8707, BES and Internet for Laptops & Vodafone

[Steven.Ellison]

I have seen several posts/FAQ's talking about using a Blackberry as a modem for a laptop. From what I have read this provides the equivilent of a dialup connection to an existing ISP.

Is there any way to use the Blackberry as a modem to allow a laptop to access the "Home" internal network not unlike the Blackberry browser when using the express server.

I am currently able to access E-Trade with the Blackberry via my home server however most functions on E-Trade make many of the actions unworkable. I am looking for some sort of proxy access to the web for a laptop via the Blackberry and ultimately via the Blackberry enterprise express server providing me with the same level of security I have in place at home.

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.

Regards,
Steven Ellison

[BESadmin]

Hi Steven,

You are able to configure your BlackBerry device to be used as a modem via your mobile service provider. In using a device in this manner you won't be connecting to the Blackberry network that may include unlimited data etc, instead it will connect to your provider’s data access point (APN). As this data is being provided by a different service you will be charged additional costs for using your device as a modem. So before proceeding with these configuration steps below consult with your provider regarding data charges and data plans.


Connect a computer to the Internet using a GPRS, EDGE, or UMTS BlackBerry device as a tethered modem

Doc ID : KB05196
Last Modified : 2007-08-08
Document Type : How To

Environment

• BlackBerry® 7130 Series
• BlackBerry® 7200 Series
• BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone
• BlackBerry® 8700 Series
• BlackBerry® 8800 smartphone
• BlackBerry® Desktop Software 4.1 and later
• Microsoft® Windows® Vista™, 2000, and XP

Note: Research In Motion (RIM) provides some support for the tethered modem; the installation of the Standard Modem Driver is supported. See KB05178 for more details about support for the tethered modem.

Important: Contact your service provider to obtain the user name and password you require to configure dial-up networking. Also, ask your service provider if additional charges are incorporated when connecting to the Internet using the BlackBerry smartphone as a tethered modem.

Procedure

A BlackBerry smartphone with tethered modem capabilities can be used as an external modem to connect a computer or laptop computer to the Internet.

Summary of Tasks

To set up a tethered modem, complete the following tasks:

1. Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later (one time only).
2. Set up the Internet access point name (APN) (one time only).
3. Configure dial-up networking (one time only).
4. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
5. Connect to the Internet using dial-up networking.

Task 1

Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later on the computer.

When you install BlackBerry Desktop Software, the drivers that allow the BlackBerry device to communicate through the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and virtual COM port are installed. The Standard Modem, which is used by dial-up networking, is also installed.

Note: If upgrading your BlackBerry Desktop Software from version 4.0 to 4.1, the required Virtual COM Port and Standard Modem might be removed during the upgrade process. If this is the case, re-install the BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later and choose the Repair option to re-install these components.

Task 2

Set up an Internet APN.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Phone and Modem Options.
3. In the Phone and Modem Options window, click the Modems tab.
4. Select Standard Modem and click Properties.
5. Click on Change Settings.
6. In the Standard Modem Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
7. In the Extra initialization commands field, type the following:

+cgdcont=1,"IP","<your Internet APN>"

Note: The following is applicable for T-Mobile customers only:
The Extra initialization command is: +cgdcont=1,"IP","wap.voicestream.com"

Note: If you do not know your Internet APN, or if you do not have an Internet APN, contact your service provider.

1. Click OK.
2. In the Phone and Modem Options window, click OK.

Task 3

To configure dial-up networking, complete the procedure that is appropriate to the operating system you are using:

Windows Vista

Go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Phone and
Modem Options

If opening Phone and Modem Options for the first time, a dialog box displays prompting you to enter an area code and access codes.

Windows XP operating system

1. Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections.
2. Double-click New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard opens.
3. Click Next.
4. Select the Connect to the Internet option. Click Next.
5. Select Set up my connection manually. Click Next.
6. Select Connect using a dial-up modem. Click Next.
7. If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem - Standard Modem check box. Click Next.
8. In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection. Click Next.
9. In the Phone number field, type *99#. Click Next.
10. Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
11. Type the user name and password provided by your service provider. Click Next.
12. Click Finish.
13. In the Connect window, click Properties.
14. In the Properties window, verify that Modem - Standard Modem appears beneath the Connect using heading, then click Configure.
15. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected. Click OK. In the Properties window, click OK.

Windows 2000 operating system

1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.

Note: The following is applicable for T-Mobile customers only:
Under the networking tab in the properties window for the dial-up connection, Enable LCP Extensions must be unchecked, as well as every other box beneath the PPP window.

1. Double-click Make New Connection. The Network Connection Wizard opens.
2. Click Next.
3. Choose Dial-up to private network. Click Next.
4. In the Phone number field, type *99#. Click Next.
5. Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
6. Type a name for your connection. Click Finish.
7. In the Connect window, click Properties.
8. In the Properties window, verify that Modem - Standard Modem is selected, then click Configure.
9. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected. Click OK.
10. In the Properties window, click OK.

Task 4

After creating the dial-up network connection, open BlackBerry Desktop Manager and select Connection Settings from the Options menu. Instead of selecting USB-PIN, select the COM port (COM3 for example). Check Enable USB-to-serial converter compatibility.

Important: Do not click on Detect. Click OK instead. BlackBerry Desktop Manager shows disconnected. You should now be able to connect successfully.

Note: BlackBerry Desktop Manager must be running for the tethered modem to function.

If Microsoft Outlook® is not operating in cache mode, you might receive a message indicating that BlackBerry Desktop Manager cannot contact the messaging server. If this message appears, click Cancel to proceed.

Task 5

Connect to the Internet using dial-up networking.

Note: During this procedure, do not operate the BlackBerry® Browser or any third-party applications on the BlackBerry device. An active data session may interfere with the modem connection. Also, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

1. Connect the BlackBerry device to the computer.
2. Open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > <name of your new connection>.
4. Type the user name and password provided by your service provider.
5. Click Dial.

Additional Info

For instructions on how to connect a computer to the Internet using a CDMA BlackBerry device as a tethered modem, see KB04664.