T616 modem and GPRS

[Daniel Y]

Any reason why I should lose the ability to connect thru T616's modem if I stopped the GPRS service on Cingular? I've been dialing Earthlink's local-wired number on the T616 thru my iPaq 2215 and connecting to the Internet. Thought I didn't need the GPRS anymore so I told Cingular to cancel that service. But now I cannot connect to Earthlink -- "no modem".

Thanks.

[Michael]

It is possible that they turned off all data services.

I believe that data calls, even those dialed normally, are detected by the network and in some networks incur an additional charge.

This might be what is happening here.

What happens if you dial the phone number for Earthlink directly from the phone, as if calling a normal person?

[Daniel Y]

Originally posted by Michael
What happens if you dial the phone number for Earthlink directly from the phone, as if calling a normal person?

I get the modem tones from the Earthlink end. I don't hear any reply from the T616. The no-modem error message I mentioned above is of course on my iPaq, when I try to connect thru the 2215.

Thanks, (glad someone's around on a Sunday).

[Daniel Y]

Originally posted by Michael
It is possible that they turned off all data services.

I believe that data calls, even those dialed normally, are detected by the network and in some networks incur an additional charge.

This might be what is happening here.


This may be exactly what's happening here because a curious thing happened a couple of times -- I arrive at the web-page that I wanted on my iPaq (maybe it was stored on the iPaq?), but THEN I get the "no modem" message.

So do they charge data rates when you're using it as a voice call, or do they charge by the minute? or both?

Thanks.

[Michael]

You would have to ask them.

I don't remember ever being charged a different rate, but I do remember having to turn on the data service on my account. But this was years ago, I've been using GPRS ever since it first came out here.

[Daniel Y]

Michael,

Thanks for your help. Problem solved. The answer to my question above: Cingular charges me minutes -- and I need GPRS for the "modem" and to stay connected. Something new learned.