minutes talk and unlimited
data for $30. You have to 'refill' the $30 each month. I thought the
talk minutes were about 200 or 300, however, on their website it appears
to be only 100. The unlimited data is throttled down in speed after you
reach the 2G (I think) amount for the month. With the relatively few
talk minutes, he as an app on his phone that allows him to make phone
calls via IP. I have talked to him on the phone (part of the 100
minutes talk, not IP) while someone else in the car was connected to the
phones wireless router and it worked ok. A few burps now and then, but
generally not bad. I wish I could get that plan here in western NC,
however, in my area, his phone roams to AT&T where, I don't think you
get these features, only talk and text, and usually a poor connection,
at that. I'd like it especially for traveling in the motor home. Most
RV parks have some sort of wifi, mostly free, usually just so so. But,
in some areas, there is nothing. It would be nice to be able to use the
tethering to do a few things on line. Oh well, maybe someday.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I've been reading that one get unlimited internet access via a cellphone
with unlimited Data and a PC with a USB connection. I have also heard that
if you have a PC with Bluetooth or a Bluetooth doodle it might be even
easier to accomplish this feat.

Can anyone here expand on this theory?

Look for Easy Tether (Lite or paid) on the Android app store.