How do I get internet access by the minute

[Bombadil]

Howdy ya'all,
I'm trying to find a phone and plan where I can hook my cell phone to my PC at home and have full internet access that charges by the minutes. I have an ISP and modem in my PC, so I should be able to dial into the ISP and the cell phone should just provide an analog connection like a normal phone does right? I've seen cables to connect a cell phone to a serial port (rs232), but I went to car toys and the guys their claimed you can't connect like that, you can only connect and be charged by the amount of data you transfer rather than by the minutes. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Dman]

a couple of questions first.
1. What kind of phone do you use?
2. Who is you wireless service provider?

I am familiar with Kyocera phones, and I know that you can buy a dial-up kit that will connect directly from your phone to your laptop. The best place for you to start looking is your phone manufacturer's website. Look for a dial-up connectivity kit. These kits with software can also be used as a contact manager for your speed dial lists. You can import lists from your pc to your handheld.

[Bombadil]

I haven't got a phone or a wireless service provider yet, I'm trying to find out what phone will suit my needs before I buy one.

It looks like voice-stream has "by amount of data charging", where as sprint had "by the minute charging" at one point, but I can't find anything about current phones and deals relating to internet access through a dial up connection using a cell phone.

[Wayne]

If you have a home computer and not a laptop...keep a dial up connection. Dail up speeds are up to 56k..........while cellular in digital is only 14.4k When 1xrtt comes out you will be able to connect at up to 144k, but is will cost ya. Analog service connection is only like 6-8k I think..................cant remeber.


Do any of you out there remember??[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

You don't say where you live so telling you which provider offers the best service is difficult.

I carry a Verizon StarTac 7868. I use a digital data cable conencted from my laptop COM port to the phone to dial into the Verizon network (sometime) using there #777 number and simetimes directly into my ISP or office email (using the regular modem number!).
My data time is charged to my regular minute allotment. The best speed I can hope for is about 14,400 (compressed sometime to a somewhat faster effective speed!).

There are other services (ATT, VoiceStream) which provide you a data only service that is charged by the byte. It sounds like that is what you have been offered. And in truth, these services will be faster than the voice connection I use -- so you do get something for your money.

In truth, most current CDMA (Verizon, Sprint) phones are data capable. The trick is finding the correct data cables and accessories for the phone you choose. If I were you, I'd find the accessories first and then buy the phone. Data accessories seem ot be much easier to find for the Nokias and Motorolas. Look on their Websites. Verizon also offers data accessory kits for many of the phones that they sell. Check THEIR website.

If you have Verizon DIGITAL DATA service in the area where you are, I'd say go that route. If you don't have Verizon -- or Verizon in your area doesn't support digital data -- then Sprint offers the same basic capability... If you don't like Sprint, you're probably stuck with 'by the byte' charges -- although there are other phones that will do data over the 'voice' side of the connection....

And you will now doubtless get a gazillion posts saying why I'm full of it..... Suit yourself. But I'm doing cellular data every week....

Be aware also that Verizon has a similar service -- something Express -- that works very much the same way. It charges by the byte.... That's not what you say you want....

[Bombadil]

Thanks! thats exactly the kind of info I was looking for