A bit lost regarding mobile/wireless options

[waterprism]

Hi,

Okay, completely lame questions, but I know zip about connecting wirelessly and don't know where to start. I've been on ADSL for years and haven't needed anything else, but recently my local Telkom exchange has been having one problem after another and I need some kind of backup. I've decided, most likely, to go the mobile route.

First question. My cellphone is pretty ancient, so I'm going to upgrade to a smartphone which I want to connect to the computer so I can use that to connect to the internet if my ADSL goes down. One can do that, right? lol, as I said, I know zip about connecting wirelessly. I don't really need the smartphone's internal connectivity. I need it to give me connectivity on the computer because I work from home and have programs on the computer I need. So can I plug the smartphone into the computer and use that to connect?

And then second question. I don't want to be tied to a contract for this backup connection. I just want some pay-as-you-go transfer to use if my ADSL goes down. Can one just get pay-as-you-go gigs for this kind of thing? I have FNB topup for MTN on my current cellphone and notice you can get data bundles. Is that the way to go for this scenario? Or are there different routes? I really don't know where to start on that. I just need a bit of pay-as-you-go transfer that I can "plug into the computer" when I need to , so would appreciate your thoughts on that too.

Really appreciate your time. Thanks.

 

[LPCPT]

You're need a phone/device/modem with 3g capability. I started of by using my old Nokia n95 and I can tell you that that thing works better than newer dongles today. When I have connectivity problems with a dongle, I just stick the SIM in my phone (I have the N97 now and it works just as well) and connect.
So you have the phone and your SP (MTN or Voda or whoever) send you sms's with configuration settings that you apply to your phone.
I just Installed Nokia suite on my laptop, connect phone via USB and select in PC suite mode on phone. In Nokia suite you just connect to internet and then you are basically connected. Minimize Nokia suite and use your normal browser.
Just make sure the phone has enough power or that it charges via the USB port. and that the SIM that is in the phone has a data-bundle.
It's actually very easy.

 

[waterprism]

Okay, cool, LPCPT. Thanks. That gives me somewhere to start. Appreciate it.

 

[Srack0verflow]

quite a few options here, it really comes down to budget. i think it's kinda silly forking out a fortune for a smartphone if you're only gonna use it to provide the computer internet connectivity. i'd rather just buy a 3g USB modem. you could even go far as a cheapie 3g capable phone connected to the computer via Bluetooth or USB cable, and have it function as a modem... regardless of which method you decide on, please check how strong the signal is in your area before buying anything.

just my opinion, right?

 

[waterprism]

Hi, Srack0verflow. Thanks for that. I actually do need a smartphone for something biz related, so it's two birds. I have no idea how to test the signal for my area though. I did a search on 'test wireless signal' and the like and couldn't find much that seemed helpful.

 

[Srack0verflow]

Hi, Srack0verflow. Thanks for that. I actually do need a smartphone for something biz related, so it's two birds. I have no idea how to test the signal for my area though. I did a search on 'test wireless signal' and the like and couldn't find much that seemed helpful.

i meant for you to check the coverage map of whoever you decide to use, for example -http://www.vodacom.co.za/personal/main/coveragemaps. no use even bothering with mobile if the best you can get is only GPRS, which is many times slower than the slowest ADSL.
actually it would be better if you can get a friend with a smartphone to visit, and see for yourself because those maps aren't always 100% accurate