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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 04:16 PM
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Bad Ramer Jamer's Avatar
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Mobile broadband

Any of you transporter's or camper's use a wireless mobile broadband card in your laptop. Just wondering if they are worth a hoot. If so, what do you have. Thank's.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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all I have it the cable to use my phone as a modem. you get dialup speeds,but it works for reporting in and checking emails.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Not sure where you go but you may want to check out Verizon's wireless service. They have pretty fast speeds (400-600k steady with quicker bursts) for very reasonable prices ~$70/month. I'm a computer geek by trade and have several execs at work using them. They are very happy with them. I mentioned where you may go as its not available in all areas, where its not available, it'll go about dial up speed, in the areas where it is available though, its fast.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Fronty Owner
all I have it the cable to use my phone as a modem. you get dialup speeds,but it works for reporting in and checking emails.
What service do you use? I have unlimited Cingular internet, but was told by them a couple of days ago that an additional service plan is needed to set the phone up as a modem.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 06:41 PM
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I'm going to be putting my truck back on the road transporting car's, so I'll be going all over the country. This time I'll be running under my own authority, so I'll have to get all my own load's, and need the internet somewhat.

Is one company really any better than the other's, or are they all about the same.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 06:43 PM
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Check their coverage maps and see if they cover where you're going. I know my Cingular has a lot more areas covered then my daughters T-Mobile.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by crobtex
What service do you use? I have unlimited Cingular internet, but was told by them a couple of days ago that an additional service plan is needed to set the phone up as a modem.
My company has phone numbers around the world for employees to get online. I have only used it once and as far as my cingular bill goes, it just got charged as a regular call.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 08:23 PM
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Hmmmm. I guess I'm doing something wrong. I still have a PeoplePC account that I thought would dial up using the "dun modem", via cable, from the phone to the laptop, but it didn't work.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Bad Ramer Jamer
I'm going to be putting my truck back on the road transporting car's, so I'll be going all over the country. This time I'll be running under my own authority, so I'll have to get all my own load's, and need the internet somewhat.

Is one company really any better than the other's, or are they all about the same.

So many truck stops, restuarants, hotels everything now days have WiFi spots. Might be worth just buying a wireless card for 40$ and use it at any of the above places, rather than worring about using your phone...
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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i use alltel thru my cell phones blue tooth. same as a card tho. 59$ a month unlimited data and has broadband in phx. not sure of other cities broadband availability. outside of braodband areas it is still faster than dialup.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 08:47 PM
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I connect my phone, it shows up as a Sony Ericsson modem.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 09:10 PM
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My phone shows up on the laptop, but I can't get it and the phone modem to work together. My phone will do just about anything the pc will do on the internet, but it would be nice to have a bigger screen and a KEYBOARD.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by russd
i use alltel thru my cell phones blue tooth. same as a card tho. 59$ a month unlimited data and has broadband in phx. not sure of other cities broadband availability. outside of braodband areas it is still faster than dialup.
I guess they were right about the extra charge for usng the bluetoooth.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 09:15 PM
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I even tried IR, but my laptop doesn't recognize the phone. I can find IR in the I386 area, but can't figure out how to trun it on. Guess I'll call Compaq tomorrow.
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Old Mar 19, 2006 | 09:23 PM
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crobtex... To use your phone as a modem, check with the phone manufacturer for the driver software. I could probably surf mobile friendly sites with my phone, but for now, I use my phone as a phone.

On the wi-fi subject, there are several places that are hot spots that are open to the public. truck stops, coffee shops, stuff like that. stop by star bucks and have a double expresso and check for loads.
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