Using the Blackberry as a tethered modem

Since RIM OS4, it has been possible to use a Blackberry as tethered modem with a notebook computer, allowing your notebook to connect to the internet anywhere your phone can.

Read all about it in this Blackberry forums article on how to use a Blackberry as a modem for a laptop.

I got this working successfully on my T-mobile 7290; be sure to have your phone plugged in and run the Blackberry Device Manager software before you try testing or using the connection. Naturally, no one would mistake GPRS for broadband, but the connection is fine for emailing, blogging, and light web browsing. (I’m posting this message through my phone connection.) Very cool.

Note that this approach requires a PC and a USB connection. There are also Bluetooth alternatives.

Bluetooth support for PCs:: Mobishark supports Bluetooth modem functionality for PCs and the Blackberry. See Blackberry forums for details. Mobishark is $45 and supports a free trial.

Bluetooth support for Mac OSX: Pulse supports Bluetooth access to the Blackberry on the Mac. Pulse is $50 and also supports a free trial.
. Or if you’d like a free option, try the OSX modem script from fibble.org; it sounds like this hasn’t been tested on as many different devices but the price is certainly attractive.

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[…] As a users of T-mobile unlimited dataplan on the Blackberry, I’m excited about this. It will make the Blackberry much more effective both for mobile data apps and as a tethered modem. […]

I am a cingular employee and recently found out that having the unlimited Blackberry package was not enough to use it as a tethered modem. You must upgrade to the 79.95/mo (74.95 with a voice plan) unlimited laptop connect package in order to unblock all the ports, same as if you had a data air card for your laptop…

That would explain why I am having problems setting up my 8700c as a modem. I followed the clear instructions on BlackBerry Forums and it still will not work. Does anyone know of a work-arund?

Anyone know how to do this with a mac? I have a BB 7290…

I just purchased the BB 8703c and use the phone as a modem and it is incrediable!!! It is very fast and reliable at any time. I am very happy with the phone, service and the speed just fast.

i am using the 7130e and it is working but i would prefer that the phone not interrupt the data session. any idea on configuration for that?

Trying to tether my Blackberry Nextel to my laptop.
Need help.

I have recently purchased a blackberry 8703e I have Alltel as my phone service. I appears that I am able to get the blackberry acting as the modem, but I cannot access the internet on my lap top. I have followed the directions (which are very helpful) but I am not sure if it is my execution of the steps, or my Alltel provider. please advise. Thank you so much.

Signed,
a technology challenged guy.

I also have a Blackberry 7130 with Alltel as my service provider and I am able to get the blackberry acting as the modem, but I cannot access the internet on my lap top. If anyone has any suggestions, please help!

Any idea when the cell providers are going to put out the windows vista drivers for tethered modem capabilities; specifically cingular and sprint?

I also have alltel. Alltel currently does not support blackberry tethering. I was told everything is in place and it should be offered VERY soon. The only tethering they offer is for smarthphones. It is 10.95 a month for the service. But I am hoping this will be very soon. Apparently the system works already, but you need a user ID and password and they will not issue one yet for blackberries. Anyone know anything else?

I am trying to use my 7130 as a modem. It does not see the phone as connected even though the desktop manager does and I am able to sync data.

Hi,

I have a MAC and i’m trying to use my BlackBerry as a tap modem, but i’m unable to find out any information about it. Can anyone provide me with any guidance, thanks!!

Jason

I can’t send attachments with gmail using my 7290 as a wireless modem

Verizon told me there is a virtual tethering software, but I can’t remember the name. Call Verizon as I’m going to do.

i have a sprint 8830 bb, is there anyway to tether it to my laptop? any advice would be greatly appreciate it.

greatly appreciated*

This worked a lot easier before the cell carriers found out they could make more money from it as a value added option.

[…] Using the Blackberry as a tethered modem […]

I use my Alltel 8703e as a teathered modem with no problem, All you have to do is set it up like you would set up a dialup connection on a windows XP machine, not at all hard to do, For all CDMA phones the dialup # is (#777) and the username is (firstlast) and the password is (Alltel) simple. thats for Alltel, Verizon has an additional charge to do tethered modem, I am not sure about Sprint. Hope this helped.

I have a Blackberry 8703E with Alltel 500 unlimited data plan.I recently signed up for a tethered modem at an additional $10.00 per mo.I had a technition come in and set the Blackberry up to operate as a tethered modem because they were unable to do it at the Alltel store.I have viewed some forums which appear to indicate that it will operate without paying the extra $10.00 charge at Alltel.Can somebody tell me if this is possible?

Any way to set up a tether WITHOUT the Blackberry desktop software running? For whatever reason my company doesn’t want the Blackberry desktop software installed.

Don’t wanna rain on your parade but its known as a tethered modem and is illegal, its kinda like stealing wi-fi except with wi-fi you wont get in trouble, with a tethered modem your carrier might cancel your cellphone, this is also how that kid in canada got like a thirty thousand dollar phone bill.

So out of curiosity Richard Elder, which cell phone company do you work for?

i dont work for any of them but my carrier is us cellular, cell phone companies use a program that monitors and tracks you internet use, they can and will cancel your service if they catch you doing this, it was made illegal under the same law that made it illegal to steal satellite tv. I have a razr 2 and use bluetooth to connect to my laptop, and i use motorola phone tools v5 to connect to the internet, thought technically this is illegal.

Tethered modem service is offered by many carriers and is NOT illegal. Doing so without paying, of course, is.

Nate, if you are asking if you can run PAM (Phone as Modem) on your Berry without the BlackBerry Desktop Manager running, the answer is yes. Manually create a standard modem and a dial-up connection with the appropriate api and dial #.

The question is, why does your company not want you to run the BB Desktop Manager? Seems silly as there is a great deal of functionality that comes with this and it is helpful for getting the most out of your device if you are running a BES server.

I have a new blackberry 8330 with alltel service I would like to tether it to my laptop without useing the desktop software or paying any extra fees any ideas

[…] Vodafone Mobile Connect is a GPRS data service allowing your notebook to wirelessly … without paying your carrier. All Card, Data Plan DIYs and How-to …Using the Blackberry as a tethered modem » Bogle’s Blog […]

I HAVE A BLACKBERRY CURVE 8310 AND I CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO TEATHER IT TO MY HP DESKTOP CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME THANK YOU

I used a program called Shark Modem with Verizon on my 8830 and I haven’t had any issues with it.
I actually believe it saved me money when I travelled as well. I had to go to europe for 3 weeks for work. I took my BlackBerry obviously. The company had put me up in a hotel with no WiFi (yes, they actually exist apparently) and decided to try to do a tether through it. It worked great and when I got my next bill, there weren’t additional data charges on it (which I actually expected).
The website is mobishark.com. They also have a mac version which is imobimac.com, but I barely can work my way around windows so not taking a leap to mac! :-)
Hope this helped someone

I have a internet connection on my laptop but I still can’t browse. Please advise…

I’ have 8310 doesn’t able to configure on my latop IBM T 400. Please let me know how should i resolve this.

I’m not sure how other carriers do this, but i know for a fact with alltel. If you are using your phone as a modem to tether without the tethering feature, they run audits that detect usage and can add that feature onto your account. So be aware that if you are trying to ‘cheat’ the system. You may get burned in the long run.

Has anyone set up a linux notebook with the blackberry? If you have, what were the problems and solutions?

i use a samsung blackjack with ATT to tether to my laptop. Ive used it for 6 months now as my sole internet service. ive downloaded over 20 episodes of battlestar galactica from itunes store. ATT has never said a word to me. I pay for unlimited internet service and have downloaded gigs of data in a period of one month. Tethering is nothing more than adding a larger monitor and a keyboard to your phones internet service. You wouldnt pay for multiple internet connections for each computer in your house.

I could not fiure out how to tether my blckberry curve 8520 or use bluetooth alternative. instead put my tmobile sim card into my unlocked sony ericson and use bluetooth while leaving it on the charger and get awesome connection. I use wap.tmobile.com as apn everything else blank and goo to go.

[…] The VZAccess Manager is a great tool to use if this low end economy isn’t hurting your pockets . Speed is rather fast and allows you to access the Internet and connect to the office when in a bind. There are other solutions that will get you in the game to give you Internet access. There are many tips and tricks to using your Storm so stay tune for more information. Let us know if you find other options online that will allow users to get a free blackberry tether solution for their device. […]

i have been using my alltell bb pearl to get online with out tether plan, i have only got one bill back with about 2 gigs of usage but i think its going to be way more next months bill. i downloaded the software from the blackberry web site and just installed the drivers. and when i connect i dont put a password or a user name just the #777 in the number section. for any of you trying make sure your setup to run off the phone instead of your built in modem if you have one. and on another note. where is there any law to connect to an unprotected wi-fi connection? Richard Elder

Look at PDA.Net is it is a cheaper alternative.

“it was made illegal under the same law that made it illegal to steal satellite tv. “

That‘s hard to believe because I called T-Mobile customer service and they walked me through how to use a Blackberry as a tethered modem for Windows. For Mac, however, they did not get it to work despite trying. In the end, it was easier to divide the harddrive and install Windows XP.

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Phil Bogle

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Using the Blackberry as a tethered modem

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