Mobile Phone/ Notebook PC
Submitted: Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:52
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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
Reply By: Allan Mac (VIC) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:59
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:59
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
AnswerID:
66202
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:08
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:08
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!!!
FollowupID:
327067
Follow Up By: Nifty,, - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 01:49
Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 01:49
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..
FollowupID:
327369
Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:03
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:03
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
AnswerID:
66203
Follow Up By: Allan Mac (VIC) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:41
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:41
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
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: hardingprj - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:17
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:17
Allan Mac (VIC). Sounds good. Must
check it out
FollowupID:
327069
Follow Up By: Phillis - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 12:31
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 12:31
wrong George CDMA is 14400bps and you dialup on your free hour for 20 minutes at a time on Telstra
FollowupID:
327175
Reply By: Magnus - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 22:51
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 22:51
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
AnswerID:
66242
Follow Up By: Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:13
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:13
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
FollowupID:
327068
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:09
Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 23:09
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.
AnswerID:
66244
Follow Up By: Magnus - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:11
Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:11
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
FollowupID:
327089
Follow Up By: Allan Mac (VIC) - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:32
Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 10:32
Same here ditched it and stick with the cable. Truckie ,cna you let me know about the booster if you find out etc .Thanks
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32
Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32
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
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Magnus - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 13:55
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 13:55
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
FollowupID:
327180
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:37
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:37
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.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Magnus - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:03
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:03
True, true. Perhaps rental as required for a sat phone.
Think I will stay on the Coast. Seems easier!!!
Magnus
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Toonfish - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:22
Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:22
tell me about the booster too
sounds interesting ????
AnswerID:
66303
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32
Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:32
waiting for an email back from the dude.
FollowupID:
327134
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:40
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 15:40
He wont sell from aussie, but has given me a dealer in NZ that will... :-)
FollowupID:
327210
Follow Up By: Magnus - Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:17
Sunday, Jul 04, 2004 at 17:17
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
FollowupID:
327224