Suggestions for a cheap cell phone that can work as a modem?

[arunb]

Hi,

I would like to use a cell phone or a GPRS modem in my project so that it can be accessed remotely, (for servicing etc.)

Are there any cell phones or GPRS modems (or any other device) that can do the job ???

thanks
arunb

[ckielstra]

Is this for a commercial project or hobby?

For hobby I recommend to buy a cheap and old GPRS capable telephone with serial RS32 port. Most new phones have an USB connection which is difficult to interface to a PIC.

For a commercial project you want to be able to buy the same phone or modem over the next couple of years. That leaves out the phones as these are replaced every half year. Modem (modules) are replaced less often and the new models are backwards compatible so these are a better option but are more expensive.
Well known manufacturers are Siemens, Wavecom and Telit.
Prices for embedded GPRS modules start at €70.

An interesting option is the new modem modules having lots of memory and CPU power and allowing you to add your own program into the modem. Why use a small and slow PIC processor when you can use the modem's powerful 32-bit ARM processor and huge amounts of memory?
Examples are:
- Siemens TC65T, programmable in Java, ARM7, 1.7Mb Flash, 400kb RAM.
- Wavecom Fastrack Supreme, program in C/C++, ARM9, 87MIPS, 1.5M Flash, 256k RAM
Prices... close to €200.