Need Information on a wireless, cellphone and broadband service

[Dallas]

I know this comes up every so often, but I thought I would muddy the waters some more with questions.

Cat and I are researching Cell phone plans through her work place with Verizon, Cingular or  Sprint.

We want two phones, wireless broadband internet and as many other goodies as we can get.

What I need to know is, what do I need to have in order to operate with our computers on the net and still have access to the phones?

Will a Balckberry connect to the computer and also act as a phone?

Would we need 3 or 4 different wireless plans?

Would it be cheaper to pay $60/mo. for hughesnet satelite and hae the cell phones separate?

Hey! I'm cell phone Challenged, I'm lucky to hit the little bitty 'connect' button on the phone.  I still haven't figured out how to switch to and from on call waiting! 

Thanks for any input and solutions!

Dallas

[Dreamscape]

Dallas,

Have you read the directions? 

Just had to say that. I know us MEN are that way sometimes.

On my cell I just hit the send button to toggle back and forth.


I think the computer, cell phones etc. all have differant signals. So you should be able to have access on all at the same time. So one plan should work.

Paul

Dreamscape

[Dallas]

Dallas,

Have you read the directions? 

Just had to say that. I know us MEN are that way sometimes.

On my cell I just hit the send button to toggle back and forth.


I think the computer, cell phones etc. all have differant signals. So you should be able to have access on all at the same time. So one plan should work.

Paul

Dreamscape

Gee, Thanks Paul!

I started to read the manual, but after page 23 the adult beverages seem to blur my vision. Or is that bottle 23? 

[Dreamscape]

Your welcome!!!!!!!

I know the truth hurts sometimes.....

Is that cool-aide your drinking?

It's five o-clock somewhere, isn't it???

Paul

[JackConrad]

Dallas,
    The system we use is through Alltel, the others may be different. Alltel gives us the option of a low speed (about 20-35K) for a cost of minutes used or a high speed (broadband) connection for $60/month. Both systems involve connecting the phone to our laptop with a cable using a USB port on the laptop. Other than our recent trip, all of our use is on weekends, so we use the low speed connection (yes we are cheap). We have free minutes on weekends and from 7 PM to 7 AM.  We have found that if someone calls when I am using my phone, the phone rings and I can answer it. Sometimes it drops me off line, sometimes it does not.  If things work out like we expect, we will live in our bus during the winter months and will probably go with a card that plugs into the computer (high speed broadband). Altell charges $60 per month for this and no phone or cable is involved. YMMV, Hope this helps, Jack

[wrench]

 Here what I know work:  You can use a cell phone to connect to any ISP with a local phone# as long you got: a subcription with one, a cell with a data cable ( I use nokia 6610 & cable CA53 & PC suite(software)).  I use T-mobile as ISP with a air card (sierra 775, found on fleetbay for around 150.00) = nation wide service, no long distance, speed 40Kbps, 50.00 a month illimited time.(If you can find a former customer leaving T-mobile & transfer his account to you you could be at 30.00 a month).
 If you cell plan is digital (with a small chip/sim card) you can swap the card.
  if want to talk just PM or email phone#
           wrench

[captain ron]

Dallas, I use Verizon and a card that goes in my computer. It works great exept in most of Wisconsin and Michigan (not big Verizon states) (only in big cities). It's pretty fast and only $60.00 per month unlimited use. You don't want to tether a phone to your computer with verizon as it is very expensive. get the newer cards with antenas on them. Other than not being able to use it where I've been staying the past couple of summers 18 mi. west of Green Bay I'm otherwise very happy with it

[bernie]

we use sprint.the card plugs into the side of the laptop and it works any where you have cell phone service,we just made a trip from fla to ind and back,it worked well, the plan i have is 75$ a month.it is supposed to work when driveing down the road,we did not try that.
good luck
        Bernie

[NJT5047]

The Hughes system was riddled with problems...at least up until recently.   I'd want to look at the "functionability" of the newest Hughes before dropping cash on that.  It has to be setup similar to a sat dish to use.  Not as portable as a Verizon, T Mobile, or Sprint aircard based system.
Verizon has a good broadband system, but it's limited to specific service areas.  The areas are shown on Verizons website.
I'd bet your present service area is included in the VZ area due to the proximity of the interstate.   
Lower data speeds are usually available anywhere a cell phone will work. 
Hughes Net had a problem with large uploads and downloads....seems as though they would "time out" with large data transmission.    Doesn't Ross use a Hughes Net system?  He could advise you. 
I'd like to have the Verizon Broadband, but the broadband service is just useable, and not very dependable (cell phones are OK) where I live.  If they get a few more towers out here, and they will soon, I'm gonna lose the RR and get  wireles
service.  Just cannot see adding another layer of expense ($60 bucks a month) for something that is so infrequently used. 
Since you cannot get RR or wired DSL, you have different set of needs.   
See what Ross has to say about the Hughes Net system. 
Cheers, JR

[Foolsgold]

Dallas, Verizon air card works very well as this is all I ever use. Monthly subscription and you get everything needed. I discontinued the Road Runner we have at home becauzse of it. It's almost as fast and works in any room including the bathroom using the laptop of course. On the road, it works like a cell phone and have never had it Not work! I can sit in the kitchen, LR or even on the bed and chat away or search!

My Blackberry is good too for "just about" everything my laptop does. I'm still learning what I can do with it but I DO  use it for ebay and emails and even checking this site and BNO sirte from time to time, not to mention making and receiving calls! 

FG

[niles500]

Ron - are you in Pulaski?

[Moof]

Dallas,

I do a lot of traveling for work. (Can't wait to do more of it for fun).  I have a 3x EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) card that plugs into the PCI slot in my laptop.  It is as fast as my DSL at home.  Up here it normally goes for $90 a month, but I got it for $30 a month with a 3 year contract.  I'm sure there are better deals in the lower 48.

Dave T.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dallas & Cat,

I use a Verizon wireless air card that is part of my cell phone plan. It works everywhere I've been so far.

For me, it's worth the unlimited air time as it would be for you also.... Just make sure you have broadband service

in your area. Otherwise you will be stuck on National Access, which is still way faster then dial up.

It also connects in about 15 seconds. Check with Verizon, they may have a Christmas special this time of year.

Nick-

[NJT5047]

Verizon offers a phone interface cable that allows a computor to access the web thru web-enabled  Verizon phones...called a "Mobile Office" or something similar.   It seems to be a part of the monthly phone internet access...?   Cable and software kit costs $39.oo.
Anyone have any information about how well this works?   The info on their website is rather limited.  As best I can sort out, the web access is only $15.00 a month...which I'm signed up for now. 
Nick, are you using the $60 bucks a month broadband access? 
Dallas, if you try Verizon access, they'll let you unwind the deal for 30 days.  Other cell phone companies may have a similar offers.
JR

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

JR,

Yes I am, plus my 4 phones with VZNavigator is awsome....
Nick-

Verizon offers a phone interface cable that allows a computor to access the web thru web-enabled  Verizon phones...called a "Mobile Office" or something similar.   It seems to be a part of the monthly phone internet access...?   Cable and software kit costs $39.oo.
Anyone have any information about how well this works?   The info on their website is rather limited.  As best I can sort out, the web access is only $15.00 a month...which I'm signed up for now. 
Nick, are you using the $60 bucks a month broadband access? 
Dallas, if you try Verizon access, they'll let you unwind the deal for 30 days.  Other cell phone companies may have a similar offers.
JR