Today, I just connected my laptop to the internet with my mobile phone without Cingular LaptopConnect. All I have is the Cingular MEdia Net Package.

All I did was install my Sony Ericsson W810i phone which already has PC Synchronisation and USB Modem. I seriously did not know I could do this until today. The software has been installed on my computer for months without me knowing that I could actually use it.

Then, I connected my phone via USB. The computer said Sony Ericsson W810i connected and some PC Sync window showed.

Then, I checked on Control Panel -> Phone and Modem

Options and it shows that my phone is already installed as a modem.

Then I went to Control Panel -> Network Connections and I clicked Create a new connection. The wizard popped up.

Wizard:

Set-up connection manually, next.
Connect using dial-up modem, next.
Modem - Sony Ericsson W810 USB Data Modem (COM4), next.
Type in Cingular MEdia Net or whatever for name, next.
Type in *99# for phone number, next.
Type in WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM for Username, CINGULAR1 for Password, select whatever options, next.
Add shortcut or not, Finish.

I was surprised at how fast it actually was. I thought the EDGE network was slow but it actually took only two seconds to load my blog page whilst my regular internet (Time Warner 8Mbps) took less than a second. Even though it was slower than Time Warner, I tested my friend’s dialup connection side by side with my laptop with Cingular EDGE network and it was 5 times faster than dialup.

THERE YOU HAVE IT.

You CAN use your phone as a dialup modem only using your current media plan. I just called Cingular and apparently, they’ve had this for years.

It’s just that people prefer to use a LaptopConnect card.

Don’t worry though. You can still receive calls and text message whilst connected to the internet. The internet will just pause for a minute.

Unless you have 3G.

This is why I need that AT&T 8925 phone. It has HSUPA for christ’s sake.