QuadBand/EDGE/Bluetooth PDA Connectivity

I'm trying to obtain GPRS/EDGE connectivity with my PocketPC
bluetooth-capable PDA, basically for SSH/VNC connectivity. Though I
also need a QuadBand phone due to travel needs. Overall a Motorola
V551 seems best-quited for the task - though the purchase is pending I
find a suitable cell plan.

A Cingular operator just finished telling me that while using the
V551:
MEdia Works packages do not include direct access to the net.
The "Unlimited Data Plan" has been discontinued as-of 11/14/2004.

Is what I'm trying to accomplish even feasible with Cingular?

Thanks for any assistance,
Gregg Berkholtz

---

› See More: QuadBand/EDGE/Bluetooth PDA Connectivity

I just now checked Cingulars website, and while I'm not extremely familiar
with it, it appears their $20/month unlimited "Media works" package is still
available.


"Gregg Berkholtz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to obtain GPRS/EDGE connectivity with my PocketPC
> bluetooth-capable PDA, basically for SSH/VNC connectivity. Though I
> also need a QuadBand phone due to travel needs. Overall a Motorola
> V551 seems best-quited for the task - though the purchase is pending I
> find a suitable cell plan.
>
> A Cingular operator just finished telling me that while using the
> V551:
> MEdia Works packages do not include direct access to the net.
> The "Unlimited Data Plan" has been discontinued as-of 11/14/2004.
>
> Is what I'm trying to accomplish even feasible with Cingular?
>
> Thanks for any assistance,
> Gregg Berkholtz

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on 22 Nov 2004 14:45:11
-0800, [email protected] (Gregg Berkholtz) wrote:

>I'm trying to obtain GPRS/EDGE connectivity with my PocketPC
>bluetooth-capable PDA, basically for SSH/VNC connectivity.

Be warned that GPRS/EDGE latency is high (600+ ms), which makes SSH/VNC
sluggish.

>Though I
>also need a QuadBand phone due to travel needs. Overall a Motorola
>V551 seems best-quited for the task - though the purchase is pending I
>find a suitable cell plan.

The V551 is mediocre at EDGE.

>A Cingular operator just finished telling me that while using the
>V551:
> MEdia Works packages do not include direct access to the net.
> The "Unlimited Data Plan" has been discontinued as-of 11/14/2004.
>
>Is what I'm trying to accomplish even feasible with Cingular?

Cingular MEdia Works ("unlimited" data) does include direct access to the
Internet, including SSH (don't know about VNC), and is listed at
<https://www.cingular.com/media/media_purchase>

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

I'd be careful with that cheap unlimited data plan. They may end up
charging you for SSH and other non common protocals.

I'd call them and make sure, but be very insistent that you get a
person who knows what they're talking about, and can confirm to you
that you either will or will not get charged extra for doing things
outside of http and smtp/imap type stuff. Then also get their name and
employee # or whatever identification they may have. And then just to
be double sure, check back the next day after using SSH or what you
plan on using and make sure you're not being charged for it outside
the 20$ "Media Works" plan. I'm not sure for cnglr but att utilizes
real-time billing.




"Halogen8" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<WMwod.131805$bk1.42891@fed1read05>...
> I just now checked Cingulars website, and while I'm not extremely familiar
> with it, it appears their $20/month unlimited "Media works" package is still
> available.
>
>

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on 23 Nov 2004 06:35:08
-0800, [email protected] (M. D. Borca) wrote:

>"Halogen8" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<WMwod.131805$bk1.42891@fed1read05>...

>> I just now checked Cingulars website, and while I'm not extremely familiar
>> with it, it appears their $20/month unlimited "Media works" package is still
>> available.

>I'd be careful with that cheap unlimited data plan. They may end up
>charging you for SSH and other non common protocals.

There are no such charges. SSH works fine.

>I'd call them and make sure, but be very insistent that you get a
>person who knows what they're talking about, and can confirm to you
>that you either will or will not get charged extra for doing things
>outside of http and smtp/imap type stuff. Then also get their name and
>employee # or whatever identification they may have. And then just to
>be double sure, check back the next day after using SSH or what you
>plan on using and make sure you're not being charged for it outside
>the 20$ "Media Works" plan. I'm not sure for cnglr but att utilizes
>real-time billing.

Just keep a written/electronic copy of the plan.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

John Navas <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
> In <[email protected]> on 22 Nov 2004 14:45:11
> -0800, [email protected] (Gregg Berkholtz) wrote:
>
> >I'm trying to obtain GPRS/EDGE connectivity with my PocketPC
> >bluetooth-capable PDA, basically for SSH/VNC connectivity.
>
> Be warned that GPRS/EDGE latency is high (600+ ms), which makes SSH/VNC
> sluggish.
>
Well, that cuts out also using it to VoIP-enable my PDA. I suppose
GPRS/EDGE is the best widespread option there is at this time though?

> >Though I
> >also need a QuadBand phone due to travel needs. Overall a Motorola
> >V551 seems best-quited for the task - though the purchase is pending I
> >find a suitable cell plan.
>
> The V551 is mediocre at EDGE.
>
Is there something better suited for the task? All I really care for
is getting these PDAs connected via some sort of (preferably) QuadBand
device.

> >A Cingular operator just finished telling me that while using the
> >V551:
> > MEdia Works packages do not include direct access to the net.
> > The "Unlimited Data Plan" has been discontinued as-of 11/14/2004.
> >
> >Is what I'm trying to accomplish even feasible with Cingular?
>
> Cingular MEdia Works ("unlimited" data) does include direct access to the
> Internet, including SSH (don't know about VNC), and is listed at
> <https://www.cingular.com/media/media_purchase>

I assume that's where "Wireless Internet Express" comes in. Though now
two different Cingular operators have told me that "Wireless Internet
Express" is intended only for use via the phone's browser - not with
any connected devices. I cannot find anything on the Cingular site
which disputes this either. Is it possible you're using a
grandfathered feature, something no longer avaiable to a new customer?

Gregg Berkholtz

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on 23 Nov 2004 08:25:47
-0800, [email protected] (Gregg Berkholtz) wrote:

>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

>> Be warned that GPRS/EDGE latency is high (600+ ms), which makes SSH/VNC
>> sluggish.
>>
>Well, that cuts out also using it to VoIP-enable my PDA.

It does make VoIP a bit painful.

>I suppose
>GPRS/EDGE is the best widespread option there is at this time though?

Yep.

>> The V551 is mediocre at EDGE.
>>
>Is there something better suited for the task?

Sony Ericsson GC8x-series PC Cards (not quad band). Good prices on eBay.

>All I really care for
>is getting these PDAs connected via some sort of (preferably) QuadBand
>device.

The V551 is the only quad band EDGE device I know of.

>> Cingular MEdia Works ("unlimited" data) does include direct access to the
>> Internet, including SSH (don't know about VNC), and is listed at
>> <https://www.cingular.com/media/media_purchase>
>
>I assume that's where "Wireless Internet Express" comes in.

Correct.

>Though now
>two different Cingular operators have told me that "Wireless Internet
>Express" is intended only for use via the phone's browser - not with
>any connected devices.

No surprise -- Cingular would rather you paid $80/mo than $20/mo. But no
matter what's "intended", MEdia Works does work with a connected device, and
there's no stated restriction or surcharge.

>I cannot find anything on the Cingular site
>which disputes this either.

There's nothing that confirms it either -- it says nothing at all about
connected/tethered devices.

>Is it possible you're using a
>grandfathered feature, something no longer avaiable to a new customer?

It's still the same plan I signed up for.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

I sure hope that this is the case. I've seen mention about tethering,
but when I transition back from Sprint, I am thinking that a cheaper
phone, with BT and at least Edge, might be a better choice than
spending a lot of money again on an all in one unit. Also, it should
allow me to upgrade just one component.

I currently use a Treo 600, but I have tended to carry a separate PPC
device for some usages anyway. I am hoping that I won't get surprise
charges if I buy a BT phone, and just do some web browsing with the
PDA.

In the last year, I've haven't abused the tethering with my Sprint
phone, where you aren't technically supposed to be doing it either. On
vacation once, and visiting my sister a couple times. But Wi-Fi works
better where available.


--
kevink
brought to you by http://www.wifi-forum.com/

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:27:29
GMT, kevink <[email protected]> wrote:

>I sure hope that this is the case. I've seen mention about tethering,
>...

Not in the service agreement, and that's where it counts.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

John Navas wrote:


>
>
> It does make VoIP a bit painful.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that somewhere down the road, after
UMTS deployment, Cingular starts using VoIP all the way to the handset.


--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:43:23 -0600, Jer
<[email protected]> wrote:

>John Navas wrote:
>
>> It does make VoIP a bit painful.
>
>I wouldn't be surprised to learn that somewhere down the road, after
>UMTS deployment, Cingular starts using VoIP all the way to the handset.

Voice packet data (more practical than VoIP) is being actively pursued in GSM
3G.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

The Treo 650 will be Quad band EDGE when it becomes available.

ek
"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <[email protected]> on 23 Nov 2004
> 08:25:47
> -0800, [email protected] (Gregg Berkholtz) wrote:
>
>>John Navas <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>> Be warned that GPRS/EDGE latency is high (600+ ms), which makes SSH/VNC
>>> sluggish.
>>>
>>Well, that cuts out also using it to VoIP-enable my PDA.
>
> It does make VoIP a bit painful.
>
>>I suppose
>>GPRS/EDGE is the best widespread option there is at this time though?
>
> Yep.
>
>>> The V551 is mediocre at EDGE.
>>>
>>Is there something better suited for the task?
>
> Sony Ericsson GC8x-series PC Cards (not quad band). Good prices on eBay.
>
>>All I really care for
>>is getting these PDAs connected via some sort of (preferably) QuadBand
>>device.
>
> The V551 is the only quad band EDGE device I know of.
>
>>> Cingular MEdia Works ("unlimited" data) does include direct access to
>>> the
>>> Internet, including SSH (don't know about VNC), and is listed at
>>> <https://www.cingular.com/media/media_purchase>
>>
>>I assume that's where "Wireless Internet Express" comes in.
>
> Correct.
>
>>Though now
>>two different Cingular operators have told me that "Wireless Internet
>>Express" is intended only for use via the phone's browser - not with
>>any connected devices.
>
> No surprise -- Cingular would rather you paid $80/mo than $20/mo. But no
> matter what's "intended", MEdia Works does work with a connected device,
> and
> there's no stated restriction or surcharge.
>
>>I cannot find anything on the Cingular site
>>which disputes this either.
>
> There's nothing that confirms it either -- it says nothing at all about
> connected/tethered devices.
>
>>Is it possible you're using a
>>grandfathered feature, something no longer avaiable to a new customer?
>
> It's still the same plan I signed up for.
>
> --
> Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
> John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>

[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <[email protected]> on Fri, 26 Nov 2004 20:15:41 GMT,
"Eric" <[email protected]> wrote:

>The Treo 650 will be Quad band EDGE when it becomes available.

Too bad it's not a small handset.

--
Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>