Your Blackberry as a Modem

As if the Blackberry didn't have enough uses already, it can be used as a modem too. Read this to find out more about how to use your Blackberry as a modem.

Most of the time when you are traveling, you have access to free wi-fi connections in your hotel room, and even in the local McDonald's. In the event that you find yourself stuck, needing to use your laptop with no wi-fi connection in site, all you need to do is use your Blackberry as a modem. You will need to make sure that your Blackberry is one of the models with the “tethered modem capability.” These phones are:

• BlackBerry® 7130c
• BlackBerry® 7130e
• BlackBerry® 7250
• BlackBerry® Curve 8300
• BlackBerry® Curve 8310
• BlackBerry® Curve 8320
• BlackBerry® 8703e
• BlackBerry® 8705g
• BlackBerry® 8707g
• BlackBerry® 8800
• BlackBerry® 8820
• BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition

If you are using one of those Blackberry phones, follow these instructions to tether your phone to your laptop to use it as a modem.

Make sure you have a USB cable, and the BlackBerry Handheld Manager installed on your laptop. Blackberry Handheld Manager is part of the Desktop Manager software that is required in order to install applications to your device. If you do not have it, you can download it to your laptop from Blackberry. (If you do not have this before needing your phone as a modem, you will have to find a source of wi-fi before you can do it.) All you need to do is open the Desktop Software and the Handheld Manager will also run.

You'll need to make sure you have the necessary modem drivers on your phone before using it as a modem. Most of the models above come with the drivers already loaded on them. If not, you'll be able to get the necessary drivers from the Blackberry Desktop Manager software.

Once you have determined that you have everything you need in order to use your Blackberry as a modem, you'll need to go into your phone and configure the settings specific to your provider and ensure that your modem drivers are working correctly. Another how to for this will be coming along soon.

Setup a new connection in your laptop. The setup for this follows the setup process for any other Internet connection and will vary depending on which version of Windows you are using.

Now, disable IP Header Compression with the following steps:

1. Start Menu->Network Connections->”BlackBerry Modem” (or whatever you chose to name the connection you set up in the previous step.
2. Click Properties Button
3. Click Networking Tab
4. Select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”
5. Click Properties.
6. Click Advanced.
7. Disable “Use IP header compression” with the checkbox.
8. Close out all the menus by clicking OK.

Connect the phone to the laptop with USB, open the Blackberry Desktop Management Software, click the Modem icon and find the available connections. You will be able to use the Internet on your laptop with the Blackberry serving as your modem.