Mobile Phone/ Notebook PC

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

ThreadID: 14324 Views:2847 Replies:5 FollowUps:18

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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

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Reply By: Allan Mac (VIC) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 20:59

Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 21:03

Reply By: Magnus - Friday, Jul 02, 2004 at 22:51

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

FollowupID: 327091

Follow Up By: Magnus - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:37

Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 17:37

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

FollowupID: 327120

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: 327133

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:36

Saturday, Jul 03, 2004 at 20:36

Here is the website for the boosters.

http://mobileboosters.com/

FollowupID: 327136

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: 327208