Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

I've got a hair-brained idea and would like input about its workability, please.

I'm considering the purchase of a Verizon (UTStarcom) XV6700 cell phone with a data package. Since I recently broke my PDA, I want to have one appliance for communication and organizing.

To help justify the purchase, I'm wondering if I could also use the phone as a "modem", allowing me to drop my cable modem for Internet access on my home computer. My thinking is that I could have the phone connected to the PC by its synch cord, then access the Internet through the phone.

Is this possible? Has anyone done this?

Thanks for your ideas.

Reply 1 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

Answered my own question today. One can, in fact, use a cell phone as a modem. It's called "tethering." Verizon offers a service it calls BroadbandAccess Connect for specific phones only: LG VX9800, Motorola RAZR V3c, Motorola E815, LG VX8100, and Blackberry 7130e. Price is $59.99 for full data access plus the voice plan. Top speed in EV-DO equipped regions is 700 kps. Sprint offers a similar service.

For more info, see this link: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1918150,00.asp

Reply 2 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

I saw a bluetooth keyboard/screen that uses your phone as a modem. cool idea. Not sure there's a market...

Reply 3 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

well, since you cant refrain from breaking something . i swear you people are like 6 month old babies "i dropped it, i broke it" sheesh..

get a phone with wi-fi . theres a video on cnet that talks about different phones that offer modem connections

Reply 4 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

But if you get a phone with WiFi, you only have access in WiFi hotspots. I think the original question was about using his laptop wherever he wanted through his cell phone tether.

Sounds cool, it's good info.

Reply 5 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

a bit slow but it's a can do! Top speed with verizon without signing up for a data package is 144Kb not bad for free! I have setup quite a few friends doing just this but have to have a phone that has national access! I have much more info pertianing to but have to move on right now, if want more let me know.

Reply 6 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

Please send me information how I can connect my laptop to my Blackberry 7130e. Slow go is better than no go. joe.miles@cox.net

Thanks Joe

Reply 7 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

Please email me with info on how to do this, too..kimbercin @ aol.com.
Thanks!

Reply 8 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

To use the phone as a modem, say i get all the hardware and connect the phone to my laptop and I am browsing the internet , but how mich is the verizon or cingular charging me?
Is it the number of minutes used( out of the calling plan)
or data charges too..a dollar per KB data sent/recieved?
or something else..

I always had this doubt in my mind, but wanst sure ....

Reply 9 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

with sprint EVDO, you can do it for $15 a month with the ppc 6700.

I would do it with either sprint or verison. verison charges allot more , $40+ a month.

check out this message for more details.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7813-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=159621&messageID=1957589

Reply 10 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

I have Sprint EVDO on PPC 6700 which allows me to connect with my phone in most areas. How can I use it to connect my Lap Top to the internet without paying extra?

Reply 11 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

its easy, what you do is first insert the cd that it came with into your laptop. Then on the phone , go to Start > Programs > Wireless Modem.

In connection type , use USB (i have not tried the bluetooth or IR , and i dont recommend it , since it is benefitial to have the USB charge the phone as you use it) and press start.

With the CD in the drive, plug in the phone via USB, active sync should not come up. Instead your laptop will detect a new software (generic modem) . Till the laptop to search for drivers in specific location and then choose the Cd drives. it will find the drivers on the cd.

Once the new hardware is installed, go to network and create a new dial-up connection. choose ppc6700 as the modem. The number to dial is #777 . leave the username/password blank. make sure it does not dial anything but #777 (no area codes, prefixes or anything). That should be it, you should be connected.

Things to look out for: the drivers get erased frequently, so have the cd handy to reinstall them, or copy them off the cd, i lost my cd and if you can send me a copy of the drivers to xxx_mina@hotmail.com , that would be awesome.

Also, when you unplug the phone , the modem gets switched from ppc6700 to whatever modem you have. Before you dial, make sure that the modem is set to 6700. it gets switched often when your not using the phone as a modem.

Mina

Reply 12 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

Thanks for the info but I cannot find the drivers on the CD that came with the phone. any suggestions?

Reply 13 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

hey, after i posted this, i went to utstar.com and they had an update to the phone. Its a really good one, you shoud defenetly get it.

http://www.utstar.com/pcd/Downloads.aspx

then i asked them where i can download the drivers and they just e-mailed them to me and i put them on my website

www.outsidersfl.com/files/6700_USB_Modem.zip

also, you should go to utstar.com/pcd and look for the updated user's manuel ... it has exact details on how to use phone as modem

Mina

Reply 14 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

Ahhh, good old Verizon, was wondering why the modem function using motorola tools quit, no more, read on. ''IMPORTANT NOTE: This downloadable software is fully supported for Cingular and T-Mobile customers. However, portions of this software's functionality have been disabled for Verizon or Nextel customers, so Motorola Phone Tools will not work fully with phones using those carriers. If you are a Verizon customer, all multimedia and internet connection features in this software will be disabled due to carrier request. Please contact your service provider for further information.'' Post @ http://motorola.handango.com/entertainment/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=522&jid=X3F752DX783FXBD97FB6F78E45F48DE9&carrierId=2&platformId=6&productType=2&productId=93724. Guessing if want to use cell as modem need to use any listed providers. Cost me $175.00 cause I quit the big V ! Movin' on to ? as of yet! One still might be able to use a cell with Verizon but not using motorola tools. ((Must use a tri mode phone)).

Reply 15 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

I would be interested in this information as well.
Norma

Reply 16 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

i have done it with the ppc6700 from sprint with the EVDO for $15 a month

I would do it with either sprint or verison. verison charges allot more , $40+ a month.

check out this message for more details on how.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7813-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=159621&messageID=1957589

Reply 17 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

if you have a mac you could check out macandmobile.com

Reply 18 : Cell phone as PC Internet Connection Device?

You can but its slower and capped. Ive done it but only in a pinch