How do I use GPRS/3G on a Windows Mobile phone with a PC?

[Guest]

It's dead simple to use Pass-through so you can use your PC's Broadband on a Windows Mobile Hand Held but what about the other way round? How can I use my Mobiles GPRS or 3G reception on a computer without Internet access?

I cannot see any option in ActiveSync/WMDC. I've seen this done on a Nokia phone and was wondering if it's possible with a Windows Mobile Hand Held? I have an Orange C500 (Windows Mobile 2003 SE), if that helps.

Thanks.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Guest

[Guest Metoo]

It's dead simple to use Pass-through so you can use your PC's Broadband on a Windows Mobile Hand Held but what about the other way round? How can I use my Mobiles GPRS or 3G reception on a computer without Internet access?

I cannot see any option in ActiveSync/WMDC. I've seen this done on a Nokia phone and was wondering if it's possible with a Windows Mobile Hand Held? I have an Orange C500 (Windows Mobile 2003 SE), if that helps.

Thanks.

Usual way is to link to the phone via Bluetooth. If your PC hasn't got Bluetooth, you can add it via a £5 USB dongle.

There's an extremely comprehensive guide here

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407563

[Guest]

Thanks Metoo. That's just the ticket. I'll check my phone for that option. It's surprised ActiveSync doesn't provide such a function. I guess it's not needed.

I'd prefer to use a USB cable due to the extra bandwidth it gives over Bluetooth. With GPRS you probably wouldn't see any difference but with 3G it's significantly reduced over Bluetooth. Which is slightly a moot point, with my C500 GRPS Only Smartphone but even so.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Guest

[Guest Metoo]

Thanks Metoo. That's just the ticket. I'll check my phone for that option. It's surprised ActiveSync doesn't provide such a function. I guess it's not needed.

I'd prefer to use a USB cable due to the extra bandwidth it gives over Bluetooth. With GPRS you probably wouldn't get any difference with 3G it's signifantly reduced over Bluetooth. Which is slightly a moot point with my C500 GRPS Only Hand Held but even so.

Look for devices which have "Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR" (not just Bluetooth 2.0). EDR is Extended Data Rate which gives much improved bandwidth for modem use and audio streaming etc. Obviously you'll need that to be supported at both ends of the link.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Metoo

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Hold up ... aren't you just talking about internet connection sharing.

i.e. using the phones 3g signal and sharing it with a connected PC ?

[Guest Metoo]

Hold up ... aren't you just talking about internet connection sharing.

i.e. using the phones 3g signal and sharing it with a connected PC ?

Yes and no - the C500 doesn't have 3G, and predates ICS, so you use the old school method of Bluetooth DUN.

An alternative on other devices might be to use WMWifiRouter to turn the phone into a WiFi access point - but of course the C500 doesn't have that either ;)

[Guest]

Look for devices which have "Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR" (not just Bluetooth 2.0). EDR is Extended Data Rate which gives much improved bandwidth for modem use and audio streaming etc. Obviously you'll need that to be supported at both ends of the link.

Interesting. I presume the HTC Diamond and Pro have this? Does this give the same speed as USB 2.0?

I'll give the Internet thing ago tonight, thanks.

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

Just be careful about possible data charges if you intend to use your phone as a modem, some networks may not like this.

All depends on how much data you intend to use.

[Guest]

Thanks Awarner. Too true.

I only plan to do it very occasionally and when I have a crucial e-mail to send/receive. I won't be using it much at all until I get a 3G phone too. I'm waiting for Windows Mobile 7 to be released before getting that.

[Guest]

Thanks Metoo. I followed those instructions and it worked a treat. I tested it with speedtest.net and got:

Down - 34Kbps

Up - 12Kbps

So slow Dial-up, this is using GPRS. My flat does have poor signal too. It's bloody expensive though. 10 minutes cost me a whopping £9. One to use in emergencies!

The USBModem_Dialer.exe util needs to be Run as Administrator on Vista. Unlike 2000/XP Vista has a driver on Windows Update, however this seemed inferior (less options) to the one supplied in the link above, so I used that one instead.

Interestingly the Orange APN was automatically added as an extra Initialisation string and a DUN Connection was already created. So it turns out I don't need to use the USBModem_Dialer.exe util.

Oddly (even with Bluetooth enabled) I could only choose from USB or Infrared in the "Modem Link" settings on my C500 Mobile, there's not much point buying a Bluetooth Dongle. I'll stick with USB.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Guest

[Guest Metoo]

Gald you got it working. £9 though? You might want to look at a cheaper data plan e.g. O2 Simplicity - 600 min ,1000 SMS and "unlimited" web for £20/m. Or for occasional use Orange PAYG at £1 per day.

[Guest]

Or for occasional use Orange PAYG at £1 per day.

I'm on Orange PAYG. Which reminds me I should've just paid £2. I'm on the Racoon plan:

"Maximum daily charge for mobile Internet browsing: £2"

I'll have to call Orange.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Guest

[Guest]

I've just called Orange and I was told the £2 amount is "only for Orange World access", which is completely different from what I was told before. It's also completely usless, who on earth bothers with Orange World and the like?

I asked for a £7 refund, which they wouldn't give but they did give me 90 minutes of free call time. So overall it was worth calling. I'm not convinced I was given the correct information, other than I was charged way more than £2 of course. Under the Racoon package it clearly states:

"Maximum daily charge for mobile Internet browsing: £2"

She said she'd pass it along to the Web designers to change this. There is absolutely nothing mentioned about only being of use on the Orange World website. If I'd known I would activated an Orange Extras package.

Or for occasional use Orange PAYG at £1 per day.

What extra is this? I can only find:

Unlimited Orange World browsing - 1 day - £1 - Text WORLD 1

4MB of access to Orange World - 1 month - £4 - Text WORLD 4

Both seem to imply they're for "Orange World" access. I used to be able to pay £4 for 4Mb for one month but it wasn't just Orange World, it covered data traffic in general. I can no longer find that extra. I used it fairly often.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Guest