From Catherine Roseberry,
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology.
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Mobile workers will not always have Bluetooth enabled or Infrared ready cell phones or laptops. Nor will they always have access to Wi-Fi hot spots when they need Internet access. In these situations it is important for mobile workers to be prepared to use their cell phone as a modem and how they can use the laptop as a modem.

Cell Phone Requirements:

• Compatible with cell service provider.
• Is it web-enabled?
• This means can it handle both voice calls and transmit data. This is often referred to as dual mode. Newer cell phones are web-enabled and come with built-in modems. If you aren't sure about your cell phone, you can check the specificatons in it's User Guide. It should provide that information.
• If you have a cell phone which does not have a built-in modem, you will need to purchase a PC card modem for your laptop.
• The cell phone will need to have a data port.
• Autoswitching between digital and analog with data so that Internet connection is not broken as you roam different locations, while traveling on a train or passenger in an auto for example.

Cell Phone Provider Requirements:

• Offers digital voice service.
• Offers data service.
• Auto switching from digital to analog when digital is not available.
• Free nationwide long distance or free local access numbers nationwide.

Other Accessories Needed:

Data cable to connect laptop and cell phone.

Some cell phones have special connection kits which can be purchased from a variety of sources such as the service provider, retail outlets and electronics stores.

Data Service Plans:

Different cell phone service providers and some ISP's offer data connection plans. These plans may have separate data packages that do not require other service plans to be used or are included with your service plan. Service providers that include data service with your voice service may not have extra charges (other than long disance when applicable) and just count the connection time against your service plan minutes. You may have to have your service provider unlock or enable data services on your cell phone in order to use the cell phone as a modem.

Connection Speed:

Using your cell phone as a modem will not be as fast as using a Wi-Fi hot spot or other broadband connection method. The speed will also be affected by whether your connection is analog or digital at the time you are using the cell phone as a modem. If you only require the Internet connection to send and receive email and do light Internet surfing, then the connection speed will be adequate for your needs.

you plan to send or receive large email attachments or download files, then scheduling your travel plans to include having access to a hot spot may be wise. This way you will not spend unneccessary time or expense and will have access to your information at a faster rate.

Now that you know what you need when other Internet access options are available you can use your cell phone as a modem to stay connected.