Using cell phones as modem can lead to extremely high bills Published Feb. 24, 2008 By Capt. Colin P. Eichenberger 35th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate Office MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Using your cell phone to connect to the Internet can be a very convenient way to stay in touch and stay informed when you are traveling. However in Japan, this can be very costly. There are no flat rate connection fees and the fees associated with internet use are much higher than the fees you may have become accustomed to in the states. Downloading a song will generally cost a user around $50, while using your phone as a modem on a100 kbs connection can cost you more than $600 per hour. The amount charged is based on "packet size," which relates to the size of the download and the connection speed you are using. These rates can add up quickly and have turned into bills as high as $40,000 for one month's use for some of our servicemembers. While using your cell phone as a modem can result in surprisingly large bills, the cell phone contracts are legal and generally, you will be obligated to pay. The easiest way to avoid having a problem is not using your cell phone to connect to the internet. However, if you want to use your cell phone to connect to the internet, be sure you are informed about how the charges are calculated. There are discount plans available from most providers, which can make the costs much more manageable. If you plan to use your phone to connect to the internet, be sure you ask your provider to explain the fees and help you determine which discount package best fits your needs.