Using an O2 Speakeasy phone as a modem

[Sean]

For those curious about connecting to the Internet using an O2 speakeasy account, I can confirm this works (like a snail), but can be useful on the occasion where having Internet or e-mail access is much more of a concern than the cost of the connection.

This works by Bluetooth and infra-red with most phones that have one or both features. The connection is set up in the same way as creating a new connection with an analogue modem; just choose your mobile phone as the modem when it asks to choose a port or modem. With Nokia phones, I have only tested this with the Nokia suite installed, so I’m not sure if Windows needs separate drivers to work without the suite.

Despite a 9.6k connection, the dial-up method is the only sensible way to connect as I'll explain why in a moment. Eircom’s dial-up seems to work fine, i.e. 1892 150 150, Username: Eircom, no password. The price works out at 25c/min from my testing. Don’t use a “Lo Call” 1890 Internet access number (such as Elive), as O2 Speakeasy charges 35c/min flat for these. Those with the O2 experience tariff may be better off using regular prefix number (see this list, some of which still work for me), which costs 19c/min.

Those who are curious about connecting by 3G/GPRS on O2 speakeasy, but are happy to risk having their account balance wiped clean can connects as follows: This is set up much like the dial-up method, but with “*99#” entered as a dial-up number. If you are asked for an access point (e.g. in Linux), enter “pp.internet”. Any username seems to work and the password field should remain blank.

GPRS/3G on speakeasy is €10 per Megabyte and this is no typo! For example, from my quick connection where I transferred 150KB just bringing up the Google homepage, this cost €1.50. I would strongly advise against connecting using this method, as all it takes is some background process (e.g. Adobe or Windows update) or a large attachment to come in and your phone credit is wiped away.

The old O2 WAP number has not worked for the last while while I tried (use to be 19c/min peak, 6c/min off-peak), but for those who are curious to try it, the number is +353868106040, username: user and password: user. It connects, but it is not possible to connect to website and all ping tests simply return "Destination net unreachable."