Mobile broadband with PowerBook
Duncan Kennedy
Windows, the time may be approaching to add a PowerBook Pro for those
essential trips.
One of my requirements is mobile broadband. I currently use T-Mobile
(yes I know about the data sale but it's on a PAYG) and Vodafone and I
may add Orange. Any experience, please, of installing software for
these providers with, presumably OSX10.6? (I'm thinking of
compatibility - not reception as I already have experience of those
problems with Windows and Linux.)
I see that T-Mobile web site says they are testing with Snow Leopard and
will post updates if necessary. Vodafone seems vague about the
specifics and I haven't found any comment on Orange.
--
Duncan K
Downtown Dalgety Bay
Jaimie Vandenbergh
Vodafone's "Connect" software works fine in 10.6. If anyone's using
the old release, the new one (v3) lets you send/recieve SMSes and can
tell you how much data you've used too. Finally.
Cheers - Jaimie
--
Never sleep with anyone crazier than you are.
Steve H on the road
"Duncan Kennedy" <nos...@nospam.otterson-bg.couk> wrote in message
news:r7+A1qDG...@btinternet.com...
I can confirm that the Huawei (?) based 'dongles' will work with
Snow-Leopard.
Mostly the problems are caused by custom desktop software provided by the
networks - if you use the generic drivers from Huawei and avoid the custom
software, then they'll work fine.
Alternatively, I've been using my unlocked 3G iPhone in 'tethered' mode this
past couple of weeks, as it gives me a choice between T-Mobile / Voda and 02
without carrying several dongles.
As a third alternative, you can get an unlocked dongle from ebuyer for about
70 quid at the moment, which may give you the kind of flexibility you want.
--
Steve H
From the Grand Hotel, Torquay....
Bruce Horrocks
> may add Orange. Any experience, please, of installing software for
> these providers with, presumably OSX10.6? (I'm thinking of
> compatibility - not reception as I already have experience of those
> problems with Windows and Linux.)
MacBookPro running 10.6.1 (at the time) and Nokia phone. Paired the
phone using Bluetooth from System Preferences, was presented with an
option to use the phone as a modem and it all 'just worked'. No extra
software required.
I used these settings:
> Phone number: *99#
> APN: general.t-mobile.uk
> Username: user
> Password: wap
(I think... the password may have been 'pass')
Once setup, if the phone is on, and Bluetooth is on, then the phone and
Mac automatically pair up and network requests go via the phone.
Regards,
--
Bruce Horrocks
Surrey
England
(bruce at scorecrow dot com)
Hugo Rogers
On 18/11/2009 01:33, in article 7mh17bF...@mid.individual.net, "Bruce
Horrocks" <07....@scorecrow.com> wrote:
With regards to the option dongles in snow leopard, these are currently un
supported that's the black ones from Vodafone, Vodafone are making a new
software that is compatible with snow leopard for these option made dongles.
So these will NOT work with snow leopard, believe I have tried it.
Phone tethering is a good idea but expensive if you don't have any data add
ons.
Duncan Kennedy
<huge...@btinternet.com> writes
Thanks everyone - all the responses have been most useful.
Just to take up a few points, my T-Mobile PAYG phone specifically
excludes tethering in the agreement but I have 2 dongles which look
like at least one will work. (The tethering details look very like the
ones I use with Linux for the dongles)
>
>Phone tethering is a good idea but expensive if you don't have any data add
>ons.
My Vodafone dongle is a white one (160?).
It looks like there may already be access via T-Mobile and possibly
Vodafone (white) although new software on the way.
No news of Orange but I don't have an Orange dongle at the moment.
T-Mobile at �2 for 24 hours and Vodafone at �15 for 1GB with no time
limit are my preferences with Windows and will remain the same for Mac -
but there is one area which I visit regularly with no WiFi access where
Orange might just have the upper hand. We shall see.
It looks like I have run out of excuses to postpone buying a MacBook Pro
and finishing my move from Windows for work. Thanks again to everyone.
Jaimie Vandenbergh
<nos...@nospam.otterson-bg.couk> wrote:
>Just to take up a few points, my T-Mobile PAYG phone specifically
>excludes tethering in the agreement
Shouldn't worry too much about that, it's not like they can tell the
difference between phone-based web browsing and computer-based routed
by the phone. If the facility is there, use it.
Cheers - Jaimie
--
"Some people think that noise abatement should be a higher priority
for ATC. I say safety is noise abatement. You have no idea how much
noise it makes to have a 737 fall out of the sky after an accident."
-- anonymous air traffic controller
Duncan Kennedy
Vandenbergh <jai...@sometimes.sessile.org> writes
>On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:12 +0000, Duncan Kennedy
><nos...@nospam.otterson-bg.couk> wrote:
>
>>Just to take up a few points, my T-Mobile PAYG phone specifically
>>excludes tethering in the agreement
>
>Shouldn't worry too much about that, it's not like they can tell the
>difference between phone-based web browsing and computer-based routed
>by the phone. If the facility is there, use it.
>
these days - I *did look at that at first but there was no real
advantage as the PAYG phone card had quite a sever limit on bandwidth.
Duncan Kennedy
Colin Harper <colin...@x.com.invalid> writes
>I know it doesn't meet 100% of your requirement (wrong network) but I decided
>to cut out the whole dongle thing and got a MyFi from 3.
>
>It's a portable WiFi hotspot with 3G data access. I can use it with my
>laptop, iPod touch, PSP, and even use it to network a couple of laptops
>together if I need to.
>
>It's all very, very easy. And all you need is a WiFi adapter in whatever it
>is you want to get online with. I just think it's a brilliant idea. Only 50
>quid too, which I think is what I paid for a Huwaie (sp?) dongle a year or so
>back, and this is much more flexible.
>
>Also, in cases of marginal signal, you can perch it up high on a bookcase or
>something, even on another floor, and still use it, because it's all
>wireless.
>
An interesting idea. I've seen something that seems to describe itself
as a mobile router but never looked closely. Must have a closer look.
On the other hand my laptops and netbooks have WiFi access and the
dongles are small and work on an extension cable so I'm not too sure if
the other would be a benefit *at this stage. I have landline broadband
access in my home/office. But if I were to add an iPod or the like there
might well be a case, thanks.
Bruce Horrocks
The main advantage of using the phone for tethering is that the phone
usually has better reception plus you can stand it on the window ledge
or on top of the wardrobe to get better reception if required.
If you live reasonably close to a mast then the 3G dongle will be easiest.
Duncan Kennedy
<07....@scorecrow.com> writes
>Duncan Kennedy wrote:
>> I have 2 T-Mobile dongles with their own cards so I don't really need
>>to these days - I *did look at that at first but there was no real
>>advantage as the PAYG phone card had quite a sever limit on bandwidth.
>
>The main advantage of using the phone for tethering is that the phone
>usually has better reception plus you can stand it on the window ledge
>or on top of the wardrobe to get better reception if required.
>
>If you live reasonably close to a mast then the 3G dongle will be easiest.
>
hotel rooms. It is less restricted than the PAYG card for the phone I
have from T-Mobile and will work on a long cable if needs be. If I were
using a mobile connection at home things might be very different - in
fact it was for a week during landline ISP change a while back and I can
see where the mobile router would have been very useful.
I have one location in a 200 year old stone building in a marginal area
where a phone might get me something above GPRS speed more easily -
without having to stick the dongle out the window!
Flavio Matani
> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:27:18 +0000, Duncan Kennedy wrote
> (in article <r7+A1qDG...@btinternet.com>):
> I know it doesn't meet 100% of your requirement (wrong network) but I decided
> to cut out the whole dongle thing and got a MyFi from 3.
>
> It's a portable WiFi hotspot with 3G data access. I can use it with my
> laptop, iPod touch, PSP, and even use it to network a couple of laptops
> together if I need to.
>
> It's all very, very easy. And all you need is a WiFi adapter in whatever it
> is you want to get online with. I just think it's a brilliant idea. Only 50
> quid too, which I think is what I paid for a Huwaie (sp?) dongle a year or so
> back, and this is much more flexible.
>
> Also, in cases of marginal signal, you can perch it up high on a bookcase or
> something, even on another floor, and still use it, because it's all
> wireless.
I have a MiFi now, replacing a t-mob dongle and it is very useful in a
few ways beyond a dongle (as it is can be used as a wi-fi router that
you carry in your pocket, as you describe) but the potential problem
with 3 is their coverage so it is advisable to check whether you get it
in the area in which you would be using it . I get ok reception at home
(but don't need it as I have broadband at home) but a couple of blocks
up the road it will just not get any signal. This is in North London.
Another (different) point about the mi-fi: whilst it is very useful in
ways a dongle couldn't be and an excellent idea overall, I find the
interface (having to press for several seconds each of those tiny fiddly
buttons, wait for the lights to come up the right way, etc) horrible and
annoying.
--
flavio matani
guitar tuition
http://www.flaviomatani.co.uk
http://fflavio.com
SteveH
> > Also, in cases of marginal signal, you can perch it up high on a bookcase or
> > something, even on another floor, and still use it, because it's all
> > wireless.
>
> I have a MiFi now, replacing a t-mob dongle and it is very useful in a
> few ways beyond a dongle (as it is can be used as a wi-fi router that
> you carry in your pocket, as you describe) but the potential problem
> with 3 is their coverage so it is advisable to check whether you get it
> in the area in which you would be using it . I get ok reception at home
> (but don't need it as I have broadband at home) but a couple of blocks
> up the road it will just not get any signal. This is in North London.
>
> Another (different) point about the mi-fi: whilst it is very useful in
> ways a dongle couldn't be and an excellent idea overall, I find the
> interface (having to press for several seconds each of those tiny fiddly
> buttons, wait for the lights to come up the right way, etc) horrible and
> annoying.
Are they SIM locked? - I wouldn't mind one of those, but it would be
more useful if you could whack any old SIM in it.
--
SteveH
Justin C
> Duncan Kennedy wrote:
>> In message <vtndg5puc88r0jvap...@4ax.com>, Jaimie
>> Vandenbergh <jai...@sometimes.sessile.org> writes
>>> On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:12 +0000, Duncan Kennedy
>>> <nos...@nospam.otterson-bg.couk> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Just to take up a few points, my T-Mobile PAYG phone specifically
>>>> excludes tethering in the agreement
>>>
>>> Shouldn't worry too much about that, it's not like they can tell the
>>> difference between phone-based web browsing and computer-based routed
>>> by the phone. If the facility is there, use it.
>>>
>> I have 2 T-Mobile dongles with their own cards so I don't really need to
>> these days - I *did look at that at first but there was no real
>> advantage as the PAYG phone card had quite a sever limit on bandwidth.
>
> The main advantage of using the phone for tethering is that the phone
> usually has better reception plus you can stand it on the window ledge
> or on top of the wardrobe to get better reception if required.
Can I get this straight:
Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
Justin.
--
Justin C, by the sea.
SteveH
> Can I get this straight:
>
> Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
> paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
> phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
Yes, that's right.
It's how I used to do it before the dongles became cheap.
--
SteveH
Woody
Jaimie Vandenbergh
<justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
>Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
>paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
>phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
you can use it as such.
Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
bluetooth. What phone?
Cheers - Jaimie
--
Thank you for your input. Now, if you have something substantive to
bring to the discussion, kindly do. Otherwise, isn't there an
eternal flamefest that would peter out if you won't keep feeding it?
-- Cosmin Corbea, r.a.b
Flavio Matani
Apparently they are. I'm on my second one as the first one was a dud and
when I was trying to troubleshoot that one I tried the sim from my old
t-mob dongle and it didn't want to know.
Flavio Matani
SteveH
> > Are they SIM locked? - I wouldn't mind one of those, but it would be
> > more useful if you could whack any old SIM in it.
>
> Apparently they are. I'm on my second one as the first one was a dud and
> when I was trying to troubleshoot that one I tried the sim from my old
> t-mob dongle and it didn't want to know.
Shame, that.
Might have a dig around to see if I can get one that isn't network
locked.
eBuyer have unlocked dongles for about 60 quid at the moment, so that's
the fall-back option - although I've had a lot of success using
tethering on the iPhone recently - with it being unlocked I can take my
pick from the selection of SIM cards I carry around with me.
--
SteveH
Duncan Kennedy
Flavio Matani <flavio_matani...@mac.com> writes
>Woody <use...@alienrat.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> SteveH <itali...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Justin C <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Can I get this straight:
>> > >
>> > > Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
>> > > paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
>> > > phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
>> >
>> > Yes, that's right.
>> >
>> > It's how I used to do it before the dongles became cheap.
>>
>> Same here
>
>Thirded. For years and years now, actually.
>
you have data access from your supplier - O2, 'way back, used to
require you to register at no extra charge).
I used to connect by either cable or Bluetooth and, in the early days
with an old phone and before 3G and PCRS, I used to get 9.6k
connections. Now, with phone or dongle, it is 1.8 meg with T-Mobile or
Vodafone but, in bad areas or bad buildings it drops to PCRS and 53k.
Justin C
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:52 +0000, Justin C
> <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
>
>>Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
>>paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
>>phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
>
> Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
> or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
> you can use it as such.
>
> Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
> bluetooth. What phone?
Nokia 6021.
Jon B
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:52 +0000, Justin C
> <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
>
> >Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
> >paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
> >phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
>
> Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
> or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
> you can use it as such.
>
> Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
> bluetooth. What phone?
>
The fact that nearly every time I wanted to use the N95 over BT, or
cable, I had to spend 10minutes setting it all back up again, I bought a
PAYG dongle.
--
Jon B
Above email address IS valid.
<http://www.bramley-computers.co.uk/> Apple Laptop Repairs.
Jaimie Vandenbergh
wrote:
>Jaimie Vandenbergh <jai...@sometimes.sessile.org> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:52 +0000, Justin C
>> <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
>> >paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
>> >phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
>>
>> Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
>> or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
>> you can use it as such.
>>
>> Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
>> bluetooth. What phone?
>>
>The fact that nearly every time I wanted to use the N95 over BT, or
>cable, I had to spend 10minutes setting it all back up again, I bought a
>PAYG dongle.
I never had trouble with my E90 or N95 after getting the initial modem
scripts for the OSX side set up, but a Samsung Tocco would alternate
between only connecting via bt or only by USB, which was infuriating.
Cheers - Jaimie
--
"It's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize
that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder
on a government contract." � � � � � � � -- Alan Shepard
Clive Sinclair
I use Vodafone PAYG dongle on latest Snow Leopard - works OK. What I did
before plugging the dongle in - was donwload the latest Vodafone Connect
software and install it. That way the out of date built-in software on
the dongle will not load.
Also no 30 day expiry of credit, but it does run out after 180 days.
--
Clive
We don't die, we just stop paying taxes.
Woody
> Jaimie Vandenbergh <jai...@sometimes.sessile.org> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:52 +0000, Justin C
> > <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
> >
> > >Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
> > >paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
> > >phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
> >
> > Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
> > or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
> > you can use it as such.
> >
> > Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
> > bluetooth. What phone?
> >
> The fact that nearly every time I wanted to use the N95 over BT, or
> cable, I had to spend 10minutes setting it all back up again, I bought a
> PAYG dongle.
My n73 used to be a bit of a pain like that. It would work quite well
for a month or so and then completely appear to forget how to work
--
Woody
Jon B
> On Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:02:48 +0000, black...@jonbradbury.com (Jon B)
> wrote:
>
> >Jaimie Vandenbergh <jai...@sometimes.sessile.org> wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:52 +0000, Justin C
> >> <justi...@purestblue.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Are you (others?) saying that, with a web-capable bluetooth mobile,
> >> >paired to my MBP, I can surf the web with my MBP through the mobile
> >> >phone? This would be very, very useful indeed.
> >>
> >> Probably, yes. If your phone offers itself over bluetooth as a modem,
> >> or will act as a wifi hotspot gatewaying to the mobile data service,
> >> you can use it as such.
> >>
> >> Sometimes you need to faff a bit getting it working, particularly over
> >> bluetooth. What phone?
> >>
> >The fact that nearly every time I wanted to use the N95 over BT, or
> >cable, I had to spend 10minutes setting it all back up again, I bought a
> >PAYG dongle.
>
> I never had trouble with my E90 or N95 after getting the initial modem
> scripts for the OSX side set up, but a Samsung Tocco would alternate
> between only connecting via bt or only by USB, which was infuriating.
>
To be honest, generally I've not had much issues with other phones over
BT etc at work. But my N95 was forever changing, yet for iSync it
behaved as the same phone all the time.
Duncan Kennedy
Sinclair <cl...@cs.com> writes
MacBook Pro yet - probably next week so all the advice here has been
very useful.
I've been using Vodafone dongle - it seems for longer than 180 days - on
the original 15 quid (not heavy use). Perhaps I'll get a surprise this
weekend! (The guy in the shop said it would expire aver 180 days of
non-use - I *think - but we shall see.)
One thing I did notice when trying both Vodafone and T-Mobile dongles on
a Win PC in a stone built old cottage in a very marginal phone area
(GPRS only) is that the Vodafone dongle interferes quite strongly with
the marginal Freeview TV reception - much more than the T-Mobile one
does.
Justin C
>
> I use Vodafone PAYG dongle on latest Snow Leopard - works OK. What I did
> before plugging the dongle in - was donwload the latest Vodafone Connect
> software and install it. That way the out of date built-in software on
> the dongle will not load.
What sort of connection do you get? Could you use it for a VPN?