AT&T Data Services Defined

[nKrypteD1]

Hello Everybody (In the crazy doctor from the simpsons voice)

I've been doing a bit of research here in the last few days in regards to the different Data connection packages that Cingular offers, quite simply because I am tired of $40 a month down the tubes. So I've made some discoveries and some conclusions and figured I would share em. Here Goes:

There are 5 Different Levels of Data Packages (all these are unlimited btw):

1. Media Net Max (with 200/1000/3000 messages): $19.99/$29.99/$39.99
2. SmartPhone Connect: $19.99
3. BlackBerry Personal/Corporate/Connect/Tethered: $34.99/$49.99/$49.99/$79.99
4. PDA Connect (Data Connect): $44.99
5. Laptop Connect: $79.99 or $59.99 w/$39.99+ voice plan, $99.99 w/WiFi

Ok first of all, let me remove Laptop Connect from the contenders in regards to what I'm trying to explain, irregardless what access point you use, if you have PCMCIA Card you will need Laptop Connect, and yes it's expensive.

Ok, during my research I've found there are several different APN's (Access Point Names) each with different Capabilities. They are:

• WAP.CINGULAR
• ISP.CINGULAR / ISPDA.CINGULAR
• blackberry.cingular

Ok let's start off with WAP.CINGULAR, this is your MediaNET wireless access point (and I don't care what the store rep tells you, you can have MediaNet on a 8125, treo, or smartphone, you just cant use it to connect to the other Access Points.) When you connect to WAP.CINGULAR you have a Internal IP address assigned to your phone, and you connect via Network Address Translation (NAT.) The downside to this, is several PDA software packages prefer to have a live IP and you're granted fewer slots on the Cingular food chain (this is speculation that I've read on several resources, ie you're not guaranteed as much live time as say a Data Connect Customer.) If you're using a Laptop via tether the dialup number for WAP.CINGULAR is *99# please note that chances are cingular will not know you're using a laptop but doing so is at your own risks, you can incurr quite high bills if they charge you for tethering per KB.

Second we have ISP.CINGULAR and ISPDA.CINGULAR, these are your Data Connect APN's, they are assigned a Live IP that is not connected via NAT, supposedly have a higher priority for data access, and it comes in two different flavors. Accelerated or Not Accelerated, ISP.CINGULAR is NOT accelerated, this is the the equivalent of *99**1# while ISPDA.CINGULAR is Accelerated *99**2#. Now let me go on a limb here and offer my explanations, the Acceleration is the equivalent of Dialup ISP's offering their tools for Speeding up the net, most specifically we're talking graphics compression and size, the images are decreased in quality in order to make sure that not as much data is sent. The way I see it in the real world ISP stands for Internet Service Provider, I believe that's the case here as well, the APN is mainly meant for access the net with fullsized devices, while ISPDA could easily stand for Is PDA or ISP PDA in which case the decrease in image size is not only rarely detectable but actually a bonus.

Last we have the Blackberry Access Point, it's fairly self explanatory, first of all it has a live IP address, and is not accelerated, but furthermore it offers the Push Email services for Blackberry Users.


Ok Confused or wondering what this means for you?

It's simple, if you're using a PDA and need a live IP make sure in your GPRS settings that you're using the ISPDA or ISP APN, please note these have different usernames than media net, ISPDA/ISP @CINGULARGPRS.COM pass is still CINGULAR1 if I recall correctly. If you DON'T need a live IP and have a PDA, you can use MediaNet (and save 20 bux a month) by having them move you to the MediaNet Unlimited Plan and only using WAP.CINGULAR (which btw is default on the HTC devices.)

Here's some more information pulled off Cingular Wireless FAQ from Wikibooks:

CSD
Makes a dedicated data connection like a conventional wired modem. Speed (on Cingular) limited to 9600 bps. Charged like voice minutes (and is not Mobile to Mobile). Must be enabled by Cingular to work (which may require a $4/month data feature), and is only available to "orange" accounts (Cingular, not AT&T Wireless Services) and on the "orange" network.

* A GSM phone has no real dialup modem, just a sort of virtual modem which makes a connection to a carrier's IWU (Inter Working Unit), located in some service center. The IWU has the actual modem that can make analog data calls over the PSTN (public switched telephone network). If the carrier doesn't provide an IWU, or if your account isn't provisioned for CSD (Circuit Switched Data), then a GSM phone cannot make data and/or fax calls. If your account is provisioned for CSD, then all you need is to install the phone as a modem with Windows Dial-Up Networking.

* A regular analog dialup modem cannot be made to work over a GSM voice channel because of the digital audio data compression used in the GSM channel.

GPRS/EGPRS(EDGE)
Makes a packet data connection, sharing channel(s) with packets to/from other users, connecting and disconnecting on demand. Much faster and more efficient than CSD. Charged by the amount of data transferred, as (expensive) Pay-As-You-Go if you don't have a data package (MEdia or Data Connect).

HSDPA
See What is BroadbandConnect?

See also What data speeds are possible with Cingular (GSM)?

[edit] What is the difference between MEdia and Data Connect?

MEdia
Intended for use only on a cell phone. "Tethering" works, but is discouraged, and Cingular reserves the right to deny service based on usage. (See MEdia Legal Notices) Uses a WAP profile, but access to the entire Internet is available. VPN may not work. No Data Acceleration.

Data Connect
Intended for use with PDA or computer, depending on specific package. Uses an Internet profile. VPN is supported. Data Acceleration is optional.

[josephd]

That is very good info thank-you, although a lot of that still confuses me somewhat. I did notice in my message settings on my SE there is a push setting what is that?

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by josephd

That is very good info thank-you, although a lot of that still confuses me somewhat. I did notice in my message settings on my SE there is a push setting what is that?

I'm not sure if it's in regards to PUSH email or not, PUSH Email is when the Email server actively *Pushes* the email to the client (creative huh) basically with exchange you can set it to aggresively make sure the email is received by the client the second it comes in, instead of the client checking at x interval to see if there's new mail in the mailbox. Cingular has a client called Xpressmail that hooks into outlook, you leave outlook running and set it to check at x interval, Xpressmail recognizes the new mail and pushes it to the device. It was a big Upgrade in the AKU2 ROM of the 8125 and also in the updates for the Treo's based on WM5, I'm not sure if it's done without GOOD's (read Motorola buys GOOD email service I'm sure it's on the forum if not it's on engadget) GOOD Link. I know on RIM Blackberry's that's the big thing that they were sued about.

[josephd]

Originally Posted by nKrypteD1

I'm not sure if it's in regards to PUSH email or not, PUSH Email is when the Email server actively *Pushes* the email to the client (creative huh) basically with exchange you can set it to aggresively make sure the email is received by the client the second it comes in, instead of the client checking at x interval to see if there's new mail in the mailbox. Cingular has a client called Xpressmail that hooks into outlook, you leave outlook running and set it to check at x interval, Xpressmail recognizes the new mail and pushes it to the device. It was a big Upgrade in the AKU2 ROM of the 8125 and also in the updates for the Treo's based on WM5, I'm not sure if it's done without GOOD's (read Motorola buys GOOD email service I'm sure it's on the forum if not it's on engadget) GOOD Link. I know on RIM Blackberry's that's the big thing that they were sued about.

Thank-you

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've been using the unlimited media net ($20/mo) tethered to my computer for about 6 months now and they have not billed me for any extra usage.

-Jay

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I've been using the unlimited media net ($20/mo) tethered to my computer for about 6 months now and they have not billed me for any extra usage.

-Jay

I have used tethering as well and have not been billed, but as a Disclaimer, it is quite possible that they will bill you and those charges can be quite high.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by nKrypteD1

I have used tethering as well and have not been billed, but as a Disclaimer, it is quite possible that they will bill you and those charges can be quite high.

Yes, I always hear that, but I have never heard of anyone getting caught unless they are so stupid as to use an insane amount of bandwidth.

-Jay

[bobolito]

I use a Sierra 860 3G Aircard on my laptop. All I had to do was change the Access Point from ISP.CINGULAR to WAP.CINGULAR to get it to connect.

If you have the regular MediaNet $19.99 package, you don't have access to ISP.CINGULAR access point. You need to be on a Laptop Connect or PDA Connect plan to be able to access it.

Since this is my first month using the aircard, the fever of playing with it and doing speed tests on 3G, etc. have made me run about 100MB on the aircard and the Treo combined. I move my SIM card between them. According to OLAM it is all being charged at the regular MediaNet rate. I don't expect to accumulate that much usage in subsequent months due to my excitement calming down.

Here's what I got in one of my speed tests using HSDPA:

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by bobolito

I use a Sierra 860 3G Aircard on my laptop. All I had to do was change the Access Point from ISP.CINGULAR to WAP.CINGULAR to get it to connect.

If you have the regular MediaNet $19.99 package, you don't have access to ISP.CINGULAR access point. You need to be on a Laptop Connect or PDA Connect plan to be able to access it.

Since this is my first month using the aircard, the fever of playing with it and doing speed tests on 3G, etc. have made me run about 100MB on the aircard and the Treo combined. I move my SIM card between them. According to OLAM it is all being charged at the regular MediaNet rate. I don't expect to accumulate that much usage in subsequent months due to my excitement calming down.

Here's what I got in one of my speed tests using HSDPA:

Is there any advantage to using isp.cingular instead of wap.cingular? I am still able to surf all sites and use 3G data.

-Jay

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Is there any advantage to using isp.cingular instead of wap.cingular? I am still able to surf all sites and use 3G data.

-Jay

It gives you a live IP, basically the only difference as far as you and I would care about is with using the ISP.Cingular apn is being able to use Virtual Private Networking.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by nKrypteD1

It gives you a live IP, basically the only difference as far as you and I would care about is with using the ISP.Cingular apn is being able to use Virtual Private Networking.

Well then I really don't care as I don't have a VPN.

-Jay

[bobolito]

That's correct. With WAP.CINGULAR you get an IP address in the range of 10.x.x.x which is a private IP behind a NAT router basically. If you were to connect to ISP.CINGULAR, then you would get a public IP, which means you actually get your own IP direct to the internet, rather than going through a NAT router.

[walkguru]

since i just got my first laptop, im beginning to understand some of this, i started out using isp, but now use wap, the speed seams the same.

[Gray Ghost]

Hi,

New member here. Great forum and informative thread. Thanks, nKrypteD1!

I'm a newbie at tethering. My setup is a SE w810i, Cingular service, and a Mac Powerbook with Bluetooth.

Using the instructions above, I've successfully connected to the ISPDA.CINGULAR APN via Bluetooth tether, but I'm not getting any data transfer. The phone to computer connection says 2400 bps. Huh?

Any suggestions will be most appreciated.

Matt

[Gray Ghost]

No responses? Maybe I wasn't clear about my troubles, sorry. I'll try again.

My bluetooth tethered SE w810i will connect my Powerbook to both the ISPDA and ISP points, but no traffic seems to flow.

It connects at a ridiculously low 2400 bps (yes, that's 2.4 Kps). When I attempt to load a web-page, Safari does nothing but spin its wheel for a few minutes, then gives me a "Not Connected.." error. But Internet Connect shows that I am in fact still connected.

I'm using a T39 19.2 V110 modem script and I've disabled TCP Header Compression as suggested here

Any ideas, anyone? I've searched until my eyes ache, but haven't found a solution that works.

TIA

Matt

[nKrypteD1]

Unfortunately I don't know much about tethering with Macs, I'm very sorry. I'm going to scour what I can find and respond afterwards.

[Gray Ghost]

Thanks nKrypteD1,

I've concluded that it may be the service at my house. I live in a rural area of Colorado. My service is an affiliate of Cingular/T-mobile called Viaero. When I'm at my home, my phone is using the Viaero towers. In the urban areas nearby (Denver, Colorado Springs etc...) it switches to either Cingular or T-Mobile.

My theory, evidenced by the blank look on my salesperson face when I started quizzing her about my problems, is they know almost zilch about wireless internet. There's probably not much of a demand out here. Consequently, I'll bet their towers aren't setup for data transfer, or at least they haven't fine tuned this functionality, yet. Hopefully it'll work when I travel to town in the near future.

That said, any info that you may uncover will be most appreciated.

Matt

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

Thanks nKrypteD1,

I've concluded that it may be the service at my house. I live in a rural area of Colorado. My service is an affiliate of Cingular/T-mobile called Viaero. When I'm at my home, my phone is using the Viaero towers. In the urban areas nearby (Denver, Colorado Springs etc...) it switches to either Cingular or T-Mobile.

My theory, evidenced by the blank look on my salesperson face when I started quizzing her about my problems, is they know almost zilch about wireless internet. There's probably not much of a demand out here. Consequently, I'll bet their towers aren't setup