Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!
Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!
-
Congratulations strongm on being selected by the Tek-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!
laptop and the internet
- Thread starter rtaylor43
- Start date
drunkmestupid
Technical User
what make/model phone do you have and who is your service provider?
trtaylor4:
Your options for wireless access via Verizon or other wireless companies are generally:
1) Cell phone itself. No extra software/hardware usually needed except special mini-browser for the phone itself. Simple internet text messaging and some email apps need no browser, but 'typical' web stuff needs some kind of built-in mini-browser (downloadable or pre-installed). Only available on avanced models [some LG-series]. Capabilities are specific to phone model.
2) Cell phone acting as external wireless modem for laptop or whatever. Usually something like a USB connection used between the two - often a proprietary cable available as an accessory to your phone. Software drivers for laptop to recognize cell phone as 'modem' on whatever port used to connect. Cell phone needs no internet or browser capabilities itself, but must include features for acting like a cell modem and communicating data to the computer. Again, model specific. Other than drivers, the laptop needs nothing special - you can use any internet service that you could use over a slow modem.
3) Dedicated wireless modem. No separate cell phone needed - the PCMCIA card *is* the cell phone. Drivers for the card needed, but just looks like a PCMCIA modem to the laptop. No additional software needed - uses existing laptop internet software [IE, Outlook Express, Netscape, etc.]
Internet 'service' plans vary by carrier. Verizon 'Express Network' services detailed at:
Service plans across carriers vary - generally either 1) by the minute, or 2) by the megabyte.
Bonus ramblings: All carriers today still have *reeeeealy* slow access. Verizon calims 'up to' 144KB/sec but you will rarely get that. Expect more like 14 - 28K. Varies by carrier/location/etc. Geo location generally more limited then 'regular' voice service. Expensive even if just using a mini-browser. Very expensive if using on a laptop for web browsing - imagine how quickly you could burn through Verizon 10MB plan surfing a few web sites every day. Yes, you pay for every byte of every banner ad.
Your options for wireless access via Verizon or other wireless companies are generally:
1) Cell phone itself. No extra software/hardware usually needed except special mini-browser for the phone itself. Simple internet text messaging and some email apps need no browser, but 'typical' web stuff needs some kind of built-in mini-browser (downloadable or pre-installed). Only available on avanced models [some LG-series]. Capabilities are specific to phone model.
2) Cell phone acting as external wireless modem for laptop or whatever. Usually something like a USB connection used between the two - often a proprietary cable available as an accessory to your phone. Software drivers for laptop to recognize cell phone as 'modem' on whatever port used to connect. Cell phone needs no internet or browser capabilities itself, but must include features for acting like a cell modem and communicating data to the computer. Again, model specific. Other than drivers, the laptop needs nothing special - you can use any internet service that you could use over a slow modem.
3) Dedicated wireless modem. No separate cell phone needed - the PCMCIA card *is* the cell phone. Drivers for the card needed, but just looks like a PCMCIA modem to the laptop. No additional software needed - uses existing laptop internet software [IE, Outlook Express, Netscape, etc.]
Internet 'service' plans vary by carrier. Verizon 'Express Network' services detailed at:
Service plans across carriers vary - generally either 1) by the minute, or 2) by the megabyte.
Bonus ramblings: All carriers today still have *reeeeealy* slow access. Verizon calims 'up to' 144KB/sec but you will rarely get that. Expect more like 14 - 28K. Varies by carrier/location/etc. Geo location generally more limited then 'regular' voice service. Expensive even if just using a mini-browser. Very expensive if using on a laptop for web browsing - imagine how quickly you could burn through Verizon 10MB plan surfing a few web sites every day. Yes, you pay for every byte of every banner ad.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Question
