Can I use my smart phone to connect my laptop to the internet?

[BangkokHank]

I would like to do a bit of traveling around Thailand, but my work requires me to have a reliable internet connection. For the times when I am in places without wi-fi, is it possible to use my (Samsung Galaxy Note 3) smart phone to connect to the internet? If so, how? And how does connecting with my phone (if possible) compare, cost- and speed-wise, to connecting with an air-card?

[CWMcMurray]

Does it have option to turn on personal wifi "hot spot"?

I know my iPhone does, but not sure about Samson....

If so, then yes... Easy to do.. Just need SIM card with 3G

[CWMcMurray]

If you advise where in Thailand you will be, would be better... Then members in that area can advise you which mobile company has best 3G coverage in that area...

[MJCM]

Maybe this helps:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/02/14/how-to-use-the-galaxy-note-3-as-a-personal-hotspot/

[Upnotover]

You can use your Note 3, just turn on Wifi Hotspot (then can connect using Wifi, bluetooth or USB). The cost will depend on your phone contract, but if you have a decent data package will not cost more than an aircard.

[draftvader]

Android OS. The simplest (and safest) way to connect is to use USB tethering. The advantage behind this is that it also charges your phone/tab at the same time. There is also using your phone as a WiFi hotspot (slightly less safe).

As with so many things "Howtogeek" has a good guide.

http://www.howtogeek.com/170302/the-htg-guide-to-tethering-your-android-phone/

[draftvader]

Speed wise there should be no issue with data transfer rates from USB 2 at 35MB/s or 280Mb/s. It is faster than your data connection!

[dddave]

Just be sure you "police" yourself as you will be paying 3G data rates rather than normal internet so you will have to be somewhat selective in what you download/upload. You should probably stop by a sales office of your mobile carrier and find which data package will best work for you.

Edited October 12, 2014 by dddave

[Upnotover]

Just be sure you "police" yourself as you will be paying 3G data rates rather than normal internet so you will have to be somewhat selective in what you download/upload. You should probably stop by a sales office of your mobile carrier and find which data package will best work for you.

If he tethers his phone to his laptop it will make no difference whatsoever to the cost of his data. Normal internet IS 3G these days, the cost only depends on his contract/plan with his provider. As he has a "smartphone" I would hope/expect that he has that sussed already.

[dotpoom]

Don't know a lot about this stuff but I used to use my Nokia as a Modem. Just connected it to my laptop. Topped up at any AIS counter. Ran a bit slow but did the job for me.

[Travel Up]

Yes!

Very easy just use your tethering like you normally would.

Normally you can purchase unlimited 3G 399 baht per month.

You may be able to find it cheaper but that is what I pay.

You can then use Google Maps also which makes it worthwhile in itself.

Ask at an IT phone shop, which are everywhere. They will tell you the various plans and you can take it from there.

Then you simply pay cash and top up every month. You can do auto recharge but I prefer to not give card details if I can pay cash!

[Tuskfish]

You would be better off buying a TruMove portable wifi router with its own SIM card - you'll get a much better deal on usage

[Jimbolai]

Instead of talking about Samsung XXX etc. use your operating system to ask about features. I use a smart phone with android 4.0.4. That provides a hotspot connection to connect my Windows notebook to the internet using "hotspot". For that very reason I also use a pocket wifi device from AIS to create a personal pocket wifi system and connect the notebook via the pocket wifi. Could just place the ASI sim card in the smart phone as well. Cost after purchasing the pocket wifi is 450THB per month or double for higher speed but I found no incentives to pay the higher fee.

As far as "reliable" is concerned? it is as reliable as the phone service provider. None are perfect but mine works 99% of the tome and just about everywhere I tried it. I use AIS. Only problem is wait time for topping up. Looks like they love to have customers huddled in a waiting area.

One more: I very much prefer a phone with 2 sim cards. One for voice and text and the other for Internet use only. Also use a different provider, Dtac for voice and AIS for internet. I do not know about your phone. does it have 2 sim slots?

Edited October 13, 2014 by Jimbolai

[NoshowJones]

Does it have option to turn on personal wifi "hot spot"?

I know my iPhone does, but not sure about Samson....

If so, then yes... Easy to do.. Just need SIM card with 3G

What exactly do you mean by personal wifi "hotspot"? My Samsung has "Network notification", then "Notify me when an open network is available". Is this what you are referring to?

[ScotBkk]

Personally, I would think a DumbPhone would save you all this hassle .....

[JacChang]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Does it have option to turn on personal wifi "hot spot"?

I know my iPhone does, but not sure about Samson....

If so, then yes... Easy to do.. Just need SIM card with 3G

What exactly do you mean by personal wifi "hotspot"? My Samsung has "Network notification", then "Notify me when an open network is available". Is this what you are referring to?

No, your network notification is your phone wanting to connect to other sources.

What he means is, since your phone already has a data plan with internet access, you can transmit that internet FROM your phone to your computer. So instead of using your phone only as "receiving", you are also using it as a transmitter of internet data, to which your computer can use.

For my Samsung, simply go to settings ---> Under Wireless and Network, Click More Settings ----> Click Tethering and portable hotspot (Share your device's mobile data connection via USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth) ----> Then click on Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Now your phone acts as a transmitter of internet through your phone's data plan. On your laptop/computer, turn on Wi-Fi and connect to your device. The password will be given on your phone, all you have to do is input that number into your computer's Wifi connection. Voila, you now have internet.

[NoshowJones]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Does it have option to turn on personal wifi "hot spot"?

I know my iPhone does, but not sure about Samson....

If so, then yes... Easy to do.. Just need SIM card with 3G

What exactly do you mean by personal wifi "hotspot"? My Samsung has "Network notification", then "Notify me when an open network is available". Is this what you are referring to?

No, your network notification is your phone wanting to connect to other sources.

What he means is, since your phone already has a data plan with internet access, you can transmit that internet FROM your phone to your computer. So instead of using your phone only as "receiving", you are also using it as a transmitter of internet data, to which your computer can use.

For my Samsung, simply go to settings ---> Under Wireless and Network, Click More Settings ----> Click Tethering and portable hotspot (Share your device's mobile data connection via USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth) ----> Then click on Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Now your phone acts as a transmitter of internet through your phone's data plan. On your laptop/computer, turn on Wi-Fi and connect to your device. The password will be given on your phone, all you have to do is input that number into your computer's Wifi connection. Voila, you now have internet.

Thanks Jac Chang.

[grabitanrun]

The Note 3 has an option in setting called "Tethering and Portable Hotspot"

When you enable this it disables incoming wifi (obviously) and if you scan for wifi with your laptop you will find it, I think named "Android AP".

Regards,

Grabbit

[BangkokHank]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. After I "tethered" my phone to my computer via USB, through the "Tethering and Portable Hotspot" option on the connection settings of my phone, I was able to use the internet on my computer through my phone. This is exactly what I was looking for - and now that I know how to do it, it will liberate me from having to sit at home all the time for my work.

The only other issue for me is going to be the cost. I currently use the cheapest DTAC package for 3G on my phone (199 baht per month) because most of my internet work has been done at home up to now, and for that I have a separate home internet connection from True for around 600 baht per month. If it turns out that my phone's 199 baht package is insufficient for when I travel, I'll consider upgrading it.

In any case I consider the problem to be solved, and I thank everyone who offered suggestions.

[Adeeos]

Yes,,,, Turn on., "Hot Spot",,, usually in the pulldown menu, (if not, you can edit the items available in that menu to include it), set it up with a password, done, I sometimes even use it while out, for friends that don't have local service, and no wi-fi,,, I use my # as a password, so easy for them,,, When I set mine up, it shows up in the list of available wi-fi sources as,, "AndroidAP",,,,, (I'm assuming, "Android Access Point),,,

Edited October 13, 2014 by Adeeos

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed.