Internet with Tethered Cellphone
I’ve written about this a couple of times before because I think it is just such a perfect solution for RVers who just need a part-time connection to the Internet. If you have the right cell phone, and the right cellular service plan, you can turn the data feature on and off. No extra equipment, no extra contract, a pro-rated charge.
Last week we told a lot of people about this at our ‘Internet on the Road” seminar at the FMCA convention. One person came up to us a couple days later saying they checked with their Verizon service rep and were told it couldn’t be done.
Yes it can. We’re using that method right now. I can’t speak for other cellular providers, but Verizon definitely offers it on their phone plans. I do see that they are using new terminology. Where they used to refer to ‘Broadband Access Connect’, they are now using the terms, “Mobile Broadband Connect.” See the Verizon Wireless information at: Mobile Broadband Connect and Mobile Broadband Connect FAQs
Here is a 4 minute video on exactly how we use Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband connect to get online with our laptop – while we’re driving down the road!
For a larger version of this video, see Geeks on Tour Wireless Internet video page.
Chris Guld
www.GeeksOnTour.com
Computer Education for Travelers
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We’ve been using this method via Verizon for over a year now, just turning the feature on when we’ll be using it. You *must* use the word “FEATURE” when discussing this, otherwise, you may find yourself with a “PLAN” added….lol……
It can be done, but you may have to be persistent and speak with more than one person. Very convenient, excellent speeds, and service limited only by reception.
Additional point… our particular plan does *not* offer any proration, if we turn the feature on for any portion of the month, we’re billed for that entire month.
Verizon appears to have the most extensive high speed, 3G, data service in the U.S., but if you already have AT&T cellular service, you might be interested in their data “plan”. It’s called MediaNet Unlimited, and it costs $15 per month, or if bundled with 200 text messages per month, $20. Like Verizon, most AT&T reps will tell you it can’t be tethered to your PC, but it can, by Bluetooth or USB, and you connect by “dial-up” to WAP@Cingular.net!
Technically, this use -may- be a violation of their TOS. AT&T envisions MediaNet being used only on the cell phone, with it’s built-in browser, but there appears to be little or no monitoring of its use. Certainly, if you ask them how to connect, they’ll try to sell you their $60 per month Aircard, which has no proration option and a two year contract.
There’s an extensive thread on this subject on the RV.Net forum at http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15038442.cfm .
Right now I am paying for a Verizon air card and it can be suspended twice a year. I am interested in switching to this type hook up.
Is there any limit as to how many times you can turn the feature off and on? I actually wouldn’t mind if I had to leave it on through an entire billing period.
Last time I went with a teathered hookup I had a Verizon Blackberry and was told I must maintain an internet plan. I had no contract so I switched to another phone.
Chris
You are right (of course you know that) I use Alltel (at least for now) and have ben hooking up to the internet for just over a year, cost me 25$ a month for the service with no limit. What I have found is if your downloading anything of any lenth the phone will kick you off, I do beleave it’s because it thinks it’s dormit. So poof bye bye. Verizon …. I may find out about them when this buy out is finshed.
Verizon used to have a “Quick-2-Net” plan that “tethered” select telephones at no additional cost. (You purchased a “Mobile Office Kit” which consisted of the software and the connecting cable necessary for your phone.) Normal daytime minute usage applied if you used it during the daytime but incurred no additional fees if used at night and weekends. That disappeared a few years ago. Several additional changes have occurred recently that universally are more restrictive. Most of these changes are applied to new customers while grandfathering existing customers. For example, my internet plan is unlimited while a new customer cannot get an unlimited internet plan. This may account for many plan differences regarding various cell phone services. The companies just quietly apply new restrictions on new customers, and to existing customers when they seek to change plans, perhaps to avoid the backlash that likely would result from suddenly chopping plans on existing customers. Another explanation for differing information regarding many plans is the rampant incompetence that all public utilitiy companies display. Cell phone companies are led only by Cable TV companies in incompetency.
MoHoMac, I am currently using a Verizon USB aircard for my mobile internet connection. I don’t have much problem with this in urban areas covered with EVDO service, but I experience occasional “time-outs” when in rural areas that are called (or at least used to be called), NationalAccess areas. The problem is that actual transfer rates are so slow that the server from which you are downloading thinks you are, as you describe, dormant . You are often automatically cut off if after a given amount of time on a given website to prevent overloading the server. While I do enjoy internet service in areas that even cell phone service may be undependable, The ACTUAL download speeds only run in the 20’s and 30’s Kb/s; sometimes falling to single digits in these fringe areas. This may be what you are experiencing as “the phone kicking you off”.
I have used my Sprint Wireless USB Connection Card since February 2008.
I get strong signal strength, High Speed EVDO when near a Sprint tower along interstate corridors.
I get strong signal strength and slower speeds when in roaming mode at other than Sprint tower locations, including rural areas within the National Coverage areas.
When I got the contract with Sprint in Feb 2008, the connection card was free. My contract is for unlimited usage and that has really paid off big time.
In 13 months I have used 4,994,062 KB. That is almost 5 Gigabytes which translates to 384 Megabytes per month or 12.6 Megabytes per day.
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When wifi not free or to slow I use my tethered alltel cell. Costs me 30 a month and I can turn off when not needed. Not fast thats for sure but it works good enough to pay bills and read email. No limit on amount of data.
We recently got a Verizon AirCard and mobile WiFi router (see my blogs about them at http://newmediaonthego.com), and in general have been quite pleased. I was *really* glad to see what Mike said about being able to suspend the Verizon account a couple of times a year, since we have very good cable internet at our homebase. Right now we’re out in the middle of the desert in Arizona, and although the signal isn’t the best we’re getting quite decent speeds. I use the Verizon card to supplement the on-again, off-again WiFi at the RV park, and between the two systems have been able to do everything I need to do online. I think the choice of AirCard can make a big difference in your reception, as well as using an antenna and possibly a cell signal amplifer. We have an antenna, but have not yet bought an amp.
I have been using this with Verizon for about three years now. It started with my cell phone then I switched it to a Palm Smart Phone and now I’m using the Blackberry Storm Smart Phone . Out of all of them I reall love the Blackberry
Storm the most. I ended up with the Blackberry Storm because my Palm smart phone kept getting bad reception even when my wifes reg cell would be getting great reception so they (verizon) gave me a good deal on a upgrade even thoough I wasn’t due yet. We’ve made 2 cross coountry trips Ca. to Vermont and back twice and didn’t have a single place where I couldn’t get connected to the internet. Even I couldn’t believe those odds.
Thought this might be of interest:
http://www.smartdevicecentral.com/article/how+to+use+your+verizon+smartphone+as+a+modem/200437_1.aspx
for more information on current sprint/verizon phones that can tether like chris does, check out http://www.EVDOinfo.com/tethering
This post offers an interesting new but old way to connect to the internet via a cell phone. Using a cell phone as a modem was the way many of us started our mobile internet connectivity.
I have used Sprint EDVO rev A data service for some time. They are currently offering a FREE usb data card and a free month of service for new accounts, which may be of interest to many RVers, I cancelled my old card and signed my wife up for the new data service via Sprint. This new card is G3 AND G4 (wimax) compatible. As Sprint rolls out G4 service, users will gain the benefits without any hardware upgrade or cost increase. G4 service (Currently in Baltimore and Reno) boosts data rates by about 3 fold over G3 service- this is truly broadband. Using the very small data card (about the size of a USB flash drive) eliminates wires, and temporarily disabling the phone. Sprint’s data service is offered independently of their phone service for $60/month on a two year contract. Thus, you can have phone service with your current provider and data service with Sprint. They also offer temporary suspension of data service when you are not traveling. This should be a viable alternative for those seeking the fastest data service while on the road. I was glad to find that it is Mac and Windows compatible. When used on a Mac, the data connection can be shared via wifi – also a very cool option.
Hi Chris, My question is with verizon(which I have) Why wouldn’t you just get the air card and not tie up your cell phone since it would cost the same any way? I use to have Nextel and you could use your phone as a modem and it wouldn’t cost anything extra for the service,it was slow but say on vacation it’s better than nothing. Also with what you are talking about is it 60.00 every month no matter if you use it or not? We are not full timers but do go on a few vacation trips each year and having internet is becoming more important,I just don’t want to shell out 60.00 each month if I gone from home say 50 days a year. Am I missing something? Tracy David
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