Internet access via Sony Ericsson GC89 and cellphone provider

Czesc! I think I may have a solution on how to maintain Internet access while I'm in Poland. I was thinking of getting a Sony Ericsson GC89 PC Card. It can accept a SIM card and connect to the Internet via a cellphone provider.

I would like to know what my options are in terms of using this PC card with a temporary SIM card. Do providers of these SIM cards allow Internet access via their network? If so, what companies' SIM card should I get?

Thanks!

So you'd have to pay by minute while connected? There are lots of phones in Poland that can use SIM cards (more than in the US actually).

Actually, the purpose of the GC89 device is to allow your laptop to surf the Internet using your cellphone providers network. I already have a phone for use for calling. I just need a means to access the Internet while I'm outside from the populous areas.

I found a company that has prepaid services: simplus.pl. But I am not too sure about their rates for Internet access (via GPRS data transfer). They do say that their prepaid services have the Internet option.

Here It is but seems to be damn expensive.

iplus.pl/en_offer_simdata_modem.html

You can use your cell as a modem to connect to the internet. Just take a look whether your phone support gprs (which in almost cases is true) and optionally edge or umts. Many gsm operators provide access to the internet even when you use their prepaid services. Their web sites:

orange.pl
simplus.pl you already know
eragsm.pl/pl
playmobile.pl

I don't know exact prices, but I think that will be approximately 0,20-0,40PLN for every 100 Kb (sent + received).

It's funny because I was actually thinking about this, too. I have a V195 and it says it supports GPRS, but I could never figure out how to make it work with my laptop to get Internet access.

Thanks everyone!

Yikes! I can get a compatible modem on Ebay for less than $100. But since there is a possibility that I can use my phone as a modem, then I'll try to figure out how to do that.

It seems this phone support bluetooth so get some USB Bluetooth Dongle (5-15$) and configure your system and phone. You should know that gprs is damn slow, but it will be ok for sending text emails, chatting on msn and so on.

Why bother?
Just scan for any unsecured network of which you'll find plenty in most cities. My wife was in Poland for 6 weeks earlier this year and had no problem pigy backing wireless networks.
It may not be moral but its not illegal.

Unless we are talking about open hot spots _it is_ illegal. Besides... someone for example have to be sure that he will connect to the internet every day at some hours. In this case scanning for unsecured wireless networks is not an option.

I tried an Internet connection via bluetooth thru a Nokia handset. It was extremely slow for my needs. It was only good for checking email and not for sending documents that were over 500kB in size.

Also, I am not trusting checking my email or connecting anything thru one of the Internet cafe computers. I used my USB thumb drive to send pictures. When I got home and connected the USB drive to my laptop, it detected a trojan horse / virus. Tsk. I hope they weren't able to grab something from my email before I was able to change my password.

Yes, because you used GPRS. Next time read about EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA ... maybe your cell supports some of mentioned above.