Using a GSM cell phone as a modem

On 18 Jul 2008, at 13:03, LA Licata wrote:

> I understand that while one can pair the bluetooth in my PB to Apple
> 3G phone's bluetooth, there is not a way to use the 3G phone as a
> modem to connect the PB G4 the cell phone company's data service.
>
> I also understand that there is no 3rd party app that will allow
> this, and even if I unlock the 3G phone, i still cannot get this
> functionality.

That's my understanding too, which makes the iPhone not the device for
me, despite its shiny goodness.

> And, might there be a suggestion of which 3G capable phone can do all
> of the above?

Very many, among them nearly any current Nokia (I'm currently using an
E51 which does the job nicely)

> Would it all matter if I updated to the MacBook Pro?

Not at all - it's a design limitation of the iPhone.

> PS: I travel frequently outside the US so I use different cell phone
> providers wherever I go.

Just be VERY careful of data roaming rates. In most countries now you
can get a reasonably priced 3G plan, but once you cross borders, best
not use 3G data or else get out the Vaseline.

One notable exception in Europe is Three, whose data plans are valid
in any European country where Three has a presence (Ireland, Great
Britain, and Austria at least, and I think a few more too)



Kindest regards,



Niall O Broin

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008, LA Licata wrote:

> I need to get email into my G4 PB (10.4.11) from my cell phone provider.
>
> I also need a new GSM cell phone.
>
> I understand that while one can pair the bluetooth in my PB to Apple
> 3G phone's bluetooth, there is not a way to use the 3G phone as a
> modem to connect the PB G4 the cell phone company's data service.

In the US, that restricts you to AT&T or T-Mobile.

The iPhone can't be used as a modem this way, though it may be possible
to do with other models -- I think I've seen people manage to get it
working with Blackberry, for example, but haven't tried it personally.

This article may be useful, though it's Australian, so may not be
directly comparable. It suggests that it's easy, but potentially very
expensive to do this way:

http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080122134041AAQYzOi

The instructions here walk you through getting T-Mobile's GSM service to
work as a modem for just about every kind of computery device *except*
for a Mac, but still, it may be useful:

http://www.gruups.com/tzones/

I personally have gotten a Sprint phone set up as a modem (using the
Bluetooth link even, not a USB cable), but as they don't use GSM, that
doesn't sound like it would be an option for you. Worked nicely though.

Likewise, Verizon sells cards that give laptops cellular modem ability,
and I've used them on both Powerbooks & Macbook Pros, no problem. The
only catch is, again, they don't use GSM either.


On the other hand, the iPhone itself works fantastically well as an
internet device all on its own, without needing to be tethered to a
laptop. Sure, you don't get the big screen or the keyboard, but what you
gain in portability makes up for it.

When I've travelled since getting the iPhone, I've brought my laptop,
but just to download pictures, and if I can access an open wireless
network, maybe upload a few, but that's about it. For everything else
that I used to use the laptop for, the iPhone does the job just fine.

Maybe you don't even really need a GSM modem.


--
Chris Devers
http://chrisdevers.vox.com/

I'm using my Nokia 6120 Classic to send this message, and I've used it for Internet access in many countries around the world. Symbian-based Nokia phones are the worldwide market leader in smart phones for a reason. They do everything an iPhone does, and more, and they aren't necessarily locked to any one network. I've got pay as you go SIM cards for 5 countries for my Nokia phones, that's the cheapest way to use a phone when traveling.

Maybe you don't even really need a GSM modem.

Could I use the bluetooth connection to send an email attachment from the iPhone to my laptop while traveling? Could I transfer the changed file back to the iPhone and email it as an attachment? Probably not, but that would eliminate the need for most of my business travel needs for a modem tether. Maybe yours also...