| Author |
Message |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 10:47 pm: | |
OK, after several years in the past using my cell phone as a modem, I am having trouble getting it to work this time. Problem is Juno does not hear a dial tone, and won't start dialing, just says "no dial tone detected". Just what simple step am I missing here? |
Airless in Mississippi (68.243.27.208)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 3:41 am: | |
Don first are you using like a old bag phone?
If you are then you need the little black box which provides your system with a dail tone.
If not then you need to setup dialup networking in win98 or winxp with the correct phone number to your CELL PHONE ISP... like sprint 3g network is #777. |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.18)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 7:49 am: | |
Thanks, I will try again. I should have mentioned, I am using an LG flip phone on Verizon with windows XP on the laptop. |
edroelle@yahoo.com (68.62.25.203)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:10 am: | |
Don,
If you are using the LG 4400, I found its software is very touchy.
Often, I have to go to Menu, Tool, Run Wizard...
This is like reloading the software.
Ed Roelle
Flint, MI |
David & Lorna Schinske (Davidschinske) (67.216.122.86)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:16 am: | |
Like above post...check the dialout number first. If that doesn't fix it try using another phone (landline). I got the same message when my modem in the computer died. At the time my modem that came with my computer was barely a year old. You might try calling Verizon's Data specialists. |
John that newguy (199.232.240.33)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:19 am: | |
I'm using the LG4400 with Verizon on a laptop running XP.
You might want to try using the "quicklink" program to
initialize the phone, before knocking yourself out. If
you've used the "restore" feature of XP, you may have
restored to a time the program and/or references were not
installed.
If all -that- is running correctly (verify with the #777 VZW
connection), then it can be as simple as the ISP you're
using is not available. The error messages you see do not
always reflect the reason the connection didn't work. I use
the Verizon (VZW network) to test, if and when I am actually
in the service area (VZW doesn't function out of area).
It helps to have more than one ISP to use, if for nothing other
than to test your system. |
John that newguy (199.232.240.33)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:25 am: | |
Incidentally... The LG4400 software version (only updated by Verizon in
their store) should be version 10. Menu / 9 / 2 will bring up the version.
The *228 does not update the phone software. |
Gary Carter (68.25.36.127)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 12:42 pm: | |
First I am not familiar with Juno, but you may have to use another dialer. Did you just switch to Juno from some other ISP? Some dialers will not dial until you it detects a dial tone. |
John that newguy (199.232.240.96)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 1:35 pm: | |
Gary.. He can't use "Dial up Networking" or any other phone
dialer when using the cellphone. It needs the programming to
make it (the cellphone) the actual modem. To dial out using
the cellphone, the program designed specifically for that
cellphone must be used. He can then use the "dialer" to
access the cellphone via the cellphone's program.
Did that make sense? I got a tough time 'splainin dat stuf.
It will not detect a "dial tone" because there is none. |
Airless in Mississippi (68.243.209.198)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 2:13 pm: | |
John I am using my cellphone direct with Dial up networking. The system shows the phone as a usb modem configure that modem as if any other dialup modem without password or user name just using the #777 number. The system works just fine using that method. |
Don KS/TX (66.82.9.56)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 6:25 pm: | |
Hey, thanks for all the help. My real problem was that I was trying to use a data connectivity cable for a different model of LG phone. The 4400 and 6000 ones are the only ones that use this cable. I am on now, thanks guys,. |
John that newguy (199.232.244.88)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 9:59 pm: | |
I guess I didn't 'splain it right, airless. But it isn't
"dialup networking" that's running the phone and making it
act like a modem. It's the driver package that's been
installed for that particular cellular phone. The dialup
program is calling that driver into service. The driver is
the "program" for that phone. If the driver's been &^%^,
then a guy can beat his head for hours trying to figure out
what's wrong.
Window XP's "restore" function can sometimes remove new
"unsigned" drivers and replace them with "signed" drivers.
All moot now, since the problem's been resolved.
By the way, I am also using "dialup networking", just as you
are, rather than the Verizon "quicklink" program. Once the
right driver's installed, anything will do the trick.
The quicklink program installs and uses the correct driver
for the cellphone. I use it only to verify where a problem
is, when all else fails and that's what I was attempting to suggest.
What can I say? I just gotta' learn to stop typing. |
Phil Dumpster (24.16.243.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 11:16 pm: | |
My Motorola phone connects to my serial port and looks like a Hayes modem to the machine. Dial-up networking works just fine with it. |
John that newguy (199.232.244.122)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 7:15 am: | |
My LG phone looks like a watermelon without
the proper driver. Go figure. |
John that newguy (199.232.244.122)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 7:32 am: | |
BTW, Phil.. You might want to update that non-existent Motorola cellphone
driver that you're not using to make the phone act as a modem when you
address it through Window's dial-up networking:
http://www.cellphone-emporium.com/directory/Motorola/51_62412_driver_modem_motorola
http://www.modem-drivers.com/companies/694.htm
http://www.aglance.com/mobile5/motorola_driver.html
I'm sure there's thousands more of useless Motorola drivers out there. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (12.171.163.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 2:39 pm: | |
Cut the hassle, get a PC 5220 card.
Works every time, rarely do we get less than 100K.
Gary |
John that newguy (199.232.244.63)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 4:16 pm: | |
Gary -
Can you list the price of the card, monthly charges and other fees associated
with the PC 5220 card and it's use?
The present LG phone and "America's Choice" service plan I have includes
the use of the Internet connection through my own ISP or the high-speed
VZW system. The amount of time I am on-line is deducted from my allowed
time. With nights/weekends/holidays free and my 800 minute anytime limit,
I find it to be cost effective. If the PC 5220 card is better, economical and
more dependable, I might be tempted to switch. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (12.171.163.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 4:33 pm: | |
I think the card is like 200 bucks and service is $80/mo.
That card only comes in an unlimited plan, no metered service. It supports 3G, 1XRTT, and (I think) Q2N, but we get 1XRTT just about everywhere.
IMO this is a breakthrough in full-time connectivity, we have used it all over the country and have great service.
Also, it has an external ant. connector, I want to play with the 3W wilson booster, but haven't had the time.
Gary |
John that newguy (199.232.244.63)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 5:11 pm: | |
Gary -
We're presently paying $102 per month for two phones, sharing the
800 min Verizon plan. That includes our connection to the Internet.
The additional $80 would put me beyond our original budget, so it's
out for me, but it certainly sounds reasonable for anyone needing what
comes close to satellite service!
A friend is using that Wilson booster and claims it works wonders.
His connects in "one bar" weak signal areas went to five bar service.
It sounds like it's worth the few bucks investment. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (12.171.163.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 5:36 pm: | |
Here's an Idea--throw them both in the ocean (running them over first with your bus is optional, but recommended) and get the 5220 card, thus saving $22/mo.
Of course that's just me, I hate the damn things.
Last month I saw a homeless guy, on a bicycle in Eugene, OR. talking on the Cell phone, and OF COURSE impeding traffic..
Gary |
Don KS/TX (64.24.5.110)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 10:30 pm: | |
Yeah, I only need limited use for a few months on the road, and my Direcway Satellite continues at $60 a month so I am looking for cheap too. This is written on the road thru the LG 4400, works fine for me. |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.173.87.107)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 1:04 pm: | |
Glad you are back on the net again Don. By the way how you been feelin?
Brian |
Don/TX (65.64.177.47)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 23, 2004 - 4:24 pm: | |
Lazy! I sold the Kansas home, moved out into an RV, will be on the road for a few months before going back to Texas for the winter. Heading North in a few days, just cruisin and loafin. Feeling fine. |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.41.212.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 9:47 am: | |
Glad to hear that you are feeling fine Mr. Brown Booties...(grin)
Sure do wish I was out cruising and loafing!
Brian |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 12:33 pm: | |
I'm wondering what all the buzz is about... I have a Verizon cheepo cellphone and the account costs me $35 per month for 600 minutes plus free weekends and after hours.
Included as a standard feature of that account is their "Express Network" service, at no extra charge other than it uses minutes just like a phone call.
I got a data cable (with software driver) from Quicklink Mobile that plugs my cellphone into the USB port of my laptop, and it is NOT a "modem" based system...it makes the phone act as a direct digital connection to Verison's express network at 144k.
No cards, no extra fees, it connects anywhere I've been, it hauls butt (much faster than the Datastorm satellite configuration I used to have) and it is way cool.... |
Don/TX (64.24.4.45)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 4:50 pm: | |
You must have some sort of "your area only" option, I cannot find that deal on the web, tell us more. My connection seems to be not the promised 50-60 with bursts to 144, more like 5-6 with bursts to 14.
The best price for "Americas Choice" alone seems to be $39.95! |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 7:43 pm: | |
Specifically I have the standard $39.95 per month "Americas Choice 400" with Verizon.
I asked the sales guy who sold me the phone about the express network and the guy was kind of clueless. It wasn't clear in the literature either but on my receipt in the "features of my contract" column was printed "Express Connect" so I just tried it and it worked!
I finally called customer service and made sure it was true and wouldn't generate some outrageous bills, and they said "nope, it's part of the deal".
You probably won't connect at 144k if you're out in the boonies, then it reverts to a slowpoke connection. But as long as you're in an area covered by Verison's system, you're in! Well, you have to get a phone that has the right connector on the bottom for a high speed cable, but otherwise.... |
Don/TX (64.24.5.73)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 12:04 pm: | |
Thanks Gary, I will visit a store and see if I can possibly find someone that knows something. I was under the impression that the Express connect was an additional charge from their web site..
I am sitting right beside a Verizon tower with a high powered modern phone, and cannot figure out how to check the exact speed on the current setup, and have been hesitant to click on the "express connect" button. |
Don/TX (64.24.4.197)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 8:53 pm: | |
OK, you got a special "not on the books" deal Gary. For the rest of us, you can spend $40 for nationwide service, and then another $40 for the internet service. If that is too steep, one can use the data cord and the phone plan to get the super slow stuff like I am using. I suspect they have slowed down the el cheapo version to stimulate sales of the additional $40 package. |
John that newguy (199.232.244.151)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 9:57 pm: | |
This "debate" has been gone through before. I thought this
horse had been beat to death already.
I have the Verizon Wireless "America's Choice" plan. It is
available throughout the USA for the same price in each area
Verizon service is available. I have the 59.99 plan that provides
me with 800 anytime minutes (long distance included); unlimited
nights, weekends and -some- holidays free; unlimited Verizon
wireless to Verizon wireless free. All that -includes- all data
use with the data cord you provide for your phone and it includes
the Verizon Wireless high speed network (VZW) for your Internet
connection. If I decide to use my own ISP, the speed is as
slow as 14.4 at times. All data calls use the minutes provided by
whatever plan you subscribe to.
There are no "special deals", Don. I have it and use it, Gary uses
it and probably a few million others. I had it in Massachusetts
and I now have it in Florida. |
John that newguy (199.232.244.151)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 10:02 pm: | |
By the way, Don... we have two phones sharing the same plan.
The total price for all of the above is $102 per month for both
phones and service. My wife can call me 24/7 and yell at me
endlessly for free. I love it. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 2:41 pm: | |
We have 50+ Cell phones, and about a dozen or so EVDO cards.
We used the USB link cables for a while, but the EVDO cards perform much better and require much less user support. Also, my users frequently want to be on the phone and EMail at the same time.
There are three basic services offered by Verizon:
1) Q2N (Quick to Net) 14.4K uses voice minutes and does not need a data plan. For those of you that can get by on 14.4, that's the ticket. I can't. My stuff won't work.
2) 1XRTT/Express Network 144K $80/mo for unlimited Usage. there are per-megabyte metered rates, but withe the EVDO card unlimited is the only service available. which is fine for us and our users, we would all exceed the metered limits.
3) EVDO (EVolution Data Only) is the new stuff, also supported by the 5220 card, but is not in full release:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/35365
If you are using a 1XRTT connection, and neither have a data plan nor are getting billed $0.40/min, one of three conditions exist.
1) Magic. you have somehow convinced the billing system to ignore your usage.
2) You are a wicked Telco negotiator, in which case I need to hire you.
3) the billing system lags behind and you haven't received the usage bill yet.
My money's on #3
Gary |
John that newguy (199.232.240.214)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 4:42 pm: | |
You are wrong, Gary. I have it; use it and they (Q2N and !x) are
part of the America's Choice package. |
Airless in Mississippi (68.243.246.224)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 6:46 pm: | |
Sprint PCS VISION plan is the plan I am on. It does not use plan minutes and it has unlimited usage without any payment other then the 5.00 per month for the vision program. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 2:04 pm: | |
John,
Show me.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=familyShare&action=viewFSPlanDetail&catId=323
That's the same plan I have for my Family, and my rep cautioned me to be very careful with the 1X because without a seperate data plan I will get a huge bill.
I would like to have that service, It would fit well in what I'm doing.
Gary |
Linda 4104 (12.42.81.161)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 4:56 pm: | |
For any who use Sprint PCS/data cable/laptop setup for their Internet, be prepared for no service at all (other than roaming, on which your Internet deal won't work anyway) along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. Also, there is no Sprint signal that I have found anywhere in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. From my pay phone conversation with the Sprint rep while we were in Billings, I gather that Sprint is mostly non-existent in North Dakota as well except for a couple of cities. Verizon seems to be the carrier of choice out here.
FWIW
Linda 4104 |
John that newguy (199.232.240.136)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 9:20 pm: | |
Gary.... I don't know how I can "show you", but I can tell
you that I had major arguments with good friends over this
topic. I took the same position you are taking now. No-one
at Verizon Wireless would confirm what my friends were
telling me. In fact, VZW told me that data charges would
apply.
A call to an upper level at Verizon and I finally had the
answer. My friends were correct. You can use your Verizon
cell phone plan for connections to either your own ISP or
Verizon's high speed network and the cost to you is only the
minutes used per your plan. Call all night (9:01pm- 5:59am,
weekends and some holidays, free. Peak hours will use
whatever minutes your plan allows for voice; data is the
same as voice
Buy a "Mobile Office kit" containing the correct PC cord for
your phone, the CD disk with the drivers for your phone, and
follow the directions.
Internet connections to my own ISP usually results in 14.4
connects. Connections to Verizon's VZW network can bring you
speeds that are close to broadband. With the VZW network,
you will not be able to -send- mail through your own ISP's
system. Most systems will refuse to send mail from sources
outside their own network for security reasons. You can
download mail through your own ISP with outside connections.
The data services only work while on the Verizon Network and
usually will not work if "roaming", or out of their owned
network. The data service usually will not work if you're on
the Verizon "enhanced" network. That may sound bad, but the
Verizon owned network grows each day. I'm finding that areas
I did not have data service last month now work fine.
On our week's worth trip from Massachusetts to Florida,
there were no days that passed that I could not connect and
use the Internet.
And - I have never been charged for more than my plan's basic
charges.
I don't know what else I can tell you Gary. It works and
works well. And for us, it's the best bang for our buck. We
have an Antiques and Collectibles website that has to be
maintained and a ton of spam per hour... The Verizon system
hasn't failed me yet.
I don't think you'll have any problem either. BUT.... I'm on
the East coast (Florida) where Verizon rules. I don't know
what kind of signal service they own in other areas. The PC
cord and disk isn't expensive and well worth the experiment.
Verizon sells them and so does Radio Shack. I prefer the
Verizon outfit. |
DonTX (207.160.205.13)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 3:16 pm: | |
Isn't this interesting. Verizon tells me you cannot have such a thing as you describe John, and they requested your verizon phone number from me to "show me" on their computer. They keep telling me exactly what Gary is saying, and of course I did not have your Verizon number. I have to agree, the web site also agrees with Gary. I still think you have just got by some crack in the system. |
John that newguy (199.232.240.128)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 5:18 pm: | |
Phooooie, Don.
Verizon's VZW high speed network is part of their package.
The people at the counter you spoke with, have absolutely
no clue to what's going on in "real life". If you desire to believe
those counter people, go right ahead.
I've been using their VZW network (and connections to my own
ISP) for a couple years now. It works; there are no "extra charges",
and it's offered to all as part of the same voice package you buy
anyplace Verizon offers service.
Take it or leave it, Don. I'm no idiot and do not wish to publicize
my personal phone number(s). I'm not out to sell you Verizon's
services, nor do I care if you use it or not.
By the way Don, there's ample information regarding this entire
topic all over the Internet. I respectfully suggest you take some
time to learn more about this topic before you continue arguing
about it. |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:24 pm: | |
And I did forget to mention about "sending" email via the Verizon high speed network (which definitely works- I just used it for the last three days quite happily). You can't send, because Verison doesn't have an SMTP server, and you can't access your own ISPs' smtp servers via version in most cases, especially if you're on cable at home.
What to do? Simple... go to www.smtp.com and give em some money (I think it's $50 per year). Then you can use their smtp servers for your outgoing emails. It works great.
Or, if you're like me and most people I know who get deluged with spam, sign up with www.spamcop.net and instantly go from 200 spams per day to 2-3 at most, ZERO legit emails lost, and get the abilty to access all your email accounts via a single web based interface as part of the deal. I think it's $20 per year and it's absoultely the BEST tool against spam I've ever found....plus it makes mobile email a snap...
Cheers |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (63.207.207.177)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 1:37 pm: | |
Hi John,
Well, not sure where to go from here. Managing Cellphone usage is part of my job, (I saved the company ~$36K, 65% in cell phone usage this year) and I have spent many hours working with Verizon directly. I don't have to track down an "Upper Level" I have a dedicated account rep.
It IS possible that they have something available to the family market that is not available at the corporate level. I was hoping there was, so that I could use my family phone.
In any case, I have ample documentation from the source that a 1X connection will result in connect fees, at $0.40/min or so. I've read on the net about folks getting 1X connections for free, but Nobody I know, and no followup to find out if they were ever billed.
Until I have something in writing from Verizon that says it's bundled in the plan, I'll keep using the card which dramatically outperforms the officeconnect kit anyway.
gary |
John that newguy (166.145.235.89)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 9:46 am: | |
Gary;
As you can note by my IP address, I am now connected via the
Verizon Wireless VZW network using our LG 4400 Cell phone.
The speed indicated is 115.4bps. The connection is much, much
faster than our copper line connection using Bell South.
I am not being charged extra, now am I using any of "valuable"
minutes, since today is Saturday and weekends, nights and
some holidays are totally free as part of my America's Choice
package. The package includes data; they tell you that when you
ask about or purchase the "mobile office kit" containing the
PC to phone cord and CD rom disk of drivers.
I don't know if this change of IP address will help prove the
point to you. It would seem that the fact the original poster
is accomplishing the same thing as I, would be proof enough.
Cheers and happy motoring. |
John that newguy (166.145.235.89)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 9:47 am: | |
Uhhh make that 115.2 KBPS. |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 10:25 am: | |
Think about it Gary, if you were Verison, which would you rather have going on.... a teenager chatting away endlessly, shipping and receiving packets of data every quarter second on a continuous basis, or a computer person shipping out a tiny pile of request packets, the receiving a big pile of data while a webpage loads, then NOTHING for a long time, while the computer person sits and reads that webpage or composes his or her next email reply (except that you're still collecting fees for minutes during all this "silence")...
My guess is that "high speed data" is included for free as part of the America's Choice package because it may even use less actual data space in the system than a phone call.
My typical online session lasts for an hour as I do my emails, and the "billable minutes" tick by, but actual active data transfer during that hour is probably more like 3-5 minutes, the rest being "silent" minutes that I either pay for or that are docked from my allocation simply because I'm too lazy to disconnect while I'm reading and writing. These "silent" minutes rack up fees but don't use actual airtime, so Verison gets quite ahead while I'm doing it.
I might be wrong but the big companies never give things away for free...
As John says, it really is part of the package, it really is fast, the Verison salespeople have no clue about it, and like John, I used it all this week (in fact quite often during the last 11 months since I've had it) with no extra charges added to my bill other than the airtime I've used while "connected". |
John that newguy (199.232.240.26)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 2:57 pm: | |
Oh... and..
As a retired Bell (copper) guy, I can tell you that business
accounts never got the same "freebees" that a resident accounts
did. A telephone is considered a "luxury item" in the home, but
it's a part of the source of revenue, for a business. We guaranteed
24/7 service (both voice and data), for businesses, while resident
account problems took a rear seat to the commercial troubles
(when any would occur). If you had a commercial account to
send/receive digital data, you -paid extra- for the guaranteed data
service ability. Resident accounts did not rely on the ability to
pass digital data, so no guarantee was ever implied, nor
charged for, unless specifically requested.
All that may have changed somewhat to meet the more current market
demands and needs among the "copper bells". Cell technology
and the entire cellular business seem to play by their own rules.
They have a much more competitive market...and more lucrative.
But hey... what better way to see what the technology can do,
than to give it free to those that do not depend on it or pay extra
for it? If it works, charge those whose profits depend on it. Let
the "freebees" do the testing for you.
The Verizon "America's Choice" plan for the average customer
includes the ability use the cell phone for data transfer for no extra
charges. If you've got any type of a "business plan", or some sort
of a "national minutes" plan, all bets are off. |