> -----Original Message----- > From: tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org > [mailto:tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org]On Behalf Of Andrew Zbikowski > Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10:49 AM > To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org > Subject: Re: [tclug-list] Smartphones > > > What you don't get with Sprint is the ability to use your phone as a > modem unless you pay extra every month to enable that feature, even > though there is no real difference between the standard Vision service > and Phone as Modem service, but if you're not looking to get your > laptop access to the net through your phone you shouldn't have an > issue. Not quite true. True that Sprint doesn't support it through phones. However, that same broadband modem data rate as the extra cost ($40/mo last I checked) is available, just not supported or discussed or "allowed" by Sprint. The 3G Vision service that gives web access has always had a loophole that permits modem use as if the modem is doing Vision web access and the minutes are not charged or recorded (ie, free 24/7) with the Vision option for the phone. Mine is a bit tricky to set up, but works fine. I got a card that has both voice and data through a PCMCIA slot but Sprint would only allow the voice at a minumum of $0.40/min even though I was already a long-term subscriber, and that made the extra $40/mo for what comes with a phone contract truly silly and quite annoying. This has been discussed here before. Several here have used this modem connection. Sprint threatens that they may back-charge someday as discouragement. I think Nate was the first to alert us to this 3G service maybe 6 years ago, but I think he switched carriers long ago. I had been using the old cheap 1G 14.4KB before that when traveling and before wifi hotspots were commonplace, so my changeover and upgrade was almost free. There may be better (faster, not cheaper) services today, but for my occasional data needs, good phone service when travelling, and because I get a corporate discount, Sprint suits me fine. Besides, my old Samsung I-330 3G smartphone only cost $15 on ebay, so every aspect of Sprint is very economical for me and "it ain't broke". Chuck