Cellular Internet access w/Dell Studio 17 laptop

A friend of mine just ordered a Dell Studio 17 laptop with a feature
I never heard of before. It's some kind of cellular Internet access.
The list of options doesn't say which cellular provider it uses, and I
didn't see any specs like download data rates. Can anybody enlighten me
on what's involved with this? I'm guessing that it involves some kind
of cellular modem that somehow dials into the service and connects to
the 'net, but any further info about this would sure be appreciated. I
THINK I saw something flash on the screen about initiating a request to
T-mobile, but it disappeared in about a second before I had time to take
it in. Any insight into this feechur would sure be most welcome.

"Hula Baloo" <eepyeep@nospam.juno.com> kirjoitti
viestissä:FaWdnQwS-5AxUQjVnZ2dnUVZ_rmdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> A friend of mine just ordered a Dell Studio 17 laptop with a feature
> I never heard of before. It's some kind of cellular Internet access.
> The list of options doesn't say which cellular provider it uses, and I
> didn't see any specs like download data rates. Can anybody enlighten
> me on what's involved with this? I'm guessing that it involves some
> kind of cellular modem that somehow dials into the service and
> connects to the 'net, but any further info about this would sure be
> appreciated. I THINK I saw something flash on the screen about
> initiating a request to T-mobile, but it disappeared in about a second
> before I had time to take it in. Any insight into this feechur would
> sure be most welcome.

Some laptops have functionality of a data-capable mobile phone built in
them. The computer you told about is probably one of those. It means
that your friend can have a SIM card with suitable data plan from an
operator of his/her choice, insert it in the laptop, and access internet
wherever the operator or its roaming partners have coverage.

In Finland, "wireless broadband" is becoming more and more popular.
Practically it means that you get a SIM card with flat-rate data plan,
and depending on the plan (how much you pay per month), downlink speed
limit is set to 384, 512, 1024 or 2048 kbit/s -- uplink speed is slower.
Operators here market wireless broadband as a replacement for a DSL (or
ADSL as it's called here) or cable connection. Prices are about the same
as with landline connection -- I think lowest speeds are even cheaper in
wireless than landline, but when higher speeds are needed, landline is
cheaper.

Good thing in wireless broadband is that you can "take your internet
with you" while travelling. But there are downsides or limitationsin it
too. First, if you have more than one computer, you need to somehow
share the connection between them. Second, full speeds are available
only at areas of most dense population to justify expenses of upgrading
base stations: maximum speed that's available quickly decreases when
you're getting off the city and in worst case at areas equipped with
oldest-generation base station the speed can be as low as 40 kbit/s! Oh,
almost forgot, P2P usage (torrents and similar) is forbidden in wireless
broadband contracts, so the wireless can't be the only internet
connection for people who need P2P, so after all you might end up having
(and paying for) both, even the wireless was supposed to replace the
wired...

So this is how it's in Finland, but I suppose the technology is same in
U.S. too, and only pricing and terminology vary.

P.V.

P.V. wrote:
> "Hula Baloo" <eepyeep@nospam.juno.com> kirjoitti
> viestissä:FaWdnQwS-5AxUQjVnZ2dnUVZ_rmdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> A friend of mine just ordered a Dell Studio 17 laptop with a feature
>> I never heard of before. It's some kind of cellular Internet access.
>> The list of options doesn't say which cellular provider it uses, and I
>> didn't see any specs like download data rates. Can anybody enlighten
>> me on what's involved with this? I'm guessing that it involves some
>> kind of cellular modem that somehow dials into the service and
>> connects to the 'net, but any further info about this would sure be
>> appreciated. I THINK I saw something flash on the screen about
>> initiating a request to T-mobile, but it disappeared in about a second
>> before I had time to take it in. Any insight into this feechur would
>> sure be most welcome.
>
> Some laptops have functionality of a data-capable mobile phone built in
> them. The computer you told about is probably one of those. It means
> that your friend can have a SIM card with suitable data plan from an
> operator of his/her choice, insert it in the laptop, and access internet
> wherever the operator or its roaming partners have coverage.
>
> In Finland, "wireless broadband" is becoming more and more popular.
> Practically it means that you get a SIM card with flat-rate data plan,
> and depending on the plan (how much you pay per month), downlink speed
> limit is set to 384, 512, 1024 or 2048 kbit/s -- uplink speed is slower.
> Operators here market wireless broadband as a replacement for a DSL (or
> ADSL as it's called here) or cable connection. Prices are about the same
> as with landline connection -- I think lowest speeds are even cheaper in
> wireless than landline, but when higher speeds are needed, landline is
> cheaper.
>
> Good thing in wireless broadband is that you can "take your internet
> with you" while travelling. But there are downsides or limitationsin it
> too. First, if you have more than one computer, you need to somehow
> share the connection between them. Second, full speeds are available
> only at areas of most dense population to justify expenses of upgrading
> base stations: maximum speed that's available quickly decreases when
> you're getting off the city and in worst case at areas equipped with
> oldest-generation base station the speed can be as low as 40 kbit/s! Oh,
> almost forgot, P2P usage (torrents and similar) is forbidden in wireless
> broadband contracts, so the wireless can't be the only internet
> connection for people who need P2P, so after all you might end up having
> (and paying for) both, even the wireless was supposed to replace the
> wired...
>
> So this is how it's in Finland, but I suppose the technology is same in
> U.S. too, and only pricing and terminology vary.
>
> P.V.
>
>

No, technology is NOT the same in the US: every wireless connection is
pre-configured to a specific wireless provider. The US has no sim
cards; we are locked in from the start to our choice of wireless
provider. (ATT might have sim cards, but these and the phone firmware
are locked in to ATT service in Europe.)

The OP should call Dell and ask for the specifics of the wireless
provider, the contractual terms, the costs, etc. The OP will likely be
surprised at the cost of adding web and email access, not to mention
text messaging, to the basic cell phone plan that accompanied the laptop.

Q

On Aug 3, 11:20*pm, Hula Baloo <eepy...@nospam.juno.com> wrote:
> * *A friend of mine just ordered a Dell Studio 17 laptop with a feature
> I never heard of before. *It's some kind of cellular Internet access.
> The list of options doesn't say which cellular provider it uses, and I
> didn't see any specs like download data rates. *Can anybody enlighten me
> on what's involved with this? *I'm guessing that it involves some kind
> of cellular modem that somehow dials into the service and connects to
> the 'net, but any further info about this would sure be appreciated. *I
> THINK I saw something flash on the screen about initiating a request to
> T-mobile, but it disappeared in about a second before I had time to take
> * it in. *Any insight into this feechur would sure be most welcome.

When I was travelling in Asia, there are facilities that you can
connect your laptop to the local prepaid cell fone(using it as modem)
by means of blue tooth, or much better USB cable connection to your
3G compatible cellfone

The Speed can reach up to 512 kbps at HSDPA, 380 at 3G and less than
50kpbs for GPRS and EDGE.It doesn't really matter whether you are in
the city or in the country as long as there is a signal in your cell
phone you can surf the internet anywhere by using it as a modem ,but
indeed speed varies depending on the strenght of the signal.
Roy

"Quaoar" <quaoar@marcabfleet.net> kirjoitti
viestissä:B4KdnZoh__8oGAvVnZ2dnUVZ_tKdnZ2d@comcast .com...
> No, technology is NOT the same in the US: every wireless connection is
> pre-configured to a specific wireless provider. The US has no sim
> cards; we are locked in from the start to our choice of wireless
> provider. (ATT might have sim cards, but these and the phone firmware
> are locked in to ATT service in Europe.)

You're probably thinking some other wireless standard in use in US, that
don't use SIM cards.

Unless I've understood something terribly wrong, GSM is one of the
wireless standards used in the US. You probably have heard of Apple
iPhone: it's a GSM phone and only GSM phone; it can't connect any other
kind of network (OK, new version can connect to 3G, but it's not an
independent standard like CDMA or iDEN or whatever you probably were
thinking). If it's been advertised over there (which I strongly believe)
then GSM is in use in US too. I've never heard of a possibility to use a
GSM phone without a valid SIM except for emergency calls.

Also on Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_Identity_Module I get the
impression that SIM actually is used in GSM in US, just the phones are
locked to only accept SIM from the service provider that's actually
paying the phone the customer seemingly is getting for low or no price.
Well, the same applies everywhere where phones are subsidised. I don't
know if GSM operators (or service providers as you call them) in US
offer lower prices for customers who have their own (unlocked) cellphone
(or module in laptop) bought from elsewhere, but I don't see why a SIM
with a plan containing data transfer (e.g. from iPhone) wouldn't work on
any (unlocked) device, even if it's just a module in a laptop.

I have to admit there's a good chance the laptop in OP's question might
not be using GSM, as other standards are in use in US as well. But no
matter how the hardware is paid (one-time purchase or monthly fees) and
which standard it's using, I believe the laptop still offers access to
internet using one of the same networks cellphones are using.

P.V.

P.V. wrote:
> "Quaoar" <quaoar@marcabfleet.net> kirjoitti
> viestissä:B4KdnZoh__8oGAvVnZ2dnUVZ_tKdnZ2d@comcast .com...
>> No, technology is NOT the same in the US: every wireless connection is
>> pre-configured to a specific wireless provider. The US has no sim
>> cards; we are locked in from the start to our choice of wireless
>> provider. (ATT might have sim cards, but these and the phone firmware
>> are locked in to ATT service in Europe.)
>
> You're probably thinking some other wireless standard in use in US, that
> don't use SIM cards.
>
> Unless I've understood something terribly wrong, GSM is one of the
> wireless standards used in the US. You probably have heard of Apple
> iPhone: it's a GSM phone and only GSM phone; it can't connect any other
> kind of network (OK, new version can connect to 3G, but it's not an
> independent standard like CDMA or iDEN or whatever you probably were
> thinking). If it's been advertised over there (which I strongly believe)
> then GSM is in use in US too. I've never heard of a possibility to use a
> GSM phone without a valid SIM except for emergency calls.
>
> Also on Wikipedia article
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscriber_Identity_Module I get the
> impression that SIM actually is used in GSM in US, just the phones are
> locked to only accept SIM from the service provider that's actually
> paying the phone the customer seemingly is getting for low or no price.
> Well, the same applies everywhere where phones are subsidised. I don't
> know if GSM operators (or service providers as you call them) in US
> offer lower prices for customers who have their own (unlocked) cellphone
> (or module in laptop) bought from elsewhere, but I don't see why a SIM
> with a plan containing data transfer (e.g. from iPhone) wouldn't work on
> any (unlocked) device, even if it's just a module in a laptop.
>
> I have to admit there's a good chance the laptop in OP's question might
> not be using GSM, as other standards are in use in US as well. But no
> matter how the hardware is paid (one-time purchase or monthly fees) and
> which standard it's using, I believe the laptop still offers access to
> internet using one of the same networks cellphones are using.
>
> P.V.
>
>

I think you have misunderstood terribly wrong. The notebook is offering
nothing: the "card" is a cell system access card, much like a wireless
network card, with fixed access to a single US cell provider. AFIK,
there are no sim cards in US cell phones, not even the iPhone; it is
dedicated in firmware to ATT. If you can bring your Euro GSM phone and
swap a sim card for access to ATT (or any other provider) in the US, I
would like to see it done.

> I think you have misunderstood terribly wrong. The notebook is
> offering nothing: the "card" is a cell system access card, much like a
> wireless network card, with fixed access to a single US cell provider.

OK, I just thought based on the original message that it would be
integrated in the laptop, in a way like this:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06...d_to_vodafone/
(The HSDPA used in the article practically means 3G with enhanced speed,
i.e. over 384 kbit/s)

> AFIK, there are no sim cards in US cell phones, not even the iPhone

I've been informed otherwise: e.g. on page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone the iPhone is presented and it has
SIM slot. Only difference mentioned between US and Euro versions is the
USB power adapter (mini USB vs. standard USB).

> it is dedicated in firmware to ATT.

Sounds like SIM lock to me: in phone's firmware has been specified which
provider's SIM cards to accept, or even which individual SIM card to
accept, depending on provider's choice. So that's what happens here when
phone is purchased for very low price, but with 12-36-month contract.
But if the phone is paid in full instead of taking a long-term contract,
it is sold unlocked and can be used with any operator's SIM card.

> If you can bring your Euro GSM phone and swap a sim card for access to
> ATT (or any other provider) in the US, I would like to see it done.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, as long as the Euro GSM phone is
unlocked and supports also American frequencies (850 and 1900 MHz as
opposed to 900 and 1800 used in Europe).

But traditionally that has been done in the other way around: a few
years ago phones that supported both European and American frequencies
were very rare, and so European tourists who wanted to be reachable
while travelling, took just their SIM cards. In US they bought unlocked
GSM phones supporting local frequencies (probably cheapest models were
preferred, as they would be useless back in Europe), and inserted their
European SIM cards.

Nowadays many phones (especially higher-end models) support all
frequencies, and so tourists can after flight just switch on their own
phone containing their own SIM card and use it like at home (though more
expensive calls, of course). And there's no need to modify the phone's
firmware in any way to make it work in US networks -- it's enough that
the operator that gave the SIM card, has roaming agreement with one or
more operators in the destination. (Especially because of what I said in
the previous sentence it's hard for me to believe in not having SIM
cards in American GSM phones but some mysterious dedicated firmware)

P.V.

Quaoar wrote:


> ...AF(A)IK,
> there are no sim cards in US cell phones, not even the iPhone; it is
> dedicated in firmware to AT(&)T.


I can't speak directly for the iPhone because I don't own one, but my
AT&T branded Nokia 6102i certainly *does* have a sim card in it.

Jonathan L. Parker wrote:
> Quaoar wrote:
>
>
>> ...AF(A)IK, there are no sim cards in US cell phones, not even the
>> iPhone; it is dedicated in firmware to AT(&)T.
>
>
> I can't speak directly for the iPhone because I don't own one, but my
> AT&T branded Nokia 6102i certainly *does* have a sim card in it.

Thanks for that: do you know if this is universal with all ATT cell
phones? Does the presence of the sim card mean that if you go to Europe
that you can buy a sim card for whatever system you might want to connect?

The iPhone has no user access, even to change the battery, so no sim
card replacement can be done (since it does not have one).

Q

Quaoar wrote:
> Jonathan L. Parker wrote:
>> Quaoar wrote:
>>
>>
>>> ...AF(A)IK, there are no sim cards in US cell phones, not even the
>>> iPhone; it is dedicated in firmware to AT(&)T.
>>
>>
>> I can't speak directly for the iPhone because I don't own one, but my
>> AT&T branded Nokia 6102i certainly *does* have a sim card in it.
>
> Thanks for that: do you know if this is universal with all AT(&)T cell
> phones? Does the presence of the sim card mean that if you go to Europe
> that you can buy a sim card for whatever system you might want to connect?

Again, I don't have any direct knowledge of anything I don't own or use,
but I'd hazard a guess that just about all modern phones, regardless of
carrier, use sims. Whether or not you can swap them out, I couldn't
tell you since I've never had any reason to do so on my phone.

> The iPhone has no user access, even to change the battery, so no sim
> card replacement can be done (since it does not have one).

I've heard differently with regard to the sim card, but only someone who
owns an iPhone can tell us for sure.