EVDO tether from my phone to computer???

redorgreen · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

Hello. Excuse me in advance, I am quite the novice when it comes to cell phone technology. I am in an area that does not have DSL (and doesn't look like it is in the works for anytime this year) and the dial-up speeds are HORRIBLE!!! (the 'fastest' I have gotten is 24.0 KBPS). I recently moved from an area where I was getting a bleak 56.0 KPBS, and that seemed like high speed compared to what I can get now.
My question is this... I have EVDO on my cell phone through Alltel (it is the LG 8600). Is there a way that I can hook up that phone to my desktop to use as the modem so I can have a little bit higher speeds than what I am getting now? What plan should I look at adding to my cell phone plan? (does the data plan for $19.99 include the services that I will need to link up and is it unlimited, or will I be hit for the minutes I am online through my phone?).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. The only other alternative for me is to go satelite, but I don't know about the "equipment" fees....

Thanks.
Oh, and I am in an area that has EVDO (my phone comes up with it and it was on the list). I have about 3-4 bars on my LG when it is in that mode.

Big Twin · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Hi. A lot of us were in the same boat as far as slow dial up speeds are concerned. You can hook up your EVDO phone using a tether cord to your desktop or you could use bluetooth if you have a dongle. (Bluetooth is slower). Alltel sells the data kit for $69 but you can get one much cheaper online (Amazon or Ebay). Your speed will depend on the signal you get, but when I was tethering I was getting download speeds as high as 1500 kbps and averaging about 1000 kbps. Since your phone is REV 0, the upload speeds are limited to a little over 100 kbps. If your signal is marginal, you may need to pick up an antenna from the 3Gstore. I don't know if the LG 8600 has an external antenna port but you should be alright with 3 or 4 bars. The Alltel data plan I had was $25 with no data limits and did not use minutes. It could be turned off and on anytime with no penalty. I'm not sure where you came up with the $19.99 plan but maybe it's new. You might want to try it on weekend or nights first to give it a trial run. I hope this helps. Smile

ansar · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:37 am Post subject:

I think the Alltel website lists the All Axxess web plan for 19.99. This plan is for using the phone only. If you are going to tether it to a computer, you should get the 25.00 plan.

redorgreen · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

Where do I find info on Alltel's website regarding the $25.00 plan for the EVDO?
Thanks.

Big Twin · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:27 am Post subject:

Big Twin · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

The Alltel $25 data plan is called "WLS Internet - Phone as Modem". Smile

redorgreen · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

I found a few data cables on amazon and ebay... are they like $4 or so? I'm worried that I go ahead and order it and it doesn't have everything I need. Has anyone bought a data cable to link up the EVDO from an LG AX8600 to their desktop? If so, what cable did you use, where did you find it and was all the drivers and such on the disk? I spotted the data cable on Alltel. com, but it was around $60 or so (ouch), but if it has everything I need, and the others don't, it might be worth it.

Thanks for all your help!

Capt Ron · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

redorgreen,

I have been using the $25 service for over a year and it isn't bad. I have a laptop and a razr with the kit that Alltel sells. The speeds vary a lot but it is still better than dial up. The download speed is always faster than a dial up but the up load speed can be just as slow at times.
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Ron