Comments on: Cell Phone Internet Hot-Spot http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:37:56 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Internet by Tethered Cell Phone http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-60420 Internet by Tethered Cell Phone Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:06:34 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-60420 [...] written about this before, but I’ve learned more since then, so I’m revisiting the topic. This is a good option [...] [...] written about this before, but I’ve learned more since then, so I’m revisiting the topic. This is a good option [...]

]]> By: Steve http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-57974 Steve Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:43:41 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-57974 I connect to the internet using my Blackberry 8130 with EVDO capability by adding Verizon Broadband Access which is an additional $15 per month on top of the $30 data plan. In addition, I'm using a Cradlepoint CTR500 as my wireless router and it works great. Not up to the speed of my cable internet but much faster than dial up. I connect to the internet using my Blackberry 8130 with EVDO capability by adding Verizon Broadband Access which is an additional $15 per month on top of the $30 data plan. In addition, I’m using a Cradlepoint CTR500 as my wireless router and it works great. Not up to the speed of my cable internet but much faster than dial up.

]]> By: wade http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-52870 wade Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:40:49 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-52870 I wish I could remember the name of the company but there is now software than can be downloaded onto certain PDA's that turn the PDA itself into a wi-fi hotspot with cellular as the backhaul connection. I think this is a very cool emerging way to share access among people / gadgets. Wade http://www.freewifihotspotsoftware.com I wish I could remember the name of the company but there is now software than can be downloaded onto certain PDA’s that turn the PDA itself into a wi-fi hotspot with cellular as the backhaul connection. I think this is a very cool emerging way to share access among people / gadgets.

Wade
http://www.freewifihotspotsoftware.com

]]> By: Tim Harvey http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-52377 Tim Harvey Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:47:42 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-52377 There is a product called Shark Modem (http://www.mobishark.com) that allows you to bypass the additional charge for using the data plan you already pay for on your phone or Blackberry. It's around $50 and while I am not an RVer and haven't tried all over the U.S., I have used it a couple of times and it has worked. There is a product called Shark Modem (http://www.mobishark.com) that allows you to bypass the additional charge for using the data plan you already pay for on your phone or Blackberry. It’s around $50 and while I am not an RVer and haven’t tried all over the U.S., I have used it a couple of times and it has worked.

]]> By: John Speciale http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-51307 John Speciale Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:18:59 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-51307 Thanks for the heads-up--I'll try to avoid that situation. Another thing that should be pointed out is that for $60 you get 5GB of data per month, but the data allowance is prorated in the same manner as the charges, e.g., if you are turned on for a total of 15 days in a 30-day billing period, you're allowed 2.5GB of data for the period. Still, that's a lot of data. Thanks for the heads-up–I’ll try to avoid that situation. Another thing that should be pointed out is that for $60 you get 5GB of data per month, but the data allowance is prorated in the same manner as the charges, e.g., if you are turned on for a total of 15 days in a 30-day billing period, you’re allowed 2.5GB of data for the period. Still, that’s a lot of data.

]]> By: Chris Guld http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-51283 Chris Guld Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:47:53 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-51283 John, Thanks for the comment! Yes, what a treat! Something that works *better* than anyone would ever expect. And, you're right - it does not use your phone's minutes. That's because it *is* a separate feature, just not a separate contract from your phone's voice capability. I have been known to leave it connected all day. I could receive a call, even while the phone was connected to the Internet. Only if I answered the call did it disconnect me from the Internet. I just ran into a problem with the 'prorated' piece though. When I turn on the service after the first of the billing period, and turn it off before the end, (e.g. Sep 6 - 10) I am, indeed, charged $2/day. However, I just had it *On* during a span which included a new billing period (Sep 24 - Oct 6) and I was billed $60, in advance, for the month of October. I called and was told I needed to pay that, and I would be credited the unused amount on my next bill. :-( John,
Thanks for the comment! Yes, what a treat! Something that works *better* than anyone would ever expect. And, you’re right – it does not use your phone’s minutes. That’s because it *is* a separate feature, just not a separate contract from your phone’s voice capability. I have been known to leave it connected all day. I could receive a call, even while the phone was connected to the Internet. Only if I answered the call did it disconnect me from the Internet.

I just ran into a problem with the ‘prorated’ piece though. When I turn on the service after the first of the billing period, and turn it off before the end, (e.g. Sep 6 – 10) I am, indeed, charged $2/day. However, I just had it *On* during a span which included a new billing period (Sep 24 – Oct 6) and I was billed $60, in advance, for the month of October. I called and was told I needed to pay that, and I would be credited the unused amount on my next bill. :-(

]]> By: John Speciale http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-51278 John Speciale Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:11:45 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-51278 I didn't know about Verizon BroadbandAccess Connect until I read this blog entry. As a result, I signed up and have found it works great. It's almost too good to be true! As you said, you can turn the feature on and off at will and you'll only be charged a prorated amount for the days you have it turned on. One nice feature you didn't mention is that the connect time does not count against your phone's minutes. Thank you Chris! I didn’t know about Verizon BroadbandAccess Connect until I read this blog entry. As a result, I signed up and have found it works great. It’s almost too good to be true! As you said, you can turn the feature on and off at will and you’ll only be charged a prorated amount for the days you have it turned on. One nice feature you didn’t mention is that the connect time does not count against your phone’s minutes.

Thank you Chris!

]]> By: Chris Guld http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-49923 Chris Guld Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:12:53 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-49923 Curtis, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by free. It sounds to me like you still need a 2-year contract for a Data plan for this service from ATT. The Verizon BBAC service I'm referring to is a part of my cell phone plan and I can turn it on or off at will. I guess what you mean is that, if you have ATT at home, this device allows you to use it on the road. I agree that is a good thing. IF you have ATT ... If you have a home! :-) (my only home is on wheels) Here's what I found on AT&T's site: The AT&T USBConnect Mercury is available today at no cost¹ through AT&T business sales channels, online at wireless.att.com and in company-owned AT&T retail locations for customers who choose a two-year DataConnect plan of $60 or more. AT&T offers a variety of DataConnect rate plans, including a plan for up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of domestic use for $60 a month for customers. Curtis,
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by free. It sounds to me like you still need a 2-year contract for a Data plan for this service from ATT. The Verizon BBAC service I’m referring to is a part of my cell phone plan and I can turn it on or off at will. I guess what you mean is that, if you have ATT at home, this device allows you to use it on the road. I agree that is a good thing. IF you have ATT … If you have a home! :-) (my only home is on wheels)

Here’s what I found on AT&T’s site:
The AT&T USBConnect Mercury is available today at no cost¹ through AT&T business sales channels, online at wireless.att.com and in company-owned AT&T retail locations for customers who choose a two-year DataConnect plan of $60 or more. AT&T offers a variety of DataConnect rate plans, including a plan for up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of domestic use for $60 a month for customers.

]]> By: Curtis http://blog.rv.net/2008/09/cell-phone-internet-hot-spot/comment-page-1/#comment-49867 Curtis Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:15:27 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=2576#comment-49867 I have a better deal on getting on the internet and wifi free from ATT I got a USB connector from ATT to go into my laptop computer. I can connect to the internet anywhere in the U.S.A. wireless. I have been searching the internet most of this year and I finally got hooked up with Att. You have to have a desktop that has high speed internet with ATT. The device is called a USBconnect Mercury with ATT communication manger. 3G sim card, getting started guide. It requires USB port,300 MHz processor/256RAM. Microsoft windows Vista,XP2000 The network covers 14,000 Cities and 40,000miles of highway. If anyone is interested in getting hi speed internet connected on a laptop call Att Tele. Co. and get connect with ATT highspeed internet and then ask for the USBconnect Mercury communication manager. They sell it for $99.00 But you can get it free if you have highspeed internet with ATT. try it and see how you like it. curtspride I have a better deal on getting on the internet and wifi free from ATT
I got a USB connector from ATT to go into my laptop computer.
I can connect to the internet anywhere in the U.S.A. wireless.
I have been searching the internet most of this year and I finally got hooked up
with Att. You have to have a desktop that has high speed internet with ATT.
The device is called a USBconnect Mercury with ATT communication manger.
3G sim card, getting started guide. It requires USB port,300 MHz processor/256RAM. Microsoft windows Vista,XP2000
The network covers 14,000 Cities and 40,000miles of highway.
If anyone is interested in getting hi speed internet connected on a laptop
call Att Tele. Co. and get connect with ATT highspeed internet and then ask for
the USBconnect Mercury communication manager. They sell it for $99.00
But you can get it free if you have highspeed internet with ATT.
try it and see how you like it. curtspride

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