How to set up a mobile phone as an infrared (IrDA) modem?
Overview
Mobile phone can be used as a modem that will connect a computer
(laptop or desktop PC) to a mobile data network such as HSCSD, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 (1xRTT) and enhanced 3G (EV-DO or HSDPA). Using mobile
phone as a modem is the preferred mobile Internet solution for
many travelers since they don't need to buy another hardware,
i.e. a special card (PCMCIA PC Card, PCI Express Mini Card, CF card,
or SD card) or a USB modem dongle for accessing a cellular
data network. To use
mobile phone as a modem, a connection must first be established
between the phone and the computer. The physical connection is
commonly a USB cable, an infrared (IrDA) link or a Bluetooth
link.
Using IrDA as the connection link allows simple and fast setup
and removes cable clutter. But it requires the mobile phone's and
the
computer's IrDA windows (beamers) to be in line-of-sight (LOS)
and the range between both devices also must be less than a meter. So, when using IrDA for connecting your
computer to the Internet, you have to maintain the IrDA beam by
placing your computer and your mobile phone in a relatively
fixed position. Otherwise, a shift away from the 30-degree IrDA
beam cone will make you lose your Internet connection. That's
why using IrDA mobile phone modem is not practical when you are
on the move.
What should I prepare?
- Insert your IrDA dongle (adapter) to your computer USB port if it doesn't have an
integrated IrDA transceiver. Connect the dongle to other port (e.g. serial, PCMCIA) if you have a non-USB model. If you use it for the first
time, install the IrDA adapter driver when prompted
by the Found New Hardware Wizard or follow the instructions given by
the adapter's manufacturer and use your IrDA adapter's installation CD.
- From the documentation, check whether your IrDA-compatible phone can be used as
a modem.
- You must subscribe to a mobile (cellular) Internet access service and your
location is within the cellular data coverage. Your mobile
phone must be configured for mobile Internet according to your mobile
Internet service provider directions. Very often the default settings have been preset in certain
phone models, you only need to activate them. The following illustration is an example from Nokia
6600 with Symbian OS.
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