GSM/GPRS Modem

[alchamy]

Right, I have shopped around a bit without much success, I have found 1 or 2 options but they were just not for me. Perhaps someone on the forum has an idea of where I get something usable.

I am looking for a PCMCIA GSM/GPRS modem, with the new pricing I am even more keen to get one, It will be perfect for downloading mail on the go. Iburst does not have wide enough coverage and well I cant remember the last time it worked.

I could use bluetooth to link to my phone, but it irritates me and uses up battery life, which I prefer to conserve when away on business etc. Anyways you get the picture.

 

[Harley79]

Check out www.rfdesign.co.za

They have a number of options, but have not personally looked for PCMCIA option, but definatelly have USB, although again I have not looked for USB powered one before (all the ones I have need external power)..... but they good, good products, good price (and no I do not work for them)

Else contact them as well, they VERY helpful, even when I was still with iBust, they tried to find external antenna solution for me

 

[Harley79]

Just remembered, another company is Leaf Industries, but think they may be part MTN owned so ....

http://www.leaf.co.za

But RF Design still the best

 

[vodacom3g]

You can try the Nokia D211, if you want a well known 'brand name'. It's got 802.11b as well, so it's a nice laptop device. I used one for a while and had no hassles.

 

[alchamy]

Thanks Harley, vodacom3g.

Ok after thinking about it I figured I might be creating my own nightmare.

If I understand things correctly the 3G card falls back onto GPRS when there is no coverage & the data bundle is generic & applies to both generations. So I might as well just get the 3G card and be done with it (atleast until the next "buzz")

So next question, any idea where I can pick up a 3G card, or has anyone given up on 3G already?

 

[alchamy]

Ok I found these 2 options, I am sure quite a few people might be interested.
The first link is for a vodafone GPRS Modem, imo the price is very good.
The second for the standalone 3G card, imo the price is very high.

http://www.expansys.co.za/product.asp?code=115561
http://www.expansys.co.za/product.asp?code=113386

Here is the full list of PCCards:
http://www.expansys.co.za/d_gsm.asp#F

 

[ash]

vodacom3g

please tell me, and this may sound trivial, but with a 3G phone can one connect to the laptop for internet?

if so, then why buy a data card instead buy a 3G phone.

p.s. i am trying to run gprs via my phone and laptob but my laptop cannot connect. i got bluetooth connecting them. any software, site? ph is a T610 sony ecriccson.

 

[vodacom3g]

ash,

Yes you can use a phone as a 3G or GPRS modem. Obviously the phone must support either GPRS or 3G and you must have a SIM that's been activated for data.

You can then connect the phone to your laptop using a cable, infra-red or Bluetooth.

While your phone is being used as a modem you probably cannot use it to make calls, send SMS's etc. It's also more awkward as a solution but for more ad-hoc type of data usage (e-mail, browsing on an infrequent basis) it works quite well.

For the more 'power' users (1Gb+) it makes sense to put a data card in their laptop with a separate, dedicated SIM. Now you can work 24x7, while using your phone for mobile comms.

Obviously the datacard can only work in a PCMCIA slot, so if you use a PDA you'll have to use a phone.

So the final decision is based on a number of factors that's unique to each user: ease of use, amount of browsing, laptop or pda, etc.

 

[alchamy]

I can think of the following disadvantages to using your phone for connectivity:

1. It uses up cell battery life. (problem when on the move)
2. It disconnects when you receive a call or sms (phone model dependant)
3. It requires resource intensive software which drains laptop battery (esp Nokia PC Suite)
4. You require a means to connect ie Infrared or Bluetooth (not all laptops are equipped)
5. Your are adding another possible area for problems in your link (infrared or bluetooth)

I can think of a couple more but you get the picture, also Nokia Modem Manager hardly ever works, it takes ages to get the thing working on some machines. Compatibility is a issue.

The Datacard option is imo a better one if you plan to use 3G/GPRS on a regular basis.

/edit
okay vodacom3g and I are posting at the same time
edit/

 

[vodacom3g]

p.s. i am trying to run gprs via my phone and laptob but my laptop cannot connect. i got bluetooth connecting them. any software, site? ph is a T610 sony ecriccson.

1) First check if the phone can connect to the network via GPRS, i.e. can you browse vodacom4me for example. If not, get your phone correctly setup. Probably the easiest is to call 111 and they can set the phone other the air for you.

2) Now check the bluetooth connection of your phone / laptop. You'll have to check your phone / laptop documentation for this.

3) Lastly check your dial-up settings on your laptop. Do you need to install a software modem for example. Once again your phone's manual should be able to tell you.

Good luck!

 

[ash]

excellent guys. thanks for the answers. my compatibility is very poor on my laptop. i just cannot get the bluetooth to connect to the "dial up" icon that it has as an option for internet connection. others are "network connection" etc.

i have a billionton bluetooth pci card for my laptop. nokia doesnt work with this card at all, it cannot pick up at all.

i then used my T610 to connect and it seems to be getting somewhere. i will try again. takes so damn long to do these things, its frustrating

 

[alchamy]

excellent guys. thanks for the answers. my compatibility is very poor on my laptop. i just cannot get the bluetooth to connect to the "dial up" icon that it has as an option for internet connection. others are "network connection" etc.

i have a billionton bluetooth pci card for my laptop. nokia doesnt work with this card at all, it cannot pick up at all.

i then used my T610 to connect and it seems to be getting somewhere. i will try again. takes so damn long to do these things, its frustrating

I hear you, I have constant issues with my Widcomm drivers and Nokia, although it works it takes a bit of fiddling and fussing, R800 for the vodafone GPRS card is worth it just to save myself the frustrations.

 

[ic]

alchamy, what version of Widcomm do you have installed?

(Not like I don't have problems either)

 

[ash]

I hear you, I have constant issues with my Widcomm drivers and Nokia, although it works it takes a bit of fiddling and fussing, R800 for the vodafone GPRS card is worth it just to save myself the frustrations.

but then we got to wait for th prepaid 3G sim to come out, anyone know when the release with come.

 

[asmith]

Ash, I have no problems using GPRS from my laptop to my T610.

I have a bluetooth "serial port" connection from the laptop to the phone, then I just have Windows XP dial a normal dialup networking connection on that with a phone number of *98*1# (which activates the gprs connection)

 

[ash]

Ash, I have no problems using GPRS from my laptop to my T610.

I have a bluetooth "serial port" connection from the laptop to the phone, then I just have Windows XP dial a normal dialup networking connection on that with a phone number of *98*1# (which activates the gprs connection)

hi there

thanks for the help. I did what your said above. now my phone says that GPRS parameters are not supported.

what do i do now?

 

[alchamy]

but then we got to wait for th prepaid 3G sim to come out, anyone know when the release with come.

Prepaid 3G is already available, all you need to do is contact customer care and ask them to provision you sim

alchamy, what version of Widcomm do you have installed?

(Not like I don't have problems either)

1.2.2.18, I know there are newer version but when I try installing them they give me some story about the license not being valid for the hardware version. I suppose I could fiddle a bit and get it to work but as I say my Bluetooth links works, just not the way it is meant to, I have to create serial port connections etc, PC Suite is meant to connect directly to bluetooth, not sure if the problem is with the Drivers or PC Suite, I guessing a combination of both.

 

[vodacom3g]

hi there

thanks for the help. I did what your said above. now my phone says that GPRS parameters are not supported.

what do i do now?

Did you test GPRS from your phone without the laptop as in my Point 1 above? First make sure your phone is working properly.

If you can browse from your phone, the problem is somewhere on the laptop side, unfortunately.

If you can't browse, call 111 and they'll sort you out, or go to vodacom4me and set up your phone from there.

All this assumes, of couse, that you have data services enabled on your contract ? Check with 111, if you're unsure.

 

[ash]

my phone works great with gprs except with my laptop. maybe asmith will provide the answer to this dilemma.

The set up is done, it is def the laptop thats a problem. it even dials and verifies username and password, them the ph says "gprs parameters not supported"

 

[ic]

...
1.2.2.18, I know there are newer version but when I try installing them they give me some story about the license not being valid for the hardware version...

AFAIK Nokia PC Suite s/w only supports Widcomm Bluetooth version 1.4.*+. The s/w that came with my b/t dongle was version 1.3.*, and I had endless problems, then I noticed there was a newer version of the Nokia PC Suite & min b/t requirements...