| The other day, I got an email from someone who | | | | a quick call to your carrier or a quick visit to their web |
| asked: "Do I need a subscription or something to get | | | | site will tell you. |
| the Internet on my sciphone? What service or set up | | | | You can sometimes find prepaid data cards (some |
| do I need to get this up and running? Because my | | | | even include talk and texting too). They will usually run |
| Internet doesn't work." I'll answer this question in the | | | | you an average of about $25 and allow unlimited use |
| following article. | | | | for 30 days. The thing that I really like about these is |
| There Is No Subscription Required With The SciPhone: | | | | that there is no commitment. Some months, this makes |
| You don't need a contract or any kind of plan or | | | | a lot of sense for me. And, some months, it doesn't. |
| subscription to get online. But, you do need three things. | | | | So, I'll just get a card when I know that I'm going to |
| You need an activated GSM sim card that has been | | | | need it, and then will go for the $4.99 option for my |
| properly installed (make sure the phone is reading it | | | | light months. This way, I'm not having to pay for |
| and that the card is indicated at the welcome screen.) | | | | anything if I won't be using it. (Luckily, this phone is dual |
| You need some sort of data plan or service included | | | | sim, so you can have both of these running at one |
| on your card. And, you need to make sure that your | | | | time if you want.) |
| phone has the proper settings to point the Internet to | | | | Making Sure Your WAP, Data, And GPRS Settings |
| that card. | | | | Are Right: If all of the above criteria have been met, |
| Getting Data For The Phone: So, first things first. You | | | | but something is still wrong, make sure your settings |
| can use any GSM sim card with this phone. This | | | | are correct. If you go into your data settings for the |
| includes AT&T, T Mobile, Fido, Rogers and | | | | phone, you can see what data plan your phone is |
| Cingular - both prepaid, pay as you go, and the monthly | | | | pointing to. Many times, the seller of these phones will |
| contract variety. The card must be activated, and, if | | | | go ahead and set up the most popular options or will |
| you want to get online, the card must include data. No | | | | ask you what network you're going to use. If this |
| matter what you enter into the phone, you'll never get | | | | doesn't happen though, you'll have to take matters into |
| online without paying for it or procuring data. | | | | your own hands. (Make sure you hit "activate" if you |
| I've actually had people ask me "how do I know if I | | | | make any changes. Otherwise, the phone will revert |
| have data included?" Well, that would go back to your | | | | back to the last settings.) |
| carrier. For example, AT&T's GoPhone (prepaid) | | | | If you see your WAP pointing to say, China Mobile, go |
| has a few different options. You can pay via KB. Or, | | | | in and edit it to reflect the correct name and settings. |
| you can get a package that can save some money. | | | | You can get these from your carrier or from |
| Right now, they are running 1MB for $4.99 or 100 KB | | | | instructions easily available online. |
| for $19.99. If you don't sign up for the package (by | | | | You'll need to repeat this step also with your data, |
| dialing 611 on the phone) you'll be charged per KB, | | | | GPRS, Java, and MMS settings. The biggest mistake |
| which is really expensive, except for minimal use. So, | | | | that I see is that people forget the Java settings. They'll |
| remember to add the bundle because if you don't, you'll | | | | get the WAP browser working just fine and then |
| be charged per kilobyte by default. | | | | they'll install Opera Mini and suddenly they start getting |
| If you have a monthly plan or use pay as you go, you | | | | errors. This is because they didn't change the Java |
| probably already know your data options. If you don't, | | | | settings to reflect their carrier. |