At www.blackberry.com there are instructions on how to use a BlackBerry device as a Tethered Modem works with both 7130e or the 7250. If you are using the 7250 you need to upgrade the Desktop Software to v4.1.1.9 and the Handheld to v4.1.0.291 these upgrades can be download from the BlackBerry Site. Get the most out of that BlackBerry.

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How To - Connect a personal computer or laptop to the Internet using a CDMA BlackBerry device as a tethered modem
Last Updated: 14 June 2006
Article Number: KB-04664


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Summary
This article applies to the following:

BlackBerry 7130e™
BlackBerry 7250 Wireless Handheld™
BlackBerry® Desktop Software 4.1 and later
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP
Personal computer or laptop with an Intel® 486 or higher processor
Note: Research In Motion does not support the set up of a tethered modem. If you encounter a problem while administering this procedure, please contact your service provider.

Important: Contact your service provider to obtain the user name and password you require to set up dial-up networking. Also, ask your service provider if additional charges are incorporated when connecting to the Internet using the BlackBerry wireless device as a tethered modem.


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Procedure
A BlackBerry device (with tethered modem capability) can be used as an external modem to connect a laptop computer to the Internet.

Summary of Tasks
To set up a tethered modem, complete the following tasks:

Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 (one time only)
Set up dial-up networking (one time only)
Connect the BlackBerry device to BlackBerry Desktop Manager
Connect to the Internet using dial-up networking

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Task 1
Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 on the laptop or personal computer.

When you install desktop software, the drivers that enable the BlackBerry device to communicate through the USB port and virtual COM port are installed. The Standard Modem, which is used by dial-up networking, is also installed.

Note: If you are upgrading your Desktop Software from version 4.0 to 4.1, the required Virtual COM Port and Standard Modem might be removed during the upgrade process. If this is the case, re-install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 and choose the Repair option to re-install these components.


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Task 2
To set up dial-up networking, complete the procedure that corresponds with the operating system you are using.

Windows XP Operating System
Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections.
Double-click New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard opens.
Click Next.
Select the Connect to the Internet option. Click Next.
Select Setup my connection manually. Click Next.
Select Connect using a dial-up modem. Click Next.
If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem - Standard Modem check box. Click Next.
In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection. Click Next.
In the Phone number field, type #777. Click Next.
Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
Enter the user name and password provided by your service provider. Click Next.
Click Finish.
Windows 2000 Operating System
Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel.
Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
Double-click Make New Connection. The Network Connection Wizard opens.
Click Next.
Choose Dial-up to private network. Click Next.
Verify that only the Standard Modem check box is selected.
In the Phone number field, type #777. Click Next.
Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
Type a name for your connection. Click Finish.

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Task 3
Connect the BlackBerry device to the computer and verify that Desktop Manager displays Connected. The device must be identified by Desktop Manager in order for the modem to establish a connection.

Important: The Desktop Manager must be running for the tethered modem to function.


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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 device. An active data session may interfere with the modem connection. Also, ensure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

Connect the device to the laptop computer.
Open Desktop Manager.
Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > <name of your new connection>.
Enter the user name and password provided by your service provider.
Click Dial.
When a modem call is active, Modem Mode Enabled appears on the device.



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Keywords
tethered, modem, dial-up, dial, up, connection, internet, laptop, computer, 7130e, 7250, CDMA






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Mark are you on Alltel's $44.99 bb data plan or did you have to go a higher rate plan to use it as a modem?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7250/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106)

I have BlackBerry w/voice. I pay $44.99 Without voice it would be $49.99. No extra charges to use your BlackBerry as a modem.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7250/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106)

User name: your 10 digit BB phone number @ alltel.net. Password: alltel

How's the speed? Are you in an EVDO market? If not it's pretty comparable to Dial Up isn't it?

No Evdo where I'm at. But I have !X which you need your the BB gets mad and pouts. As far as speed it is twice is fast a dial up. I average 80kps it peeks at 144kps. I feel it is much better than dial up. But it sure is'nt evdo your right about that.

Ive been having trouble with mine lately. It will access the wireless network but wont bring up any pages. ive tracert'd a few places but it never makes it outside the alltel network. Any Ideas?

I have the same problem. It began about 5 days after I tethered my 7250. I can connect and send but it won't receive anything, crazy. There have been other 7250 BlackBerry users that are having the same Problem.

Does anyone know if ALLTEL stopped letting the 7250 be used as a tethered modem. I called Tech Support 877-249-2687 they said 'cuz I upgraded to v4.1 they would not help me. I hope there is a fix for this. I really want to use my 7250 BlackBerry as a tethered modem.

I found out it is best to leave the user name and password BLANK.

Talked to a tech at alltel. Very helpful. Said they are having an outtage. He didnt say anything about not being able to tether anymore. he also told me the Blackberrys auth to the network differently. Another Alternative to logging in is "10digitph#@bb.alltel.net" with password of alltel. He gave me his email address and said he would follow up so ill keep posting!

It sounds like you got great service tech support. I will give the @BB thing a try. I will also tell the other BB users about the outage and the different user name. Thanks for your help! I was thinking ALLTEL cut us off. Now I have hope again.

This what I tried the results where all the same. I could connect, send but unable to receive data.

(1)User name: 10digit@alltel.net Password: alltel

(2)User name: Blank Password: Blank

(3)User name: 10digit@blackberry.alltel.net Password: alltel

(4)User name: 10digit@alltel.blackberry.com Password: alltel

This is a national issue nobody can connect a 7130

I hope they work the bugs out. So BlackBerry's can be used as a tethered modem. As soon as someone can use there BlackBerry as a modem. Please make a post so we can start using. Thanks to everyone's input so far.