Help With Mobile Computer Data Services in the Gorge

columbia · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 28

Thanks for all the info. My use of mobile data is for work - involves surfing the net checking email and a couple other relatively low volume applications - but certainly needs to be my laptop versus cell phone.

Wondering what this tethering is? Is this connecting a computer to the cell?

Thanks for all the input.

wsmike · Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 412

Yep, you can do it via bluetooth if your phone/laptop have that capability but connecting via USB cable gives much better speeds. You just set up a dial up connection on your laptop and use your phone as the modem. You either have to buy a PAM plan or hack your phone to enable it. SprintUsers.com is a great resource for lots of stuff if you want to dive into it.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

bjamin · Joined: 19 Jul 2000 Posts: 57

bjamin · Joined: 19 Jul 2000 Posts: 57

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

The Arlington AT&T tower is in plain view and we have a 51db signal, which AT&T claims gives us 3M. iWAP downloads (e.g., NOAA, iW) are instantaneous, but loading 5M of weather maps does take a minute or two, which does sound more like Edge than 3M. I've not measured the speeds, as they are what they are and I'm not trying to achieve much out there. I'll have to check that out next trip.

However, I'm on an 11M cable at home and clock only about 4M download by the "speedometer", so the BS factor is high.

Mike \m/

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I checked. 0.3 megs downloading, 3 Megs uploading.
Crap; I only download there.

Mike \m/

scottwerden · Joined: 11 Jul 1999 Posts: 302

I regularly tether my laptop to my ATT phone in the gorge, mostly near Doug's and Lyle. I use Bluethooth for the tether, but you need to check your phone to see if it offers DUN (dial up networking) service - some wireless providers turn off DUN on their phones to prevent tethering. I am not sure on the data speed but it definitely is EDGE network (my phone reports on whether it is EDGE or 3G). It works OK but is not a solution you would want to use regularly.

If all you are doing is checking email and web stuff, just get an iPhone or a Crackberry - it is cheaper (phone internet data cost is 30/month, while laptop tethering cost is 60/month). Most of the phones can download attachments also and then you can Bluetooth the attachment to your laptop, if you need to do that sort of thing.

pablomerc · Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 51

OK, this thread has been dormant for too long - so I'll revive it.

I recently dropped my AT&T service (long story) and I'm seriously considering Sprint for my new carrier.

I know there was some discussion on this thread re Sprint in the Gorge but those posts are now ancient history.

So, does anyone have anything to say about Sprint in the Gorge say within the past six months or so? I'm most concerned with data service (tethering to my laptop) but would also be using voice.

I'm pretty sure there's no problem in the corridor but I'm really curious about quality of service at The Wall/Rufus and Roosevelt (again, recently).

FWIW, the Sprint Coverage Tool shows full-blown "Sprint Mobile Broadband Network" for Roosevelt (best service) but does not show any Sprint towers anywhere near Roosevelt (huh?).

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Gracias, Rob(erto)

wsmike · Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 412

I dropped Verizon about a year ago for Sprint and never have looked back. I have coverage at the Wall but you have to hold your mouth right sometimes, Roosevelt/Arlington is fine though.

I tether my phone to my laptop sometimes but usually just use the native Opera browser on my phone which gives me everything I need to know.