Broadband Modems in Mobile Phones
Posted: Tuesday, December 02, 2008
by Jon Patterson
Mobile Broadband Rocks
Given the popularity of mobile broadband, many people are now asking if they can access mobile broadband via a mobile phone. If your handset supports mobile broadband, then you can probably use it with your laptop to access the internet. First, you'll need to find out if there's a broadband modem in your mobile phone.
Your best bet is to visit the website of your handset manufacturer and look it up in the specification pages – you're looking for technical terms such as HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, or top download speeds of 1.8Mbps, 3.6Mbps or 7.2Mbps – these will indicate that your phone has the kit required to get you online. You'll probably find that performance won't be a good as a dedicated USB Modem, but it's a good start.
The actual process of getting online will vary from phone to phone, but generally you:
- Install the manufacturer's connection software on your machine
- Nokia users: PC Suite - http://europe.nokia.com/A4678148
- Sony Ericsson: PC Suite - http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/softwaredownloads/detailed/pcsuite
- Windows Mobile: Try Jason's guide http://blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/archive/2007/03/30/internet-sharing-the-most-underutilised-unknown-feature-of-windows-mobile.aspx
- Samsung: PCStudio - http://uk.samsungmobile.com/supports/softwaremanuals/pcStudio31.do
- BlackBerry: Desktop software - http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/downloads/#tab_tab_desktop
- Connect your handset to your laptop using either a USB cable (preferable) or via Bluetooth
- Use the connection software to connect, fire up your browser and surf away
If you've got a Nokia S60 device with WiFi (such as the N95), you can use the excellent JoikuSpot (http://www.joikuspot.com) software to get online. This compact application turns your mobile phone into a portable, mobile broadband WiFi hotspot – just connect your laptop to your phone using WiFi and you're away. You don't need any additional software on your laptop.
An easy alternative for Vodafone customers
If you're a Vodafone customer, with one of these handsets:
- Nokia: 6020, 6120 Classic, 6124, 6230i, 6234, 6280, 6288, 6300, 6630, 6680, E65, E66, E71, N70, N72, N73,
- N80, N95
- Samsung: ZV10, ZV60, SGH-L810
- LG: KF310, KP270
- BlackBerry: Bold 9000
- Vodafone: V725, V810, V830
You can use Vodafone's via the phone software to get
connected. For more information see
http://www.mobilebroadbandrocks.com/broadband-modems-in-mobile-phones
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Good article, Jon. Some interesting information on accessing the internet via cell phone. Thanks for sharing.And Welcome to SearchWarp.Sandra
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