I do not have a landline in my home as I use strictly my cellular phone for communications. One of the drawbacks of this is that I cannot connect to the Internet. Is there a way I can connect to the Internet from my PC modem through a cell phone?

You can connect to the Internet through your cell phone in several ways. However, it won't be through your standard modem and you might find that it will be less expensive and more rewarding to do it through a standard landline telephone connection.

The first cell-based option is to purchase a cell phone that is Internet enabled. Typically this means you can send e-mail messages and use Web clipping, which is the small screen version of Web browsing. You'll really be getting text versions of most Web pages without all the fancy graphics. Motorola and Samsung both make Web enabled phones, often referred to as tri-mode wireless phones.

You also can buy a multifunctional device that acts as both a cell phone and a personal digital assistant (PDA). The BlackBerry handheld is one such device. It allows you to send and receive e-mail and has a thumb pad for data input.

The Kyocera Smartphone and several Handspring Treo models combine a Palm PDA with a cell phone. They are easy to use, but are still bound by a small screen. Standalone PDAs like the Palm Tungsten also have similar capability -- without the phone in the PDA.

You also can use a special wireless or cable connection to connect to the Internet using your cell service. A cable kit will set you back about $70, and will connect from your USB port on your computer to your cell phone.

To use the wireless option, you'll need both a wi-fi capable cell phone and a wi-fi adapter on your computer. This could become pricey. So unless you already expect to buy a new phone, you're better off with the cable connector.

The pricing is where it gets really difficult to justify a cell phone connection to the Internet. You'll either add $30 per month or more for an Internet service specially designed for these wireless connections, or you'll be paying airtime at standard cell rates to connect to your current Internet Service Provider (ISP).

In either case, it will very likely become very expensive.

If price is your overriding concern, spring for a bare-bones landline telephone and a dial-up ISP. It will be much faster than going through your cell, easier to set up, and in most cases, less expensive. Better yet, add DSL to increase your speed dramatically. DSL can be ordered in a variety of speeds based on your budget.

If you're dead set on not installing a standard landline, you can also try a cable Internet connection. Like DSL, this is a fast connection, and uses the cable already in your home.

The bottom line on whether to connect by cell or install a landline is based on hassle, cost and speed. While the initial hassle of adding standard telephone service might be a bit more, the ongoing hassle is less.

The total cost of ownership, including equipment, service and connect charges, is likely to be lower using standard telephone service than connecting via cell phone. The difference in speed will be dramatic, with the cell phone service losing hands down.

So, unless there is a technical reason that keeps you from installing a phone line or cable Internet connection, your cell phone is usually not your best option to use as your in-home connection to the Internet.