cellphone as a modem?

[ober]

Ok... someone here at my work just approached me concerning this subject. I've never personally heard of doing something like this, but I guess it has to be possible.

They want to use their cellphone to dial to an AOL number and feed the internet connection to a laptop to check email and whatnot while they're in the field.

Is this possible? How would you go about it? What kind of hardware do you need and is there some subscription for the service?

I'm gonna do some research on my own, but I'd like some opinions from you folks in case you've done something like this.

[dayknight]

ya i was thinking of this the other day, i think it is possible but telicom industries don't want it. Altho i think it is going to be revolutionary.

[Salem]

Like so perhaps?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...gsm+modem+card

[vasanth]

well if the phone has IR or bluetooth it already might have the feature of dial up modem.. I use my Nokia 3650 and my Sony T610 to connect to dial up networks... there are many forum which show you how this can be done..

which phone does your friend have...

[anonytmouse]

Many phones have a built-in modem. The phone can be connected to the pc via cable (usually sold seperately), infrared or bluetooth.

GSM maxes out at 9600 or 14400 bps. Another option is GPRS (aka GSM 2.5). GPRS maxes out at 50kbps to 150kbps burst and is always-on. Search: GPRS modem.

I believe you need a traditional access point for GSM while GPRS is provided by the network provider.

The US(unlike the rest of the world) operates a hodge-podge of incompatible celluar networks, so you need to check that any phone or modem card will operate with your network provider.

Have you thought of equipping the laptop with a wi-fi card and using public access points? Much cheaper and faster.

[ober]

Wow... I didn't know this was so popular.

It's not my laptop, and using PAP is out of the question. The user will be out in a place where they need to check emails on location which will be no where close to a wi-fi connection.

[vasanth]

ok tell us the model of the phone....

[ober]

It's a motorola V400 (I think). The laptop is a recent Dell model. I don't have all the specifics... I don't even know if she knows them.

[vasanth]

will get back to you after some research on this model...

[anonytmouse]

http://www.cellularaccessory.com/98571.html

You need to contact your network provider if you wish to use GPRS.

[vasanth]

it looks like the v400 has the modem feature.. so yes it can be used as a normal modem to dial up.. will have t get a cable i guess... or bluetooth if it support(which i am not sure)..