Suppose I purchase a Bluetooth mobile phone, like the Sony Ericsson
T68, and use
it as a modem for my laptop. Does it work like a normal modem, so I
just dial my usual ISP (and of course use up minutes)? Or does it
connect through some special wireless internet that I have to
subscribe to (and pay
extra for)? If the latter, what are typical charges for this service?

Hi dbass-ga

I think I can answer this question directly, from personal experience.
I own a Sony-Ericsson T68i and I have used it to make internet
connections, both from a Palm PDA using the IrDA (infrared)
connection, and from a laptop via a Bluetooth connection. Both methods
seem very reliable and work well.

As far as the computer is concerned (both PDA and laptop), the phone
appears to be simply a modem, and a connection is simply made to your
normal ISP. This will of course be charged at the standard rate to
that class of number by your mobile/cell phone network provider.

Wireless internet (WAP and GPRS) are separate services which can be
used by the phone when accessing the internet without any other
devices. These will normally need to be set up by your phone service
provider, although in much of Europe and Asia there are open WAP
portals to which anyone can sign up.


Useful links and further information:

Sony-Ericsson T68 official site:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/T68/

General information on WAP and the "mobile internet":
http://www.wirelessarena.com/
http://www.wapforum.org/
http://www.wapfreaks.net/

WAP portals:
http://www.yourwap.com/
http://mobile.virgilio.it/ (in Italian)
http://www.vizzavi.fr/ (in French, but Vizzavi have an online and
wireless presence in most European countries).


Regards
iaint-ga

This certainly answers the question. More importantly, the additional
information in the response, in addition to being useful, indicates
that the iaint-ga knows what (s)he is talking about, so I have
confidence that the response is reasonably authoritative.