[giordano]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I am in Afghanistan in an area that has Cell phone service that also provides GPRS internet. This is pretty much as good as it is going to get, but there are always possibilites that this internet system may be upgraded at a later time to 3G or so. This is my only means of communications with my family. I am going to use a cell phone to tether to my laptop to create a connection. I'm hoping for the best - which would be to run Skype voice or video with it - but anything is better than what we have now - which is nothing. I dont need a lot of other bells and whistles on the phone.  

The internet system there is GPRS and has a max speed of 115 k. Most of the phones I have looked at are quad band and that would be best as well. In addition, my computer does not have bluetooth so it will have to use a data cable usb type. It should also charge from this cable.

I have to order the phone before I leave this location on thursday as after that I may not have any useful internet for three months.

Please recommend a phone.

must tether to provide internet "phone as modem"

Quadband GPRS max internet speeds up to 115k

charge from usb while connected to laptop to tether via usb

Thank you.

[grschinon]

Pretty much all Nokia phones do the first 2 on your list.

If you want to be able to charge the phone while it's connected, or at least draw some current from the USB port in order to flatten the battery less quickly, then that limits your choice somewhat. Potential candidates that aren't in the "luxury" range (8800 Arte et al.) are: 6500 classic, N85, N97.

[giordano]

I forgot to add that I am running window vista home and I would also need some nokia software? We use a prepaid system here and it is $20 for a month with no limits.

[grschinon]

The software you'd need is provided with the phones, and you can always get updated versions off the Internet.

[giordano]

how about the E51 model?

[grschinon]

The E51 doesn't charge through its USB port.