Use your BlackBerry as a laptop modem

Many of us carry around both a laptop and a BlackBerry. Why not squeeze even more use out of your BlackBerry and use it as a laptop modem?

Summary: Your BlackBerry as a modem
Difficulty: Intermediate

We will be setting up your computer to make use of your BlackBerry as a modem. While this can also be done in Mac OS X using Bluetooth only, these steps will concentrate on connecting via the USB cable in Windows XP.
Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll be left with an icon on your desktop that you can simply double-click to connect to the internet. The speed of your connection will only be limited by the BlackBerry’s speed and the speed of your network provider, or the one you’re roaming on to.

1 Gather information and install software
The very first step is preparing by gathering some information from your wireless carrier. To start off with you need to find out if there is an associated cost with using your BlackBerry as a tethered modem. Some carriers charge an extra monthly fee for this service. Some carriers include the service if you opt for the unlimited data plan. Either way, you should contact your carrier to make sure that the BlackBerry tethering option has been added to your account.
The next step is to ask your carrier for the Access Point Name (APN), username, and password needed to connect to the internet. The APN is like a gateway that your BlackBerry will communicate to, which will allow it to get onto the internet.
The next step is to download and install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later. We recommend just installing the latest version, which
at the time of going to print is 4.7.
You can download it by going to http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/desktop/.

2. Set up the modem in Control Panel
Next you must set up the Standard Modem properties in the Control Panel. Before you follow the next few steps make sure that you connect your BlackBerry to your computer using the USB cable. You’ll also need to ensure that you run BlackBerry Desktop Manager.

Click Start>Settings>Control Panel.
Double-click Phone and Modem Options.
In the Phone and Modem Options window, click on the Modems tab.
Select Standard Modem and click Properties.
Click Change Settings.
In the Standard Modem Properties window, locate and click on the Advanced tab.
In the Extra initialization commands field, you’ll need to type the following:
+cgdcont=1,”IP”,”<your Internet APN>”
This example is for T-Mobile US customers only:
+cgdcont=1,”IP”,”wap.voicestream.com”
Click OK.
In the Phone and Modem Options window, click OK.

3. Create a new Network Connection
Next you must create a brand new Network Connection. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start>Settings>Network Connections.
Click Create New Connection. The New Connection Wizard opens.
Click Next.
Select the Connect to the Internet option. Click Next.
Select Set up my connection manually. Click Next.
Select Connect using a dial-up modem. Click Next.
If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem – Standard Modem checkbox.
Click Next.
In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection (eg T-Mobile US). Click Next.
In the Phone number field, type *99#. Click Next.
Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
Type both the username and password provided by your service provider. Click Next. (Note that sometimes the username and password must be left blank. It depends on your wireless carrier.)
Click Finish.

4 Final modem configuration
The next few steps tweak the Standard Modem properties so
that they all work correctly with
your BlackBerry.

In the Connect window, click Properties.
In the Properties window, verify that Modem – Standard Modem appears beneath the Connect using heading. If it does, go ahead and click Configure.
In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control checkbox and make sure none of the other checkboxes are selected. Click OK. In the Properties window, click OK.

5 Connect
Now that you have set up your new Network Connection, it is time to connect. When using your BlackBerry as a tethered modem, do not use any of the BlackBerry third-party applications or the web browser as they may interfere with your modem connection.
To connect to the internet, make sure that your BlackBerry is connected to your laptop via the USB cable. Make sure that you have the Desktop Manager running.

Click Start>Settings>Network Connections><name of your new connection>.
Type the username and password provided by your service provider (remember that these fields can be left blank depending on your carrier).
Click Dial.

FAQ
I have an Apple MacBook Pro. Can I use my BlackBerry as a modem on my MacBook?
RIM does not provide a way for this, but it can be done. A few enterprising individuals have written BlackBerry Bluetooth modem drivers for OS X. If you follow the instructions at the link below, you should be able to use your BlackBerry as a modem via Bluetooth: http:// tinyurl.com/3buysb

FAQ
Can I use the BlackBerry’s phone while I am using the internet via the BlackBerry?
If you have a BlackBerry that is connected to a 3G network (like a Bold or Storm for example) then you will be able to. However, if your BlackBerry connects to EDGE or GPRS only (or if you are in an area that only provides EDGE or GPRS) you will not be able to.

FAQ
Is it not better to just buy a laptop modem and use that?
It depends. Normally buying a laptop modem and paying for the connection service on this new device is more expensive than simply adding the tethering option to your existing BlackBerry account.

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