My GSM service provider still runs 2G (it’s the only way to connect in very remote areas) and you can use it to connect to the internet using various old technologies, such as:
EDGE (best 2G connection with a symmetrical few kB/s, multiple adjacent phone call channels dynamically allocated as available)
GPRS (single phone channel but packets sent only when needed)
ISDN/CSD (continuous call but with digital data instead of an audio codec)
fucking ANALOG DIAL-UP over a normal call’s digital audio codec
The provider (T-Mobile CZ) told me all above technologies are supported. I will be able to get my Nokia 3410 online to wap.blamba.de and download some of the oldest J2ME games once they tell me the access point parameters. Their web only mentions GPRS and EDGE configuration nowadays, neither of which works on the 3410 but I have successfully used both on newer phones like Nokia 6070 in 2025.
Yes, this is a different kind of device but if that is still available you can expect some pager providers to still work. Doctors still use them, I think. Truckers would use paged broadcasts over FM radio’s RDS. I imagine Hezballah had their own transmitters. And yes, you can get GSM pagers - heck, the first SMS ever received was on a device that could not send them.
My GSM service provider still runs 2G (it’s the only way to connect in very remote areas) and you can use it to connect to the internet using various old technologies, such as:
The provider (T-Mobile CZ) told me all above technologies are supported. I will be able to get my Nokia 3410 online to wap.blamba.de and download some of the oldest J2ME games once they tell me the access point parameters. Their web only mentions GPRS and EDGE configuration nowadays, neither of which works on the 3410 but I have successfully used both on newer phones like Nokia 6070 in 2025.
Yes, this is a different kind of device but if that is still available you can expect some pager providers to still work. Doctors still use them, I think. Truckers would use paged broadcasts over FM radio’s RDS. I imagine Hezballah had their own transmitters. And yes, you can get GSM pagers - heck, the first SMS ever received was on a device that could not send them.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing