Phone as a modem using powervision?

[NickM]

(new customer)

I have the powervision data package and a new PPC 6700. When signing up, I was told on several occasions that the phone could easily be used as a modem if I purchased a powervision data package. After signing up, I called support for config help and was told that it would cost an additional 40/mo to access this modem feature. Since I already agreed to a 2 year contract and was not told this at the critical time, I called back and spoke to someone on the 6700 support line.

After extended discussion a tech walked me through configuring the phone as a bluetooth modem. I explained that I did not need or want to download multimedia content but need to work in Outlook on the laptop as well as sync office documents via a VPN. While we were done on the phone, the modem connection was established and Google appeared on my laptop. He warned me that if I downloaded too much data, I would be flagged and lose this access.

Is this correct? Reading other posts, I am seeing that the phone will be easily seen working as a modem and I will receive an exhorbitant bill. Please advise.

Nick

[PhillyGuy]

If you use your phone as a modem, you need to have a PAM plan, which is $40 a month. There are people who have been using the feature without the plan, but don't be surprised if they started charging you $20/mb of data transfer (it is clearly stated in the terms of service).

[NickM]

Does the $40 include data transfer or will I need to buy a data pack in addition?

Will the PAM plan allow my current bluetooth connection method?

[PhillyGuy]

Yes and yes. The $40 plan includes unlimited data usage.

[NickM]

You meant no and yes? The $40 plan having unlimited data conflicts needing to buy a data pack in addition. Thanks for the help.

[chgobob33]

You meant no and yes? The $40 plan having unlimited data conflicts needing to buy a data pack in addition. Thanks for the help.

I think you may have your terminalogy goofed up the PAM plan is a phone as modem plan, what you call a Powervision data pack I believe is just a regular Powervision that lets you surf the web from your phone $15? or with more channels ($20 or $25)?

If you want to do web stuff from both the phone and computer you need both. If you only want to use the computer not sure if PAM requires Powervision.

[PhillyGuy]

The $40 PAM plan includes unlimited data transfer. You need this plan if you want to use your phone as a modem. Powervision only allow you to access the web through your phone, not your computer.

[Nicegoogly]

The PAM uses EVDO just like powervision. You can surf the web on both the phone and the laptop becasue the web and the phone as a modem are data. The Sprint TV is where the extra cost comes in. If you only have the powervision packages, you get limited Sprint TV and unlimited web access on the phone for $15.00. For $25.00 you get a bunch of Sprint TV channels, but they are totally worthless.

[chgobob33]

The PAM uses EVDO just like powervision. You can surf the web on both the phone and the laptop becasue the web and the phone as a modem are data. The Sprint TV is where the extra cost comes in. If you only have the powervision packages, you get limited Sprint TV and unlimited web access on the phone for $15.00. For $25.00 you get a bunch of Sprint TV channels, but they are totally worthless.

I know they both use EVDO and the add on $25 stuff is crap, but if you do a PAM as modem plan for $40 , do you HAVE TO HAVE Powervision ($15) assuming you don't need any web stuff on the phone. ie have voice on phone, PAM for modem?

[Nicegoogly]

No, because in a way, the $40.00 plan gives you powervision on your phone (web surfing only, no Sprint TV). Web surfing in only data, just like the phone as a modem. Sprint TV requires channel access. Think of it as the $15.00 powervision pack, plus $25.00 to allow you to connect it to your computer. You will want the tether connection to take advantage of the EVDO. Bluetooth only is 192kps where tethered is over 600kps.

[tkrandall]

Is phone-as-modem data pricing for EVDO phones only? The brochure does not appear to say that it is, but Sprint has diabled #777 on many late model phones. Sprint states, about the PAM plan, "perfect for people who use their Sprint PCS phone as a modem." Note they did not say Power Vision phone. So, what gives? Is there another way to access Vision for phone as a modem without using #777?

[Nicegoogly]

There is a bunch of third party software out there that can let you do that. PDANet is how many of us would use the data on the Treo 600 and the Treo 650, without requiring the #777. However, that was for the old Vision service. Sprint Connection manager works with regular vision when you are not in an EVDO area (the areas change) so it is possible that Sprint Connect works with non-EVDO phones.

[Jonathanlc2005]

its not possible its true. i tried both 777 and connection manager and both work with regular vision. sometimes i hear the 9000 and 940 cant be tracked with usage but i might be wrong. i have the 3rd party plan and im gunna use pam in NJ for 3 days just to visit my online course on spring break. i dont know if ill get charged but does anyone know with the 50 dollars in free downloads, could we tack on the addittional 15 dollars from our free downloads (making it 40 dollars unlimited) to get PAM and powervision.

[dsk204]

For what it's worth, I just called Sprit and acted as a new customer. (I know you can call and get a different answer each time but I was looking for quickness in response and confidence in the answers.) I asked about the PAM if it was in addition to or instead of the power vision packs. Rep said in addition to them. I asked about the picture mail and it is included with the PAM and the 2 top power vision packs. (I use middle one $20 so I can have the picture messaging.) I aksed if the internet could be accessed for no addational charge if you had a PAM plan and no power vision pack and she said no. I asked if this was true with only the EVDO phones or the CDMA also. SHe said it was for all phones that can access the internet or be used as a modem. All of her answers were given with confidence and very polite. She did not have to look anything up of ask someone else for help.

I am taking this to mean that if you have been using your phone as a modem as I have, we will eventually have to pay one way or the other. I did not ask about light usage of the phone as a modem or other situations that have been discussed here at SprintUsers.

[jivey]

For what it's worth, I just called Sprit and acted as a new customer. (I know you can call and get a different answer each time but I was looking for quickness in response and confidence in the answers.) I asked about the PAM if it was in addition to or instead of the power vision packs. Rep said in addition to them. I asked about the picture mail and it is included with the PAM and the 2 top power vision packs. (I use middle one $20 so I can have the picture messaging.) I aksed if the internet could be accessed for no addational charge if you had a PAM plan and no power vision pack and she said no. I asked if this was true with only the EVDO phones or the CDMA also. SHe said it was for all phones that can access the internet or be used as a modem. All of her answers were given with confidence and very polite. She did not have to look anything up of ask someone else for help.

I am taking this to mean that if you have been using your phone as a modem as I have, we will eventually have to pay one way or the other. I did not ask about light usage of the phone as a modem or other situations that have been discussed here at SprintUsers.

I think you may have gotten some misinformation. You can either have a vision plan or a PAM, but not both. The PAM includes data useage on your phone and when you use it as a modem.

[mikesco]

Why they still do not have it listed on the consumer site I do not know,
but under the business site they have the info on the current PAM plans listed correctly, and the PAM Plan does include Handset data also. Here is the link.

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/pcsVisionPlan.jsp

Mike Smith

[chrisoaf]

Bluetooth only is 192kps where tethered is over 600kps.

That's not true. BT can go up to 721kps theoretically. Sometime the com speed is set up at 192kps but you can raise it.

[Nicegoogly]

Really? How fast have you actually gotten it. I have not used the bluetooth connection since it was not as fast since I compareed the two. Plus, it kills the battery twice as fast. The A900 only last for ten minutes anyway.

[rustyram02]

Pam includes unlimited data usage on phone and for your computer. It doesnt at all include any extras like picture mail or tv channels. EVERYTHING is charged seperately when you have PAM on your side.

Reup of PAM available:

All EVDO phones can be used to connect a computer to the internet. As of February 1, 2006, Sprint began blocking phone as modem services for any customer who has not purchased a Phone as Modem plan.

If the handset usage as a modem continues to occur, it may be blocked or unlimited Vision or Power Vision services may be removed from your account.

Phone as Modem (PAM) options:

39.99 unlimited data (requires 2yr)

39.99 40MB Data (requires 1 yr)

49.99 unlimted data (requires 1yr)

They can be used as an attachment to your current plan or as a stand alone plan.

If any of these are used as a data stand alone w/o voice plan then charges apply: .20 per minute voice including long distance, .30 additional roaming, .55 roaming and long distance additional, and .20 voice overage when combined with plan charges.

If using 39.99 unlimited data, voice plan is required on the account but not necessarily on the same phone number.

If using 39.99 40MB data, first month includes unlimited usage so long as you have a $40 or higher voice plan. Data overage is .001 per kb BUT plan AND data overage cap at 69.99!

PAM plans dont include txt, picture, MM messaging nor sprint tv. All seperately available. If you had those services already included in your PAM plan before 1.19.06 dont worry, nothing will change for you.

All affiliates are participating and cant be combined with SERO.

Hope this helps the confusion.

[Edwood]

(new customer)

I have the powervision data package and a new PPC 6700. When signing up, I was told on several occasions that the phone could easily be used as a modem if I purchased a powervision data package. After signing up, I called support for config help and was told that it would cost an additional 40/mo to access this modem feature. Since I already agreed to a 2 year contract and was not told this at the critical time, I called back and spoke to someone on the 6700 support line.

After extended discussion a tech walked me through configuring the phone as a bluetooth modem. I explained that I did not need or want to download multimedia content but need to work in Outlook on the laptop as well as sync office documents via a VPN. While we were done on the phone, the modem connection was established and Google appeared on my laptop. He warned me that if I downloaded too much data, I would be flagged and lose this access.

Is this correct? Reading other posts, I am seeing that the phone will be easily seen working as a modem and I will receive an exhorbitant bill. Please advise.

Nick


Read some more. You will find that the PPC-6700 is a different animal than the other newer Power Vision phones.

You do not need the additional PAM plan, unless you plan on using it 24/7. If you use it casually, you will most definitely be fine.

Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT install Sprint Connection Manager. If you already installed it, get rid of it.

You already got Bluetooth working, but here is also the steps for USB connection.

For USB:
1) From PPC-6700, Run Wmodem, set as USB and click the "start"
2) Plug in the USB, and make sure you have the drivers
-Drivers are included on the CD that came with your PPC-6700
3) In Windows, Under network settings, hit "add/create new connection"
A) You want a dial up connection to the internet
b) Use the phone modem (I think it shows as "ppc6700 USB modem" or something)
c) Use the number "#777" (*this is for sprint, refer to past post for verizon) and your user name and password for the log in.

Sometimes Windows recognizes the phone as some "generic prototype" something rather, but just go ahead with the installation, it usually finds it's way.

Hope that helps.

I found that using the 6700 as a modem is in no way going to replace my Cable Broadband internet, or even DSL. The Windows modem "port" limitations does not allow the max possible speed for EVDO, unless I need to be right next to a tower or something, but it certainly is a blessing to have when stuck at an airport with a 3 hour layover.

-Ed

[krid80]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone MM-7400/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0)

Really? How fast have you actually gotten it. I have not used the bluetooth connection since it was not as fast since I compareed the two. Plus, it kills the battery twice as fast. The A900 only last for ten minutes anyway.

Why not plug in a charger into your a900 then use bluetooth for dun. that would solve your battery problem as well as giving you limitless connection time.

What if you turn off the modem nai. That's what I did on a friend's a920 so he could use his phone with a laptop on a powervision plan.

[Tigrrre]

actually, ive found that after i conditioned the a900's battery i can easily get close to an entire day of tethering on it, or about 4 hours if it's downloading something the whole time it's tethered..

[barakban12]

i'm new to the forum, i dont know whats going on with the phone as a modem and power vision services i just switched to the samsung a900 and i have been confused for the past 3 weeks on how the hell to use the phone as a modem. i've been playing around with it on my laptop at home and i'm having slow progress everyday i make a step forward in getting some type of whatever thats how confused i am, someone please help. can i get some presice intructions how to setup the phone and computer for use as phone as a modem (and please dont refer me to the hand bok that comes w/the phone, im so done with that thing its not even funny). Also please let me know for sure if i just need the power vision service to use the phone as a modem or do i need the very elusive pam plan (which is not what i was told by the sprint rep. that i spoke to who told me all i would need to do was simply tether my phone to the computer using the provided usb cabel, which obviously wasnt so simple as she made it sound). i just want some hard details on subject, i find it very un-informative on sprints part to not let people know in detail what needs to be in order to use phones as modems, for example today was first tme that i have ever, i mean ever heard any pam plans since i have owned my phone. HELP!!!!!!ME!!!!!

[Nicegoogly]

Forget Sprint TV. Go with a phone as a modem plan.