[A/S] Re: Cell Phone Internet Connection

[Chris Koehn <timberguides@xxxxxxxxx>]

FWIW: I use Cingular's GPRS service with a Sony Ericsson T637 phone. We 
bluetooth to a Mac G4 Powerbook. Connection speeds are pretty good  but 
variable depending on traffic and connection quality (better than most 
land lines most of the time). I've used it from WI to PA to SC to AR to 
CA on this trip. Service is quite predictable and getting better every 
day.
When we bought this plan last summer, GPRS Edge was just coming out in 
our area. The service area was and is still a fair bit smaller than the 
GPRS service- which in turn is smaller than a run of the mill 
multi-network phone has access to. Edge is still focused on big metro 
areas.
If you like to get out in the boonies, Edge might not be for you quite 
yet. Wait a year and I bet it will be there.
We pay $67/month total, for 500 anytime nation wide minutes, 5,000 
night and weekend minutes, and unlimited GPRS (internet) time. The only 
performance drawback we've had is that if the connection remains 
dormant for 30 seconds or so (for instance while I'm reading a web 
page) the connection terminates, Just need to log back in- no big deal- 
just a bit of a hassle.

Interestingly, we were in Organ Pipe Cactus National monument this past 
week, right on the Mexico border. I pulled in a strong GPRS signal from 
south of the border, and not paying attention logged on for an hour or 
so. Can't wait to get THAT roaming bill..

Chris Koehn
<www.koehnjourney.blogspot.com>
Heading west from Yuma today. sunny and 80 (sorry- had to gloat..)