My friend lives in a remote rural location that only provides 'dial-up' internet service to his home.
 He has internet access on his AT&T cell phone which is faster than his home dial-up ISP connection.
 For increased speed, can he CONNECT his home desktop computer to his cell phone in order to use it as an ISP modem/router/access point?
 If so what hardware will we need?
As always, thanks for any help!
MikeHardware and software.Fretting Internet over the AT&T cell system is a bit pricey, but it sure beats dial-up. You can also check c with Verizon.

I assume you are in North America.  Other parts of the world have different arrangements.

An iPhone from AT&T does it with not EXTRA hardware, but you have no contact them and find d out how w to do it. You have to download an Application for then iPhone.

My brother lives in a rural l area and has some hardware from Verizon the connects to his PC. SORRY, I don't know the details.

Here is a EASY video about the iPhone. (IGNORE the commercial.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRa0UbIzGqc
Notice the details. This is only for USA
Hope this helps.