Re: [A/S] Cell phone for Internet

["Woody Schlom" <woody@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually by using their cables and software, you can utilize one of two
totally independent data-only capabilities of the phone and Verizon network,
or you can use your computer's modem to work on the phone's regular voice
channels.

The slower (but free) data-only service is called "Quick 2 Net" and you can
access it without adding to your regular cellular plan.  It only works in
Verizon digital markets (I have to see the "1x" displayed on my phone to
access Quick 2 Net -- "A" for analogue doesn't work and neither does "D" for
digital), but almost all the major and seimi-major markets in the US already
have this service.  The Quick 2 Net service works out to a data rate of 14.4
kbp/s.  That's a LOT slower than a regular home modem which runs at 56
kbp/s, but it's much better than trying to use your cellular phone's regular
voice channels and a computer modem using a Dial-up connection.

The faster data service "National Access Network" I believe costs at least
$30/mo. additional -- added to the plan you already have.  But the advantage
of this service is that it's actually faster than a home modem.  I think
it's capable of speeds up to 100 kbp/s, which is pretty fast.

I don't know if I've made it clear, but these two services DO NOT USE YOUR
COMPUTER'S MODEM!  They are direct data-only services your Verizon phone
uses.  When you click CONNECT you don't hear any dialing tones and the
connection is almost instantaneous.  Since you're not using a Dial-up
service, you don't even need your own ISP -- you're using Verizon Wireless
as an ISP.  So you don't need AOL or Earthlink or any other ISP.  As soon as
the connection is made, you're on the Internet and can use a browser to
surf.  If you do have an ISP you can access your e-mail account via web-mail
(if your ISP has this service), or you can use an e-mail program to access
your e-mail account.

But what if you're in an area that doesn't support one of these two
data-only digital services?  Then you can use your Verizon phone (with their
cable) to make a regular Dial-up connection through your computer's modem.
This way you can even get on the Internet out in the middle of nowhere via
an old analogue cellular system.  The problem is this is REALLY REALLY SLOW.

Another option is to buy one of the Sierra AirCards (Verizon sells them
starting at about $100) and put that in your laptop computer's PCMCIA
card-slot.  Now you don't need to connect your cell phone to your computer
at all.  The AirCard comes with a built-in folding antenna, or you can
remove the folding antenna and attach a high-gain external antenna mounted
on the outside of the trailer.  I'm told that these cards are considerably
faster than cell phones, but I can't verify this as I don't have one -- yet.

Also note that Sierra makes these cards in Voice/Data models and Data-only
models.  A Voice/Data card is exactly like a cell phone on a card and you
can use it to make regular voice calls (through your computer).  BUT it
costs more AND since it's a cell phone, it needs it's own separate cell
phone account!  You can't run your regular cell phone and one of these
Voice/Data cards on the same account.  I believe this model is the AirCard
555.

Verizon also sells a Data-only card (it has a different brand name, but this
company is also owned by Sierra Wireless) for about $100.  Since this card
handles data only, it CAN be used with your cell phone on the same account.
I'd recommend this one.

Whew.  Did any of that make sense?  There will be a test.