Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

Visorphone/V-stream works without ISP

I saw this post:

http://www.geocities.com/palmvs/ which shows how to connect to Voicestream's ISDN service without a separate ISP. Note the October 10 update info at the top.

I then modified my setup with the info I saw in this post:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=v...tampabay.rr.com

I connect just fine and can surf the web without a separate ISP! My question is this:

It's not worth it to me to save $10 bucks a month to improperly hack into Voicestream's service. Does anyone know if this setup is "legal"? I suppose I could call Voicestream, but I doubt the rep would know the answer, and I don't feel like spending an hour on hold while I am transferred from rep to rep. ("um, what's a Visorphone?")

Last edited by heberman on 10-30-2001 at 06:00 PM

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Denver
Posts: 2

I can't comment on the legality, but I have been trying to set up my visorphone (w/voicestream) for browsing and when I saw this post, I went to the links provided. I set up my Prism as directed but I keep getting the following message when I try to connect with Blazer:

"Error: modem not found (0x1106)"

Any ideas on how to fix this or what I could be doing wrong would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Here
Posts: 213

I guess I am strugging with understanding the potential benefits of this approach. I guess you avoid paying for a dial up ISP, however you have to enable Dataservices with voicestream that costs $. Additionally, the dial up number listed in the links above is a long distance number from many locations. I'm missing the big picture of this. Please give a little overview.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Monroe, Michigan, USA
Posts: 244

Having data services enabled doesn't cost extra, and VS now has nationwide toll-free long distance for their $39.99/mo plan if you sign a 1-year agreement. (Unlimited weekend minutes if you sign a 2-year agreement.) So it just costs airtime minutes.

Not that I've tried it...

__________________
"Yeah, he can talk. It's gettin' him to shut up that's the trick!"
-Shrek

Registered: Aug 1999
Location: Inverness, FL
Posts: 428

As far as I know there should be no problems using the number - if you can get it to work. I tried it a while back with no success, however, didn't troubleshoot it to much (didn't use the string mentioned above though).

The number is the same as used for VS's WAP phones, which is a free service. According to my VS rep, the number is treated as local when dialed from a VS phone

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<B>Marcus Adolfsson</B>
Editor

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

The Hut, if you get: "Error: modem not found (0x1106)", make sure on the "connection" screen you select "Serial to Modem" from the Connection Method box.

This setup works fine for me. I don't have datastream activated, and the Florida phone number is local under my plan, even though I am across the country. I get an internet connection a lot faster than going through my regular ISP.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

"The number is the same as used for VS's WAP phones, which is a free service. "

Great! Then I won't feel guilty about the free ISP for the Visorphone!

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 12

I just happened upon this post and guess what- I'm now surfing the web on my visorphone with voicestream. I had just assumed that since I didnt' sign up for voicestream's data service (which is and extra $30/month) that I would be unable to dial up my ISP. Just one question- are you guys sure that that voicestream isp number is a free call?-- right now I'm using my local dialup . Thanks so much JZ!!!!!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

Is there a SMTP server to use in connection with this network?

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Simsbury, CT
Posts: 40

How long does it take to establish a connection with this method? I recently bought a Kyocera smartphone (6035) and through Verizon it establishes a connection quite fast (< 10 seconds). I also believe that Verizon/Sprint offer up to 14.4k whereas Voicestream is limited to 9.6k, correct?

I'm still debating what to do. I bought a Prism a couple weeks ago with the thought of trying out the VisorPhone. Then I bought the Kyocera, but have been disappointed so far. Not sure what to do.

Scott

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 20

heberman,

You stated - The Hut, if you get: "Error: modem not found (0x1106)", make sure on the "connection" screen you select "Serial to Modem" from the Connection Method box.

I don't have "Serial to Modem" as an option in my Connection Method box. What is the setup for the Serial to Modem?

thanks,
Rock

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 12

Heberman,

I spoke with a VoiceStream Wireless Services Rep last night. He gave me the ISDN number, and told me that if I could get it to work with my Visorphone, I was welcome to use it.

However, he was doubtful that it would work because he said that the ISDN number uses WML language which the Blazer software will not be able to understand.

After following all of the same instructions that you did, I was able to successfuly establish a connection dialing up the Voicestream ISDN number. BUT then what do you do???

Everytime I tried entering a URL, after about a minute of seeing the word "connecting" at the bottom of the screen, I would get an error message something like, "unable to connect. Connection lost. Try moving to an area with better coverage." However, I am calling from NYC, and the coverage meter shows coverage is excellent, so I know that's not it.

Once you get the "connection established" message, what do you do next to pull up some web pages?

Thanks a ton!
So close....
--Charlie

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 12

Rock -

You set modem type under Preferences, Connection. The post referred to above has complete details - except instead of selection IrComm to Modem as per the post, select Serial to Modem.

--Charlie

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 20

Charfeld,

Thanks for your reply.

Rock

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Simsbury, CT
Posts: 40

Anyone care to answer my question? How long does it take to establish the connection? Thanks,

Scott

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

Charfeld, I have no idea why it doesn't load a page for you. I doubt it's a Voicestream problem, but a hardware/software problem instead. Can you surf using another ISP? Blazer's homepage should load in a couple of seconds. Are you using Blazer 2.0? Maybe that would help. I have noticed that I get my connection dropped about ever 10 minutes of web use, and I need to reconnect. I don't know why.

Scott - it takes about 10 seconds to establish a connection. It's fast with Voicestream's ISDN number because there is no username or password authentication.

The downside to Voicestream's ISDN number is that there doesn't appear to be any SMTP service to send e-mail. I can download my POP and IMAP e-mail accounts, but I can only send e-mail while connected using a webmail account.

I found different free, no banner ad ISP (30 min a day time limit), so I plan to try to send my SMTP mail through that account. 30 min a day is plenty of time to sync mail only.

I have to admit, the Visorphone/Prism is a pretty slick setup. I was in a business meeting at a restraunt discussing a proposed purchase of waterproof Sat-phone cases for $100 each. Knowing I could get a better deal, I used the Visorphone - Voicestream number to log onto the web and locate Otterbox's waterproof cases. I then disconnected from the web and used the Visorphone to call Otterbox's headquarters and then the local distributor. The cases were ordered in a couple of minutes, and we saved a lot of money on the purchase.

I'm not sure I want to spend a lot of time surfing the web on a tiny screen, but the Visorphone works great to log on, find info and check and send email. It's WAY more useful than I though it would be.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 12

Charfeld- did that rep happen to mention if that call to Voicestream's ISDN number is free (i.e. not a long distance#?)- good luck getting your connection to work- I followed the instructions given by heberman and had no problems surfing when using blazer- make sure you have the right DNS address entered later jz

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

Voicestream plans are different for everyone. On my plan, there is no long distance and no roaming. I called my Voicestream rep, who told me that weekend minutes for data calls are still weekend minutes.

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 12

That's interesting. The VS wireless rep I spoke to said that data calls made on the weekend do NOT come out of the "bonus" weekend minutes, but instead count against your regular "anytime" minutes. I guess I'll find out for sure when I get my first bill.

That's also too bad about no SMTP service for outgoing email, but it explains a lot. I successfully connected to my work email server for the first time tonight & was so excited that I was able to get my email. But then was unable to send an email, and I was completely confused and frustrated. Now at least I know why.

Heberman - how about sharing the goods on that free ISP server? I would even be able to pay for one if I could find one for less than $10/mo or so.

Also a first for me tonight: I was successfully able to connect to my first web page (yeah!) using AvantGo. I still don't understand why Blazer 2.0 never worked for me. But then I tried connecting to some other web pages using AvantGo, and I kept getting error messages. I also tried accessing some PQAs (after downloading Palms web clipping library onto my Prism) but again no luck.

Why can't it just work?? Sigh, the early adopter's life is never easy... Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
--Charlie

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 12

jjz: I forgot to mention that the VS rep I spoke with did confirm that VS no longer charges extra for long distance. You can call anywhere in the US and just be charged against your minutes.

HOWEVER, I have the $39.99 "Get More" plan, and it's possible that the rep was just talking specifically about this plan. If you have a different plan, you might want to double check it.

On another note, I had tremendous success today connecting to the web via AvantGo!! Especially once I "enabled" wireless access on my account via the Avantgo Website. I am now really loving my visorphone!

(I still don't know why Blazer was giving me problems, but AvantGo is certainly very fast, and I really like its off-line capabilities too.)