notebook internet connection

Greetings all! I am getting killed with dialup internet at home... and
looking into satellite. DSL/Cable are not available. I decided to try my
notebook using Bluetooth to V557 to EDGE, just to see what the speed would
be. I did not have any any type of data package on my phone, and was able
to connect to EDGE following the instructions I read here. I did not stay
connected long to avoid data charges.

This evening I added MediaMax 200 to my V557. Since that time, I have been
unable to connect to EDGE. The message I get states "Registering your
computer on the network" and eventually times out. This message did not
appear prior to my adding MediaMax 200.

I do not mind paying more than the $19 if it gets a decent connection at a
reasonable speed... In between dialup and DSL speeds is better than
expensive and sometimes unreliable satellite!

If anyone has any suggestions, I would be most appreciative. Do I need a
different package? Any other changes I need to try? Thanks in advance!

--
Jeff

---

› See More: notebook internet connection

Jeff Chandler wrote:
> notebook using Bluetooth to V557 to EDGE

You may not experience it, but I have lot more problem using Bluetooth
than a $19 cable connection( www.gomadic.com ). An example would be
newsgroup servers timing out.

> I do not mind paying more than the $19

You will mind when you get a $600 bill. Go with the $69 unlimited data
package. John Navas will tell you there is no credible evidence of
people getting hit with the data charges,in spite of what other users
have posted. He blames it on billing issues.

> if it gets a decent connection at a
> reasonable speed...

Around here most of us only get around 40 Kbps. A few times I've gotten
90 Kbps, but never near what its rated.

If you have a$39.99 voice plan then you can actually get the UNLIMITED
DATA plan for $59.99. Depending if you are in one of the HSPDA network
cities you will get even better speeds than listed below.

Shop www.cingular.com
enter your zip to determine if you are in a HSPDA market.

DecaturTxCowboy wrote:
> Jeff Chandler wrote:
> > notebook using Bluetooth to V557 to EDGE
>
> You may not experience it, but I have lot more problem using Bluetooth
> than a $19 cable connection( www.gomadic.com ). An example would be
> newsgroup servers timing out.
>
> > I do not mind paying more than the $19
>
> You will mind when you get a $600 bill. Go with the $69 unlimited data
> package. John Navas will tell you there is no credible evidence of
> people getting hit with the data charges,in spite of what other users
> have posted. He blames it on billing issues.
>
> > if it gets a decent connection at a
> > reasonable speed...
>
> Around here most of us only get around 40 Kbps. A few times I've gotten
> 90 Kbps, but never near what its rated.

Wirelessjuan wrote:
> If you have a$39.99 voice plan then you can actually get the UNLIMITED
> DATA plan for $59.99.

My bad...its $59.95. WJ is correct.

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 04:40:51 GMT, DecaturTxCowboy <[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>Jeff Chandler wrote:
>> notebook using Bluetooth to V557 to EDGE
>
>You may not experience it, but I have lot more problem using Bluetooth
>than a $19 cable connection( www.gomadic.com ). An example would be
>newsgroup servers timing out.

With decent hardware and software, Bluetooth works just as well as a
cable.

>> I do not mind paying more than the $19
>
>You will mind when you get a $600 bill. Go with the $69 unlimited data
>package. John Navas will tell you there is no credible evidence of
>people getting hit with the data charges,in spite of what other users
>have posted. He blames it on billing issues.

Based on direct firsthand experience and the lack of hard evidence to
the contrary. Per the Service Agreement, the worst case is the
difference between $19 and Laptop Connect at $59, or $40.

>> if it gets a decent connection at a
>> reasonable speed...
>
>Around here most of us only get around 40 Kbps. A few times I've gotten
>90 Kbps, but never near what its rated.

EGPRS(EDGE) with a device like the V557 in good signal conditions is
typically about 100 Kbps. When a faster (e.g., Class 10) device (e.g.,
V360), typical speed is much faster.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 02:31:02 GMT, "Jeff Chandler"
<[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>Greetings all! I am getting killed with dialup internet at home... and
>looking into satellite. DSL/Cable are not available. I decided to try my
>notebook using Bluetooth to V557 to EDGE, just to see what the speed would
>be. I did not have any any type of data package on my phone, and was able
>to connect to EDGE following the instructions I read here. I did not stay
>connected long to avoid data charges.
>
>This evening I added MediaMax 200 to my V557. Since that time, I have been
>unable to connect to EDGE. The message I get states "Registering your
>computer on the network" and eventually times out. This message did not
>appear prior to my adding MediaMax 200.

Does EGPRS(EDGE) data work on the V557? Have you checked the profiles?
What are you using for the computer connection? Sounds like the
configuration isn't correct.

>I do not mind paying more than the $19 if it gets a decent connection at a
>reasonable speed... In between dialup and DSL speeds is better than
>expensive and sometimes unreliable satellite!
>
>If anyone has any suggestions, I would be most appreciative. Do I need a
>different package? Any other changes I need to try? Thanks in advance!

For best speed you'll want a better EGPRS device, like the Motorola V360
or the Sony Ericsson GC82.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

John Navas wrote:
>> DecaturTxCowboy wrote:
>> You may not experience it, but I have lot more problem using Bluetooth
>> than a $19 cable connection( www.gomadic.com ). An example would be
>> newsgroup servers timing out.
>
> With decent hardware and software, Bluetooth works just as well as a
> cable.

I'm basing that on first hand personal experience of seven Bluetooth setups.

> Based on ... the lack of hard evidence to the contrary.

Please keep up with the newsgroup.

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 22:53:02 GMT, DecaturTxCowboy <[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>John Navas wrote:
>>> DecaturTxCowboy wrote:
>>> You may not experience it, but I have lot more problem using Bluetooth
>>> than a $19 cable connection( www.gomadic.com ). An example would be
>>> newsgroup servers timing out.
>>
>> With decent hardware and software, Bluetooth works just as well as a
>> cable.
>
>I'm basing that on first hand personal experience of seven Bluetooth setups.

You do seem to have a great deal of trouble. I'm basing my statement on
literally hundreds of successful setups.

>> Based on ... the lack of hard evidence to the contrary.
>
>Please keep up with the newsgroup.

It's frankly hard to sort through all the noise, but if I've missed some
real evidence (i.e., something more than a few anecdotal stories easily
explained as billing problems), please let me know what it is.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

Jeff Chandler <[email protected]> wrote:
> Greetings all! I am getting killed with dialup internet at home... and

What does "getting killed" mean in this context?
GPRS won't be reliably faster than a solid 56k dialup.
Are you in an EDGE area? Does the v557 display an "E" next to the signal
bars?

Of course, if you are as far from the CO as I am, and getting 24000 dialup,
maybe you would see an improvement, but not one that is worth the cost and
reliability.

> This evening I added MediaMax 200 to my V557. Since that time, I have been
> unable to connect to EDGE. The message I get states "Registering your

How did you add MediaMax to the V557? That should have been a function of
calling customer service, or making a feature change on the web.

There should not have been anything done to your phone or to your computer
or to the Bluetooth setup.

> computer on the network" and eventually times out. This message did not
> appear prior to my adding MediaMax 200.

In order to make the connection from your laptop, what do you do?

If you go to Network Connection and double-click Bluetooth Connection,
what comes up next?

You should see a User Name and password field. What's in there?

What is the Dial string at the bottom of the panel?

I assume that the phone is still able to connect via the built in WAP
browser to visit the MEdiaNet home page, and others. If not, the addition
of the Media Max didn't work, and broke your internet access for the phone.
If that's the case, I would call and complain about that.


If the phone works, and the PC doesn't, go to
http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/phones_devices phone & device
support. Follow the configuration for browsing the internet from your
phone and make the PC dialer information use the same login.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
> Based on direct firsthand experience and the lack of hard evidence to
> the contrary. Per the Service Agreement, the worst case is the
> difference between $19 and Laptop Connect at $59, or $40.

I contend that you are making your own definition.
The difference is between "Rate Plan" and "package". You say these are
these are the same, covered by your Service Agreement. Others contend that
the Service Agreement covers voice service plans, and that features or
feature packages are covered under their own associated agreements.

I also think that both of these views live in complete harmony with what is
happening most of the time. Cingular is messing up a change in features,
for any of a variety of reasons, as has happened to me more than once.
Those mistakes can be corrected, or turn into an outstanding bill.

Does your direct first hand experience include someone being moved from
MEdiaNet to Laptop Connect, or solely billing errors that are corrected?

I check my features any time I talk to Customer Service, before and after
the call, saving a pdf copy before the call, and again as soon as I see the
changes that I requested.

It is also helpful to check again in a few days.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 23:50:44 +0000 (UTC), [email protected]
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Based on direct firsthand experience and the lack of hard evidence to
>> the contrary. Per the Service Agreement, the worst case is the
>> difference between $19 and Laptop Connect at $59, or $40.
>
>I contend that you are making your own definition.
>The difference is between "Rate Plan" and "package". You say these are
>these are the same, covered by your Service Agreement. Others contend that
>the Service Agreement covers voice service plans, and that features or
>feature packages are covered under their own associated agreements.

Fair enough.

>Does your direct first hand experience include someone being moved from
>MEdiaNet to Laptop Connect, or solely billing errors that are corrected?

I know of no verifiable case of the former, only the latter. You?

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 23:31:37 +0000 (UTC), [email protected]
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>Jeff Chandler <[email protected]> wrote:

>> This evening I added MediaMax 200 to my V557. Since that time, I have been
>> unable to connect to EDGE. The message I get states "Registering your
>
>How did you add MediaMax to the V557? That should have been a function of
>calling customer service, or making a feature change on the web.
>
>There should not have been anything done to your phone or to your computer
>or to the Bluetooth setup.

There might well have been a "push" of a new profile to the phone.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

John Navas wrote:
> It's frankly hard to sort through all the noise, but if I've missed some
> real evidence (i.e., something more than a few anecdotal stories easily
> explained as billing problems), please let me know what it is.

Turn off your "real evidence" ignore filter.

"DecaturTxCowboy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:JdIzg.167$%[email protected]...
> John Navas wrote:
> > It's frankly hard to sort through all the noise, but if I've missed some
> > real evidence (i.e., something more than a few anecdotal stories easily
> > explained as billing problems), please let me know what it is.
>
> Turn off your "real evidence" ignore filter.


I think that everyone can agree that John is an asshole. However, I believe
that he is right on this one. Every story that you read, either in this
newsgroup's history or on howardforums, always ends up being an unrelated
billing issue, and I have read them all. I have used and continue to use
about 2 GB/month of transfer every single month for almost a year now with
MediaNet. I stream internet radio through the laptop while traveling, and I
download tons of mp3's. Certainly if there was any system in place for them
to find the ones violating the tethering policy, my account would have
thrown a red flag long ago.

jay wrote:
> Certainly if there was any system in place for them
> to find the ones violating the tethering policy, my account would have
> thrown a red flag long ago.

As discussed, it appears this is something new.