Here are the instructions on how to set up your Blackberry as a modem for laptop internet connection. It was emailed to me straight from T-Mobile's Tech support.
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Setting up a BlackBerry Handheld as a GPRS modem
Problem:
How to set up a BlackBerry handheld as a GPRS modem
Environment:
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP (All Versions)
BlackBerry Desktop Manager 4.6 or higher
SIM Card with proper data provisioning
USB data cable
Resolution:
First ensure that the Blackberry Desktop Manager is running, and the customer can see their PIN number in it.
If they don’t see connected and they see ‘Disconnected’ as pictured below then move to step 3. If Connected move to step 8.
Click on Options > Connection Settings
Make sure dropdown is set to USB then click Detect
Customer will probably see the following error message. Click OK
Click OK again
Then you should see:
Minimize the Blackberry Desktop Manger but do not close it.
Verify customer has the “Standard Modem” Installed.
To do: Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Phone & Modems -> Modems (Tab)
Note: If the customer cannot get to the modems tab but is stuck on ‘location information’ have them enter the area code then click OK. Do not fill out any other boxes in location information.
Select Standard Modem and select Properties, then go to Advanced (Tab).
Enter the init string
+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”WAP.VOICESTREAM.COM”
FOR BLACKBERRY 8900 CURVE AND FLIP 8220 THE INIT IS:
+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”EPC.TMOBILE.COM”
Note: the only letters that have to be capitalized is the IP. The others are capitals simply because it is easier for the customer to see and confirm as correct.
Click OK, then OK again. You should be in the Control Panel now. Select Network Connections.
Select Create a New Connection
when the New Connection Wizard opens click Next
Choose Connect to the Internet and click Next
Select Setup my connection manually then click Next
Connect using a Dial Up Modem then click Next
Make sure ONLY the Standard Modem is selected! Then click Next.
Name the connection T-mobile, my blackberry connection, whatever is easily identifiable and click Next
Phone number will be
*99# or *99***1#
Username and Password: Blank. Uncheck all the boxes and click Next.
DO click “Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop” and click Finish
Verify no username, then click Dial
Click Dial, and you should be online!
Note: if you don’t see the Standard Modem at all ensure they are running Blackberry Desktop Manager 4.2 as the latest version does make this work a lot easier. If they don’t have that and don’t have access to do that, you can ‘Add’ a Standard 33.6k modem and that may work however that is the depreciated method as we should now be using the standard modem.
If they are running 4.2 and you still don’t see the Standard modem, we can run a repair on the installation and normally that should re-create it.
To do:
Verify customer has the BBDM CD, then go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Then select Add/Remove Programs and then highlight Blackberry Desktop Manager.
Select Change/Remove
Click Next
Select Repair, then Next.
Then click Install
Then click Finish.
Reboot the pc and when they plug their Blackberry back in it will detect ‘New’ hardware.
They will need to ensure that the Blackberry Desktop Manager detects their Blackberry, and you should now have a shiny Standard Modem.
If you still don’t, then add a Standard 33.6k as per the old method.
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Hope this is helpful to someone. I followed their directions last night and it works perfectly, with connection speeds @ 115kbps. Not DSL speeds but a lot better than standard dial-up!