John Navas <spamfilter0@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Nov 2006 20:44:18 -0600, "shadow" <catfancy@bellsouth.net>
> wrote in <aCw4h.8869$TX.2201@bignews1.bellsouth.net>:
> >Thanks for all the information. I found out it was my bluetooth that was
> >interfering with my connection. I had to turn it off and then I connected
> >without any problems.
> That's odd. Something is wrong. I tether with Bluetooth.
I think he was talking about a BT headset. The phone was probably
pairing with the headset instead of the laptop.
Or the headset paired with the laptop, and prevented the phone from
pairing.
I've managed to cause both of those problems for myself ;-)
> >Now where do I go to see what I am connecting at with
> >my V551?
> http://netspeed.stanford.edu/
Or is he confused about WAP verses ISP?
> >Well the Cingular Rep at the store told me I needed a data package. The
> >Cingular Rep I talked to on the phone said I needed only the $20
> >unlimited Media Bundle. I do not want to do wrong and do not want to be
> >charged an outrageous price later on if it was the data package I
> >needed.
Some folks signed up long ago, and have packages that did not distinguish
how one could use the MEdiaNet access. It was even called something
different a couple of years ago.
Cingular has several different "unlimited" data plans. These are priced
differently, depending on what device you use to connect. Phones, PDA,
Laptop are three different prices, on the presumption that they use
different amounts of data, or can tolerate different levels of pricing.
That means that "unlimited" must not mean "unlimited". It must mean,
unlimited, within the ranges of our expectations.
You _can_ tether a laptop using the MEdiaNet plan. You _may not_ tether a
laptop using the MEdiaNet plan, according to the constantly varying terms
of service on the Cingular site.
I asked for a phone with the ability to tether my laptop, at a Cingular
company store. I was sold a MediaNet bundle. I didn't get a printed copy
of the terms of service, just a reference to the terms posted on the web
site.
If I look at the MediaNet offerings today, the terms are pretty clear:
http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-s...plan-terms.jsp
"Furthermore, unlimited plans (except for DataConnect and Blackberry
Tethered) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device
(through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other
phone/PDA-to-computer accessories, Bluetooth or any other wireless
technology) to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose."
Previously, Media Net purchase pages linked to
http://www.cingular.com/learn/en_US/...al-notices.jsp
"MEdia Net packages are not intended for tethering. Cingular reserves the
right to remove customers from MEdia Net packages for the use of a wireless
device as an interface to other devices or networks, as determined by
Cingular, including but not limited to device tethering."
I inferred that some usage would be okay, heavy usage could be grounds for
cancellation of the plan.
An interesting point about the new, more limiting, language is that it
refers to "unlimited" plans specifically. It does not mention the
bundles that are already limited. If I had a 5MB plan, could I tether
every day, as long as I didn't exceed 5MB per month?
> >When I talked to the Cingular Rep this morning when I was trouble shooting
> >why I was not connecting, I was again told that the unlimited Media Bundle
> >was all I needed. It is so confusing. So if anyone can point me in the
> >direction as to how to determine what I am connecting at I will let you all
> >know what I connect at using my V551.
Your "connection" determines which login is being used.
On WinXP-SP2, start-Network connections. If you double-click on whatever
the connection name is, it should expose the User Name.
If it starts with WAP@, you are using the MediaNet login.
> Is the V551 a class 10 phone?
Yes and no.
http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/phones_devices
Features & Specifications
shows the v551 as "GPRS class 10, EDGE class 4"
You are most interested in the EDGE class, which is only "4".
GPRS, in areas that don't have EDGE, tops out at about 30Kbps for me, with
a v551. If I get EDGE, I see up to about 100Kbps.
You don't select which you connect to, it varies by cell tower capability,
and I don't know how to tell which is which, other than the "E" that should
appear on the v551 screen in an EDGE area, and the speed should be above
40Kbps with EDGE.
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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5