Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

My current cellular provider is Cingular. I could switch, but it's presumably easier not to.

I don't have much use for voice communication, and I'd prefer the compatible cell-phone be as physically small as possible. No special features required on the cell-phone.

From their website, I can't really tell which phones have which features and honestly I'm not sure what Bluetooth features I'm looking-for to get the best performance.

Do I just need "DUN"? Or is there something preferable? Can I just look for DUN, or is EDR DUN preferable?

The Verizon Wireless PN-820 smartphone looks like EXACTLY what I want (I think). It's not available through Cingular though.

Any tips or clarification would really be appreciated.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

EDR is preferable, if you have a 3G connection in your area, at least. I'd try for it regardless, actually.

PAN support is said to work well these days, but is not Nokia-provided, if you care about that. PAN is better (more features) than DUN in the abstract, but DUN suffices... <shrug />

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I hate to turn this into a cellular primer, but...

Yes 3G is available in my area via Cingular.

So ideally I'd want a phone that's EDR, DUN AND 3G?

Do I have that right, or am I mixing stuff up?

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Cingular provides a list of handsets under LaptopConnect Support that are compatible via bluetooth with their Communication Manager v6.7 for Windows.

That doesn't necessarily tell me anything about EDR DUN or 3G.

LG
CU320
CU400
CU500
Trax

Motorola
RAZR V3xx
RAZR2 V9

Nokia N75

Samsung
A717
A727
SGK-ZX20
SYNC

Now I just need to figure out which ones support support EDR DUN & 3G and ideally are physically small.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Just to give you a point of reference, I am a Cingular customer, I have a Nokia 6555 w/3G. My N800 with OS2008 "just worked" after pairing with the 6555.

Lately, I've gotten quite addicted to listening to last.fm via Vagalume, through my phone while driving to work. Four "rock" stations (well, my kind of R&R) in San Antonio, and I prefer "Play artists like..."

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

There's nothing on AT&T's website to lead me to believe the Nokia 6555 is compatible.

Makes me wonder what else they have that would work too?

That looks about perfect though.

Based on your usage so far, which DataConnect Plan would you pick?

10MB - $24.99
20MB - $34.99
50MB - $44.99
5GB - $60

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Personally I have a Samsung A737 with cingulars MediaNet Unlimited. Doesn't technically allow for tethering but I was told that it was the only data plan for my phone so I took it. Works fine and no over charges. $15 a month

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

The Nokia 6555 is $50 with a $50 mail-in rebate.

The a737 is $79.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate.

LG CU515 is $89.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate.

They seem all the same to me, so I figured I'd pick the least-expensive one (N6555).

I can generally add the unlimited data-plan to my calling plan for $45, but their web storefront won't give me the option when I select the Nokia 6555.

I might give that Media Net feature a try.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Yeah they will only allow you to add the unlimited data play for PDA/Smartphones to ones they considered a smartphone. So like on my a737 media net is only option. Its plenty fast enough for what I use it for.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

They're offering a free USB 3G modem if I sign up for the $45/month unlimited DataConnect package.

Can I just toss the modem in my junk-drawer and use the unlimited DataConnect package via the N6555 tethered to my N810?

EDR DUN 3G and all that jazz.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I don't think so being the phone would work off of what ever sim card you put in it. I would assume the dataconnect card doesn't use a sim card. But I might be wroung.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I use the MediaNET Unlimited service...$15.00/mo. Technically, no tethering allowed. I soothe my conscience by thinking about all the iphone's pulling down web sites basically like I do....(OK, 2.5G versus 3G)

DataConnect plans are for PDA's and the PCMCIA card for Laptops. You can't use it with a "consumer" phone. Only MediaNET.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

So you actually get 3G speeds via MEdia Net?

I was ready to pay the $45/month, but since they won't LET ME give them more money, the $15/month option is starting to appeal to me.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Yeah I soothe mine by thinking well if they would allow me to pay $45 a month then I would but they just wont let me. : )

Edit: Most the time I really can't tell a differance between my n810 using medianet and my home internet connection.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Well, put it this way:

Every morning I have a 6.5 mile commute to work (don't hate me!:))

I plug my N800 into the AUX jack on my car stereo, then tether to my 6555 and use DUN(?) to connect to the Interweb. I bring up Vagalume and stream music the whole 20 minute drive (a 4-lane boulevard).

Only in one or two spots does the audio stutter, and then only for a second.

The 6555 displays a 3G in a circle when it is in 3G mode.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

OK, I think I have this figured-out.

One last thing.

Do the minutes you're using the N810 tethered to the N6555 count against your monthly calling-plan minutes?

Probably doesn't REALLY matter, because I currently use less than 5 minutes per month on 700-minute plus-rollover family calling plan.

Just curious.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

nope minutes don't matter

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Also, just so everything is clear: Tethering violates Cingular's Terms of Service. It is explicitly prohibited, unless you buy the DataConnect plan. The hitch is that you can't buy a DataConnect plan unless you buy a SmartPhone or PDA. Sooo...

Just understand: AT&T has the right to drop you, charge you a huge bill for the data, or ban you from using MediaNET. I'm not losing any sleep over tethering. But, now you're not "uninformed" of the consequences.

What are your chances of getting "caught"? There was a case recently where a guy was tethering his home network through his PDA, and didn't have the tethering option. AT&T gave him a several thousand $$ bill, but I think they later backed off.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I'm planning to swap my Samsung SGH-C417 for a Nokia 6555 and add the MEdia Net to my calling-plan this weekend.

Might even try and do it tomorrow.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

For the life of me, I can't even find a PDA or Smartphone on their website that will allow me to choose the DataConnect unlimited plan.

I'd be fine with a SmartPhone if it was the size of my Samsung or an N6555. A Verizon PN-820, for example.

I just don't want / need a big honking PDA.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

:confused:
I don't know why you want to spend more money for the same thing. DataConnect gets you onto the ATT network, just like MediaNet. The only difference is the proxy, which has not bearing on what you access or how fast you can access it. You internet access via CELLULAR is limited to how fast your phone can download it and how fast it can send it to your phone. You would probably have been better off getting a phone that is HSDPA (3.5G) than a UMTS (3G) phone. I just don't get why you picked the cheapest phone but would be willing to pay a higher data plan. If you really want to spend the money, just go change your phone model (to a smartphone) in your ATT profile and try to add the DataConnect. You will notice that your bottleneck is your 3G phone (384K u/d) as opposed to an HSDPA phone (1.8-3.6 MB/s). Also, depending on the Bluetooth version, 1.1, 1.2 or 2.0 will determine how fast the data can get sent to your NIT.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I guess I'm not following most of what you're saying.

As I said at the start, the "phone" part of the phone isn't important to me. I want the "data" part.

The N6555 supports HSDPA and is Bluetooth 2.0.

If there is a phone I should be looking at that would provide better / faster data access, please clue me in.

As an aside, if AT&T offers a Smart Phone similar in size to the N6555 that is sold with the DataConnect unlimited plan, I'd like to know which one it is.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Sorry, no, the nokia 6555 is DOES NOT have/support HSDPA, it is strictly a UMTS 3G device. Specs here.


Using a Smartphone and DataConnect will not access data any faster than MediaNet and say the LG CU515.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Google has about an equal number of hits that say it is HSDPA and isn't HSDPA.

Lets assume it's not.

The Samsung A737 says Bluetooth 2.0 & HSDPA on AT&T's website.

The LG CU515 is Bluetooth 1.2.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

For free (assuming that your adding a new line & it's the REFURB) seems like a decent deal if you basically just want to tether it. Small screen and not very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes though, IMO.

I personally would spend the few bucks and get the SE Z750i.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

@andrewfblack So you got your A737 going did you? Glad to hear it.

As for performance, I think even a straight 3G capable phone will be plenty fast. If it's 3G, it probably has BT 1.2 or better. EDR is less common but will come into its own soon enough, but both sides have to support it to really be beneficial-phone & tablet. As I recall, BT 2.0 doesn't always equate to +EDR.

My EDGE+BT 1.2 setup works just fine for occasional use. I don't stream and haven't tried it. Faster would be nice but that won't happen until I'm ready to change phones, and I like my current phone.

It sounds like Mike will be fine with the 6555 & MediaNet Unlimited, being aware of the potential consequences. OS2008 should pair and DUN just fine with that combination.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Apparently AT&T doesn't offer the SE Z750i.

They do have the SE Z750a. It's HSDPA & Bluetooth 2.0.

Would it be preferable to the Samsung A737?

It's listed with 9hrs of talk-time -vs- only 3hrs for the A737.

FYI, their website definitely lists the N6555 with HSDPA. I'm still assuming that's a mistake.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

The SE Z750a is the only one I see that lists HSDPA 2100 / Tri-band 3G.

Seems like HSDPA 2100 would be a nice thing to have. Right?

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Sorry, I meant the Z750a.

2100 FREQ is only used in Euro. So, if you are a traveler, it would be useful, but obviously international data roaming is another beast.

Like I was saying, both the A737 and the Z750a both support HSDPA speeds. They both have their own perks, i.e. features, looks. I've owned a BlackJack by Samsung and it was decent and I've owned SE phones like the w600 and K850 and both have great cameras. I guess it comes down to price, phone build and feature set. I certainly wouldn't settle for the Nokia 6555 with only UMTS 3G. I for one like to future proof myself for at least the mid term.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

That was a good catch on the N6555. I was just going by the AT&T website that lists it as HSDPA.

I've been parsing through the list a little and if I rule out the N6555, that leaves 7 options.

Samsung A737 - $80-$50=$30, bluetooth 2.0, EDR?
Samsung SYNC - $130, bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Motorazr V3xx - $130, bluetooth 2.0+EDR
SE Z750A - $150-$100=$50, bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Samsung SLM - $150-100=$50, bluetooth 2.0, EDR?
MOTO Z9 - $250-$50=$200, bluetooth 2.0+EDR
MOTORAZR V9 - $250-$50=$200, bluetooth 2.0+EDR

The battery-life of the SE Z750a is listed as "up to 9hrs". That's about triple the rest of these.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

You're on the right track. Now it's up to you since it's your money and taste at hand now.

From my understanding, all Bluetooth 2.0 has EDR, as it is a specification built-in.

"Bluetooth 2.0 a.k.a. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) offers a significant speed bump over its predecessor. While Bluetooth 1.2 offers a data transfer rate of 1Mbps, Bluetooth 2.0 is 3 times faster boasting a data transfer speed 3Mbps"

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

According to Wikipedia, at least, "Bluetooth 2.0" is not a valid designation. BT2 requires EDR, but the only official labeling is "Bluetooth 2.0+EDR". Some devices labeled "Bluetooth 2.0" are proper 2.0 with EDR, and some aren't.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the sprint sero plan. Go to www.sprint.com/sero and use the e-mail address savings@sprintemi.com with a valid zipcode.

$30 a month for 500 minutes of voice and unlimited data. Get a windows mobile phone and pdanet for ~$30 bucks one time cost for the program and you are golden. I don't know about any of the regular phones and BT DUN.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Sounds like a great deal, except I'm not willing to pay the early termination fee. I'm not sure how far deployed EVDO Rev.a is either. I was at the launch party in Seattle last year though, so there could be a fair amount of places.

As for BT DUN. The newer WiMo phones are not coming with the profile (from what i've read), PAN only. There is a PAN hack though for the NIT, but i've never used it.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Yep I got it working in fact I used it all weekend long as I was out of town and didn't have wifi access it did better then I could have hoped.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

While Bluetooth 2.0 is one part of the equation, the other is the 3g (or 3.5g) capability of the phoneitself.

One thing to keep in mind - most of Nokia 3g with HSDPA cabale phones are for European frequencies (850/2100) and when used in US with 1900 frequency (as is AT&T) it will fall back to UMTS or Edge and not use the HSDPA capability at all.

I went to the US Nokia store and they only have 2 phones with US 3G support - the N95-3 US version and the N75 (which is only UMTS and not HSDPA).
There is another US version about to be released sometime - the N78 and the E66 I believe, but untill its released we have to wait on Nokia phones.

I use a normal MediaNet with UMTS over the N75 (specifically bought a used and a little broken N75 from eBay for data connectivity) and it it much faster than my older Edge suported phone.
I would love to have true US supported HSDPA 3.5G though (over 1900 frequency in case of AT&T network).

Using a high-end data plan (high price) with a low end phone where you essentially fall back on edge speeds (due to frequency mismatch) is no good.
I would rather take a low end data plan first (MediaNet) and get a high speed phone (true 3G) which will be more fruitfull.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Currently i'm using MediaNet and a Sony Ericsson K850i (3.6Mb/s HSDPA). Download tests have revealed i'm getting at most times 800-1000KB/s down. You also have to realize since it's still packet switched and not true "always online", it does take a few moments to initially send the request and then receive a response from a website. One thing that would make the pages load faster is obviously a faster processor in the NIT. There are also some tweaks to the browser config one can try also.

*I would be interested to see what other combinations others have used/use and their experiences.

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

As I understand it, MEdia Net requires use of a proxy for connectivity.

Does that mean things like IMAP, RDP, SSH, etc wouldn't be available?

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

The maps show lots o 3G in my area.

I can't tell if it's HSDPA though.

Mike

Re: Cellular Internet connectivity - best performance
 

Same here, but my phone clearly uses HSDPA. I guess my H icon gives that away. ;)