Any computer geeks?

Yes, but it's not as fast as a "real" broadband, but certainly better than dial-up. The speed depends on the service in your area, and your wireless plan. There can also be steep fees involved, if you don't have an unlimited data plan. Make sure you know the details before you go online, or you may get a whopping bill.

To use your cell phone as a modem, you need the driver software for your phone, and a USB cable. You load the software, then plug the phone into a USB port. The software does an IP over USB connection to your provider, and everything works from there.

Tom

 

Be sure to read the details on the "broadband" internet service you are getting through your cell phone.
Not only do you pay an access fee, but there could be a fee related to how much uploads/downloads you do. I think a page view constitutes a download!

 

Which wireless plan has different speeds? There is a difference between EV-DO and EV-DO Rev A (average download speed for EV-DO of ~600 kbps vs. ~1 mbps for EV-DO Rev A), for example, but I am not aware of a carrier charging different rates for different speed of broadband service. Note that I am referring to 'true' broadband; EDGE (~56 kbps) does not qualify as broadband, IMO.

If you can't get an unlimited data plan, don't even consider signing up for the wireless broadband program. You can exceed the alloted use of some plans in just 30 minutes if you do any file downloading.

 

That's why I put the word "broadband" in quotes, as many providers to indeed call EDGE broadband, or they have G3 in limited areas, EDGE everywhere else, and call the whole mess broadband with a tiny footnote. I'm not aware of any plans with speed options; the speed varies by available technology, but my advice was general. These providers change their plans and billing methods by the minute, so you want to check the details or you can get a nasty surprise.

Tom

 

you could just get an iPhone...

Apple - iPhone - Features

eace:

 

You can usually download it from the Internet, or get it at your cell phone store. It is often free, but sometimes they charge for it. Call your service number and they can tell you.

Tom

 

Yes it is, as I'm doing it right now!

You have several options depending on your cell phone. You can use a program like USBModem or PDANet. Those programs are probably the best and easiest to use.

If those don't work for you, I would go to a cell phone forum like this one, find your phone's forum and ask there for specific recommendations for your phone.

Keep in mind that the cell phone companies do not "approve" of using any of the above methods (including the registry hacks you'll read about on the cell phone forums) because it goes around the fees they charge to "tether" your phone to a laptop. If they catch you, they can charge you their fee!

And finally, you can just call your cell phone company and see if they offer a plan.

Good luck

 

+1 This information is critical to being able to determine whether broadband connectivity for a notebook is even possible. Also, what laptop and O/S are you using? Some broadband phone drivers work only with Windows XP; others work with both XP and OSX. And, and, and. For example, Sprint's BlackBerry 8703 has EV-DO Broadband capability, but only on Windows XP (it may now be available on Vista), not OSX.

 

You will need to check the details on the new phone regarding whether it can support broadband computer tethering. XP is probably good news for your chances of being able to use the phone as a broadband modem, but only time will tell.

One other thing to consider with T-Mobile is coverage - if they have good coverage where you would be using the phone/broadband function, all is well. If coverage is spotty, you won't be having a good experience.

 

It seems to me that this board consists MOSTLY of geeks rather thank gearheads--or we'd be driving vintage sportscars instead of Prii...

 

Here, I'll start it.
Mac > PC :yo: haha

 

Checking in. Not only do I have the overclocking bug, but I know about things like Lisp and FORTRAN. And if I think Lisp is the coolest language ever, I must be a geek.

 

What? No Snobol or Forth?

Tom

 

Real programmers don't use LISP. Only effeminate programmers use more parentheses than actual code.

 

Meh. After the thousandth person goes "Oooh, neat, but why are you running that in DOS?" you become immune to worrying about whether or not your outdated language is still hip.

That's right. I just used the word "hip."