Have: PC, Wireless Modem, Now What????

[Bill Glickman]

BG: Great site... I bought a cellular modem and cable for my cell phone to
use with my laptop to connect to the internet when traveling, however, I now
find out, after $350 in the hole, no ISP's support cellular internet access?
Are you aware of any?

RW: Actually there are a number of ISP's that can be used to reach the internet. We use two, (because of their wide-spread distribution of local access numbers) -- these being AOL and Earthlink.

RW: There are some limitations of cellular technology at present that make it seem like your equipment is not working. What laptop, phone and wireless modem are you now using?

RW: Apart from the equipment, you need to slow down the transmission speed on your modem. Very few systems can operate in the cellular mode in excess of 9.6Kbps By using one of the over-lay digital networks, (like CDPD) you can obtain speeds in the 14.4K to near 20.0K speeds

RW: But the biggest problem with using a handset to access the web, is the receiving power of the phone. Where are you trying to use the handset?

RW: .6 watt phones can work, (see Jerry's postings in this section)to reach the web.

RW: There are interfaces for both analog and digital networks available. Some of this information is described in my Road Wirer articles, (www.roadtripamerica.com/rw/roadwire.htm)

RW: There are some relatively new "Wireless ISP" services now on the market. I haven't field-tested any of them yet.

RW: Looking forward to hearing more from you.

[Bill Glickman]

RW.. Thank you for the informative response...I will include more information about my situation and then maybe you can steer me right. I have a Nokia 6162 (advertised internet ready) and a Nokia cable with a new 3com modem made for dual cell and land line, I am using it on a Gateway Solo 2500... the set up does work, the landline works perfect everywhere, and I tested the cell on Gateways test number for cellular connections, it works perfect also...but its not an internet connection. The system automatically goes down to 4,800 for the attempted internet connections but always fails... after calling Net Zero, they informed me that they do not support cellular, the same for AT&T... but when you ask this question to tech. support, you can tell they really don't know themselves until they ask 5 other people, I did not realize what infancy this industry is in. I have tested the cellular internet connection in the house and outside, same results. I figured if I get clear connections on the phone under voice conditions it's in good clear connection area. I also ran a ton of searches on the internet and no provider that I found advertises cellular intertnet connections. Thats why I approached you.. you have the most informative web site for this type of dilemna. I will go check the earthlink site as you suggest... I was hoping I could find a no cost service since I travel on and off and just wanted something intermiditantly for my laptop when on the road... but at this point after 20 hrs of installing and troubleshooting and $350 spent on the modem and cable, I would be just happy to get this to work at any price!

Anyone out their that thinks this is a simple producedure, its not.... I would reccommend a resaler who will sell you the entire package turn key, you pay when it is all working! I am unaware of anyone who offers this service, but if you can find them, use them, its worth saving all the aggrevation and investigation time...

[Mark Sedenquist]

BG: Anyone out their that thinks this is a simple producedure, its not.... I
would reccommend a resaler who will sell you the entire package turn
key, you pay when it is all working! I am unaware of anyone who offers
this service, but if you can find them, use them, its worth saving all
the aggrevation and investigation time...

RW: I agree that this process can be a huge pain. Most people seem to hold one or more of the following beliefs: a) anyone can do this, b) internet access from cellular has always worked and c) if one has trouble with the connection it is because the person experiencing the problem is dumb or something.

RW: One of the enterprises we are in the middle of creating, will be a turn-key solutions house for dashboarders seeking on-the-road connections. It is unlikely that we will get this project launced until late 2000 tho.

RW: Read the success story that Jerry has had with his Nokia 6160 phones, his postings are in this discussion thread under the title of "Nokia 6160 Working"

RW: Clearly he is having success with AT&T.

RW: Another of the appalling aspects of this quest is the heap of bad information one can get from the various company representatives.

RW: Don't rely on your equipment to "automatically" step down to 4.8K Do it manually and add commas to slow the steps down. You may find it necessary to limit transmissions to analog only. Do a search on RoadTrip America about the use of the S-1936D and AirStar 100 interfaces.

RW

[Mark Sedenquist]

Bill Glickman: I figured if I get clear connections on the phone under voice conditions
it's in good clear connection area

RW: Voice is much easier to accomplish than the transmission of data. The industry is only now installing the types of equipment that will enable more seamless transfer of data

RW

[Chris Dougherty]

I did some testing today, again w/ the Gateway Solo w/ cellular modem, and Nokia 6120. The ability of the computer to communicate is dependent on a PERFECT signal. Anything less, with any static, causes loss of contact, and the modem shuts down the connection. The Nokia phone and/or the 3COM cellular modem automatically configure this digital phone for analog data transmission. The phone resets itself after it is disconnected. I was able to establish a slow connection twice, but it failed several times. This was inside the building. I will continue testing and will report again later. Any knowledgeable input is welcome out there.