BlackBerry device as a tethered modem

[BESadmin]

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

Doc ID : KB05196
Last Modified : 2008-06-16
Document Type : How To

Environment

• BlackBerry® Desktop Software 4.1 and later
• BlackBerry smartphones
• Windows® 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 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 to the Internet using dial-up networking.

Task 1

Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later on your computer.

When you install BlackBerry Desktop Software, the drivers that allow the BlackBerry smartphone to communicate through the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and virtual communications 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 vrtual communications 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. Click 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 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: If you do not know your Internet APN, or if you do not have an Internet APN, contact your service provider.
8. Click OK.
9. 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™

1. Click Start.
2. Select Connect To.
3. Click Setup a connection or network.
4. Click Setup a dialup connection.
5. In the Dial-up phone number field type *99#.
6. Type the user name and password provided by your service provider.
7. In the Connection Name field type BlackBerry.
8. Click Dialing Rules.
9. Make sure the profile created in Task 2 has been selected, and then click OK.
10. Select Connect to establish an internet.

Note: For instructions on connecting a computer to the Internet using a BlackBerry smartphone with CDMA as a tethered modem, see KB04664.

Windows XP operating system

1. Click 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, and 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. Click 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, clear the Enable LCP Extensions check box, as well as all check boxes beneath the PPP Settings window.
3. Double-click Make New Connection. The Network Connection Wizard opens.
4. Click Next.
5. Choose Dial-up to private network. Click Next.
6. In the Phone number field, type *99#. Click Next.
7. Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
8. Type a name for your connection. Click Finish.
9. In the Connect window, click Properties.
10. In the Properties window, verify that Modem - Standard Modem is selected, then click Configure.
11. 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.
12. In the Properties window, click OK.

Task 4

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 smartphone. An active data session might interfere with the modem connection. Also, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

1. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone 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.

[johnconn]

I suppose I'm after the holy grail - a way of getting unlimited data xfer on a wireless connection from a single device.

Does a tethered modem setup like this make use of the unlimited data plan via the BES or does it use the exorbitant GPRS/EDGE charges ? If the former, when are we gonna see the first HSDPA handsets!? Now that would be VERY cool.

[GaryCutri]

Unfortunately when you configure a BlackBerry device as a modem you will have to pay additional charges for the data. The reason you are charged extra is the Access Point Name (APN) you are connecting to via modem is outside the blackberry data tunnel and is then consider WAP data, hence your service provider charges you for that download.

[altadr]

Originally Posted by GaryCutri

Unfortunately when you configure a BlackBerry device as a modem you will have to pay additional charges for the data. The reason you are charged extra is the Access Point Name (APN) you are connecting to via modem is outside the blackberry data tunnel and is then consider WAP data, hence your service provider charges you for that download.

After an extremely long phone call with Optus early last week i finally managed to get a hold of the tech support team and someone who knew what they were talking about when it comes to the Blackberry caps...

Out of all the trouble though came a very pleasing result.

Optus includes not only BB data in their unlimited data plans but also wap data so no matter how you set your phone up to use as a modem it will all fall under the unlimited data plan for all usage.

Optus customers rejoyce because as far as i know we have the only carrier that allows this.

[SoundMan]

ok, i follow these instructions to the letter but i get an error when trying to load a web page in my browser on the laptop (thru USB)

the conncetion dials, and connects (balloon pops-up in lower right of screen), so i assume it is connected to the modem on the Blackberry ok, but then i get an error when attempting to load a webpage,

error reads: "Connection Interrupted, The document contains no data.The network link was interrupted while negotiating a connection. Please try again."

i dont know how to fix this... if anyone knows how to fix it, or what to try... please answer.

[GaryCutri]

Originally Posted by SoundMan

ok, i follow these instructions to the letter but i get an error when trying to load a web page in my browser on the laptop (thru USB)

the conncetion dials, and connects (balloon pops-up in lower right of screen), so i assume it is connected to the modem on the Blackberry ok, but then i get an error when attempting to load a webpage,

error reads: "Connection Interrupted, The document contains no data.The network link was interrupted while negotiating a connection. Please try again."

i dont know how to fix this... if anyone knows how to fix it, or what to try... please answer.

Hi,

Can you please provide the following information:

1. What device are you using? (e.g. Blackberry 8110)
2. What version of Desktop Manager do you have installed on your computer?
3. What carrier are you using?
4. Have you added an addition data plan to your phone account?
5. What version of Windows are you running? (e.g. Vista Ultimate with SP1)

Thanks,

Gary

[SoundMan]

thanks for the reply.

yup it's Xp Sp3. 8310. o2. DTM 4.2.

it's resolved. the information supplied to me for entering into the "Extra initialisation commands" was at fault. i was given "O2.CO.UK" when it should have been "MOBILE.O2.CO.UK". this ment that i could connect (weirdly) but not get any data. it appears that an out-dated user guide was the issue.

[topender]

I dont seem to be able to get this working. Is there any further info to above relating to windows vista

In my phone and modem options i can see the standard modem attached to com 3. However when i go into the properties>advanced screen i cannot input anything into the extra initilisation area

1. What device are you using? Blackberry 9000
2. What version of Desktop Manager do you have installed on your computer?4.6.0.6
3. What carrier are you using?Telstra
4. Have you added an addition data plan to Vista Ultimate SP1

I only see the one modem installed. Should an extra one have been installed when i installed desktop manager? As i would think the extra initilisation string will interfere with my normal dialup account on the pc modem.

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

T

[GaryCutri]

Originally Posted by topender

I dont seem to be able to get this working. Is there any further info to above relating to windows vista

In my phone and modem options i can see the standard modem attached to com 3. However when i go into the properties>advanced screen i cannot input anything into the extra initilisation area

1. What device are you using? Blackberry 9000
2. What version of Desktop Manager do you have installed on your computer?4.6.0.6
3. What carrier are you using?Telstra
4. Have you added an addition data plan to Vista Ultimate SP1

I only see the one modem installed. Should an extra one have been installed when i installed desktop manager? As i would think the extra initilisation string will interfere with my normal dialup account on the pc modem.

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

T

Hi,

Install the latest BlackBerry Desktop Manager 4.6 B015 using this LINK and a new "Standard Modem" will appear. Also Desktop Manager must be opened to enable the modem driver prior to using the dialup connect you created.

Thanks,

Gary

[topender]

Ive installed the newer version of the desktop manager on another laptop. Have the phone connected and desktop manager open
I can see three modems in control panel
Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem Com 3
Standard Modem Com 6
Standard modem over bluetooth link Com 4
I cannot input anything into the extra initilisation area for the modems under properties>advanced

On another question relating to Task 5 if i can get to there. I understood the modem was operating through the data plan. Im not sure i have a username/password. Or is it the case that i need a seperate dial up account somewhere to run the data through and cant just browse using my data plan

Cheers

T