I've been looking at Susteen's DataPilot USB Kit along with the included software which seems pretty robust. One of the things that confuses me, though, is the manufacturer's claim that upon installing the software, the buyer will have the capability to dial up to the internet using one's wireless cell phone as a modem and stay connected anywhere.
This all sounds great to me, but I can't believe that Verizon would not have a problem with this, given the company charges $59.99 per month for its broadband access plan. I do not want to pay $60/month to Verizon for this service for obvious reasons.
I guess my question is: Is it as simple as buying this software and using your minutes to surf the web or your corporate network? In my case, most of that time would be spent at night and on the weekends, so as not to sap peak minutes.
If anyone has any experience with the DataPilot software, Verizon's Broadband Access plan or both, I'd appreciate a reply.
Thanks
Phone: LG VX8600
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sandech Posts: 3
Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:58 pm
You can use Data Pilot to connect your phone to your computer to use as a modem. The difference between this and the $60 Verizon feature is speed. When you connect to the net using your phone as a modem you will experience less than dial up speed. With Verizon's internet access, you can get 60kb to 80kb and bursts to 144kb. If you have a Broadband phone, You may be able to use the Broadband Network. This can give you 600kb to 800kb with bursts up to 2mb. also Verizon's internet does not use your airtime. the dial up feature does use airtime.
Hope this helps.
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:30 pm
sandech wrote:
You can use Data Pilot to connect your phone to your computer to use as a modem. The difference between this and the $60 Verizon feature is speed. When you connect to the net using your phone as a modem you will experience less than dial up speed. With Verizon's internet access, you can get 60kb to 80kb and bursts to 144kb. If you have a Broadband phone, You may be able to use the Broadband Network. This can give you 600kb to 800kb with bursts up to 2mb. also Verizon's internet does not use your airtime. the dial up feature does use airtime.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply. When you say less than dial up speed, do you mean less than 56kbps? Also, if I don't subscribe to Verizon's internet access and use DataPilot to connect in this way, is my phone simply taking the place of my wireless network adapter? Since I'd be using airtime, I thought I'd still be taking advantage of Verizon's network and be able to realize some increase in speed over say, the typical hotel room wireless connection, for example. I guess this is the part I still don't understand and is what's making me unsure about buying this software. If I worked for a huge company, I'd just subscribe to Verizon's service (and have the company foot the bill), but that's not the case.
ImEnVerizon Posts: 53
Phone Model: EnV ; Motorola V325; LG 8300
Service Provider: Verizon Wireless
Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:46 pm
This company is not putting you on the broadband network in any way, you won't get the benefit of it. That's why it's using minutes, you will be using the 1X digital, as in the voice network.
When they say dial up to the internet, they really mean you are dialing up, just like from your home phone line. Except this time it's from your cell. And as sandech said, it's going to be slower dialing up because it's a cell and not your clear, crisp landline phone.
What kind of phone do you have?
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:30 pm
I have the LG VX8600.
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:36 pm
I have the LG VX8600.
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:50 pm
I have the LG VX8600.
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:56 pm
I have the LG VX8600.
dogstar Posts: 10
Phone Model: LG VX8600
Service Provider: Verizon
Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:00 am
sorry about the multiple posts.my connection kept dropping which is why I was looking into this software in the first place.
I only take the occasional business trip: that's why I can't justify the expense of Verizon's plan. I really think they should offer internet access via cellphone on the fly (similar to what they do with VZ Navigator). $60 a month is half the price of my monthly bill!
For $39, I may give DataPilot a shot, although it sounds like you're saying it may not be worth the trouble.
ImEnVerizon Posts: 53
Phone Model: EnV ; Motorola V325; LG 8300
Service Provider: Verizon Wireless
Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:33 pm
Well [b]dogstar[b/], as always, your wish is our command.
Why don't you check into Broadband Access Connect. If your trips are occasional then you don't want to sign a contract for service that you'll use occasionally. So instead, you can add the unlimted kilobyte plan to your account when you go, cancel when you come back.
You'll use your phone as a modem for our broadband service. This is called tethering. now, it's 44.99 to add to your line with a voice plan, plus a $15 tethering fee, and now we're back up to $60! Totally worth it however, you'll be reachable in every way and your employer and clients will thank you for it.
No extra line and no monthly expense. You would want to keep the feature on there for the month you go, because from what I understand, we can't prorate something that is unlimited. (if any reps out there have seen differently, please let us both know!)
Hope this helps, it's still not quite in the price range as your software but you'll love the speed and convenience.
