Replace normal dialup?

**The Durango Kid** · 07-08-2004, 10:01 AM

I'm just wondering something. I see people getting 112k to 144k speeds with their cell phone internet connection. Can I replace my Netzero dialup at home with a BT + GSP cell phone? I imagine the latancy with a wireless phone has to be too big for gaming right?

The reason I ask is I'm in the middle of remodling my house and I am living with family till it's finished. I don't want to be to big of a burden on them so I don't use the internet till after 11pm since I use the only phone line they have. DSL and Cable aren't an option in the area and putting a new phone line in someone elses house is, well kind of rude. I don't have a cell phone so I was thinking I might be able to kill two birds with one stone by picking up a cell phone and use it for my internet access as well as a moble phone. I play games online (EverQuest mainly) so if lag is going to be a problem I think I'll stick it out till my house (DSL there) is finished in about 5 months.

EDIT:Also are they any plans that have all ports open? This would be needed since EverQuest uses a few 1000 ports for some reason..

**nl4jy** · 07-08-2004, 10:18 AM

Well to answer in short...you will have problem playing MMORPG.

I'm on verizon and I'll tell you one thing... Their 1xrtt is not a real 3G network. It's more of a 2.5G and although you will get faster than dialup speed... You're really getting it in burst shot instead of constant...This mean latency is a BIG problem.

I don't know about sprint...But I do love their data plan.

And I don't think GSM have a good 3G network yet.

If you live in the Washington DC area... I think Verizon is testing their EVDO network... Which is REAL 3G network... I think that would be fine for online games... But it's still not widespread yet...

If you're planning to just browse the web @ faster than dialup speed...Then the cellphone route is alright. But remember, Verizon uses your minutes and Sprint don't. That means with Verizon, you'll only get unlimited usage @ nites and weekends.

**dodgetimes2** · 07-08-2004, 11:06 AM

Plus to speed up page loads they compress all images, so that they look grainy. This is how it is on the Sprint 3G network anyways, not sure of the Verizon. Also, if you're on the net wirelessly through your cell phone you can't get incoming calls either.

**The Durango Kid** · 07-08-2004, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by dodgetimes2

Plus to speed up page loads they compress all images, so that they look grainy. This is how it is on the Sprint 3G network anyways, not sure of the Verizon. Also, if you're on the net wirelessly through your cell phone you can't get incoming calls either.

Well thats not really a big deal to me anyways. When I'm online I'd rather people leave me alone anyways.

I had a feeling wireless internet for my home PC wasn't really a good option. I just had to ask seeing how people are getting ISDN speeds..

Also I'm in the Poconos area in PA so the 3G isn't an option yet.

**nl4jy** · 07-08-2004, 11:46 AM

If you don't have real 3G or fake 3G wireless network in your area...DO NOT bother using your phone as an alternative broadband solution.

You will be surfing @ 14.4k dialup modem speed...not 144k.

With me using the fake 3G Verizon network, I was able to download a file @ ~ 16KB/s.
That is 4-5 times faster than a 56k modem.

**The Durango Kid** · 07-08-2004, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by nl4jy

If you don't have real 3G or fake 3G wireless network in your area...DO NOT bother using your phone as an alternative broadband solution.

You will be surfing @ 14.4k dialup modem speed...not 144k.

With me using the fake 3G Verizon network, I was able to download a file @ ~ 16KB/s.
That is 4-5 times faster than a 56k modem.

We have fake 3G here.. I was referring to EVDO (real 3G).. I'm just wondering if fake 3G will work for me but it sounds like my answer is no..