Sprint vs. Nextel: phone as a modem

[melerant]

I was a long time nextel customer but never used any of thier bb phones as a modem. I am currently a sprint customer, and use my 8703e as a modem at home, and on the go with almost dsl speed consistently. My roommate is about to buy a 7100i for Nextel and is concerned about the conection speed. He has the option to switch to Sprint, and is wondering if he should. Can one of you pinstackers help. Thank you

[jwlussow]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~Nextel's 7100i does not work as a tethered modem. I wish it did.

[calm_tiger]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~I have a friend who also has a 7100i with nextel. That particular model BB, to my knowledge, does not have tethered modem capability. And'buying it for this reason alone would and maybe be a big mistake. Maybe you should advise your friend to switch to Sprint and purchase the 8703e or the 7130e (model I have) for use as a tethered modem for laptop internet connection.

[diaz1023]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~i agree with the above posts, the nextel bb can't be used as modems, the sprint ones are great especially the 8703e

[LMercer512]

(hope this helps) The following is an excert from the RIM Knowledge Base:


Connecting a computer to the Internet using a CDMA BlackBerry device as a tethered modem

Doc ID : KB04664
Last Modified : 11/9/2006
Document Type : How To
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Environment

• BlackBerry® 7130e
• BlackBerry 7250 Wireless Handheld
• BlackBerry 8703e Wireless Handheld
• BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 and later
• Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP
• Personal computer or laptop computer with an Intel® 486 or higher processor

Note: Research In Motion® (RIM®) provides some support for the tethered modem; the installation of the Standard Modem Driver is supported. See KB05178 for more details about support for the tethered modem.

Important: Ask your service provider if you require a user name and password to configure dial-up networking (see Task 4 in this article). Also, ask your service provider if additional charges are incorporated when connecting to the Internet using the BlackBerry device as a tethered modem.



Procedures

A BlackBerry device (with tethered modem capability) can be used as an external modem to connect a personal computer or laptop computer to the Internet.
Summary of Tasks

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

1. Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later (one time only)
2. Configure dial-up networking (one time only)
3. Connect the BlackBerry device to BlackBerry Desktop Manager
4. Connect to the Internet using dial-up networking

Task 1

Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later on the computer.

When you install BlackBerry 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 BlackBerry 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.



Task 2

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

Windows XP Operating System

1. Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections.
2. Double-click New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard opens.
3. Click Next.
4. Select the Connect to the Internet option. Click Next.
5. Select Setup my connection manually. Click Next.
6. Select Connect using a dial-up modem. Click Next.
7. If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem - Standard Modem check box. Click Next.
8. In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection. Click Next.
9. In the Phone number field, type #777. Click Next.
10. Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
11. Enter the user name and password provided by your service provider. Click Next.
12. Click Finish.
13. In the Connect window, click Properties.
14. In the Properties window, verify that Modem - Standard Modem appears beneath the Connect using heading, then click Configure.
15. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected. Click OK.
16. In the Properties window, click OK.

Windows 2000 Operating System

1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
3. Double-click Make New Connection. The Network Connection Wizard opens.
4. Click Next.
5. Choose Dial-up to private network. Click Next.
6. In the Phone number field, type #777. Click Next.
7. Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
8. Type a name for your connection. Click Finish.
9. In the Connect window, click Properties.
10. In the Properties window, verify that Modem ? Standard Modem is selected, then click Configure.
11. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected. Click OK.
12. In the Properties window, click OK.

Task 3

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

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

Note: If Microsoft Outlook® is not operating in cache mode, you might receive a message indicating that BlackBerry Desktop Manager cannot contact the messaging server. If this message appears, click Cancel to proceed.



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, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

1. Connect the BlackBerry device to the computer.
2. Open Blackberry Desktop Manager.
3. Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > .
4. If your service provider requires you to enter a user name and password, enter the information in the fields provided. Otherwise, leave the fields blank.
5. Click Dial.

Additional Information

For instructions on how to connect a computer to the Internet using a GPRS, EDGE, or UMTS BlackBerry device as a tethered modem, see KB05196.

Products & Services:

• BlackBerry Desktop Software
• Version 4.1
• Version 4.2
• BlackBerry Devices
• BlackBerry 7100 Series
• BlackBerry 7200 Series
• BlackBerry 8700 Series

[cp6169]

Both the 7520 and the 7100i have reports of being used as a modem with Shark Modem. Granted the speeds are averaging 19kbps...

[tamaraa]

~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~
I have had both. Tell your friend if they plan on tethering sprint is the way to go. Nextels speeds would simply make them mad if they got it to work. It would in no way compare to yours.

[bcuzi8paintchips]

CP6169 is correct on both counts. You can but Nextel is SLOW!

[bino91342]

how can I connect my 7520 as a modem?

[cp6169]

Here you go...
www.mobishark.com

[bino91342]

Am I able to use this on a PC? I was trying to read on it but nothing mentioned it. Thanks for all your knowledge and expertise>>

[jb2]

I am currently a sprint customer, and use my 8703e as a modem at home, and on the go with almost dsl speed consistently.

I use my 8703e as a modem at home and while traveling. It works great. I highly recommend it and Sprint for the purpose.

[cp6169]

I agree jb2.