Using your Blackberry as a modem

[Timber]

I recently received a new Blackberry at work the other day. I went from Nextell to the sprint network. It is a Blackberry Curve 8330 with business and High speed data service. I downloaded all the software onto my laptop, read the book & there is a section on using your device as a modem. I had to go to the sprint website, do a free download and upgrade some software. It was real simple to do actually! I just turn my wireless network switch off on my laptop, plug my Blackberry into my USB port with the cable that came with it, click the icon on the desktop & then the connect button. I now have High speed access to the Internet anywhere I have cell phone service. It is very fast, I can VPN into my terminal server & do anything I want on the Internet. The phone service still works while on line. I would imagine the all service providers offer this service.

I know there are many people on TBN that have had issues with Internet service for a variety of reasons. perhaps this may be an alternative for some

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Does Sprint charge you for time online or how does it work out cost wise? I have the internet on my phone thru Verizion but I have not been able to use it as a modem that I know of. It is something I would like to do though if I can without having to spend a lot of money.

 

[Timber]

Well my service is included in the plan, there is no additional cost. I am sure it has to do with the plan you have. I would call version

 

[Timber]

I was just over at sprint and they told me if it is enabled it is unlimited access. Mine is a business account but it is all about the plan you have. I f I lived with only 1 computer I would consider this as my only phone and Internet access

 

[riptides]

Does Sprint charge you for time online or how does it work out cost wise? I have the internet on my phone thru Verizion but I have not been able to use it as a modem that I know of. It is something I would like to do though if I can without having to spend a lot of money.

If you get internet over the cell phone, and if it has a USB, sounds like you should be able to call Verizon and ask them to enable data access.

I am on a family plan, the one I use has unlimited voice, txt and data. Comes out to about 55 - 65 a month for my phone. Cannot tell exactly. The billing is pretty wierd.

 

[farmboy12]

We have three internet enabled phones, all Motorolla/Sprint/Nextel- ic602, ic902, and original Blackberry. We have used all but the Blackberry as modem's. We also have a Sprint internet card. All of these work great!


Kyle

 

[Scooby074]

Sometimes unlimited isnt unlimited, at least in Canada. Theres been several people up here thats had phone bills into the thousands doing exactly what you are. One guy up in Ft Mac bill was over $12K in a month. Many more have been in the 5-7k range. On alot of these bills "unlimited" was only up to 5GB of data,(not alot if your doing graphic intensive web browsing or downloading) after that 5GB it was billed at a per GB rate.

Yeah, our cell carriers are crooks. Who doesnt call somebody and inform them of their balance when it reaches $1000 let alone $5k.

After seeing those kind of bills, i'd be darn shore my defination of unlimited jived with the Tel Co.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Sometimes unlimited isnt unlimited, at least in Canada. Theres been several people up here thats had phone bills into the thousands doing exactly what you are. One guy up in Ft Mac bill was over $12K in a month. Many more have been in the 5-7k range. On alot of these bills "unlimited" was only up to 5GB of data,(not alot if your doing graphic intensive web browsing or downloading) after that 5GB it was billed at a per GB rate.

Yeah, our cell carriers are crooks. Who doesnt call somebody and inform them of their balance when it reaches $1000 let alone $5k.

After seeing those kind of bills, i'd be darn shore my defination of unlimited jived with the Tel Co.

When I updated to my new phone I asked about the internet service as I pay $5/month for unlimited access. Since I have had the internet on my phone from Verizion for as long as I can remember I was on the old terms still. If I dropped it for any reason and added the internet again I would be limited and have to pay more for it. So even though I wasn't using it much it was cheaper for me to keep paying the $5 per month as if I recall it cost $10/month now with the limit on how much information is exchanged.

I will say this though, when I am online thru my phone it counts towards my monthly allowance of minutes for talking so if I use it too much and go over my minutes I pay for the added time as if it was a phone conversation.

I don't like it when my phone bill gets near $100 let alone seeing a bill for $1k or more.

 

[Tig]

I can get unlimited internet on my phone for $5.
But if I use my phone as a modem it costs $ .15 / min for "data service"
If I use the phone as a newwork connection to access EVDO high speed the cost is $15/MB. I could use a gig per day when I am working. That would be $15,000

 

[Timber]

I found this on the net

Sprint Launches the Simply Everything Plan for US$99.99

By Mobilewhack.comon February 28, 2008 11:31 PM | Permalink

After Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile announced their cut rates a few days ago, analysts speculate that Sprint Nextel would make a bold move and undercut everyone else with a US$60 call plan. I wondered how a business which is arguably in the red could keep afloat with that type of call plan, and apparently, Sprint itself thinks so too. Instead of the speculated $60, Sprint Nextel announced its new Simply Everything plan for $99.99. This call plan works for Sprint's CDMA and IDEN networks. And when Sprint says "Simply Everything," it means everything -- unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TVSM, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect, and Group Connect. Not a bad move, I say.

Continue reading Sprint Launches the Simply Everything Plan for US$99.99.

 

[Scooby074]

You guys would have a stroke if you saw our so called talk and data plans. Our fees and rates are way outta line with what they should be. Thats one of the main reasons ive given up my cell.

Edit : I was wrong in my above post, about the maximium data plan i could find was 3GB "unlimited" then per MB rate after that.

 

[riptides]

You guys would have a stroke if you saw our so called talk and data plans. Our fees and rates are way outta line with what they should be. Thats one of the main reasons ive given up my cell.

Edit : I was wrong in my above post, about the maximium data plan i could find was 3GB "unlimited" then per MB rate after that.

We feel for our Canadian brothers and sisters.

And here in the US of A, those who speak of unlimited plans have not read the fine print.

I myself am "unlimited", but a point in time next year will render that moot.


I think that most vendors here in the US of A, have caps on cell data use. Then rates apply by thier own plans accordingly.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We feel for our Canadian brothers and sisters.

And here in the US of A, those who speak of unlimited plans have not read the fine print.

I myself am "unlimited", but a point in time next year will render that moot.


I think that most vendors here in the US of A, have caps on cell data use. Then rates apply by thier own plans accordingly.

There is no cap on data transferred with my plan. As I said, I have had it for a while and I don't think Verizion thought about it originally. If I drop my current internet plan and sign up later there will be a cap on the basic. I am not sure about the new "unlimited" plan but wouldn't be surprised to see a cap on that also. But mine is cap free which is why the sales people at the wireless store told me to keep what I have once they saw my plan.

 

[riptides]

There is no cap on data transferred with my plan. As I said, I have had it for a while and I don't think Verizion thought about it originally. If I drop my current internet plan and sign up later there will be a cap on the basic. I am not sure about the new "unlimited" plan but wouldn't be surprised to see a cap on that also. But mine is cap free which is why the sales people at the wireless store told me to keep what I have once they saw my plan.

Call them up and ask what enable data access will cost a moth on your cell. If your on the older grandfarther plan like me, you may be surprised at the price.

Good luck.

And, the new phones coming out this year will offer DSL like speeds through a protocol called EVDo-Rev A. Sweet. I have this now on a data card. Since I am in a part of the country that offers no broadband line, cable, fibre or WiFi vendors. Grrrrr........

 

[Soundguy]

I wonder if my wifes' I-phone 3g is capable of that.. anyone know?

soundguy

I recently received a new Blackberry at work the other day. I went from Nextell to the sprint network. It is a Blackberry Curve 8330 with business and High speed data service. I downloaded all the software onto my laptop, read the book & there is a section on using your device as a modem. I had to go to the sprint website, do a free download and upgrade some software. It was real simple to do actually! I just turn my wireless network switch off on my laptop, plug my Blackberry into my USB port with the cable that came with it, click the icon on the desktop & then the connect button. I now have High speed access to the Internet anywhere I have cell phone service. It is very fast, I can VPN into my terminal server & do anything I want on the Internet. The phone service still works while on line. I would imagine the all service providers offer this service.

I know there are many people on TBN that have had issues with Internet service for a variety of reasons. perhaps this may be an alternative for some

 

[riptides]

I wonder if my wifes' I-phone 3g is capable of that.. anyone know?

soundguy

I thought I-Phones were WiFi.

 

[Ductape]

Timber............... make SURE using your phone as a modem is included. About four months ago i switched my plan to that 99.99 simply everything plan (I've been with Sprint for 10+ yrs) and my fine print stated using the phone as a modem was NOT included. Everything else is, including using the internet with the phone/pda itself. Just be sure............

 

[Sigarms]

I recently received a new Blackberry at work the other day. I went from Nextell to the sprint network. It is a Blackberry Curve 8330 with business and High speed data service. I downloaded all the software onto my laptop, read the book & there is a section on using your device as a modem. I had to go to the sprint website, do a free download and upgrade some software. It was real simple to do actually! I just turn my wireless network switch off on my laptop, plug my Blackberry into my USB port with the cable that came with it, click the icon on the desktop & then the connect button. I now have High speed access to the Internet anywhere I have cell phone service. It is very fast, I can VPN into my terminal server & do anything I want on the Internet. The phone service still works while on line. I would imagine the all service providers offer this service.

Dumb question, what is the difference between using the blackberry and just using a phone card for your laptop?

When I left my old company, I used a laptop and phone card and had a plain jane cell phone. That company allowed me access to their server via remote.

Now, new company, and because of a friend telling me how much he loved his I phone, I had to get a Blackberry storm (I love verizon for their cell coverage).

However, new company will not allow me access to their server via remote

That said, love the blackberry for downloading spreadsheets and having access to technical information via manufacturers internet sites. Blackberry is a little more slower than a laptop due to it's size and looking at large diagrams, however, easier climbing up a commercial roof with a phone than a laptop to get information.

Also like the fact that I can delete e-mail "on the spot" and not get 40 e-mails pertaining to nothing when I get to the office or home.

 

[riptides]

Dumb question, what is the difference between using the blackberry and just using a phone card for your laptop?

Screen size.
Programs loaded.
Storage space.
Keyboard size.
Connectivity options.

But the differences are blurring.

 

[Timber]

Timber............... make SURE using your phone as a modem is included. About four months ago i switched my plan to that 99.99 simply everything plan (I've been with Sprint for 10+ yrs) and my fine print stated using the phone as a modem was NOT included. Everything else is, including using the internet with the phone/pad itself. Just be sure............

I have spent the last couple of days looking deeper into it & your are correct, using the phone as a modem is an additional $15 dollars a month. My company asked me if I wanted another phone card only because we have numbers we can not turn in yet. I have to have a Blackberry for my job so it made more sense to include the modem feature.

Sigarms, for me I have to be able to work from anywhere. I can only access my terminal server from my laptop. I also have to have my Blackberry because I am all over my facility an some of my Email has to be dealt with immediately. In my occupation response and decisions are time sensitive.