How to connect a computer to the internet using a Blackberry phone as a modem

You can make a dial-up connection by using your BlackBerry phone as a modem. You can connect your BlackBerry to your computer and connect to the internet through the BlackBerry Internet Service.
This can be done by either using the bluetooth dial-up profile if the phone and the computer supports this, or with the USB cable.

Note: The steps herein are for BIS subscribers only, BES subscriber can make a request for their own settings by either sending me a mail or by dropping a comment under this post.

Requirements Install the latest BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The drivers that allow the BlackBerry to communicate through the USB port and virtual COM ports are installed. The Standard Modem, which is used by dial-up networking, is also installed. Make sure that you can use the internet browser on the BlackBerry itself.

The following illustrates the steps in Windows XP with Service Pack II to use the BlackBerry as a tethered modem via USB. Successfully tested with the BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Torch, BlackBerry 9800, BlackBerry 8820, BlackBerry 9780, BlackBerry 9520, BlackBerry 8700, BlackBerry 8330, BlackBerry 9300, BlackBerry 9650, BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Pearl.



First, Start the BlackBerry Device Manager and connect your BlackBerry with the USB cable.
On installing the Desktop Manager, the Standard Modem will appear in the Device Manager as follows:
(If the Standard Modem does not appear, re-install the Desktop Manager.)


If the Standard Modem still does not appear, it is necessary to manually add the modem.
Take note of the COM port numbers of the RIM Virtual Serial Port v2 in the devices under Ports (COM & LPT).


In the Control Panel go to Phone and Modem Options.
Choose to add a New Modem.
Choose to select it from a list.


Select the Standard 33600 bps Modem.
Select the COM ports that are used for the RIM Virtual Serial Port v2 in the Device Manager.


One or more Standard 33600 bps Modems will appear in the Device Manager.

In the case of using bluetooth to make the dial-up connection a "Standard Modem over Bluetooth" will appear in modem devices.

Open the Properties dialog box by right-clicking the modem in the Device Manger.
Go to the Diagnostics tab.
Click on Query Modem. It should answer with a number of responses.


In the Advanced tab fill in the dial-string in the Extra Initialization Commands.

In this case "internet" is the Access Point Name of the network provider.
Here are some other examples of dial-strings:

Glo Mobile:	+cgdcont=1, "IP", "inte"
MTN:	+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet"
Zain:	+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet"
Etisalat:	+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet"
UK Vodafone:	+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet"
T-Mobile NL:	+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet","",0,0

This completes the installation of the modem.
Now the dial-up connection has to be made.

Note: You need to replace "IP" and "internet" with their true variables.

Dial-up Connection

In Control Panel go to Network Connections.
Choose Create a New Connection.


Choose to Connect to the Internet.


Choose to Set up the Connection Manually.


Choose to Connect using a dial-up modem.


If there are multiple modems to choose from, select the modem that connects to the BlackBerry.


Choose a Name for the connection.


Type in the phone number *99#.


Only fill in a User name and a Password if required by the by the network provider.


A new connection is made!


Choose Dial to make a connection (no user name or password entered if not necessary by the network provider).

 The connection is being made....


After this step, you should be able to surf the net on your computer
To end the connection, right-click on the connection icon and choose Disconnect.



NOTE: If after successful connection of the blackberry phone to your computer as a modem, you are still unable to surf the net, you may need to contact your service provider to enable the 'web APN' settings for your phone.



Errors
Here are some known errors that may appear when dialing the connection:

Error 734 BlackBerry

"Error 734: The PPP link control protocol was terminated."

Error 651 BlackBerry

"Error 651: The modem (or other connecting device) has reported an error."

Error 692 BlackBerry

"Error 692: There was a hardware failure in the modem (or other connecting device)."
To resolve this, check to see if the dial-string is entered correctly in the Extra Initialization Commands.
Check that the Access Point Name in the dial-string corresponds to the Access Point Name of the network provider.


Disclaimer: All steps indicated herein have been tested by me but I hold no responsibility for any damage to your phone or computer as a result of your trying to connect to the internet using your phone as a modem.