Smartphone as a dial-up modem

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adhdluke

Commendable
Jan 5, 2017
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Is it possible by any means to use a smartphone as a modem for dial-up internet, either to tether to a computer or for the phone itself?
 
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Solandri
As a phone line for an actual dial-up modem, no a cell phone won't work. Landline telephones transmit voice as a raw analog signal. Cell phones use a codec to compress the sound into a digital data packet before transmitting. Usually compressed down to the equivalent of about 8 kbps on modern phones. You're never gonna be able to connect to a 56 kbps dial-up modem like in the dial-up days (granted I'm old enough to remember 300 and 1200 baud modems). VoIP phones have the same problem when you try to use them with fax machines (which are essentially dial-up modems connected to a scanner/printer) - you won't be able to connect a fax machine to a cell phone for the same reason.

However, if your smartphone has a data plan, there are...
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Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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Let's first define what is "Dial-Up". In AOL days, this involved a computer with serial port, a modem connected to that serial port, and a telephone line connected to the modem. The computer then would dial a number for AOL, and data connection would be established.

Mobile phones can eliminate serial port / modem / telephone line, with appropriate connection (in the past USB or IR, these days - BT). So, the question is what you will be dialing into.
 
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Solandri

Solandri

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Jan 4, 2012
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As a phone line for an actual dial-up modem, no a cell phone won't work. Landline telephones transmit voice as a raw analog signal. Cell phones use a codec to compress the sound into a digital data packet before transmitting. Usually compressed down to the equivalent of about 8 kbps on modern phones. You're never gonna be able to connect to a 56 kbps dial-up modem like in the dial-up days (granted I'm old enough to remember 300 and 1200 baud modems). VoIP phones have the same problem when you try to use them with fax machines (which are essentially dial-up modems connected to a scanner/printer) - you won't be able to connect a fax machine to a cell phone for the same reason.

However, if your smartphone has a data plan, there are ways to tether it to your computer via USB, or set it up as a WiFi hotspot. Most of these require the phone be rooted (or for you to pay for a hotspot option on your phone plan). But there are tethering apps available which don't require root.
 
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