Connect PC to internet using Blackberry Wi-Fi?

[ep3173]

Hi,

Is there any way to set up a connection on my PC to allow it to access the internet using my Blackberry Storm's Wi-Fi connection (eg using cable or Bluetooth)?

Thanks

[Jaji_vzw8330]

You can use tether. It allows you to connect your BB's internet service to your PC via bluetooth or USB. But I'm not 100% sure what you mean by allowing your PC to access the net using your BB's wifi. If your BB can access wifi, why wouldn't you just use whatever signal your BB is using to gain internet access?

[JJGeneral1]

Originally Posted by Jaji_vzw8330

You can use tether. It allows you to connect your BB's internet service to your PC via bluetooth or USB. But I'm not 100% sure what you mean by allowing your PC to access the net using your BB's wifi. If your BB can access wifi, why wouldn't you just use whatever signal your BB is using to gain internet access?

I think this person means using wifi to connect the phone and PC together, and then using the phone's data plan to give internet to the PC. Something like that I believe.

In short, the answer is no. Only newer phones with "wifi hotspot capability" and can share their data with other connections through wifi can do this. I.E. the Thunderbolt.

[ep3173]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Originally Posted by Jaji_vzw8330

If your BB can access wifi, why wouldn't you just use whatever signal your BB is using to gain internet access?

(I'm a bit embarassed to say but) my PC isn't W-Fi enabled

[Motorcycle Mama]

WiFi adapters for computers are fairly inexpensive.

[Jaji_vzw8330]

Originally Posted by ep3173

Thanks for the quick reply.



(I'm a bit embarassed to say but) my PC isn't W-Fi enabled

Ah I see. You might want to try tether. I believe its on sale right now for half off. Even with the discount its still a steep $25 but its a one time fee and you can connect to the internet anywhere, no hotspot required.

Or, as Motorcycle Mama suggested you could get a wifi adapter. Check ebay, they should have some cheap ones.

[Sandman333]

Originally Posted by Jaji_vzw8330

Ah I see. You might want to try tether. I believe its on sale right now for half off. Even with the discount its still a steep $25 but its a one time fee and you can connect to the internet anywhere, no hotspot required.

Or, as Motorcycle Mama suggested you could get a wifi adapter. Check ebay, they should have some cheap ones.

Does that work even on Verizon- meaning installing the app allows you to surf the internet on a laptop over a 3G BB connection without paying Verizon's monthly fees? Name of the specific app you are using that is working on Verizon?

[Sandman333]

Ok, I think I found it. It's simply called "Tether". It's on sale for $29.99, which is still a bargain if I don't get charged any additional fees from Verizon. I downloaded it on my PC and BB Storm 2 and that's how I'm posting this right now. Took me about 2 minutes and didn't require a reboot of the phone or PC (Win 7 - 64). Very nice.

Can you confirm that Verizon does not charge any fees when using this?

[Motorcycle Mama]

Tether is the name of the app that Jaji is referring to.

And yes it works on a Verizon BlackBerry.

[Sandman333]

The only question I had was whether Verizon will be able to see that you are using the BB tethered, even though it's not through DM, and charge you for the service?

[zoso2]

Originally Posted by Sandman333

The only question I had was whether Verizon will be able to see that you are using the BB tethered, even though it's not through DM, and charge you for the service?

No they won't know.. That's what these apps are for. Your BB can tether without any apps, but this would be when verizon would know. Apps like tether use a different way of connecting so that your carrier can't tell. They could, in theory using packet sniffing, but it's not likely that they're doing that. So essentially you're safe.. but don't hold me responsible

Sent from my 4G mobile on the network with more backhaul.. & no 4G

[Sandman333]

Thanks. Just paid for it. I'm gone on military duty frequently and don't always have internet access. This will make getting work done much easier.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Sandman333]

Well, seems as though I found a problem with Tether. As soon as I send or receive a SMS message or email, the connection is locked up. Both the BB and PC still show that Tether is connected and working, but no more data is uploaded or downloaded from the internet. This is a showstopper and I think I'm going to ask for a refund. The search for a reliable tethering alternative continues....

[kbz1960]

Just don't go crazy using a lot of data that can be a red flag. You are on a CDMA network you can not talk, bbm, text at the same time like on GSM. Tether will pause when you do the other things on your phone. It takes it a little time after you're done bbming or whatever for the connection to come back.

[Sandman333]

How much time? I was wrong in that emails don't seem to affect the tether, but SMS (and I imagine phone calls) do. I haven't had a connection come back for a couple minutes so I always just restarted both.