Which mobilephone fits MC218, XP, USB and fast GPRS?

[sorensenjeppe]

I have decided to change my mobile-connection to a faster GPRS version so I need a new phone. But it is, as you all know, a jungle out there. I would therefore like to hear if anyone has good experiences with an affordable phone that has infrared port and also works with MC218 (incl. faxes) via fast GPRS and that supports XP on a laptop that only has USB-ports?

All suggestions are welcome.

With best regards,

Jeppe Sørensen

[MikeMcC]

I would suggest you look at GPRS models from Ericsson and Nokia. These are the popular brands for which you may be able to get help here if you have any problems setting up with the MC218.

I have just got a Nokia 6310i which works well except for Fax. Any faxes I send are unreadable, although the same fax sent from an Ericsson A1018s with DI27 modem is perfect - only some 6310i's seem to have this problem so it's probably a firmware issue.

I use a Belkin USB Infrared device to connect from my laptop so you should be OK with just USB ports. If you stick with the mainstream brands of phone, you shouldn't go far wrong.

[netBookBabe]

Faxing seems to be the sticking point here - it seems that a number of phones don't support Fax Class 2, including Ericsson T39 and R520m. I have the R520m, but since I have no need for faxing it didn't affect my choice. I did try faxing once on behalf of someone else, and no, I couldn't get it to work.

Here's a list which may help, although it doesn't look to be very up-to-date:

http://www.psion.com/mobile/irphone.asp

We need to hear from some GPRS users who are managing to successfully send faxes!

Julie

[MikeMcC]

it seems that a number of phones don't support Fax Class 2, including Ericsson T39 and R520m. Really? I am surprised that any Ericsson phone wouldn't support Fax Class 2. My Siemens S35i only supports Fax Class 1, which is inexplicable because this class is unsuitable for use over GSM networks, but I wouldn't have expected Ericsson to have done this.
I did try faxing once on behalf of someone else, and no, I couldn't get it to work. You would have to arrange for your account with O2 to be enabled for "Fax" calls, as this is not the same as Data (though I'm sure you realised this). :)

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by MikeMcC
Really? I am surprised that any Ericsson phone wouldn't support Fax Class 2. Yes, really! I've debated this before on another forum with a T39 user. The listing to which I just referred would appear to bear this out - it is indeed very strange.

And yes, my account is fax enabled - it was done at the same time as the data enabling, way back in the mists of time. It's a good reminder to everyone as something to check though! :)

Julie

[sorensenjeppe]

Thanks a lot for your replies. I wouldn't have known what to do without this forum.

6310 and R520m are exactly the phones I have been looking at. I am, however, a bit confused about the difference in GPRS speed (I think they call it class). I am currently living in Finland and one company has this a great deal which includes unlimited use of the GPRS net, and without a cap on the speed. So I would like to get a phone that supports the fast speed (they say up to 40 kb/s), whatever that means. According to the homepage of Ericsson the 520 supports:

CS1 to CS4
* CS-1 9.05 kbps (1/2)
* CS-2 13.4 kbps (2/3)
* CS-3 15.6 kbps (3/4)
* CS-4 21.4 kbps (1)

Does this mean that the phone can "only" be used at speeds up to 21.4 kb/s? I have heard that the new Siemens are faster on the GPRS but I get conflicting information from the shops.

I know this is technical details, but now that I am going to invest I might as well get it right first time around.

Once again, - thanks a lot for the help.

Br,

Jeppe Sørensen

Ps: I guess I have to live without the faxing-option or keep my old R320s with me if and when.

[MikeMcC]

According to the homepage of Ericsson the 520 supports:

CS1 to CS4
* CS-1 9.05 kbps (1/2)
* CS-2 13.4 kbps (2/3)
* CS-3 15.6 kbps (3/4)
* CS-4 21.4 kbps (1)

Does this mean that the phone can "only" be used at speeds up to 21.4 kb/s? A quick search on the internet suggests that CS1 to CS4 are "coding schemes" for GPRS which uses multi-slot connections, so this may not be an indication of the actual speed which can be achieved. You might be better getting a definitive answer from your local phone network or from a newsgroup specialising in GPRS or phones.

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by sorensenjeppe
... I guess I have to live without the faxing-option or keep my old R320s with me if and when. Jeppe

Maybe this is the key, and perhaps you need to think seriously about how important faxing is in the grand scheme of what you want to do. It's rare to find a solution that caters for absolutely every possible need!

If you've been happy with your R320s (as I was), then you should be delighted with the R520m (as I am!) It's a great phone in every other respect!

Julie