[Tdcompton]

I am going on assignment as a photographer to an equestrian event in Ky the last weekend of this month and will need internet access... The laptop I will be borrowing should have a wi-fi card but I would have to leave the Horse Park every night to find a place with wi-fi available.. I have unlimited web browsing on my Verizon plan and I believe that should count torwards using the phone as a modem as well, but I have NO clue how to do it!

Can anyone tell me how to do it?
Is it easy to do?
What equipment/software will I need beside the handheld itself?

Thanks in advance!

[bucket772]

Originally Posted by Tdcompton

I have unlimited web browsing on my Verizon plan and I believe that should count torwards using the phone as a modem as well, but I have NO clue how to do it!

Can anyone tell me how to do it?
Is it easy to do?
What equipment/software will I need beside the handheld itself?

Thanks in advance!

1. I assume you are using a BB 8130 correct?

2. When you say unlimited web browsing are you referring to the $29.99 BIS plan or 45.00 BES plan? These are the only two data plans for Verizon BB.

3. or you are talking about just a regular $5.00 unlimited plan on a regular plan.

Either way you need some sort of tethering option on you account to legally tether.

A little more info would be helpful



dave

[Sith_Apprentice]

the tethering plan is an addon. if you add that on, you will be able to tether through the VZaccess manager. keep in mind that a good deal of KY does NOT have EvDO, so the web browsing might be very slow.

[FlyACL]

Like the others have said you need to pay extra to use it with your laptop. It is $15 a month and while they say unlimited there is actually a limit of 5GB. I use it quite a bit and have never had a problem, but if you are planning to upload a lot of large image files I am not sure how that will effect it.

As for how it works you just need a teather cable (USB to mini USB), I just seen one at Best Buy today so it should be easy to find. Then the VZ Access Manager software from verizon. (follow the link and select personal, then your BB, then VZ Access Manager)

BlackBerry® Software Updates

It is not super fast or anything, but it is about as good as I bet you will get from a hotel wi-fi system or something similar. Plus it works every where I have been. Good luck~

[Sith_Apprentice]

the cable that comes with the device is perfectly capable of allowing tethering. you do not need to buy anything additional.

[Tdcompton]

I pay $119.99 for unlimitied web browsing, text, pic, video messaging, plus 900 minutes. I'm not sure which of the above mentioned plans I have...

and yes, the 8130 Pearl...

[Sith_Apprentice]

tethering is generally still $15 extra.

[Tdcompton]

Thanks, I appreciate that info.. Thanks everyone for helping me awnser my silly question. Guess I'll just find some wifi, maybe they will have some available in the media tent if I am lucky..

[hdawg]

Originally Posted by Tdcompton

Thanks, I appreciate that info.. Thanks everyone for helping me awnser my silly question. Guess I'll just find some wifi, maybe they will have some available in the media tent if I am lucky..

IIRC, you can add on tethering, and then take it off and you only pay for the days it was on your plan. It isn't considered a change in plan as you're only changing a feature. ... so at $15/mo, you're at $.50 for the day (and the time for your call)

[bnasso]

Go ahead. Add Verizon's $15 Broadband Access feature. And connect your laptop to your Pearl through Bluetooth. I believe that once you experience totally wireless Internet access and the advantages of having the ability to push your work out instantly, you'll never look back and regret the decision. (Besides, like was said previously, you can always drop the feature if you're not instantly addicted.)

[Sith_Apprentice]

Originally Posted by hdawg

IIRC, you can add on tethering, and then take it off and you only pay for the days it was on your plan. It isn't considered a change in plan as you're only changing a feature. ... so at $15/mo, you're at $.50 for the day (and the time for your call)

not sure how this works for the CDMA carriers. my device has 0 minutes but unlimited tethering. I know on GSM you dial through the mobile network, but the CDMA phones go into their modem mode.

[Agr0]

There is the "Shark Modem" for blackberry which will not require a tether plan, but will utilize your data plan. It uses 1X (I think) instead of EVDO so I get about 150KBit/second (less than 3x 56K modem speed).

[btpooter]

I am trying to set up the shark modem but have limited success. It will work for a minute or two then bog down and seize up. I've heard good things about the shark modem except thier customer service so I'm forced to go to you guys for help. I don't mind paying the $50 one time fee, but I want to make sure it will work. They allow you to try it free for the 1st 10 mg but like I said I can't get that far. Any help?