Blackberry Dial-up Modem

I’ve figured out how to use the Blackberry as a modem to connect my computer to the Internet so I don’t have to share the awful, over-utilized Internet connection in a hotel and so I can connect to the Internet while I’m on the road.

So, how does one set up their computer so they can use their Blackberry to connect to the Internet?

To use your Blackberry as a dial-up modem, here’s what you will need:

• Blackberry Desktop Manager 4.6.0. 14
• Blackberry 8320 Smartphone software v4.5.0.81
• USB Cable
• Windows XP

Note: Get your software from your Wireless carrier’s site.  Getting the latest software from Research In Motion can sometimes cause problems because the carrier often customizes the software for their own use and your wireless carrier may not support the the software unless it came from them.

Overview

Here’s the general process for setting up a dial-up networking connection in Windows.

1. Install the Desktop Manager software on your computer
2. Install the Smartphone software on your Blackberry
3. Launch the Desktop Manager Software
4. Configure a Modem in Windows
5. Configure a dialup networking connection

Here’s how to do this, step by step.

Install the Desktop Manager Software on your Computer

You only need to perform this step if your software is before version 4.6.0. 14.

Download the software from T-Mobile’s site and install. Just accept all the defaults and reboot your computer when finished.

Install the Smartphone Software on your Blackberry

You only need to perform this step if your Blackberry smartphone software is older than version 4.5.0.81. Download the software from T-Mobile and follow the installation prompts.

Start Blackberry Desktop Manager

1. If you installed new software on your computer it will need to Restart.
2. If you installed new software on your Blackberry, it will restart.
3. Once your computer and your Blackberry and have restarted, plug your Blackberry into your computer with your USB cable.
4. From your computer, launch the Blackberry Desktop Manager software.

Configure the Dial-Up Modem

First, we have to configure a modem in Windows. The Blackberry Desktop already creates a modem in Windows when it is installed. All you need do is enter the correct initialization string for the modem so it will connect to T-Mobile’s network.

1.  
   1. Click Start
   2. Click Control Panels
      
   3. Click Printers and Other Hardware
      
   4. Click Phone and Modem Options
      
   5. Click the Modems tab
      
   6. In the list of installed modems, highlight Standard Modem
   7. Click the Properties button
   8. Click the Advanced tab
   9. Enter the following string under Extra initialization commands
      
      AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”wap.voicestream.com”
      
      Be careful with the double quotes. If you cut and paste this string from this page, be sure to paste it into Notepad and type over the double quote marks.
      
   10. Click OK
   11. Click OK
   12. Click Start
   13. Click Control Panels
   14. 
   15. If you have Category View, click Network and Internet Connections
       
        
   16. Click Network Connections
       

   17. Under Network Tasks, select Create a new connection
       
   18. The New Connection Wizard will open
       
       
   19. Click Next
       
        
       
   20. Select Connect to the Internet
   21. Click Next
       
   22. Select Set up my connection manually
       
       
   23. Click Next
   24. Select Connect using a dial-up modem
        
   25. Click Next
   26. Enter a any name you wish in the ISP Name blank
       
   27. Click Next
   28. Under Phone number, enter *99#
       
   29. Click Next
       
   30. Select whether you wish this dialup connection to be usable only by you or anyone on the computer.
       
   31. Click Next
       
   32. In the Internet Account Information dialog:
       
   33. Do not enter a username, passord or domain.
   34. Uncheck the box for Use this account name and password.
   35. Uncheck the box for Make this the default Internet connection
       
   36. Click Next
   37. Click the box for Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop
       
   38. Click Finish
   39. The Connect <ISP Name> window will appear
       
   40. Click the Properties button
   41. The Properties window will open
       
   42. Uncheck the box for Prompt for name and password, certificate, etc.
   43. Uncheck the box for Prompt for phone number
   44. Click OK

Set Up the Dial-Up Networking Connection

At this point, the computer will automatically try to connect via the Blackberry to the T-Mobile network. Whenever you double click the desktop shortcut for the connection, it will also automatically connect.