> 2. using some device that is called 'CDTP' (or something similar...) -
> i didn't fully understand how this is used, and as they said, this is
> still done only as an experiment, and not sold in israel yet.
"CDPD", not "CDTP".
There are 6 cellular networks in Israel: NAMS (Pelephone, analog),
CDMA (Pelephone, the most advanced digital), GSM (Partner-Orange,
digital), MIRS, TDMA (Cellcom, primitive digital), and CDPD (Cellcom,
for data). CDPD is 100% separate than Cellcom's network (TDMA), and
there is no connection between these technologies. CDPD is not so new
(I remember that in the 80's I read about CDPD experiments, so it
seems that Cellcom is still experimenting it...). I even think that
it is based on analog infrastructure. Its advantage is that it is
based (and charged) on traffic, so there is no reason to disconnect,
and you can leave it on-line all the day. It is also smart enough to
re-new a connection after being disconnected, and to inherit the same
configuration (IP, etc.). It's like disconnecting a host from the hub
and connecting it back after a few seconds, and contrary to
disconnecting a normal modem. This feature is very important when you
deal with unreliable communication like cellular, and still want to
be on-line non-stop.
Yet another network for data is going to enter - GPRS. I think that
it will be used by Pelephone and Partner-Orange.
My advice, as in many other technological issues, is: WAIT!
Unless you need it NOW, wait. New technologies are on their way, as
well as new phones (did you see the i-Max?), as well as new pricing
models. There are going to be some surprises in the following months,
maybe even weeks.
Regarding Linux: I don't have any idea. I only know that you always
can buy a cellular modem (many of the modern cellular phones have it
built-in) and connect it to your latptop serial port. But then you
don't enjoy the unique features (MNP10, auto-reconnection, etc.).
--
Eli Marmor
=================================================================
To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with
the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command
echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
