Wireless Internet Connection Using Cell Phones

Equipment

First you need a phone that can act like a modem and then you need the cable that hooks into your computer for transfer. Most smartphones have the modem capabilities. This is sometimes referred to as "tethering". Cables can be either USB or Firewire, but some older cables plug into the dial-up modem on your computer. Because each phone has different output plugs, you will probably have to purchase cables from the manufacturer or where you purchased your phone. After you have the correct hardware, then you need Internet management software that will connect your phone to the Internet and integrate your web-based software with the phone.

Wireless Internet Connection Using Cell Phones: Provider Capabilities

Make sure your cell phone provider offers digital voice and data services. If they don't, then chances are their phones are not capable of running as a modem. Also ensure that they can offer you free long distance calls and free local access numbers nationwide. If you don't have that, then you will be paying per hour or possibly per minute you are using your cell phone as an Internet modem.

Limitations

The biggest limitation of a wireless internet connection using cell phones is speed. Phones typically transfer at a dial-up speed. Most earlier phones had a speed of 14.4kbps, which is the speed faxes transfer. Now some phones can easily do 28.8kbps and 42.3kbps. Smartphones (an all-in-one phone, PDA, and mini-computer) are your best option if you think you might need a phone to operate as your modem sometimes.

Recommended Phones

T-Mobile carries a nice selection of Smartphones (like the Dash) and BlackBerrys that will provide a consistent connection. The LG VX9800 and LG VX8100, which are provided by Verizon, can be hooked directly as a dial-up speed modem. Both of the LG phones can also be used as a broadband modem if you are subscribed to Verizon's broadband plan, which is currently $59.99 per month. Speeds can hit around 700 kbps in major cities and drops to about half when you hit areas that aren't covered as well.

Maybe a Laptop and Air Card?

If you want to get Internet whereever you possibly can, consider using the basic Internet functions on your phone. Most of the phones theses days have built-in functions for checking e-mail and surfing the web. Heavy users may want to think about getting an AirCard to plug into their laptop. The AirCard can get DSL-like speeds and can operate virtually anywhere the cell phone provider has service.

All the Carriers in the World

No matter who you have or what phone you might use to connect to the internet with, make sure that you are aware of the charges. If you need a longer term connection throughout the day, try to find a spot that offers free Wi-Fi internet for your laptop. This will be much easier (and cheaper) for you to find, compared to the frustrations of dial-up speed and possible constant disconnection.

Need another suggestion? If you find yourself using your phone as a modem, then you might want to consider just getting a Smartphone that has all the capabilities of Wireless: e-mail, web browsing, downloading, etc. Cell phone providers won't care if you using your cell phone as a modem or for how long; they are more interested in the fees associated with your time online. So don't get carried away with the wireless Internet connection using a cell phone. While it's possible, you might find yourself addicted to the usefulness.