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Mobile Phone/ Notebook PC

Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:52

Willykj

I have recently purchased a Dell Notebook & want to use a CDMA mobile phone to access the internet during travels. I currently have a CDMA phone but need to upgrade as it does not have I/R or ability for cable access.

There is not much choice - at present only a Nokia 2280 through Telstra - no i/r - but cable via USB port is available. Was ready to go but Telstra Dealer doubted whether I could use the mobile as a modem to use this way via USB.

I know many people use laptops this way - can anyone give me some guidance?

I have checked with ISP - they have Australia wide number & is OK with mobile. Can use my Free hour for access up to 20 mins a time.

Hope someone can help - Thanks. Heading off to Cape York is 2 weeks!

Willy
ThreadID: 14324 Replies: 5
Views: 467 FollowUps: 18
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AnswerID: 66202   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:59

Allan Mac (VIC) replied:

Hi Willey,
I have a Kyocera CDMA with a data cable hooked into my laptop via USB . when I'm on the road just dial into bigpond and away I go. no dramas. The kyocera defaults as a modem on port 4
Reply 1 of 5
FollowupID: 327067   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:08

Truckster (Vic) posted:

You can get power boosters for these CDMA ph's, they are AMAZING.. if you knew the deep creek tracks, mate was saying he can get coverage from down that valley...

Would have to see it to believe it, bu if its true, then IM in for one for sure!!!
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 327369   Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 01:49

Nifty,, posted:

Hello
I have used IR mobile phones successfully for years with my palmtop all over the world. The cable is one more thing for you to lose and the phone doesn't have to be right next to the laptop using IR either.
I've never had a problem maintaining the connection.
Setting up your laptop to read the phone is the frustrating bit!
If you're considering a new phone at least partly to access your email then the extra cost of IR is definitely worth it.

If you got a phone with 'BlueTooth' capabilities then the laptop and phone wouldn't even have to be in line of site of each other.

As for CDMA boosters, I wonder if people advocating the illegal use of products which might hinder other peoples use of the phone network should be allowed to post on the forum..
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 66203   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:03

Member - George (WA) replied:

Internet access via a mobile phone and laptop is going to cost you a packet in call charges.
Mobile phones will only connect at 9600 bps which is painfully slow on the internet.
I find it best to use Internet cafe's during holidays, they are quite cheap and even for free in some library's and a lot quicker

Hope this helps
Cheers
SW of WA
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Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 327044   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:41

Allan Mac (VIC) posted:

George, The kyocera connects at 11500.though still not fast for todays standard. but downloaded my mail (46) in 7 minutes and cost me $2.60.Done my banking/bills in 10 minutes cost 3.30. good enough for me
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 327069   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:17

hardingprj posted:

Allan Mac (VIC). Sounds good. Must check it out
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 327175   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 12:31

Phillis posted:

wrong George CDMA is 14400bps and you dialup on your free hour for 20 minutes at a time on Telstra
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 66242   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 22:51

Magnus replied:

Hi,

Have a Nokia 6385 CDMA. Via Telstra CDMA X network. You can also surf the net with it, But at a cost. Traded up from an old Hyundai CDMA. Connect by cable throygh serial port on the laptop or via infrared no problems. Works a treat.

Telstra have a plan where call costs for the 12 hours 8pm to 8 am are free, or nearly free, for first five minures.

Was away last year. Downloaded emails, did banking and sent daily diary with pics all in the free five minutes each night. Just dialled my ISP in Brisbane and away we went.

Miniscule cost in emails for the entire trip of 8 weeks.

The comments about speed and cost are correct. Slow and expensive is the norm with CDMA and the net.

Have a good trip. Not sure what your coverage will be like past Cairns and Cooktown area. CDMA is good, but not that good

Cheers

Magnus
Reply 3 of 5
FollowupID: 327068   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:13

Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) posted:

CDMA was good on the Cape. Had CDMA reception at Cooktown, Coen, Weipa, Chili Beach, Seisa / Bamaga, Thursday Island, Horn Island. I used my CDMA and did some banking and lodged my BAS. It was slow but worth it. We used Telstra and it was fine but all the guff like virus updates and sill Pop ups slows it all down. Few people sent me photos and took forever to download and if it dropped out, it would start again. Worth having though.

Andrew
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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 66244   Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:09

Truckster (Vic) replied:

Why do you need IR?? You do mean infra red dont you?

IMHO it can be a real PITA

Physical Cable is your best bet, maynot be as trendy as IR, but works.
Reply 4 of 5
FollowupID: 327089   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:11

Magnus posted:

I agree with Truckster. I used the IR a couple of time just for the sake of it, but after that stuck with the cable. Quicker and easier.

Cheers

Magnus
FollowUp 1 of 8
FollowupID: 327091   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:32

Allan Mac (VIC) posted:

Same here ditched it and stick with the cable. Truckie ,cna you let me know about the booster if you find out etc .Thanks
FollowUp 2 of 8
FollowupID: 327120   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:37

Magnus posted:

Hi Truckster,

Did a google on CDMA Booster. There are only 12 references to CDMA boostser in Australia and all seem to be dated from 2001. They all say they are banned as they cause inteference with the network.

A serach worldwide shows there are plenty of W- CDMA boosters around mostly for the UK and the USA. I don't think we have W-CDMA here.

In any case here are the links.

http://www.aca.gov.au/consumer_info/fact_sheets/consumer_fact_sheets/fsc31.pdf

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/0,2000061791,20150792,00.htm

http://www.electronicsnews.com.au/articles/8b/0c00138b.asp

So, it looks like a bit of a bummer all round as I would certainly be up for a booster for myself.

Do you have anything more recent?

Cheers

Magnus
FollowUp 3 of 8
FollowupID: 327133   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32

Truckster (Vic) posted:

Magnus,

they are illegal, but who could tell, and more to the point, Who cares...

My family is more important that telstra being shown up for having a pi$$ poor system..

Im still gettin one.

YMMV
FollowUp 4 of 8
FollowupID: 327136   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:36

Truckster (Vic) posted:

Here is the website for the boosters.

http://mobileboosters.com/
FollowUp 5 of 8
FollowupID: 327180   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 13:55

Magnus posted:

Truckster,

Thnaks for the link. Must say I nearly fell out of my chair at the price. Taking your very valid point re safety, I had a look at Ebay for Satellite Phones.

There is a seller offering them for $500 to work on the Globstar (?)network. That would give even better coverage than a boosted CDMA and given it is for emergency use only, the call cost is really not relevant!

Interesting choice.

Once again, thanx for the info. Certainly something to ponder if we decide to go off the beaten track again and away from the sealed road coastal trips which are our normal mode of travel.

Cheers

Magnus
FollowUp 6 of 8
FollowupID: 327208   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:37

Truckster (Vic) posted:

But a sat phone you have to pay mthly rental on all yr round.. may as well buy the CDMA phone on a plan, and $400 for the booster.. No use paying for a Sat Phone, and car phone as well.
FollowUp 7 of 8
FollowupID: 327223   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:03

Magnus posted:

True, true. Perhaps rental as required for a sat phone.

Think I will stay on the Coast. Seems easier!!!

Magnus
FollowUp 8 of 8
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AnswerID: 66303   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:22

Member - Toonfish replied:

tell me about the booster too
sounds interesting ????
Reply 5 of 5
FollowupID: 327134   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32

Truckster (Vic) posted:

waiting for an email back from the dude.
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 327137   Submitted: Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:36

Truckster (Vic) posted:

Here is the website for the boosters.

http://mobileboosters.com/
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 327210   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:40

Truckster (Vic) posted:

He wont sell from aussie, but has given me a dealer in NZ that will... :-)
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 327224   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:17

Magnus posted:

Truckster,

Was going to ask you bout that as I saw on his site that product was not for sale in Oz.

Hang in there. Will be interested in the eventual outcome.

Magnus
FollowUp 4 of 4