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Cellular FAQ
By Chris
De Herrera, Copyright 2001-2002
Version 1.02 Revised 5/5/2002
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Introduction
So you've got a digital cellular phone and you want to get on the internet? Well there's a few things you should know before you get started. First is that each of the carriers require users to pay per minute. Some allow you to use your voice minutes for both voice and data while other have a separate charge to use their data services.
Ways to Connect to the Phone
Right now you can connect your cellular phone via infrared, serial cable or a CompactFlash Card. There are pros and cons to using all of these with your Pocket PC, Handheld PC or Palm-size PC. Here is a summary of the pros and cons to using each:
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wired | CompactFlash Slot | Speed |
| Infrared | Yes - however you must keep the phone aligned during the whole connection in order to complete the connection. If you are traveling in a train or car, this can be difficult depending on what you are doing with your device. | No | Free to be used for additional Storage | Limited to 115.2 kilobits |
| Serial Cable | No | Yes - Allows you to pick up the device and use it as needed. | Free to be used for additional Storage | Limited to 115.2 kilobits |
| CompactFlash Card | No | Yes - Allows you to pick up the device and use it as needed. | The CompactFlash slot is used to connect to the cellular phone. There is no option to remove the CF card and switch to a CF card to store information. | Capable of speeds up to 1 megabit |
| Bluetooth | Yes, limited to 30 feet from phone to Pocket PC | No | Free to be used for additional Storage | Limited to 768k |
Right now most customers in the US are using either GSM, CDMA or Nextel digital cellular phones to connect to the internet. These phones are capable of 9600, 14,400 and 9600 bits per second so any of the options listed above are sufficient to accomplish this without hindering performance. In Europe and the US, GPRS is being rolled out and the speed of the serial cable and infrared will be a limiting factor since GPRS is capable of speeds up to 230k. Also, in the US the introduction of 1xRTT with speeds of 144k are being rolled out. In these cases a CompactFlash card is recommended.
Connecting to the Office
Cellular allows users to dial up directly to their office systems via RAS just like a PC. This advantage ensures the same security that a RAS connection has such as using CHAP authentication. In order to do this you must have the settings to connect via RAS to your company. GPRS and 1xRTT only offers direct Internet access. They do not offer RAS access.
Connecting to the Internet
When connecting to the internet, you have 2 options. You can call your ISP or us the ISP provided by the cellular carrier. Not all cellular carriers offer their own ISP connection. The advantage to using your ISP is that you can send and receive e-mail using your default settings in Inbox just like a dialup connection. The disadvantage is that it takes approximately 45 seconds to connect to your ISP and your ISP must support a 14,400 baud connection. If they do not then you won't get authenticated. If your cellular carrier offers their own ISP, then you connect immediately to the internet however you may have problems sending e-mail. This is done to prevent spammers from using your ISPs mail server.
| Cellular Provider | Dialup Number | Username | Password | Call Options | Terminal After Dialing |
| Sprint PCS | #2932 | web | web | ||
| Verizon Wireless | #777
You must force this to be a local call! |
qnc | qnc | for QCP 860, must use Extra Setting of &C2 to get connected. | Yes, you must use a terminal after dialing. You will see a blank screen after you connect. Click OK and it will complete the connection. |
You can see step by step instructions for the Handheld PC at Verizon's website.
Conclusion
Now you know more about how to connect your cellular phone via wireless to your office and the internet. With this information you are now prepared to access websites wherever you can get a digital cellular connection!
Other Links
Cellular Connectivity Options - What's compatible with Windows CE/Pocket PC.
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