BlackBerry smartphones are awesome and they are imbedded with so many features. Out of the outrageous features imbedded in BlackBerry smartphones, I published a post on how BlackBerry smartphone users can print directly from their device with no hassle involved. So today, I want to share another post on how BlackBerry smartphone users can use their device as modem.
This post will focus on how Nigerians can use their BlackBerry smartphones as modem. Non-Nigerians are not left out, as this post will show them how they can also use their BlackBerry devices as modem, but you will sort out the APN aspect theirselves.
Check: How to Use Android Phone as Modem
Using your BlackBerry device as modem won’t cause you any havoc. From experience, you cannot use your BlackBerry® Internet Service (BIS) plan except Airtel BIS and Glo. If you are using another network aside from Airtel or Glo, your BIS might not work, so you have to subscribe to a normal data plan.
Steps to Use Your BlackBerry As Modem
1. First and foremost, you have to install BlackBerry® Desktop Manager on your PC. You can get this software from the CD pack that came with your device. But in case you purchase a fairly used or second hand BlackBerry® device or you have misplaced the CD that came with your device, you can download the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager from here
2. After proper installation of the BlackBerry® Desktop Manager on your PC, launch the application and click on tools in the menu bar section. Select Mobile Internet Settings from the drop down menu.
From the drop down menu, click on add custom profile to define your own network settings because Nigeria networks are not in the list of network listed there. Use the settings in the table below depending on the network of your choice.
| Airtel | MTN | Glo | Etisalat | |
| Phone Name | Airtel NG | MTN NG | Glo NG | Etisalat NG |
| Username | internet | web | flat | etisalat |
| Password | internet | web | flat | etisalat |
| Access Point | internet.ng.airtel.com | web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net | gloflat | etisalat |
| Add Command |
After inserting the settings for the network of your choice, click on the OK button to exit the small pop up screen and press the OK button again to exit Mobile Internet Settings configuration tab.
3. Go back to the menu, click on tools and after, click on start mobile internet. A warning will be out informing you that you will be charged, just click on connect. If you have already subscribed to a data plan, ignore the message. But if you haven’t subscribed to any data plan, you will be charge at a flat rate of 5 kobo per kb.
4. If you have correctly configured it as explained, you must be connected to the internet successfully. If you have been connected successfully to the internet, at the left side of your BlackBerry® Desktop Manager, you will see the time connected and number of data used. If you see something like that, that means you are connected to the internet so you can now browse.
For questions, use the comment box below.
for glo blackberry as modern using blackberry.net.net contact me on ehinorlive@yahoo.com
Please how will I connect my blackberry bold 9650 as a modem with glo bis on pc
@gattuso, yes, you need BB desktop manger to be able to do that.
Hello admin thanks 4 ur. In4mation am using a blod5 9900 with a Glo sim and I have blackberry desktop manager on my pC and I have done all the apn settings and stiLl it not working it keeping tell me radio turned off contact service provider pls I need ur help Admin
@Chris, download ‘Tether’ on your BB from BB world and the computer version from the link you would see in the BB world. After installation on your BB and Computer, now connect using cable. That should also work.
My phone Make is Blackberry Bold 5 (Verizon). Pls I ve tried using blackberry bold 5 to connect to my PC using wifi-hotspot wit BBC subscription on MTN but cudnt connect to internet. I also followed ur instructions strictly on ‘How to use ur blackberry phones as modem on Pc’ still failed to connect to internet. Pls any help to connect will be appreciated. Thanks.
@Ugab, MTN not working currently. Give Glo a try.
Its not browsing but the internet is connected plss hellp me
@alien shegs, which network?
I hav bin try to use my bold 5 to collect but I was unable to collect it wen am try to save d apn as blackberry.net it was saying apn is invalid pls can u mail me@ sholebo8@gmail.com on how to do it.I hav try it for glo and mtn or if there is any other way I can use it for my model I mean glo bis
@sholebo, you don’t need Blackberry Desktop manager. You can connect using your wifi or USB cable. But before anything, search for ‘tether’ on BB world and install it on your phone.
I want to subscribe glo monthly bis then use my sim on my nokia connected nokia ovi suite to browse with my pic.i want to know if it would work.
@Edmund, it won’t work.
Will I connect the phone to the system
@bossjef, yea, you connect with your cable.
Hello, wat could be the problem if the message that comes u while trying to connect to the mobile internet is problem with modem hardware, pls check to see if tyour radio is turned on. I hve usedit successfully in the past and dotn’t understand wat cud b wrong this time. I have airtime on my phone.
@Emma, uninstall the Blackberry Desktop Software and the re-install.
How do I unlock zte modem AC2766 to use any network sim on it.
@Mayowa, visit the appropriate post for help – http://www.justnaira.com/2012/05/get-free-zte-modems-unlocker-software.html
God bless you 4 ur in4mation. I have a phone is Nokia x2-01. Pls can i use Nokia x2-01 As my modem to browse on my laptop. Pls tell me. Thanks.
@Nwokwa, yes you can. Download/buy Nokia PC suite to able to use your Nokia x2-01 as modem.
@Bunmi, you can also get BlackBerry Desktop Manager from HERE
please i have a problem in downloading the deskstop software on my sytem,its stopping at half download,i have tried 4 times now.what else can i do to download a complete one.thanks
@Anonymous, try and follow the steps outlined here carefully. A friend of mine use this tutorial to set up his BB with airtel on PC.
Thanks for your wrute up on using BB as a modem
I tried the set up under Airtel NG but on trying to connect the information returned that I am about to roam and letter came out as unconnected. “No response from the host computer”. My BB phone has verizon wireless sign on it though it has been configured with airtel Nigeria. Could this be the case. How can I get over this
i tried changing the apn to internet.ng.zain.com, yet it didnt work.
Thanks
@BAHMAM, you need to make normal subscription not bis. But Airtel Bis can work on BB and Computer at the same time.
HI, I have my etisalat bb data plan but when using my phone as a modem it uses my credit instead using my data plan, would you please advise.
thanks, BAHMAN
@abiodun ogundare, what’s the model of your BlackBerry?
Hello, thkx a lot. i use etisalat. I tried the configuration but always returning error that connection failed and shld turn on my raido. what radio is this? i thought this is connected thru data cable. pls guide me well.
@Anonymous, the co month subscription does not work because it was meant for Blackberry phones. Try and check HEREfor some software you can use with your Bis subscription.
Hi, i tried it the first time and it worked perfectly, i even watched a youtube video, then the connection got disconnected. I checked my blackberry and i had a message from glo saying that i had exhausted my free 20MB and that i should subscribe to a data plan. ( I have BIS Comonth 3GB)When i tried it again, it connecetd but my computer said no internet access(local only) I launched my browser
Admin, please what is the access point for Glo? I want to configure my BB device as a dial-up modem.
@Anonymous, Learn how to use your BlackBerry Device as a Dial-Up Modem with All Network Here
@exoticolives Try to uninstall BB Desktop Manager on your pc and reinstall it again and if the problem persist, check your configuration settings.
Hi,wat could be the problem if the message that comes u while trying to connect to the mobile internet is problem with modem hardware, pls check to see if tyour radio is turned on. I hve usedit successfully in the past and dotn’t understand wat cud b wrong this time. I have airtime on my phone.pls help, I reaally need interrneet on my pc urgently and myBB is d only device capable of that within my reach.thanks
Thanks a lot,worked quite well wit no difficulties on airtel,really appreciate this info.
Try to change your Access Point from internet.ng.airtel.com to internet.ng.Zain.com. Let me know if the problem still persist.
Thanks for your wrute up on using BB as a modem
I tried the set up under Airtel NG but on trying to connect the information returned that I am about to roam and letter came out as unconnected. "No response from the host computer". My BB phone has verizon wireless sign on it though it has been configured with airtel Nigeria. Could this be the case. How can I get over this
Thanks