Question about Alltel's internet services!

[msuash]

I know little to nothing about this sort of thing so I was hoping someone here can help me out!

I'm looking to get Alltel because my Nextel doesnt work at my house in the country. But I was also hoping to get my internet through Alltel.

I heard about using the phone as a modem for 25 dollars a month and for the amount of time i spend on the internet it sounds like the best option for me, but I dont know how it works really.

I guess I was hoping someone could answer a couple questions.

One, how fast is it to do the internet this way? Is it comparable to dial-up?? Or is it a bit faster?

And also, does how fast, and how well, the internet works this way depend on what phone you get?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[UFO]

Hello msuash and welcome to wireless advisor.

The $25 data plan is to use your regular cell phone as a modem. It's a fairly easy process to get started. Basically you connect your phone to your computer with a USB cord, or bluetooth, and dial into alltel's data connection using a similar process as dialing into a dial-up provider. The other option is a $60/month data card or USB card that you can permanently plug into your computer or router.

The speed and quality of the internet does depend to a certain extent on the phone. You want one that is EVDO capable. And please avoid the free phone, you want one of decent quality. But I've not heard any differences between .. Motorolas and LG for example. Most newer phones are EVDO-capable, though the Razr v3a is one that's not. The largest factor though that causes quality issues, is signal problems, rather than phone issues. If you get a decent signal at your location, this shouldn't be a problem though.

The speed should definitely be faster than dial-up and comparable to DSL. As long as you're in an EVDO covered area, the average is 400-700 kbps, with bursts up to 2.4 mbps. Since you listed your location as Dewitt, and a google search came up with Dewitt, MI, here is the Michigan data coverage map: Alltel MobileLink Coverage
Blue is EVDO, and it looks like you're in an EVDO area.

I think that answers your questions but I may have overlooked something. Good luck getting it set up.

[bikebryan]

Originally Posted by UFO

Hello msuash and welcome to wireless advisor.

The $25 data plan is to use your regular cell phone as a modem. It's a fairly easy process to get started. Basically you connect your phone to your computer with a USB cord, or bluetooth, and dial into alltel's data connection using a similar process as dialing into a dial-up provider. The other option is a $60/month data card or USB card that you can permanently plug into your computer or router.

The speed and quality of the internet does depend to a certain extent on the phone. You want one that is EVDO capable. And please avoid the free phone, you want one of decent quality. But I've not heard any differences between .. Motorolas and LG for example. Most newer phones are EVDO-capable, though the Razr v3a is one that's not. The largest factor though that causes quality issues, is signal problems, rather than phone issues. If you get a decent signal at your location, this shouldn't be a problem though.

The speed should definitely be faster than dial-up and comparable to DSL. As long as you're in an EVDO covered area, the average is 400-700 kbps, with bursts up to 2.4 mbps. Since you listed your location as Dewitt, and a google search came up with Dewitt, MI, here is the Michigan data coverage map: Alltel MobileLink Coverage
Blue is EVDO, and it looks like you're in an EVDO area.

I think that answers your questions but I may have overlooked something. Good luck getting it set up.

One thing to check: whether the area you want to do this is COVERED by EVDO. Many areas are, but many are NOT. In that case, the phone will run at either 1X or QNC speeds.

The company line on speeds:

1X = 2 to 3 times faster than dialup
EVDO = 10 to 20 faster than dialup
QNC = slow as molasses, and roaming charges WILL apply on the airtime.

[msuash]

You seem to know a ton about this, so can I ask you if the scoop is a EVDO compatible phone?

[MOTOhooligan]

The LG AX260 ("Scoop") is not an EV-DO capable handset, it is 1xRTT only.

[AlltelUser]

the scoop is most certainly EVDO.

[R11290]

Originally Posted by AlltelUser

the scoop is most certainly EVDO.

Actually, it is unfortunately only 1xRTT.

Here are the specs per the Alltel website:

Weight: 4.2 oz.
Size: 2"x 4.33" x .7"
Talk Time: Up to 180 minutes
Standby: Up to 140 hours
Technology: 1xRTT
Frequency: CDMA 1900 & 800 MHz

[evilproducer]

I had a question as well. I did some research into Alltel's wireless internet services about two months ago and found that according to people on many forums that tethering the phone worked really well for them. Since Macs are my platform of choice I specifically looked at that aspect. I did find out that the software bundle Alltel sells doesn't support Mac OS X, but that many Mac users used Alltel's service by either using the dedicated USB modem and/or tethering a phone.

At the time I was researching my options. I was looking at a lot of sites. Unfortunately I didn't think to bookmark the forums and web sites. I need to know how to set up the phone as a wireless modem with Mac OS X Panther or Tiger. The people at the shop were fairly useless. I have the Motorola Krzr (?) K1m/L7c. The computer sees the phone, recognizes that it is a potential wireless port, but doesn't seem to get it to "dial" out.

I will try tech support, but figured that I would post here as well to broaden my knowledge.

Later,
Evil.

[bikebryan]

Originally Posted by evilproducer

I had a question as well. I did some research into Alltel's wireless internet services about two months ago and found that according to people on many forums that tethering the phone worked really well for them. Since Macs are my platform of choice I specifically looked at that aspect. I did find out that the software bundle Alltel sells doesn't support Mac OS X, but that many Mac users used Alltel's service by either using the dedicated USB modem and/or tethering a phone.

At the time I was researching my options. I was looking at a lot of sites. Unfortunately I didn't think to bookmark the forums and web sites. I need to know how to set up the phone as a wireless modem with Mac OS X Panther or Tiger. The people at the shop were fairly useless. I have the Motorola Krzr (?) K1m/L7c. The computer sees the phone, recognizes that it is a potential wireless port, but doesn't seem to get it to "dial" out.

I will try tech support, but figured that I would post here as well to broaden my knowledge.

Later,
Evil.

Don't waste your or TS's time. They can't help you with a Mac. Sorry and sad, but true. Alltel Wireless Internet is not supported under Mac.

[mrrphone]

The Alltel KRZR and a Mac will work.
I use Bluetooth and the Internet Connect App to dialup.
Set it up, just like any modem, I think you have to use the Sprint config.
#777, phoneno @ alltel.net, alltel.

[MrObvious]

It will work but don't expect Alltel support. WIth Windows you can set it up as a dial-up modem with the drivers and it works fine. I'm sure something similar exists with Macs.