deftech

Okay, guess I'm another mod that doesn't much about cellular usage with PDAs. I know I need a data-capable phone and a pda-to-phone cable. My question is not about how to make it work....I just want to know how the billing works through Verizon and/or Cingular.

If I hook up the phone to the PDA, and just dial into a regular dial-up ISP.....will the minutes just come off of my monthly minutes (i.e. Exactly like making a regular phone call??)? Or are there special charges through Verizon and/or Cingular for data phone calls to ISPs?

I would appreciate the input of any current Verizon and/or Cingular customers that use this method to connect to a regular dial-up ISP. It'd be great to just use my national cell plan to dial into the University's dial-up server any time I go out of town. Thanks in advance for any help on clarify the billing of these companies.

--deftech

dellacroix

With Verizon (will be similar for others) you have two data options: slow speed 14.4 and higher speed "Express Network" (56k-144k in theory).

With a regular wireless plan--not signed up for any special data package--you can just plug a modem in and dial your ISP and it will hit whatever minutes package is active at that time of day (check/surf on your free minutes). This shows up as a normal call on your bill.

If you dial #777, you get shunted directly to the internet from Verizon so you don't get landline static problems. This works well if you can get to your ISP from the net. Do a google search on Verizon and 777 to find the standard user/password for your region (the user and pass will be the same). This shows up as "Data" on the call detail, but I see this billed as regular minutes.

Express Network is a premium service that works with phones that support high speed data. In the major metro areas that support it, you get 56K+ connections. *You pay extra for this service* either as an addition to your existing contract, enhanced contract, or as a new service. Plans can be based on minutes, unlimited time, or megs transfered.

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With Cingular you will get about 9.6k on the standard GSM/TDMA network and 56k+ in the areas that support GPRS (higher speed data). I don't know if cingular bills out low speed data as $/meg or just time, but GPRS service is metered data last I checked.

ATT (TDMA/GSM) and T-Mobile (GSM) will be similar.

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The experience:

9.6 is an exercise in patience but works. 14.4 has been ok for checking mail and working with PDA optimized pages, but is slow for viewing full blown web pages with lots o graphics; text not bad. Also works OK for VPN--add 22% overhead. The high speed data is great, but you pay and it has less coverage. In any case, it is nice not to have to search for a landline.

I use a CF card that plugs directly to my phone so the bottom plug is free for a keyboard. If you need a KB while online, remember that you have IR, bottom cable and CF as possible connection options for each device.

Don't discount free wireless hotspots (802.11) if you can find them too--remember to wear your VPN.

Planet-Ed

Not sure about Singular/Verizon
Yea I have GRPS with ATT and it is metered ... I have it just in case there is an emergency and I need to connect to my server to perform a reboot thru SSH or those off times at work I'm not doing much and want to talk to someone on MSN Messenger ...

But those that have ATT GRPS service keep an eye out .. When I was there yesterday they told me that the computer showed there is going to be a new service package for $24.99 for UNLIMITED GRPS usage ... That means other service providers will probably follow suite if they haven't already started offing this ...


As for just doing regular dialup to your ISP you just get chaged regular minutes ... But if you have Unlimited Nights and Weekends on your plan you it eases the pain since you don't get charged airtime during those hours ...