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Recently I managed to get hold of a ‘new’ PDA (actually a second hand O2 Exec) which allowed me to use the internet while away from my PC. This led to changing my sim from a BT TOGO handset I was previously using (far too slow and the screen just wasn’t big enough to be useful) but it also meant I had to set up the internet again.
This involved a lot of trial and error and some interesting findings regarding to connecting to the internet while out and about, so I thought I’d present them here in the hope that someone else might find them useful.
The general details can be found on a few websites with a bit of googling and I’ve provided links to the ones I’ve found most helpful. If anyone finds any errors please let me know and I will amend, I’m still learning about this myself! Most of the detailed description is Pocket PC based as well, but feel free to add any detail if you have a Psion or other handset.
The Options
WAP
The WAP connection (Wireless Access Protocol) was the first true mobile internet connection. When it first started it was slow and only supported certain sites, being mostly on handsets with standard mobile phone screens. Now that GPRS and WAP are usually found together, the WAP experience has improved, but it still supports sites built for WAP far better than standard internet sites.
A good way of finding WAP sites is to use Google to search for the site or service. Google will display any sites specifically built for WAP alongside the standard site.
How to connect
The settings for the old style WAP will vary and your operator will have details. For WAP over GPRS, see GPRS.
GPRS
By far the most common choice for most modern PDAs and mobile internet is GPRS. While not the fastest system to browse the internet it vastly improves on the old WAP system and even makes WAP itself far faster.
GPRS accounts need a specific SIM card and account from your service provider or mobile operator. However, they tend to provide accounts with handsets so changing your SIM to another handset can involve some searching for account settings and a few headaches connecting.
How to connect
If you have a GPRS account then the setup is usually to go to your PDAs communication settings and select the GPRS or GPRS/3G option. For Pocket PCs this will be Start > Settings, then the 'Connections' tab, and 'Connections'.
Choose ‘My ISP’ and then select ‘Add a new modem connection’
The name can be whatever you want to call it.
The access point will often be similar to an internet address. The BT TOGO one is btmobile.bt.com, O2 is mobile.o2.co.uk and Vodafone is simply internet. This Page has more information on setting up GPRS and a list of access points.
The various G symbols will show you the connection status:
A Flashing 'G' – Means Trying to connect.
Solid 'G' - Connected established but not authenticated.
'G' with a box around it - Connected and authenticated (this is what you are aiming for!)
'G' with a line through it - Connection suspended
3G
The 3G (third generation) network is relatively modern (launched in March 2003). There are only a certain set of operators that run 3G services; 3 (who started the service), O2, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. The benefit of 3G is that it’s a lot faster and can even stream video which makes it excellent for video chat, if a little expensive.
How to connect
The connection will be specific to network and often to the type of handset you are using. Contact your operator for more details.
WLAN
Wireless LAN is becoming ever more popular in PDAs, it connects to any network in the same way as a computer would, using a wireless router or access point. This requires a network key unless the WLAN site is not protected. It’s the fastest way of connecting to the internet or downloading files on a handset or PDA.
WLAN is also the option you need if you have a Freeola ISP account and want to connect wirelessly from this at home.
How to connect
Access points will be displayed on your WLAN settings in the Communication settings. You should be able to click on these to set up your WEP or WPA settings and network key in order to connect.
Some service like ‘the cloud’ will allow you to connect without a key but will require a logon when you first use the internet while connected to them. Many pubs and some public areas now have The Cloud or another open access Wireless LAN which allow you to buy minutes.
McDonalds stores in the UK have The Cloud and allow free access.
Tools
Because these services are often based on data usage, it’s good to have tools to keep track of your usage and costs.
A good free tool for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile devices is TICK which will keep a list of costs and data usage.
However, I prefer SPB GPRS Monitor (now called SPB Wireless Monitor), which isn’t free but does come with some PDAs. It’s available direct from SPB Software alongside other useful Pocket PC tools.
SPB Wireless Monitor will monitor calls and GPRS accounts for connection time, data usage and even alert you when you get to a daily, weekly or monthly limit (which you can set yourself).
For connecting your PDA to WLAN, Hitchhiker certainly helps to keep all your settings in order and connects to any available WLAN site, allowing you to store multiple WEP keys and specifying certain types of connection to connect to.
Useful Links
Guide to GPRS
List of GPRS connection settings
This involved a lot of trial and error and some interesting findings regarding to connecting to the internet while out and about, so I thought I’d present them here in the hope that someone else might find them useful.
The general details can be found on a few websites with a bit of googling and I’ve provided links to the ones I’ve found most helpful. If anyone finds any errors please let me know and I will amend, I’m still learning about this myself! Most of the detailed description is Pocket PC based as well, but feel free to add any detail if you have a Psion or other handset.
The Options
WAP
The WAP connection (Wireless Access Protocol) was the first true mobile internet connection. When it first started it was slow and only supported certain sites, being mostly on handsets with standard mobile phone screens. Now that GPRS and WAP are usually found together, the WAP experience has improved, but it still supports sites built for WAP far better than standard internet sites.
A good way of finding WAP sites is to use Google to search for the site or service. Google will display any sites specifically built for WAP alongside the standard site.
How to connect
The settings for the old style WAP will vary and your operator will have details. For WAP over GPRS, see GPRS.
GPRS
By far the most common choice for most modern PDAs and mobile internet is GPRS. While not the fastest system to browse the internet it vastly improves on the old WAP system and even makes WAP itself far faster.
GPRS accounts need a specific SIM card and account from your service provider or mobile operator. However, they tend to provide accounts with handsets so changing your SIM to another handset can involve some searching for account settings and a few headaches connecting.
How to connect
If you have a GPRS account then the setup is usually to go to your PDAs communication settings and select the GPRS or GPRS/3G option. For Pocket PCs this will be Start > Settings, then the 'Connections' tab, and 'Connections'.
Choose ‘My ISP’ and then select ‘Add a new modem connection’
The name can be whatever you want to call it.
The access point will often be similar to an internet address. The BT TOGO one is btmobile.bt.com, O2 is mobile.o2.co.uk and Vodafone is simply internet. This Page has more information on setting up GPRS and a list of access points.
The various G symbols will show you the connection status:
A Flashing 'G' – Means Trying to connect.
Solid 'G' - Connected established but not authenticated.
'G' with a box around it - Connected and authenticated (this is what you are aiming for!)
'G' with a line through it - Connection suspended
3G
The 3G (third generation) network is relatively modern (launched in March 2003). There are only a certain set of operators that run 3G services; 3 (who started the service), O2, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. The benefit of 3G is that it’s a lot faster and can even stream video which makes it excellent for video chat, if a little expensive.
How to connect
The connection will be specific to network and often to the type of handset you are using. Contact your operator for more details.
WLAN
Wireless LAN is becoming ever more popular in PDAs, it connects to any network in the same way as a computer would, using a wireless router or access point. This requires a network key unless the WLAN site is not protected. It’s the fastest way of connecting to the internet or downloading files on a handset or PDA.
WLAN is also the option you need if you have a Freeola ISP account and want to connect wirelessly from this at home.
How to connect
Access points will be displayed on your WLAN settings in the Communication settings. You should be able to click on these to set up your WEP or WPA settings and network key in order to connect.
Some service like ‘the cloud’ will allow you to connect without a key but will require a logon when you first use the internet while connected to them. Many pubs and some public areas now have The Cloud or another open access Wireless LAN which allow you to buy minutes.
McDonalds stores in the UK have The Cloud and allow free access.
Tools
Because these services are often based on data usage, it’s good to have tools to keep track of your usage and costs.
A good free tool for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile devices is TICK which will keep a list of costs and data usage.
However, I prefer SPB GPRS Monitor (now called SPB Wireless Monitor), which isn’t free but does come with some PDAs. It’s available direct from SPB Software alongside other useful Pocket PC tools.
SPB Wireless Monitor will monitor calls and GPRS accounts for connection time, data usage and even alert you when you get to a daily, weekly or monthly limit (which you can set yourself).
For connecting your PDA to WLAN, Hitchhiker certainly helps to keep all your settings in order and connects to any available WLAN site, allowing you to store multiple WEP keys and specifying certain types of connection to connect to.
Useful Links
Guide to GPRS
List of GPRS connection settings
Just adding that their may be issues with your WLAN connection after using Activesync. Sometimes it resets the connection on PDAs.
Check that your WLAN connection is set to use 'the internet' rather than 'work' to get around this.
Check that your WLAN connection is set to use 'the internet' rather than 'work' to get around this.
Recently I managed to get hold of a ‘new’ PDA (actually a second hand O2 Exec) which allowed me to use the internet while away from my PC. This led to changing my sim from a BT TOGO handset I was previously using (far too slow and the screen just wasn’t big enough to be useful) but it also meant I had to set up the internet again.
This involved a lot of trial and error and some interesting findings regarding to connecting to the internet while out and about, so I thought I’d present them here in the hope that someone else might find them useful.
The general details can be found on a few websites with a bit of googling and I’ve provided links to the ones I’ve found most helpful. If anyone finds any errors please let me know and I will amend, I’m still learning about this myself! Most of the detailed description is Pocket PC based as well, but feel free to add any detail if you have a Psion or other handset.
The Options
WAP
The WAP connection (Wireless Access Protocol) was the first true mobile internet connection. When it first started it was slow and only supported certain sites, being mostly on handsets with standard mobile phone screens. Now that GPRS and WAP are usually found together, the WAP experience has improved, but it still supports sites built for WAP far better than standard internet sites.
A good way of finding WAP sites is to use Google to search for the site or service. Google will display any sites specifically built for WAP alongside the standard site.
How to connect
The settings for the old style WAP will vary and your operator will have details. For WAP over GPRS, see GPRS.
GPRS
By far the most common choice for most modern PDAs and mobile internet is GPRS. While not the fastest system to browse the internet it vastly improves on the old WAP system and even makes WAP itself far faster.
GPRS accounts need a specific SIM card and account from your service provider or mobile operator. However, they tend to provide accounts with handsets so changing your SIM to another handset can involve some searching for account settings and a few headaches connecting.
How to connect
If you have a GPRS account then the setup is usually to go to your PDAs communication settings and select the GPRS or GPRS/3G option. For Pocket PCs this will be Start > Settings, then the 'Connections' tab, and 'Connections'.
Choose ‘My ISP’ and then select ‘Add a new modem connection’
The name can be whatever you want to call it.
The access point will often be similar to an internet address. The BT TOGO one is btmobile.bt.com, O2 is mobile.o2.co.uk and Vodafone is simply internet. This Page has more information on setting up GPRS and a list of access points.
The various G symbols will show you the connection status:
A Flashing 'G' – Means Trying to connect.
Solid 'G' - Connected established but not authenticated.
'G' with a box around it - Connected and authenticated (this is what you are aiming for!)
'G' with a line through it - Connection suspended
3G
The 3G (third generation) network is relatively modern (launched in March 2003). There are only a certain set of operators that run 3G services; 3 (who started the service), O2, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. The benefit of 3G is that it’s a lot faster and can even stream video which makes it excellent for video chat, if a little expensive.
How to connect
The connection will be specific to network and often to the type of handset you are using. Contact your operator for more details.
WLAN
Wireless LAN is becoming ever more popular in PDAs, it connects to any network in the same way as a computer would, using a wireless router or access point. This requires a network key unless the WLAN site is not protected. It’s the fastest way of connecting to the internet or downloading files on a handset or PDA.
WLAN is also the option you need if you have a Freeola ISP account and want to connect wirelessly from this at home.
How to connect
Access points will be displayed on your WLAN settings in the Communication settings. You should be able to click on these to set up your WEP or WPA settings and network key in order to connect.
Some service like ‘the cloud’ will allow you to connect without a key but will require a logon when you first use the internet while connected to them. Many pubs and some public areas now have The Cloud or another open access Wireless LAN which allow you to buy minutes.
McDonalds stores in the UK have The Cloud and allow free access.
Tools
Because these services are often based on data usage, it’s good to have tools to keep track of your usage and costs.
A good free tool for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile devices is TICK which will keep a list of costs and data usage.
However, I prefer SPB GPRS Monitor (now called SPB Wireless Monitor), which isn’t free but does come with some PDAs. It’s available direct from SPB Software alongside other useful Pocket PC tools.
SPB Wireless Monitor will monitor calls and GPRS accounts for connection time, data usage and even alert you when you get to a daily, weekly or monthly limit (which you can set yourself).
For connecting your PDA to WLAN, Hitchhiker certainly helps to keep all your settings in order and connects to any available WLAN site, allowing you to store multiple WEP keys and specifying certain types of connection to connect to.
Useful Links
Guide to GPRS
List of GPRS connection settings
This involved a lot of trial and error and some interesting findings regarding to connecting to the internet while out and about, so I thought I’d present them here in the hope that someone else might find them useful.
The general details can be found on a few websites with a bit of googling and I’ve provided links to the ones I’ve found most helpful. If anyone finds any errors please let me know and I will amend, I’m still learning about this myself! Most of the detailed description is Pocket PC based as well, but feel free to add any detail if you have a Psion or other handset.
The Options
WAP
The WAP connection (Wireless Access Protocol) was the first true mobile internet connection. When it first started it was slow and only supported certain sites, being mostly on handsets with standard mobile phone screens. Now that GPRS and WAP are usually found together, the WAP experience has improved, but it still supports sites built for WAP far better than standard internet sites.
A good way of finding WAP sites is to use Google to search for the site or service. Google will display any sites specifically built for WAP alongside the standard site.
How to connect
The settings for the old style WAP will vary and your operator will have details. For WAP over GPRS, see GPRS.
GPRS
By far the most common choice for most modern PDAs and mobile internet is GPRS. While not the fastest system to browse the internet it vastly improves on the old WAP system and even makes WAP itself far faster.
GPRS accounts need a specific SIM card and account from your service provider or mobile operator. However, they tend to provide accounts with handsets so changing your SIM to another handset can involve some searching for account settings and a few headaches connecting.
How to connect
If you have a GPRS account then the setup is usually to go to your PDAs communication settings and select the GPRS or GPRS/3G option. For Pocket PCs this will be Start > Settings, then the 'Connections' tab, and 'Connections'.
Choose ‘My ISP’ and then select ‘Add a new modem connection’
The name can be whatever you want to call it.
The access point will often be similar to an internet address. The BT TOGO one is btmobile.bt.com, O2 is mobile.o2.co.uk and Vodafone is simply internet. This Page has more information on setting up GPRS and a list of access points.
The various G symbols will show you the connection status:
A Flashing 'G' – Means Trying to connect.
Solid 'G' - Connected established but not authenticated.
'G' with a box around it - Connected and authenticated (this is what you are aiming for!)
'G' with a line through it - Connection suspended
3G
The 3G (third generation) network is relatively modern (launched in March 2003). There are only a certain set of operators that run 3G services; 3 (who started the service), O2, Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. The benefit of 3G is that it’s a lot faster and can even stream video which makes it excellent for video chat, if a little expensive.
How to connect
The connection will be specific to network and often to the type of handset you are using. Contact your operator for more details.
WLAN
Wireless LAN is becoming ever more popular in PDAs, it connects to any network in the same way as a computer would, using a wireless router or access point. This requires a network key unless the WLAN site is not protected. It’s the fastest way of connecting to the internet or downloading files on a handset or PDA.
WLAN is also the option you need if you have a Freeola ISP account and want to connect wirelessly from this at home.
How to connect
Access points will be displayed on your WLAN settings in the Communication settings. You should be able to click on these to set up your WEP or WPA settings and network key in order to connect.
Some service like ‘the cloud’ will allow you to connect without a key but will require a logon when you first use the internet while connected to them. Many pubs and some public areas now have The Cloud or another open access Wireless LAN which allow you to buy minutes.
McDonalds stores in the UK have The Cloud and allow free access.
Tools
Because these services are often based on data usage, it’s good to have tools to keep track of your usage and costs.
A good free tool for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile devices is TICK which will keep a list of costs and data usage.
However, I prefer SPB GPRS Monitor (now called SPB Wireless Monitor), which isn’t free but does come with some PDAs. It’s available direct from SPB Software alongside other useful Pocket PC tools.
SPB Wireless Monitor will monitor calls and GPRS accounts for connection time, data usage and even alert you when you get to a daily, weekly or monthly limit (which you can set yourself).
For connecting your PDA to WLAN, Hitchhiker certainly helps to keep all your settings in order and connects to any available WLAN site, allowing you to store multiple WEP keys and specifying certain types of connection to connect to.
Useful Links
Guide to GPRS
List of GPRS connection settings