[LUNI] Cellular internet access & Linux

[Mike Scott]

Unfortunately, my cell (BlackBerry) is company-issued and they don't
allow internet access through it.
I am not sure why because we supposedly have an unlimited data plan.

- Mike Scott

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [LUNI] Cellular internet access & Linux
> From: Seva Epsteyn <seva at sevatech.com>
> Date: Fri, February 29, 2008 9:47 am
> To: Linux Users Of Northern Illinois - Technical Discussion
> <luni at luni.org>
> 
> 
> Often, you could also use the phone itself as the modem, either via 
> Bluetooth or USB.
> 
> For example, I have RAZR V3xx which is also an HSDPA "modem" and on AT&T 
> network with a phone data plan (MediaNET Unlimited - $20/mo) I can use it 
> for Internet access via Fedora's system-config-network.  This is what 
> generated wvdial.conf looks like:
> 
> 	[Modem0]
> 	Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
> 	Baud = 460800
> 	SetVolume = 0
> 	Dial Command = ATDT
> 	Init1 = ATZ
> 	Init3 = ATM0
> 	FlowControl = CRTSCTS
> 
> 	[Dialer hsdpa0]
> 	Username = user at att.net
> 	Password = user at att.net
> 	Phone = *99***3#
> 	Stupid Mode = 1
> 	Init1 = ATZ
> 	Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
> 	Inherits = Modem0
> 
> 
> 	[Modem1]
> 	Modem = /dev/rfcomm0
> 	Baud = 460800
> 	SetVolume = 0
> 	Dial Command = ATDT
> 	Init1 = ATZ
> 	Init3 = ATM0
> 	FlowControl = CRTSCTS
> 
> 	[Dialer hsdpa1]
> 	Username = user at att.net
> 	Password = user at att.net
> 	Phone = *99***3#
> 	Stupid Mode = 1
> 	Init1 = ATZ
> 	Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
> 	Inherits = Modem1
> 
> Combined with the other configuration system-config-network generated 
> (such as /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-hsdpa*) I can simply use 
> "ifup hsdpa0" for USB attached phone or "ifup hsdpa1" for Bluetooth 
> attached phone.
> 
> The important part is that the phone number to "dial" is "*99***3#" (not 
> sure if that's phone specific or network specific)
> 
> Additionally, NetworkManager in Fedora 9 will have pretty decent support 
> for cellular modems, for example see http://blogs.gnome.org/dcbw/
> 
> Note, I've had some troubles with Bluetooth so I usually just use USB.
> 
> As far as AT&T, I've had few problems due to their network, but I am going 
> to switch as soon as I can find a phone I like because their customer 
> service is absolutely horrendous.
> 
> -Seva
> 
> On Thu, 28 Feb 2008, Mike Scott wrote:
> 
> > I am considering a new laptop and was wondering if anyone out there is
> > using a Cellular data plan.
> > I was figuring that a PCMCIA card would be better than built-in so I am
> > not locked into a particular provider (at least no longer than the
> > contract term for the plan vs the life of the laptop).
> > Which of these cards work well with Linux (or is it transparent)?
> > 
> > Also which carriers should I avoid?  I seem to remember Verizon had some
> > fine print whereby they could terminate your service if you do streaming
> > audio/video and they determine you are streaming if your monthly
> > transfer rate exceeds a certain threshold 9even though their plan is
> > billed as "unlimited".
> > 
> > - Mike Scott
> > 
> > 
> -- 
> Linux Users Of Northern Illinois - Technical Discussion 
> http://luni.org/mailman/listinfo/luni