Techy Challenge

[TBird1]

Is there a way I can use the combination of N95 + Laptop to act as a modem so that I can use a credit card terminal without using a landline ?

Just to expand further, my father has a small gallery in the village and customers can buy in the shop using chip and pin. The credit card terminal he has requires a regular landline to operate (therefore it must have a modem built in I guess). Occasionally I would help out doing exhibitions at hotels and craft fairs but we cant accept credit card payments as there is no landline. He is tied in to use the terminal for another 2.5 years at £15p/mth and is reluctant to upgrade to a GSM/Mobile enabled terminal as the cost then rockets.

Just thought perhaps there might be a way to get around this using the N95 ? Ive also got some old US robotics modems kicking around somewhere if they're any use ?

[nutter426]

Possibly with the N95 connected to the laptop to give internet access which is shared to a VoIP analogue telephone adapter, which gives you a standard phone socket.
I don't know how well VoIP works with data calls though.

The other option would be to see if you can get a credit card terminal that uses the internet as a transfer pathway rather than a telephone line, it lets you skip the step of ATA.

[pa49]

Is there a way I can use the combination of N95 + Laptop to act as a modem so that I can use a credit card terminal without using a landline ?

Just to expand further, my father has a small gallery in the village and customers can buy in the shop using chip and pin. The credit card terminal he has requires a regular landline to operate (therefore it must have a modem built in I guess). Occasionally I would help out doing exhibitions at hotels and craft fairs but we cant accept credit card payments as there is no landline. He is tied in to use the terminal for another 2.5 years at £15p/mth and is reluctant to upgrade to a GSM/Mobile enabled terminal as the cost then rockets.

Just thought perhaps there might be a way to get around this using the N95 ? Ive also got some old US robotics modems kicking around somewhere if they're any use ?

All standard terminals use an RS232 port connection for their access via a built in modem. These modems invariably only allow access via PSTN lines.
However, as your phone connections are nowadays usually mini USB (which is a serial port and therefore RS232 standard) there should be no reason why you can't use a mobile for access.
You would need a terminal that has a serial port connection and I believe that these are available and your card equipment supplier should be able to advise.
If the port is by way of a D connector then D to mini USB cables are available.
The final problem could be suitable drivers for the phone, but, you could find that a generic driver would work.
Good luck.

[TBird1]

Thanks Guys,

PA49 - your comments would encourage me to give it a go - I understand most PDQ (chip & pin terminals) use a standard modem, so I'll give it a go and post back here with my progress.

[maki43]

A problem that could happen is that the port which the terminal uses would be blocked by the service provider. I know t-mobile block ports used for file sharing and ftp, but i am not on thier top data package so the more expensive may let you.