TetheringHow To Use A Mobile Device As A ModemTethering, sometimes called Phone-as-Modem, is when you use your mobile device as a modem to supply internet access to another device such as your laptop or pda. Your connection is made using wireless Bluetooth technology or a wired usb or serial connection. That means your smart phone can become a modem for your laptop and get you connected in locations where you would otherwise have no internet connection. In this article I will attempt to explain in non-technical terms why and how you may want to use tethering to gain internet access. Why Would You Use Your Phone as a Modem?  However, using my smart phone as a modem I could connect my phone to my laptop and get online. Doing this successfully assumes that:
I have a wireless internet data plan on my phone, and... I am able to use my phone as a modem, and... It is not against the terms of service Things To Consider Like anything else, using your phone as a modem has its own list of good and bad points. Here are some things to consider.
I think this should be your first consideration. You risk termination and/or additional charges if you tether and your provider does not allow it. I have a Palm Pre from Sprint and they do not allow tethering. If you think this is something you want or need to do, first verify with your provider if it is allowed. It can sometimes still be done if your provider doesn't authorize it, but you do so at your own risk. Sprint no longer allows non-business customers to tether. Verizon has a list of tether-capable devices here Is It Expensive? There is normally an additional fee to be able to use your phone as a modem. For example, AT&T Smartphone customers – including iPhone customers – who choose the DataPro plan have the option to add tethering for an additional $20 per month. I can't imagine needing to tether more than just occasionally, but that's for you to decide. Is It Safe? As long as you understand and accept that there is always some form of risk involved in being online, then yes tethering is safe. Will It Drain My Battery? Yes. Just about anything you do on your phone adds to battery drain. Tethering will cause your battery to drain faster. Can I Take/Make Calls While Tethered? Maybe. AT&T says yes. Sprint and Verizon say no. What About Connection Speed? Depending on the signal and the service you use and the device you have and the laptop or pda you are connecting to you can expect speeds to be about the same as a dedicated modem on your laptop. Are There Data Limits? Glad you asked. Yes, there are limits, and yes there are charges if you go over that limit. 5GB per month seems to be the number every provider is using as an upper limit before charges are imposed. What can you do with 5GB per month? You can send/receive over 100,000 emails per month and not go over. You could watch about 1500 video clips per month and not go over. You could listen to more than 50 hours of internet radio per month and not go over. You could look up over 25,000 web pages per month and not go over. You get the idea, unless you go crazy you should be fine. Oh, and most (if not all) providers allow you to monitor your usage online so you should not have to worry about going over the limit. AT&T will even send you text messages warning you when you are at 65%, 90%, and finally at 100% of your allowed usage. Are There Other (Better) Options? Seriously, is this really your best option to get online? Good Points: - if you must do it, you can get online Bad Points: - your equipment may have compatibility issues - you may not be able to talk while tethered - it may not be allowed by your service provider - there is an additional charge on top of your service plan How To Tether, A Step by Step Guide  it all depends on your equipment. With the number of devices out there and the different technologies it would take someone with a budget bigger than mine (zero) to have access to all the different devices and technologies to put the information together. Okay, I'm half joking. Fortunately, your service provider should have information specific to your device and should know best how to turn on the phone-as-modem feature. If you're paying them for service, and you are paying them, aren't you(?) you have every right to expect support. Don't forget the forums. Every device has a forum with a wealth of information. Having said that, what your service provider tells you may be different than my "in general" walk through. I learned most of this stuff just by doing it, trial and error. I also read my phone manuals long before I even purchased my phone. Crazy, h-huh?! This is a general explanation of the steps necessary to use your phone as a modem for your laptop or pda. Please Note: I have seen other instructions specific to certain phones (BlackBerry, iPhone, Driod, etc) specific to certain providers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc) and specific to certain computers (Mac or PC). If this does or doesn't work for you please take a moment to contact me and let me know how it went. I love feedback, and it will help me improve this website. Thanks! Step 1 - If your provider allows tethering you may have to call them to turn on this feature. Step 2 - You may need a modem driver or software to make your phone work as a modem, also from your provider. Step 3 - Activate the modem on your phone. If you don't know how you'll have to check your phone's manual or call the provider. Step 4 - Connect to your computer or pda via usb cable or turn on Bluetooth and establish a connection. Consult your devices manual if you aren't familiar with Bluetooth and how to pair your devices. Step 5 - Set up a connection between the devices much the same way as you set up a network connection between your computer and wifi. On your laptop click the Start button then choose "Connect To". If you don't see your phone as an option to connect to you'll have to click "set up a connection or network". Choose "set up a dial-up connection". In the next window enter "#777" in the "dial-up phone number" box. If that access number doesn't work you'll have to call your service provider for the correct code. You should not need a username or password. If you do, call the service provider. Sometimes the code is your phone number, sometimes not. Create a name for your connection and enter it in the "connection name" box. Click connect. This should be enough to get you connected assuming this feature is available on your phone. If you still need help call your provider or search for a forum specific to your phone model. I have a Palm Pre so I search for "Palm Pre Forum" and get a whole bunch options and answers. Once you find a forum search for tethering and you should find answers. Good luck! Did you find this information useful? Contact me with your questions, comments, and suggestions! Home < Mobile Wireless Internet < Tethering < You Are Here  New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read!Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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