Using a Cell Phone and Laptop to Get Online

Eric writes: I have a cell phone with Internet access and a USB cable that goes from my phone to my PC. Can I hook the phone to by notebook and get on the net using this kind of connection? My service is with Alltel.

Yes, Eric. You seem to have all the pieces of the puzzle to use your laptop to get online via your cell phone. Make sure you have Alltel's MobileLink software (which seems to be part of the Axcess package), though, or your computer won't know how to communicate through the phone line.

If you're not with Alltel (and you probably aren't), most carriers offer solutions like this for using your handset to get online. You'll need a special cable, software, and a data plan. Your provider will be able to tell you more, depending on the carrier and the model of your phone. (Note that this won't work with every handset, as many do not support external connections or data service.)

If you want a more integrated solution, check out the PC Card products, most of which are now designed to take advantage of the 3G networks popping up around the country. These cards just slide right into your notebook and eliminate the hassle of running a cable between your computer and your phone. You also needn't worry about your phone running out of battery charge while you're on the computer. I've had good luck with Novatel's Merlin cards, which are exceptionally sturdy and don't suffer from those flimsy, extendable antennas that many data cards have.