FAQ: How Do I Configure my Phone for Data?

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John Navas - 21 Feb 2006 23:53 GMT

Q: How Do I Configure my Phone for Data?
A: See the FAQ below, which has just been updated with (1) free OTA
configuration services and (2) CSD* settings.

* CSD (circuit switched data) is essentially a slow (9600 bps) dial-up type
service that uses up minutes.

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Ernie Klein - 22 Feb 2006 00:28 GMT

In article
<MJNKf.440888$qk4.355231@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,

> <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

Thanks John.

I am trying to figure the chart out. I have tried CSD to dial my own
dialup ISP number and it works OK.

You give tel numbers for MSdia and Data Connect. Does that mean that I
can access those Cingulars services via CSD?

If so, would I have to add those features also? (It wouldn't make much
sense to pay extra for those features only to access them at 9600bps
though)

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-Ernie-

"There are only two kinds of computer users -- those who have
suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure, and those who will."

Have you done your backup today?

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John Navas - 22 Feb 2006 00:32 GMT

>In article
><MJNKf.440888$qk4.355231@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>You give tel numbers for MSdia and Data Connect. Does that mean that I
>can access those Cingulars services via CSD?

Yes.

>If so, would I have to add those features also? (It wouldn't make much
>sense to pay extra for those features only to access them at 9600bps
>though)

You use up minutes with CSD when connecting either to MEdia Net or Data
Connect. The latter is usually the better choice with CSD because it costs
the same while giving you Data Acceleration and full Internet access.

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Ernie Klein - 22 Feb 2006 00:50 GMT

> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Connect. The latter is usually the better choice with CSD because it costs
> the same while giving you Data Acceleration and full Internet access.

Unlimited minutes nights & weekends though. For $3.99 it beats anything
else for occasional access when I am traveling. Is that number good
nationwide?

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-Ernie-

"There are only two kinds of computer users -- those who have
suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure, and those who will."

Have you done your backup today?

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John Navas - 22 Feb 2006 01:22 GMT

>> >In article
>> ><MJNKf.440888$qk4.355231@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>else for occasional access when I am traveling. Is that number good
>nationwide?

Yes on all counts.

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Ernie Klein - 22 Feb 2006 05:51 GMT

In article
<%0PKf.441088$qk4.256757@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,

> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>
> Yes on all counts.

I waited 'till after 9PM (unlimited minutes) to test this out. It works
fine with the ISPDA to # 1-847-254-9270. I will now wait for my next
bill to make sure everything is billed OK :)

Thanks for the info John.

BTW - where did you find those access numbers? (I searched Cingulars
site every which way I could think of and couldn't find access numbers.)

Signature

-Ernie-

"There are only two kinds of computer users -- those who have
suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure, and those who will."

Have you done your backup today?

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John Navas - 22 Feb 2006 06:25 GMT

>I waited 'till after 9PM (unlimited minutes) to test this out. It works
>fine with the ISPDA to # 1-847-254-9270. I will now wait for my next
>bill to make sure everything is billed OK :)
>
>Thanks for the info John.

Happy to help.

>BTW - where did you find those access numbers? (I searched Cingulars
>site every which way I could think of and couldn't find access numbers.)

From the Cingular Developer program. In addition, I think they can be found
in the Cingular Tutorials (link in the FAQ).

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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user@domain.invalid - 24 Feb 2006 15:56 GMT

>>>>If so, would I have to add those features also? (It wouldn't make much
>>>>sense to pay extra for those features only to access them at 9600bps
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Yes on all counts.

Do I have to have some kind of Media* plan to be able to use CSD (to use my GSM phone as a modem for
my laptop)? I called Cingular and the rep there had no clue about CSD and didn't have any Internet
plan for $3.99. Cheapest was a $19.99 MediaNet plan (not unlimited). On the website as well I
don't see any $3.99 feature to add. Is this only available in certain areas (I'm in Texas)?

Thanks,
-Jason

j_NOSPAMrckclimber
AT yahoo
DOT u-know-what
(get rid of NOSPAM above)

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John Navas - 24 Feb 2006 19:51 GMT

>>>>>If so, would I have to add those features also? (It wouldn't make much
>>>>>sense to pay extra for those features only to access them at 9600bps
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>plan for $3.99. Cheapest was a $19.99 MediaNet plan (not unlimited). On the website as well I
>don't see any $3.99 feature to add. Is this only available in certain areas (I'm in Texas)?

It isn't available in all areas. Cingular is probably trying to phase it out.

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Ernie Klein - 24 Feb 2006 20:08 GMT

> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> It isn't available in all areas. Cingular is probably trying to phase it
> out.

Related question John: If the feature is not available in some areas,
does that mean that if travel to an area where the feature is not
available, that the feature will cease to work for me while traveling
through that area?

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-Ernie-

"There are only two kinds of computer users -- those who have
suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure, and those who will."

Have you done your backup today?

Reply to this Message

John Navas - 24 Feb 2006 20:24 GMT

>> [CSD] isn't available in all areas. Cingular is probably trying to phase it
>> out.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>available, that the feature will cease to work for me while traveling
>through that area?

Hasn't happened to me personally, but that's my understanding.

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Ernie Klein - 24 Feb 2006 19:54 GMT

> >>>>If so, would I have to add those features also? (It wouldn't make much
> >>>>sense to pay extra for those features only to access them at 9600bps
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> don't see any $3.99 feature to add. Is this only available in certain areas
> (I'm in Texas)?

According to John, no you don't need any other data feature. I my
question that you quoted above, I was attempting to ask the same
question. If I had a data feature that cost $19.99 on up, it would make
no sense to also pay an additional $3.99 to access that plan at 9600bps
when the $19.99 plan could be accessed directly at a much higher speed.

The $3.99 CSD feature does burn up minutes however. Lots of minutes --
because of the slow speed. I plan to use the feature only on occasion
while traveling when I don't have other access via a hotspot or hotel.
My basic plan has unlimited minutes nights (after 9PM) and weekends, so
if I limit my CSD usage to those times, burning minutes shouldn't be a
problem.

The CDS feature is named "Dial Up & Fax" in Cingular's feature list
(probably to hide what it really is). It is on the available features
list on the web site for my location (zip code), it may not be available
in all markets.

Signature

-Ernie-

"There are only two kinds of computer users -- those who have
suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure, and those who will."

Have you done your backup today?

Reply to this Message

John Navas - 24 Feb 2006 20:03 GMT

>> Do I have to have some kind of Media* plan to be able to use CSD (to use my
>> GSM phone as a modem for
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>According to John, no you don't need any other data feature.

You *do* have to have a CSD data feature to use CSD *if* you don't have a
MEdia Net or Data Connect package.

>I my
>question that you quoted above, I was attempting to ask the same
>question. If I had a data feature that cost $19.99 on up, it would make
>no sense to also pay an additional $3.99 to access that plan at 9600bps
>when the $19.99 plan could be accessed directly at a much higher speed.

CSD is included with MEdia Net and Data Connect packages.

>The $3.99 CSD feature does burn up minutes however. Lots of minutes --
>because of the slow speed. I plan to use the feature only on occasion
>while traveling when I don't have other access via a hotspot or hotel.
>My basic plan has unlimited minutes nights (after 9PM) and weekends, so
>if I limit my CSD usage to those times, burning minutes shouldn't be a
>problem.

That's the best use for CSD if you don't have an unlimited data package.

>The CDS feature is named "Dial Up & Fax" in Cingular's feature list
>(probably to hide what it really is). It is on the available features
>list on the web site for my location (zip code), it may not be available
>in all markets.

It isn't available in all markets, and is only available to "orange" (not
"blue") subscribers.

Signature

Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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user@domain.invalid - 24 Feb 2006 21:10 GMT

> The $3.99 CSD feature does burn up minutes however. Lots of minutes --
> because of the slow speed. I plan to use the feature only on occasion
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> list on the web site for my location (zip code), it may not be available
> in all markets.

Bummer, would have been cool to try out. Using minutes is no big deal after 9pm or on weekends so
that would have not been an issue.

-Jason

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