Broadband or Dial-Up

[jiannichan]

You should be able to tether the BB to your laptop so that it uses it as a "modem". The speeds vary and can get up to a 192Kbps. I don't remember how to set it up, but there are instructions online somewhere.

[Skiprr]

AT&T residential "Elite" DSL. Adequate for my needs (I don't download mega files), but...eeeuw.

I had Time Warner cable for several years, and finally ditched 'em just before the Comcast takeover was announced. With Time Warner, I averaged an outage of at least an hour almost every month. Gave up on that. The DSL is slower, but I haven't had to place a single outage call to 'em since I've had the service.

[KD5NRH]

Laptop over cellular? Are you using an aircard, or is there some way to use my Blackberry with my laptop? Yeah, I know my Blackberry can access the Internet, but let's just say it isn't fun. I wouldn't need it often, but it would be handy at times.

Never tried it with a Blackberry, but it looks like these guys are doing it.

My USB bluetooth adapter was about $30 at WalMart. It also makes moving pictures and audio recordings between the phone and computer a lot easier, which is great when you've recorded an important phone call or snapped a photo that needs to be added to a report, since regular email doesn't incur "multimedia message" rates.

[tarkus]

That's not bad for the price of a cup of coffee.

[Mcoupe]

You should be able to tether the BB to your laptop so that it uses it as a "modem". The speeds vary and can get up to a 192Kbps. I don't remember how to set it up, but there are instructions online somewhere.

Now why did I not think of this? I am going to try it now! Thx!

[GrayHawk]

ATT DSL here. Changed to cable, constantly out of service. Went back to dial up to save a few bucks, big mistake, way too slow. Back to DSL.

[stevie_d_64]

[Excaliber]

DSL at home:


Laptop over cellular:

Laptop over cellular? Are you using an aircard, or is there some way to use my Blackberry with my laptop? Yeah, I know my Blackberry can access the Internet, but let's just say it isn't fun. I wouldn't need it often, but it would be handy at times.

Chas.

Charles,

This is a feature you can have added to your data service.

With Verizon, I just called up and told them to add it to my account - abut $15/month.

Then I installed the Verizon Access Manager software on my laptop to make the connection.

The phone needs to be tethered to the laptop with a USB cable.

I just connect the cable, activate the Access Manager software, and away I go. Speed is adequate for email and general surfing.

I would expect most providers services would work similarly if you have a different cellular vendor.

[quidni]

Laptop over cellular? Are you using an aircard, or is there some way to use my Blackberry with my laptop? Yeah, I know my Blackberry can access the Internet, but let's just say it isn't fun. I wouldn't need it often, but it would be handy at times.

Chas.

I have T-Mobile service, currently using a Nokia 5300 phone. My Nokia also doubles as an air-card for internet access. It isn't the fastest connection available, but if I have phone coverage, I have internet access. (an incoming call will take preference over internet, so I don't miss important calls... easy enough to re-connect afterward.) T-Mobile also offers a dedicated air-card. The reason I use the phone instead of an air-card is the cost: $40/mo unlimited access with the aircard, on a contract of its own, or $20/month added to my cellphone bill for unlimited access without needing a contract to cancel the access if I decide I don't want it any longer.

I'm pretty sure your Blackberry has that ability also - you just need to set it up with your provider, and get the right cable.