Carrier Specific Information:

• Verizon

Please see this document for information about the status of Verizon's included data feature.

Types of Data:

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) refers to data you can access directly from most any cellular handset. In all the cases I've seen, WAP is just text and not graphical in nature, but works well for sports scores, weather, or other simple text data. Cellular providers typically charge extra per month to access their WAP content, but it is possible to use a third party WAP gateway to avoid charges (for example see http://www.waptunnel.com/). Many/most phones and carriers support a WAP or WAP-like option. Note that content typically has to be specifically written for these devices, and the carrier only has limited content available so you cannot for example, enter any given URL into the phone and browse away. [I consider this option to be too limiting given the alternatives that are available and some that cost less] Works in most places where your phone has digital service, and tends to work fairly often even when roaming.

Circuit Switched Data: This type of data is typically used to tether your cell phone to your laptop with a serial cable. Some PDA (Personal Digital Assistant- think of a Palm or Windows CE device) phones can also utilize this type of connection to get to WAP-like content, and better than WAP-like content in the sense that real HTML browsers exist for the PDA phones. It's just 14.4K but good enough for basic email and light-duty browsing. Tends to works anywhere your provider has digital service, and select roaming locations.

High Speed Data: Current generation high-speed options give you near land-line modem speeds (which is anything but high speed if you ask me) and they cost so much that in many cases you could buy two plans for less money than adding data to your plan. Cingular, T-Mobile and other GSM carriers offer this service called GPRS. CDMA carriers like Sprint and Verizon offer this service called 1xRTT (which Sprint calls "Vision" and Verizon calls it "National Acces/Express Network").

Analog Data: Historical method to get data. Only a few phones and carriers support this method of connection. Advantage is being able to make data connection from most any location. 4800 to 9600 baud and fragile at best.

Carriers that Support Data:

Cingular GSM/GPRS: So called "high speed" data option via GPRS (about 30-40Kbits/sec). Cost is high. They support both WAP type content on the handset and tethering to a laptop.

Sprint: Some claim Sprint's data access speeds are slightly better than those available from the GSM/GPRS providers but the speed should be similar. $10-$15/month unlimited option for WAP-like content on the handset is a good deal for some. Note that the $15 unlimited data options excludes PDA phones and laptops. Cost for their high speed data for use with laptop is similar to the competition (high).

T-Mobile GSM/GPRS: They have an all-you-can-eat option for their high speed at $30/month (or $20 for voice users) which is currently the price point leader. I still don't consider $30 a month great, especially when you actually start using one of these "high speed" options. They're so slow, with high latency, and bursty, they really aren't even as good as any landline modem. Their coverage area in Oregon is good but doesn't include rural areas.

Verizon: Has a dedicated support group to deal with data setup and questions at 1800-308-3282. Verizon provides a server for doing outgoing email (SMTP) at mail.airbridge.net, and since that server requires authentication, they may give you a free email account complete with POP and Web access. They support the high speed options for similar cost to the competition.

What do I use and why? I'm currently with Verizon. I am currently able to use data for the cost of minutes (no additional monthly charge). This "Minutes of Use" billing for data may be going away, so I don't know if new customers can use it.

PDA phones are great for simple data access when passing time, but not for real work like reading and sending email. The small screens and the cumbersomeness of data input are the issue. Cellular data is definitely useful, but for best use, tether to your laptop where you can find a real email program, and a full size screen and keyboard. The Treo 650 looks like the best device currently available (In my opinion).

Data Access Tricks:

Use your normal modem built into your laptop and a local dialup access number if your motel has free outgoing local calls. A variant of this is to use a onesuite (or other) calling card to limit long distance charges.

Hint for one method I may describe in more detail later: It's possible to "bridge" your landline phone by making a 3-way call with yourself to get the better audio quality and comfort of your home phone, (and mute the cell phone). The call is carried by the network, and doesn't go through your cell phone so the quality of such a call is excellent. There's a variant of this method to bridge a 3-way call to your ISP which avoids charges from motel/hotel because the call to them is incoming, and they don't typically charge for incoming.