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Cellular Phone Forum / Country Specific / Australian Group / February 2007Using NextG Mobile Phone as a Modem and relevant plans
A mate at work is planning a trip around Oz for later on this year, maybe early next year. He was asking what he would need to access the 'net using a mobile phone and a laptop. I suggested something like my Samsung A501 running on the NextG network. However, I am not familiar with what plans that would allow this. I've had a bit of a look on the Telstra website but some of the plans, terms etc. don't, to me at least, look all that easy to work out or explain. Hopefully someone who's been doing this could help out here. What product would be best suited for him? He only needs to check emails, maybe do some browsing, read the paper, get local forecasts and so on. I briefly showed him what the A501 can do by itself. But I explained to him that as a "pay as you go" service it's damned expensive. Just accidentally pressing the "Bigpond" button or icon costs a few cents in downloaded data, even if nothing actually appears on the screen during the initial login stage. He should try this http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/about/ >A mate at work is planning a trip around Oz for later on this year, > maybe early next year. He was asking what he would need to access the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > downloaded data, even if nothing actually appears on the screen during > the initial login stage. > He should try this > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > downloaded data, even if nothing actually appears on the screen during > > the initial login stage. With the Big Pond service you need to buy the card/modem for around $299 and then sign up for a contract (min 12 months). On the plus side a wireless Big Pond service gives you access to the unmetered content sites as well. You can sign up for limited time (10 or 20 hours a month) or data based (200 MB to 3GB). pedanticky said.... > With the Big Pond service you need to buy the card/modem for around > $299 and then sign up for a contract (min 12 months). On the plus side That, I think will be the killer. He wants NextG for his trip. He's not interested in a 12 month contract for a service that he won't use beyond his trip. I perused that website but couldn't find any info regarding using a NextG phone as a modem and connecting to the wireless network. It appears that it can't be done. Or if it can be done, I can't find out the costs, what you need to do, etc.. If you can't use a data connection, either via Bluetooth, USB or whatever to a NextG phone to connect to the high speed HSPDA (or whatever it's called) service, then you have to wonder why bother with a phone that has data connectivity for laptops, etc.. >pedanticky said.... > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >whatever it's called) service, then you have to wonder why bother with a >phone that has data connectivity for laptops, etc.. I've had my laptop hooked up to my TU500 (when I had it) before. There is a modem S string to be put in and then it's ready. It works rather fast too. The ONLY issue was the price of the data useage. NextG still doesn't work in our area, so the few people that do have NextG here curse it, most have gone back to CDMA as I did. If the data plans for internet over NextG mobile phone (rather than the card) wasn't so expensive, I would have kept my phone. Bubba said.... > He should try this > > http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/about/ Thanks for that. However, none of that info tells me if you can use a NextG mobile phone as a "modem" to connect to this network. All it talks about are those mobile cards and USB mobile cards. I'll pass the info onto him. He can take it from here. > Thanks for that. However, none of that info tells me if you can use a > NextG mobile phone as a "modem" to connect to this network. All it talks > about are those mobile cards and USB mobile cards. I can use my Samsung Z140 (3G but at 2100MHz) as a modem via the supplied data cable - I don't see why your friend couldn't do the same with a similar 850MHz handset. Mind you the rates for accessing the Internet via this method are outrageous on Telstra ($15/MB unless you get a data bundle). So much for an underused network they are encouraging uptake on... >> Thanks for that. However, none of that info tells me if you can use a >> NextG mobile phone as a "modem" to connect to this network. All it talks [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > this method are outrageous on Telstra ($15/MB unless you get a data > bundle). So much for an underused network they are And at data bundles starting at $5? why wouldnt you? > encouraging uptake on... Only complete chumps PAYG Albinus said.... > I can use my Samsung Z140 (3G but at 2100MHz) as a modem via the > supplied data cable - I don't see why your friend couldn't do the same > with a similar 850MHz handset. Mind you the rates for accessing the You can with the Samsung NextG models. But I don't know whether that's to any ISP or whether you can access something like the Bigpond wireless service. If it is to say, Austarnet, which has Australia-wide dialup numbers, what speed would you be connected at? >Albinus said.... > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >If it is to say, Austarnet, which has Australia-wide dialup numbers, >what speed would you be connected at? My Telstra ZTE F850 software gives an option to connect to the internet through my computer. Haven't tried it, though. Not gonna, either :) ----------------------------- Subvert the Dominant paradigm. Turn your TV off > Albinus said.... > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > to any ISP or whether you can access something like the Bigpond wireless > service. You can connect to whatever packet based data endpoint APN's that are enabled for your account, i.e. telstra.wap, telstra.internet etc. at high speed using the *99# access number. The telstra.bigpond APN is ONLY available to mobile accounts that have been provisioned by BigPond. > If it is to say, Austarnet, which has Australia-wide dialup numbers, > what speed would you be connected at? A circuit switched data connection to a dialup number will be limited to the 9.6kbps speed of the circuit switched channel as per all GSM/UMTS networks that haven't had the HSCSD feature activated. (CDMA networks on the other hand have a 14.4kbps circuit switched data speed). It can also take up to 30 seconds to have initialise the link. davmel said.... > You can connect to whatever packet based data endpoint APN's that are > enabled for your account, i.e. telstra.wap, telstra.internet etc. at > high speed using the *99# access number. How do you know what "APN" is enabled for your account? And how is the *99# number dialed? Through software, manually via the phone, what? Thanks > davmel said.... > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Thanks You can call up and find out if you really need to know. The ones I listed above are enabled for post paid Telstra customers by default. The access number is just entered in whatever dialup software you're using. You need to set up the default APN in the phone. > You can with the Samsung NextG models. But I don't know whether that's > to any ISP or whether you can access something like the Bigpond wireless > service. > > If it is to say, Austarnet, which has Australia-wide dialup numbers, > what speed would you be connected at? If you actually have a data service on your handset (like I used to), then you'll be limited to either 9.6Kbps or 14.4Kbps for a CSD (circuit switched) call. Much better to use packet data (GPRS etc), it's faster and only billed by the data transferred - not by the time connected. If you were to connect to your ISP via your mobile it would be at the afformentioned speed plus you'll be slugged in the vicinity of 33c/min to connect. Packet data through the Telstra network would be much better. >> You can with the Samsung NextG models. But I don't know whether that's >> to any ISP or whether you can access something like the Bigpond wireless [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > afformentioned speed plus you'll be slugged in the vicinity of 33c/min > to connect. Packet data through the Telstra network would be much better. No, with HSDPA the speed is much faster. Currently running at around 520kb in our area with the expectation of 20mbit by 2009. > No, with HSDPA the speed is much faster. Currently running at around > 520kb in our area with the expectation of 20mbit by 2009. That's packet switched data though - not circuit switched :) >> No, with HSDPA the speed is much faster. Currently running at around >> 520kb in our area with the expectation of 20mbit by 2009. > > That's packet switched data though - not circuit switched :) Ah this is true. I wouldn't have thought anyone would use the old method any more, with it's pathetic speed. >>> No, with HSDPA the speed is much faster. Currently running at around >>> 520kb in our area with the expectation of 20mbit by 2009. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Ah this is true. I wouldn't have thought anyone would use the old method > any more, with it's pathetic speed. Actually some people still do since they can get free mobile internet access during the 'free' hours of their plans etc. >>>> No, with HSDPA the speed is much faster. Currently running at around >>>> 520kb in our area with the expectation of 20mbit by 2009. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Actually some people still do since they can get free mobile internet > access during the 'free' hours of their plans etc. Anything to save a dollar for some lol. I'd go nuts with the speed and I'd assume many websites would time out. > A mate at work is planning a trip around Oz for later on this year, > maybe early next year. He was asking what he would need to access the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > downloaded data, even if nothing actually appears on the screen during > the initial login stage. If your mate has a post-paid Next G service the you can apply a data pack plan to the service ($5, $8 or $29 per month). The $29 pack gives 70MB, not much but probably enough for e-mail and a small amount of browsing (Sensis, whereis etc). hth Dave >> A mate at work is planning a trip around Oz for later on this year, >> maybe early next year. He was asking what he would need to access the [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > 70MB, not much but probably enough for e-mail and a small amount of > browsing (Sensis, whereis etc). http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/mobiles/prices/datapacks.htm pedanticky said.... > If your mate has a post-paid Next G service the you can apply a data > pack plan to the service ($5, $8 or $29 per month). The $29 pack gives He still is on a pre-paid Optus account. He's currently looking at NextG for the expanded coverage, data services, etc.. I have been using a Telsta ZTE F850 on the Next G network quite regularly as a modem. All you need is the software and USB cables (supplied) and of course a computer. All that you need to do is set network settings in the phone from memory. I'll get back to you on that one though  SignatureRJNolan >I have been using a Telsta ZTE F850 on the Next G network quite >regularly as a modem. All you need is the software and USB cables >(supplied) and of course a computer. All that you need to do is set >network settings in the phone from memory. I'll get back to you on that >one though What are the charges like? ----------------------------- Subvert the Dominant paradigm. Turn your TV off RJNolan said.... > network settings in the phone from memory. I'll get back to you on that > one though Thanks, Bracksy... > I have been using a Telsta ZTE F850 on the Next G network quite > regularly as a modem. All you need is the software and USB cables > (supplied) and of course a computer. All that you need to do is set > network settings in the phone from memory. I'll get back to you on that > one though Watch out for your data costs, is all Michael said.... >> I have been using a Telsta ZTE F850 on the Next G network quite >> regularly as a modem. All you need is the software and USB cables [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Watch out for your data costs, is all Got a link to this? ie. what it costs to use a NextG mobile phone as a modem connected to a laptop and connected to the NextG high speed broadband service? Given that I started this thread ages ago trying to find out what it will cost a workmate to access the 'net while touring Oz during his long service leave, I've yet to find out what definate costs that he'll be up for. Sure, I can ring Telstra and wade through 20 million voice menu options and then be put on hold til an "available" operator can help me. But if this information is available on the internet then if someone can point me in the right direction I can then get all the info that I require, print it out, etc. for later reference. Otherwise, wby bother having an internet presence in the first place? > Michael said.... > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Otherwise, wby bother having an internet presence in the first place? GOSH! Maybe you should spend less time researching Consumer Law and more time reading the threads. I posted the weblink over a fortnight agao, in reply to pedanticky's excellent precis of the plans available: ***************************************** >> If your mate has a post-paid Next G service the you can apply a data >> pack plan to the service ($5, $8 or $29 per month). The $29 pack gives >> 70MB, not much but probably enough for e-mail and a small amount of >> browsing (Sensis, whereis etc). > > http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/mobiles/prices/datapacks.htm ***************************************** > Michael said.... > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > modem connected to a laptop and connected to the NextG high speed > broadband service? PAYG rates unless you have a data pack > Otherwise, wby bother having an internet presence in the first place? Its all there on the net, if you want to bitch then no one will help you Quite a few people, including me, are looking for solutions to this problem. It seems the best option at the moment for internet is one of Testras 1gig net plans for $49 month. For phone contact one of the untimed nextG plans might be the way to go David > A mate at work is planning a trip around Oz for later on this year, > maybe early next year. He was asking what he would need to access the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > downloaded data, even if nothing actually appears on the screen during > the initial login stage. quietguy said... > Quite a few people, including me, are looking for solutions to this > problem. It seems the best option at the moment for internet is one of > Testras 1gig net plans for $49 month. In today's paper there was a flyer for the NextG service and Bigpond plans that hang off it. They were all for 36 months with total cost of up to $4,800 (roughly). Even the cheapest plan, around $18/mth would be fine for what the mate wants, but it's still a 3 year contract. He only wants it for about 3 mths while he tours Oz during long service leave. > quietguy said... > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > wants, but it's still a 3 year contract. He only wants it for about 3 > mths while he tours Oz during long service leave. The 3 year contracts provide 6months half price. If you don't want the discount then just go on the standard 12 month contract. You can attach up to 70MB plan to any NextG phone service on a casual no contract basis, or if you have an ABN you can get a 2GB/month casual service. There is no need to enter a contract if you don't want to. |
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