I'm new to GSM and trying to get started. I have a couple of basic questions:
Can I simply remove the SIM card from my cell phone and plug it into the Arduino GSM shield to use my current cell phone plan for calls, texting, and data so that I can avoid having to get a separate plan just for my Arduino. I have an unlimited everything plan on my cell phone and I would hope to just transfer that plan with the SIM card to the Arduino whenever I am playing with it.
If I get 2 Arduino GSM shields, can I communicate directly between the 2 devices without involving a mobile service provider at all? If so, what is the maximum range that these two devices would be able to communicate using the Arduino GSM shield with the built in antenna?
Can I simply remove the SIM card from my cell phone and plug it into the Arduino GSM shield
Yes.
Good. I was hoping that I could transfer my plan between my Arduino and my cell phone quickly without even having to call my service provider (Sprint).
If I get 2 Arduino GSM shields, can I communicate directly between the 2 devices without involving a mobile service provider at all?
No. Unless you don't actually use the shields. If you don't, why have them?
I heard of someone using GSM to remote control RC airplanes at long range with live first person view video feed. The remote control had a GSM module and the airplane had a GSM module. I wasn't sure whether the plane and remote were utilizing cell towers or communicating directly between one another without involving the cellular service provider.
A GSM device only has a substantial range because at the other end is a powerful transmitter with a big antenna on a high tower and/ or hill.
Mobile to mobile is much more restricted and this is always the case with radio networks.
In addition, and essential to the operation, the mobile-to-tower frequency and the whole transmitter tuning to perform this, is nowhere near the tower-to-mobile frequency and its corresponding tuning, and these tunings are rigidly fixed.