How to tether your Alltel Blackberry 8330 (Windows/OSX)

[dacohen13]

Even though the Blackberry has internet capabilities, sometimes nothing beats that nice, large screen of a laptop while you're rolling down the interstate (as a passenger, of course!) or sitting on the train. If you have Alltel, like me, you can't use the advice that RIM gives you on their website. So, how do you do it? You tether it-- you use your Blackberry as a high-speed modem for your computer.

Before I start, I'd like to say that I have a normal data plan, not a Blackberry data plan. I've actually done these with other cell phones with no data plan at all-- I think it was taken out of my anytime (or night/weekend) minutes. Use this at your own risk; I have no idea how Alltel is going to charge you. But it did work for me.

I have done both of these on my Macbook Pro. Of course, with connection, etc, things will vary, but you will notice that tethering by means of USB is much faster than using Bluetooth in OSX. Bluetooth just doesn't have too much bandwidth.

Here are my test results-- I'm hooked up with a fairly good connection with EVDO rev 0 (1XEV), testing with speedtest . net (remove spaces)

Windows via USB:

Ping: 281 ms
Download: 826 kbps
Upload: 80 kbps

OSX via Bluetooth:

Ping: 457 ms
Download: 298 kbps
Upload: 73 kbps

So, you can clearly see the advantage of using Windows (I'm using bootcamp, by the way).

So, here's how I did it:

For Windows:

1. Go to software . alltel . com (remove spaces)
2. Enter your model number (I haven't tested it on anything other than the Curve 8330)
3. Download the Quicklink Mobile program
4. Install it. (I didn't install the USB drivers; they should already be installed if you have the Blackberry Desktop Manager)
5. If you had to install the USB drivers, restart your computer and open up the installation program again. Then install Quicklink Mobile.
6. Follow the directions on Quicklink Mobile to set up your phone. Hook up the USB cord whenever it says to.
7. Open up "Axcess" on the desktop.
8. Hit "Connect"
9. Wait until it's connected (a notification will pop up from the bottom of the screen)
10. You're done!
11. To disconnect, hit the Disconnect button (which is now in the place of the Connect button). It should disconnect fairly quickly. Now you can unplug your Blackberry.

For Mac OSX

1. Use bluetooth to pair your Blackberry to your computer:
   • On the Blackberry, go to Bluetooth Setup
   • If necessary, go into the menu and hit "Add Device"
   • Select "Search for Devices from here." Find the computer (the computer must be in discoverable mode)
   • Continue to pair, entering a simple code (I used 1234)
   • In OSX, something should pop up to say that it wants to pair. Enter the same code.
   • It should now be paired as a modem.
2. Back on the Mac, open System Preferences and select Network.
3. On the left-hand menu, select Bluetooth
4. Put these entries in:
   

   Configuration: Default
   Telephone Number: #777
   Account Name: <YOUR NUMBER>@alltel . net (remove spaces)
   Password: alltel

   • I have also found useful to check "Show modem status in menu bar," which puts a little telephone on the top menu bar.
5. Click the "Advanced" Button and enter these in the main tab (I haven't needed to change anything in others):
   

   Vendor: Generic
   Model: Dialup Device

   • The rest should be fine.
6. Either use the menu bar option and select "Connect Bluetooth" or go to the main Network Preferences bluetooth screen and click "Connect."
7. You should be connected!
8. To disconnect, select the same thing.

I hope this helps people connect!

-David

[Eyebee]

OK. I did this with an Acer Aspire One netbook running Windows XP, and using a USB cable and a Curve 8330. It works fine.

However, I am keen to know if I will get charged. I tried to explain to customer service what I was trying to do, but first he tried to sell me a card, then he tried to tell me I needed to buy a 'kit'.

I explained I had everything, and the connection worked, and that I had Alltel's smartphone plan with 'unlimited' data with that, which is $40 a month, but he said it's another $30 a month, and then he was on about dial-up.

Can anyone here clarify, if I will indeed get charged extra on top of my plan to use Alltel High Speed Internet via the curve or is it included? I'm not prepared to pay $30 a month extra as it's something I will seldom use in any case. I mostly work from home, and when I go downtown I use independent coffee shops that offer FREE wi-fi.

[Motorcycle Mama]

If you tether your computer to your BlackBerry on Alltel, you need to have the tethering plan added to your account or you can be charged PER KILOBYTE.

Your "unlimited" plan on your BlackBerry means unlimited on the DEVICE not on your computer.

[Eyebee]

Originally Posted by Motorcycle Mama

Your "unlimited" plan on your BlackBerry means unlimited on the DEVICE not on your computer.

Well thanks for clarifying that.

I guessed as much as all the cellphone companies screw you for every cent they can. It's not worth ANOTHER $30 a month on top of the huge amount I already pay each month, for an occasional use.

If I really need to send an email, I can use the Blackberry itself, of course, even thought it's slower than a keyboard.

I know the 'unlimited' thing is a lie anyway - only a measly 5GB - hidden in the small print.

I expect things to get worse now Verizon have their grubby hands on Alltel.

[dacohen13]

Actually... I don't know about you... but i'm charged out of my anytime minutes. Or night & weekend, if applicable. I have never been charged by the kilobyte. though this may be different for you, this is how it is for me.

[Eyebee]

I diidn;t want to go sit in a location w/o wi-fi, use the Curve, and get slapped with a huge bill, that;s why I was trying to find out if the hi speed connect thru the phone was inclusive to my plan

[Motorcycle Mama]

Tethering is not included in your plan on Alltel (or on Verizon). It's separate.