Media Net vs. Data Connect

Can someone explain the difference between these two things to me? I
have a new 8125 and in an email from Cingular support I was told I
needed Data Connect and the price for unlimited was 39.95. When I
called to activate I was told that was incorrect and I needed Media
Net so I signed up for unlimited. I'm thinking that the first
recommendation - Data Connect - was the correct one but i can't seem
to get an answer. I also can't find a reference on cingular.com to a
39.95 price?

Any insights appreciated.

Thanks,
Fred

---

› See More: Media Net vs. Data Connect

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

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 07:49:05
-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:

>Can someone explain the difference between these two things to me? I
>have a new 8125 and in an email from Cingular support I was told I
>needed Data Connect and the price for unlimited was 39.95. When I
>called to activate I was told that was incorrect and I needed Media
>Net so I signed up for unlimited. I'm thinking that the first
>recommendation - Data Connect - was the correct one but i can't seem
>to get an answer. I also can't find a reference on cingular.com to a
>39.95 price?

See the FAQ below.

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

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Can someone explain the difference between these two things to me? I
> have a new 8125 and in an email from Cingular support I was told I
> needed Data Connect and the price for unlimited was 39.95. When I
> called to activate I was told that was incorrect and I needed Media
> Net so I signed up for unlimited. I'm thinking that the first
> recommendation - Data Connect - was the correct one but i can't seem
> to get an answer. I also can't find a reference on cingular.com to a
> 39.95 price?
>
> Any insights appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Fred
>
Technically NEITHER was correct for the 8125--there's a third option--
PDA Connect. Cingular's data plans are based on the type of device with
the expectation that the amount of use would be proportional to the
device. So:

Media Net -- intended for phones and the simpler smart-phones -- data
would be email, messages, ring tones etc and web browsing using the
built-in browser, i.e. NO transferring of files like spreadsheets and
such. Connects to WAP.CINGULAR.COM and there *may* be some limitations
as to what can physically be done. Uses a proxy server so there is no IP
number assigned to the phone.

PDA Connect -- intended for full pda phones and perhaps the more
powerful smart-phones (with WM5 it's getting very difficult now to say
where smart-phones end and pdas start but basically pda's have touch
screens and styluses where smart-phones rely on buttons to navigate).
Data expectations would be everything Media Net phones do only heavier
usage plus *limited* transfer of other data. It says in the "rules"
that you may NOT use the pda as a modem to connect to a pc.

DATA Connect -- expected to be used by a pc (either via a card or by
using the phone or pda as a modem) with much heavier usage. Data
compression (acceleration) is available and you can use VPN. Connects to
ISP.CINGULAR.COM, a full ISP, where a temporary IP number is assigned
for the session.

I'm not really sure which APN PDA Connect uses--probably still WAP since
both Media Net and PDA Connect "ban" using the device as a modem.

The 8125 clearly falls into the PDA Connect area unless you need
tethering or acceleration or the VPN you need won't work.

BUT Media Net is SO much cheaper you might stick with it until you see
if it does everything you want. It CAN be used for tethering you just
aren't "supposed" to and they reserve the right to switch you to a
higher plan--something they apparently never have done. And since
"they" are the ones who told you to do that...

One cavet though--the $50 rebate on the 8125 says you must sign up for
"unlimited data plan" where on some of the others it says "unlimited
media net plan". So you might not qualify for the rebate. But the
savings over a year would be worth that.

The data plan info is in the small business section, see:
http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect

For some more info see John Navas' FAQ site:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

Wow! Are you with Cingular or just some kind of amazing Cingular
Guru! Thanks for the info. Interestingly, since my posting I
received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
that. hmmm things to think about - i'll check out the FAQ and link
you provided.

Thanks again for your helpful post.
Fred


On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:30:09 GMT, Jud Hardcastle
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...
>> Can someone explain the difference between these two things to me? I
>> have a new 8125 and in an email from Cingular support I was told I
>> needed Data Connect and the price for unlimited was 39.95. When I
>> called to activate I was told that was incorrect and I needed Media
>> Net so I signed up for unlimited. I'm thinking that the first
>> recommendation - Data Connect - was the correct one but i can't seem
>> to get an answer. I also can't find a reference on cingular.com to a
>> 39.95 price?
>>
>> Any insights appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Fred
>>
>Technically NEITHER was correct for the 8125--there's a third option--
>PDA Connect. Cingular's data plans are based on the type of device with
>the expectation that the amount of use would be proportional to the
>device. So:
>
>Media Net -- intended for phones and the simpler smart-phones -- data
>would be email, messages, ring tones etc and web browsing using the
>built-in browser, i.e. NO transferring of files like spreadsheets and
>such. Connects to WAP.CINGULAR.COM and there *may* be some limitations
>as to what can physically be done. Uses a proxy server so there is no IP
>number assigned to the phone.
>
>PDA Connect -- intended for full pda phones and perhaps the more
>powerful smart-phones (with WM5 it's getting very difficult now to say
>where smart-phones end and pdas start but basically pda's have touch
>screens and styluses where smart-phones rely on buttons to navigate).
>Data expectations would be everything Media Net phones do only heavier
>usage plus *limited* transfer of other data. It says in the "rules"
>that you may NOT use the pda as a modem to connect to a pc.
>
>DATA Connect -- expected to be used by a pc (either via a card or by
>using the phone or pda as a modem) with much heavier usage. Data
>compression (acceleration) is available and you can use VPN. Connects to
>ISP.CINGULAR.COM, a full ISP, where a temporary IP number is assigned
>for the session.
>
>I'm not really sure which APN PDA Connect uses--probably still WAP since
>both Media Net and PDA Connect "ban" using the device as a modem.
>
>The 8125 clearly falls into the PDA Connect area unless you need
>tethering or acceleration or the VPN you need won't work.
>
>BUT Media Net is SO much cheaper you might stick with it until you see
>if it does everything you want. It CAN be used for tethering you just
>aren't "supposed" to and they reserve the right to switch you to a
>higher plan--something they apparently never have done. And since
>"they" are the ones who told you to do that...
>
>One cavet though--the $50 rebate on the 8125 says you must sign up for
>"unlimited data plan" where on some of the others it says "unlimited
>media net plan". So you might not qualify for the rebate. But the
>savings over a year would be worth that.
>
>The data plan info is in the small business section, see:
>http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect
>
>For some more info see John Navas' FAQ site:
>http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ

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

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006
15:30:09 GMT, Jud Hardcastle <[email protected]> wrote:

>For some more info see John Navas' FAQ site:
>http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ

Thanks for the plug, but it's a public Wiki, not my site -- I just started it.

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

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

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:47:14
-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:

>... Interestingly, since my posting I
>received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
>Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
>is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
>with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
>to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
>internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
>that. ...

You don't need any Cingular plan to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot -- different
technology.

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

John - thanks - sorry to be such a novice - one more question though -
when I do connect to a WiFi Hotspot do I get charged by Cingular for
throughput?

Thanks,
Fred

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:03:07 GMT, John Navas
<[email protected]> wrote:

>[POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
>In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:47:14
>-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>... Interestingly, since my posting I
>>received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
>>Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
>>is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
>>with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
>>to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
>>internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
>>that. ...
>
>You don't need any Cingular plan to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot -- different
>technology.

No. The only possible fee would be from the hotspot operator, not Cingular.

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:20:28
-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:

>John - thanks - sorry to be such a novice - one more question though -
>when I do connect to a WiFi Hotspot do I get charged by Cingular for
>throughput?

>On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:03:07 GMT, John Navas
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:47:14
>>-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>... Interestingly, since my posting I
>>>received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
>>>Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
>>>is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
>>>with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
>>>to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
>>>internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
>>>that. ...
>>
>>You don't need any Cingular plan to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot -- different
>>technology.

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

Looking at:

http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect

it appears that Cingular is also selling WiFi access:

"And when you add a Wi-Fi Connect plan to any Data Connect plan, you can
have unlimited access to over 3,000 hotspots across the country."

But "unlimited" presumably means there is a fixed fee.

In article <GL%[email protected]>,
John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:

> No. The only possible fee would be from the hotspot operator, not Cingular.
>
> In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:20:28
> -0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >John - thanks - sorry to be such a novice - one more question though -
> >when I do connect to a WiFi Hotspot do I get charged by Cingular for
> >throughput?
>
> >On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:03:07 GMT, John Navas
> ><[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >>In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:47:14
> >>-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>>... Interestingly, since my posting I
> >>>received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
> >>>Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
> >>>is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
> >>>with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
> >>>to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
> >>>internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
> >>>that. ...
> >>
> >>You don't need any Cingular plan to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot -- different
> >>technology.

--
www.daviddfriedman.com
daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/

David Friedman <[email protected]> wrote:
> http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect
> it appears that Cingular is also selling WiFi access:
> "And when you add a Wi-Fi Connect plan to any Data Connect plan, you can
> have unlimited access to over 3,000 hotspots across the country."

If you have SBC DSL, currently as low as $12.99/month, the add on WiFi is
$1.99 per month.

Data Connect doesn't offer a WiFi add-on.
Laptop Connect now $59, normally $79. With Wifi, $79/99.
That's not a very good "combination" deal.

I think Boingo or T-Mobile are in that range as standalone products.

---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

To be clear, I was referring to cellular service, not Wi-Fi service. There is
no *cellular* charge for using any Wi-Fi hotspot, Cingular or otherwise.

"Wi-Fi Connect" is an optional add-on, described at
<http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/wifi> and
<http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/laptop_connect>:

Wi-Fi Service
When not in BroadbandConnect coverage area, you can still get broadband
speeds through Cingular's network of public Wi-Fi hotspots. Just add a
Wi-Fi Connect add-on plan to your account and get unlimited access to
thousands of hotspots like airports, hotels and cafes.

* Enjoy unlimited data usage at Cingular Wi-Fi locations for one flat fee
* Use your own compatible 802.11b/g Wi-Fi enabled laptop

Note: Wi-Fi Connect plans allow unlimited qualified access to Cingular
Wi-Fi hotspots. Customers must pay applicable Wi-Fi access service fees
directly to the Wi-Fi service provider for non-Cingular Wi-Fi hotspot
usage. Click here to learn more about Wi-Fi Connect.

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006
11:03:51 -0800, David Friedman <[email protected]> wrote:

>Looking at:
>
>http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect
>
>it appears that Cingular is also selling WiFi access:
>
>"And when you add a Wi-Fi Connect plan to any Data Connect plan, you can
>have unlimited access to over 3,000 hotspots across the country."
>
>But "unlimited" presumably means there is a fixed fee.
>
>In article <GL%[email protected]>,
> John Navas <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> No. The only possible fee would be from the hotspot operator, not Cingular.
>>
>> In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 12:20:28
>> -0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >John - thanks - sorry to be such a novice - one more question though -
>> >when I do connect to a WiFi Hotspot do I get charged by Cingular for
>> >throughput?
>>
>> >On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:03:07 GMT, John Navas
>> ><[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >>In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 11:47:14
>> >>-0500, Fred <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>>... Interestingly, since my posting I
>> >>>received a follow-up email from Cingular confirming that I needed Data
>> >>>Connect. I see from their chart that it's 44.95 for PDA Connect which
>> >>>is quite a bit more than the 19.95 for Media Net. I think I'll stick
>> >>>with that for now - I am wondering about how that will work connecting
>> >>>to a wireless hotspot - like an airport for example and accessing the
>> >>>internet that way but with unlimited Media Net might not even need
>> >>>that. ...
>> >>
>> >>You don't need any Cingular plan to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot -- different
>> >>technology.

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

[email protected] wrote:
> David Friedman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect
>>it appears that Cingular is also selling WiFi access:
>>"And when you add a Wi-Fi Connect plan to any Data Connect plan, you can
>>have unlimited access to over 3,000 hotspots across the country."
>
>
> If you have SBC DSL, currently as low as $12.99/month, the add on WiFi is
> $1.99 per month.
>

I have SBC DSL, what is the add on WiFi? I already have a wireless router in my house for wifi. Is
to have access to SBC WiFi hotspots?

-Jason

Jud Hardcastle wrote:
> BUT Media Net is SO much cheaper you might stick with it until you see
> if it does everything you want. It CAN be used for tethering you just
> aren't "supposed" to and they reserve the right to switch you to a
> higher plan--something they apparently never have done. And since
> "they" are the ones who told you to do that...

It has been done.

Client of mine had access cut off and was forced to a $59.95/mo data
plane. Cingular tried to charge him $600+ for tethered data access.

Looked at his contract and billing info. He was indeed being charged for
tethering and had the $19.95/mo MediaNET plan.

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

In <[email protected]> on Tue, 28 Feb 2006
21:33:19 GMT, DecaturTxCowboy <[email protected]> wrote:

>Jud Hardcastle wrote:
>> BUT Media Net is SO much cheaper you might stick with it until you see
>> if it does everything you want. It CAN be used for tethering you just
>> aren't "supposed" to and they reserve the right to switch you to a
>> higher plan--something they apparently never have done. And since
>> "they" are the ones who told you to do that...
>
>It has been done.
>
>Client of mine had access cut off and was forced to a $59.95/mo data
>plane. Cingular tried to charge him $600+ for tethered data access.
>
>Looked at his contract and billing info. He was indeed being charged for
>tethering and had the $19.95/mo MediaNET plan.

More likely he just ran into confusion, and I've written previously.

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

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote:
>> David Friedman <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>http://www.cingular.com/sbusiness/data_connect
>>>it appears that Cingular is also selling WiFi access:
>>>"And when you add a Wi-Fi Connect plan to any Data Connect plan, you can
>>>have unlimited access to over 3,000 hotspots across the country."
>>
>>
>> If you have SBC DSL, currently as low as $12.99/month, the add on WiFi is
>> $1.99 per month.
>
> I have SBC DSL, what is the add on WiFi? I already have a wireless router
> in my house for wifi. Is to have access to SBC WiFi hotspots?
>
> -Jason

Yes, it's to have access to their hotspots with your laptop or other
wireless device. I encountered this sitting in the airport in SFO
last week.

I connected to the wireless network in the airport and got the
homepage for SBC (I think it was SBC anyway) and I needed
to pay them for an access code.