Differences between Data Connect and MEdia Net[edit | edit source]
Data Connect uses AT&T Data Connect profiles (settings) to provide standard Internet connections with AT&T as the ISP (Internet Service Provider). Connections can be configured with or without Data Acceleration (which significantly boosts throughput by means of image compression [which reduces image quality], caching, and transport optimization). Data Connect is more expensive than MEdia (as of this writing).
MEdia Net uses the AT&T WAP profile (settings) to support most types of Internet access (e.g., HTTP [Web browsing], SMTP/POP3/IMAP Email, FTP, Telnet, SSH, SSL). However, not all protocols seem to be fully supported, so problems may be seen with such things as VPN, and Data Acceleration is not available. Note that MEdia will not work with AT&T Data Connect profiles. MEdia is less expensive than Data Connect (as of this writing).
If WAP isn't already working on the handset, the handset and SIM must first be configured for AT&T WAP:
This is best accomplished by asking AT&T Support (dial 611) to "push" WAP settings to the handset (normally done automatically by SMS when a WAP package [e.g., MEdia] is added to the account).
Another alternative (untested), for Sony Ericsson devices, is to use the Configurator on the Sony Ericsson website. Select Configurators, Phone model, WAP Read more, and then follow the prompts. (Email and MMS can also be configured this way.)
This configuration is sufficient for WAP and/or Web browsing with the handset alone. It's also sufficient for Email given an Email client in the handset that has been properly configured (including selection of the WAP profile for connections).
Create a handset modem entry. If your handset connection (serial cable, USB cable, IrDA, Bluetooth) created a modem entry for your handset (e.g., Standard Modem over Bluetooth link), then you can skip to next major step (Create DUN connection); otherwise:
Obtain the latest handset modem driver.
Make sure your handset connection (serial cable, USB cable, IrDA, Bluetooth) is installed properly, and note the COM port assigned. Make sure the handset is connected and powered on.
Use Control Panel → Modem to Add the handset modem. Windows should detect the modem, and then search for the best driver. When it does, give Windows the location of the modem driver, and complete the installation. (If auto-detection fails, try to Add the modem manually using the appropriate COM port with the driver.)
Create a new Windows Dial-Up Networking (DUN) Connection:
Control Panel → Network Connections → Create a new connection
Use this Dial-Up Connection to connect your computer to the Internet with AT&T GPRS/EGPRS(EDGE).
Using AT&T Communication Manager (Handset)[edit | edit source]
AT&T Communication Manager is a software package that makes it easier to connect your computer to the Internet over AT&T. Available for free download (inc. help files on same download page). Includes drivers for mobile devices sold by AT&T.
Do not connect your mobile device before starting this procedure:
This process should create a standard Windows Dial-Up Networking (DUN) connection that can be managed and used in Windows (Control Panel → Network Connections) without having to launch mobile PhoneTools. Be sure to set the port speed...
Set the port speed. (Especially important for EGPRS/EDGE!)
This is best accomplished by downloading the latest version from the Global support area of the Sony Ericsson website. Select Location, Enter product name and click on the appropriate Matching products link, Software, Applications, Wireless Manager, Download here, and Download.
Or use the CD that comes with the PC Card.
When the Wireless Manager is run for the first time, the Connection Wizard will start automatically. Enter the following settings:
The usual problem when sending email from a handset with SMTP capability is the outgoing SMTP server. Thanks to spammers, outgoing SMTP servers now generally require some form of authentication when you're off the provider's network. You should be able to find out what kind(s) of authentication are supported by contacting the email provider (e.g., your ISP). Finding out what your handset supports may be a bigger challenge—documentation is often woefully inadequate in this area.
If the email provider supports POP3 before SMTP authentication, then you need to find a way to have the handset do a POP3 check or download before sending mail.
Some handsets (e.g., Sony Ericsson Z600) now have support for SMTP-AUTH (Authenticated SMTP, different from POP3 before SMTP). For this to work, you usually need to configure the handset with a valid mailbox id and password for the email provider.
On the AT&T network you can use cwmx.com (preferred, no footer added) or photo.mycingular.com (adds a photo messaging footer) as an outgoing SMTP server. Since you're authenticated by being on the AT&T network, no further authentication is required.
Handsets and PC Cards do not all have the same data performance—maximum speeds are limited by GPRS/EGPRS/EDGE Multislot Class (and the carrier). In general, all reasonably recent GPRS/EGPRS/EDGE-capable devices from Ericsson and Sony Ericsson support Class 8 (4+1) and Class 10 (4+2, max of 5), whereas most Nokia devices (as of this writing) are limited to slower Class 4 (3+1) and Class 6 (3+2, max 4). Motorola has both Class 4 and Class 8 devices. (The first number is the maximum number of downlink slots, and the number after the "+" is the maximum number of uplink slots.) This can translate into a substantial difference in throughput—if supported by the carrier, Class 8 is 33% faster on downlink than Class 4.
Connections between handsets and "tethered" devices (e.g., notebook computer, PDA) are typically implemented as a serial port, either real or virtual, and port speed usually defaults to 115 Kbps. (Bluetooth is typically implemented on a computer as a virtual serial port that will go as fast as 921.6 Kbps, but which runs at only 115.2 Kbps by default.) While 115 Kbps is generally fast enough for GPRS, it can be a bottleneck for EGPRS(EDGE) (as well as UMTS/HSDPA). In general, port speed should be at least 230 Kbps for GPRS and 460 Kbps for EGPRS(EDGE) (920 Kbps for UMTS/HSDPA).
