Getting mobile internet for Arduino.

[blacblu]

I was planning to do a GPS tracker using the Arduino Ethernet, but the main problem is to connect the Arduino to the Internet.

Was wondering what kind of modem should I use. Any tips?

[wizdum]

I was planning to do a GPS tracker using the Arduino Ethernet, but the main problem is to connect the Arduino to the Internet.

Was wondering what kind of modem should I use. Any tips?

Probably a GSM cellular data module, that way you can buy little pre-paid sim cards and not have to worry about cellphone contracts. I have also heard of people renting very low bandwidth (~10kbyte per second to 100kbyte per second) satellite connections for short periods of time, at low cost.

[MichaelMeissner]

If you are in a region of the world that uses GSM/GPRS cell phones (75-80% of the world uses GSM, in the USA AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM but Sprint and Verizon do not), you might want to use this shield, which would allow you to put in a SIM card: http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/GPRS_Shield.  You will have to figure out how what cell phone options for the SIM card.

[terryking228]

A couple of options here:  http://goo.gl/o4gfO

One is a small module and the other is an Arduino type shield.

Some info here: http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/GSM-GPRS


DISCLAIMER: Mentioned stuff from my own shop...

[blacblu]

Are these kind of GSM modules easy to use do they come with good documentation/samples?

[wizdum]

Are these kind of GSM modules easy to use do they come with good documentation/samples?

Define "easy to use". Sparkfun has a few different modules, with some examples:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9607

[liudr]

If you are in a region of the world that uses GSM/GPRS cell phones (75-80% of the world uses GSM, in the USA AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM but Sprint and Verizon do not), you might want to use this shield, which would allow you to put in a SIM card: http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/GPRS_Shield.  You will have to figure out how what cell phone options for the SIM card.

MichaelMeissner,

I'm trying to get this shield. Have you had some experience with it? I am curious what "unlocked SIM" means on their wiki. Thanks.

[MichaelMeissner]

No I don't own the shield.  An unlocked sim card means you can transfer the sim card from one phone to another.  I believe some sim cards are locked to a particular phone.  You would need to ask somebody else which carriers have locked sim cards.

[OpenElectronics]

Hi, I suggest you the Open-Electronics shield
use a SIM908 instead of SIM900
SIM908=GSM + GPRS + GPS
SIM900=GSM + GPRS
More info:
http://www.open-electronics.org/gsm-gps-shield-for-arduino/

[sbright33]

You can also use Wifly + Mifi from any mobile provider.

[wizdum]

You can also use Wifly + Mifi from any mobile provider.

Good point. If space isn't an issue, this would probably be the best. Then you aren't relying on someone's diy firmware for the GSM part, and you aren't limited to just the Arduino if you want to expand the project in the future.

[sbright33]

This way you could send Email, SMS, HTTP, or FTP easily. 
www.smtp2go.com is my first choice for easy Email.
If you use GMail, your provider may be blocked from sending.