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Laptop internet through your cell phone?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by rollsorferrari?, Aug 4, 2008.

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  1. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
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    #1 rollsorferrari?, Aug 4, 2008
    at my place of work, there is no internet, however one of my classes this semester uses an online homework tool that is a major portion of the grade. i went to t-mobile, and they explained to me that i could use my phone as a modem basically, which would allow me to do that homework while at work which would help tremendously. has anyone ever done this? for 19.99 through t-mobile per month, i am very seriously considering it. is this a diecent way of getting online, or will it be like back in 1994 in terms of speed of internet?
     
  2. Asian1118

    Asian1118 F1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2005
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    #2 Asian1118, Aug 4, 2008
    What kind of phone do you have? I have a moto q on sprint and Im able to do it for free at 1.5 mbs
     
  3. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

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    #3 rollsorferrari?, Aug 4, 2008
    t-mobile dash, i can get wireless on the phone, but unfortunately no wireless in my end of the mall
     
  4. Asian1118

    Asian1118 F1 Rookie

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    #4 Asian1118, Aug 4, 2008
  5. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
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    #5 rollsorferrari?, Aug 4, 2008
    that link is incredibly helpful, thank you. i'm going to head to the t-mobile store before work to try to get some more info, who knows, maybe they'll let me take it for a test drive tonight :)
     
  6. Asian1118

    Asian1118 F1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2005
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    #6 Asian1118, Aug 4, 2008
    Most place will go to a factory store and tell them you are unsure and want to try it, usually you can get a free month out of them.
     
  7. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
    23,343
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    #7 SRT Mike, Aug 4, 2008
    The T-Mobile internet service where you use the phone as a modem is ABYSMAL.

    It is not worth the $19.99/mo.

    They claim, I think, 56kbps speed, which is modem-like. In reality, you get MAYBE 5-6kbps on a GOOD day, more like 2-3kBps. I used to use it to get online at trade shows, and just to give you an idea, it would probably take 45-60 seconds just to load the main page on FerrariChat, which is mostly text, except for the ads.

    If you are talking about their quasi-3G service, I haven't used it. But if you are talking about their $19.99/mo "data service" plan where the cell phone acts as the modem to let your computer go online, it's absolutely not worth it. I would use it at the shows to be able to take credit cards, and it would usually take me 5-7 *minutes* just to run a CC, which would take maybe 30 seconds at work with the high speed internet.

    Make sure you get to try it out with your phone before you buy it. Also, if/when you cancel it, make sure it's really cancelled and you can retain your old plan. I hated it so I cancelled - they told me I had upgraded my plan and could only downgrade to an available plan, since the plan I had before had been phased out and they initially wouldn't let me go back into it.
     
  8. REMIX

    REMIX Two Time F1 World Champ

    May 25, 2005
    21,133
    Jacksonville & Sarasota
    #8 REMIX, Aug 4, 2008
    Verizon with a Blackberry Curve. $15/mo. 300-400kbps within EVDO range. Totally worth it.

    RMX
     
  9. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
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    #9 rollsorferrari?, Aug 5, 2008
    yeah, it's the 19.99 plan through t-mobile i'm looking at. however, i'm also more than likely getting another pearl (i've been trying to get a curve, but it's not looking good) so bb's internet plan maybe what i'm best off with, but idk. i'm going to t-mobile again tomorrow to see if i can get a trial run, who knows, it may work perfectly for what i want it for.
     
  10. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
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    #10 rollsorferrari?, Aug 7, 2008
    they couldn't give me a trial run with the internet, however, they do pro-rate the 19.99 every month, so i went ahead and got it on my phone to try it out for a day or 2 then cancel it and hopefully it works well enough to where i can start it back up again once this class starts. along the same lines, does anyone use that cricket modem thing they're advertising? 40 a month and 59 for the modem, but it gets you supposedly broadband speeds, anyone tried this?
     
  11. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2006
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    #11 rollsorferrari?, Aug 7, 2008
    i'm on the laptop right now, i got it connected, very easy to do. it's a little slower than i imagined, but i think it'll work just fine for what i need it for, it took about 1 minute to load f-chat
     

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