Using Mobile Device as Wireless Modem: Issues with Carriers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of mobile devices as wireless modems for laptops, focusing on the experiences and challenges faced with various carriers, particularly Sprint and Verizon. Participants share their methods, concerns about data usage detection, and the performance of mobile data services.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions using a program called PDANet to enable modem functionality on their device, expressing concerns about potential penalties from Sprint for not paying extra for this service.
  • Another participant shares their experience using Verizon's service on a PDA, noting that it was slow but cost-effective due to free nights and weekends.
  • Concerns are raised about Sprint's practices, with some participants suggesting that high modem usage compared to talk time could lead to service termination.
  • There is a discussion about the speed of using a phone as a modem compared to regular data usage, with questions about the technology that enables faster connections.
  • A participant describes their experience with mobile internet in the Netherlands, noting that while the connection can be fast, it is not always reliable or simple to use.
  • Another participant explains that the faster service is due to switching from a voice network to a high-speed data network, contingent on the phone being EVDO capable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences and concerns regarding mobile data usage and carrier practices, with no clear consensus on the implications of using mobile devices as modems or the reliability of different services.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying experiences with different carriers and technologies, highlighting potential limitations in service quality and the conditions under which data usage may be monitored or restricted.

TheStatutoryApe
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How many of you use your mobile device as a wireless modem for your laptop?

It took me a while to figure out how to do it since my carrier Sprint likes its customers to believe that they have to pay extra for this "service" even though it's simply a matter of routing the data from your device to your laptop. Fortunately I found a program called PDANet from June Fabrics that helps tech illiterate people such as myself accomplish this. I've read though that if Sprint believes I am doing this they will cut my data service. So I was also wondering if anyone has had issues with their carrier for not paying extra to use their data service in this fashion?
 
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I did for a long time on my PDA. I used verizon's quick to net. It was very slow then but it was the only portable solution I had. I worked nights at the time and with free nights and weekend minutes it cost nothing.
 
Whe Sprint sees that you have higher modem use than talk time, they will shut you off.

If you use so little bandwidth that it is not detectable, then you might be ok.

Also phone as moden service is extremely fast as opposed to just ucing your phone as modem.
 
Evo said:
Whe Sprint sees that you have higher modem use than talk time, they will shut you off.

If you use so little bandwidth that it is not detectable, then you might be ok.
I generally talk very little on my phone and my data service use has probably always been higher than my actual talk time.
Evo said:
Also phone as moden service is extremely fast as opposed to just ucing your phone as modem.
Hmmm.. What do they do that makes it so much faster?
 
I happen to have such a mobile phone gadget that makes it possible to go online and have a fast connection, anywhere in the Netherlands, as long as you got power on the laptop. But not in Germany :-(

Monthly rate is very decent

It's not simple though nor consistent. Going online can be a nerve-racking experience.
 
TheStatutoryApe said:
I generally talk very little on my phone and my data service use has probably always been higher than my actual talk time.

Hmmm.. What do they do that makes it so much faster?
They switch your service to the high speed data network instead of the slower voice network. But your phone needs to be EVDO capable.
 

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