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Tethered Modem Set-up Instructions

Please Note
Using your smartphone as a tethered modem requires that you have an APPROVED DATA PLAN associated with your account. Please contact a U.S. Cellular Sales Associate for more information.
Smartphone Modem Feature
You can use your smartphone as a modem to access the Internet from your PC. Here are the details of the data plan you'll need when using your smartphone as a modem:
  • 5GB Data Usage per month
  • Overage billed at 49¢/MB
  • Additional $25/month
Use of Service Constitutes Acceptance of the Terms in our Customer Service Agreement
BlackBerry Smartphone Tethering
To proceed with setting up your smartphone as a tethered modem please follow the steps outlined below. The instructions provided apply to the following BlackBerry smartphone models:
BlackBerry Tethering Steps
Step 1: Install BlackBerry Desktop Software on your Computer
Step 2: Configure Dial Up Networking on your computer (one-time only)
Step 3: Connect your smartphone to your computer
Step 4: Connect to the Internet using Dial Up Networking
Step 1
  • Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later on the computer.
    Note: Desktop Software came with your original BlackBerry smartphone purchase. If you need to download this software it is available here
  • When BlackBerry Desktop Software is installed, the drivers that enable the BlackBerry smartphone to communicate through the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and virtual communications (COM) port are installed. The Standard Modem, which is used by dial-up networking, is also installed.
    Note: If upgrading 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.
Step 2
To configure dial-up networking, complete the procedure that corresponds with the operating system you are using.
Windows Vista
  1. Go to Start > Connect to > Setup a connection or network
  2. Connect to the Internet
  3. Choose Setup a new connection anyway
  4. Choose Create a new connection
  5. Choose Dial-up
  6. Choose Standard Modem
  7. The dial up Phone number is #777
  8. Enter the Username and Password provided by your wireless carrier
  9. Connect.
Windows XP
  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 Username 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
  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
Step 3
Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer using the USB cable that came with your original purchase and verify that BlackBerry Desktop manager displays Connected
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.
Step 4
Connect to the Internet using dial-up networking.
Note: During this procedure, do not activate the BlackBerry® Browser or any third-party application on the BlackBerry smartphone. An active data session may interfere with the modem connection. Also, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.
  1. On the computer click Start > Settings > Network Connections><name of your new connection>
  2. If your service provider requires you to enter a username and password, enter the information in the fields provided. Otherwise, leave the fields blank
  3. Click Dial