I would like to know if anyone is using a Blackberry as a modem for their computer and how well it works. At the present time I have a Claro flex plan (home phone with dsl modem) that is very slow and I am considering adding internet service to my Blackberry so I can hook it up to my laptop. I have talked to Orange and Claro about the plans that they offer for the Blackberry but they don’t seem to know what speed I would be getting. The big problem is that you have to sign a contract for the service without knowing how well it’s going to work. So if anyone can shed some light on the matter I would greatly appreciate it.

No idea. However, our SD office has good luck with the wireless modem usb thing you stick in your laptop. It is not too pricey. This may be the way to go.

Also, when you come down can you bring me a couple of bottles of TIto's Vodka?? Thanks

Claro is better if you plan to move around as there is a lot more 3G coverage. With Claro you can get 1-2mbps if you are in a place with good 3G coverage. I have a usb dongle from them and I normally go with it when I travel. I have gotten good speeds in Constanza, Jarabacoa, Sosua/Cabarete, Las Terrenas and Bavaro. Of course, if the place where you are staying is in a "reception shadow" area, It can be useless.

Even with unlimited BlackBerry plans, I think you only get 500mb or 1gb of monthly when using it as a modem. The 3g plans they offer with the usb dongles also have transfer caps, so It's not the best to use it as a primary connection.

I used a broadband hotspot plan on my Blackberry before and it was OK. I have since switched to PdaNet. Works much better, faster and it is FREE!!! No more extra cell charges.

Try it and see if it works for you.

http://download.cnet.com/PdaNet-for-BlackBerry-64-bit-Windows-Installer/3000-2155_4-75167588.html

BTW I was a loyal Blackberry user for years until recently. I was up for new phones and I was waiting to see what Blackberry would come out with.
I saw the torch and said goodbye BB. Too little. too late.
Now I am a very happy Android user.

The claro 3g aircard works well where there is good cell phone singal. It sucks because you need to sign up for an 18 month contract and the usb devise has no warranty. Also, there is no $200 termination fee like here in the states, they want you to pay all of the months remaining on the contract in order to cancel.They are fast to shut down service if its 1 day late.

Also, there is no consumer protection in DR, if you sign the contract and it does not work, tuff luck they don't care.
It cost around 2000 pesos per month and Its better to have dsl if you are going to have alot of usage.

If you thinking about replacing your DSL connection with a Blackberry as a modem with a unlimited price think twice because you could be in for a big surprise bill. Almost all "unlimited" plans for cell phone data is capped at 1000MB anything above that they will know and charge you accordingly. This is all in the contract. Tethering is not allowed on cell data plan you would have to get another plan on top of your cell data plan in order to be able to tether (use your phone as modem). there is a big difference between a unlimited DSL internet and unlimited cell data plan.

You do know that is not legal to do this right?

PDANET is only a software that break the blocking cell phone companies put on phone to not allow for this phone as modem to be done because is illegal.

I would think that a high roller like anthonyc would have some extra change to pay a monthly cell phone data bill....

Hopefully he won't end up like this guy story.

"Man Gets Slapped With $85,000 Cell Phone Bill"
http://www.switched.com/2009/06/15/man-gets-10-000-cell-phone-bill/

It is not illegal.

The only issues is that it might violate your TOS depending on your carrier.