How to Use a Cell Phone As a PC Modem for Bulletin Boards
Most models of iPhones, BlackBerries and Android platform phones can be "tethered" to a laptop or desktop computer and act as a wireless modem. The connection software varies by brand, so smart phone manufacturers provide lists of compatible devices, and often free software downloads. With a few quick setup steps, anyone can enable the wireless modem, or "hotspot" capabilities from a properly equipped phone.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Smart phone, such as iPhone, Blackberry or Android
- Micro USB data cable
- Manufacturer's application software
Instructions
-
-
1
Check your cell phone manufacturer for a list of compatible cell phones. The key words to look for are "tether" or "hotspot." These words are common industry terms which refer to a smart phones' ability to function as a modem.
-
2
Download the appropriate software for your cell phone via service carrier, or smart phone app marketplace. This software is available via the manufacturer's, or cell phone service carrier's, site. For example, AT&T produces a product called the "Communication Manager Software," while Verizon's software is called "VZAccess manager." Some smart phones are OEM-equipped with hotspot capability.
-
-
3
Identify if the computer to be used as the bulletin board host has wireless or Bluetooth capabilities. If the computer has Bluetooth capabilities, the host computer should be able to connect with the cell phone wirelessly.
-
4
Hardwire the cell phone to the computer via the micro USB data cable if Bluetooth capabilities do not exist on both devices. When acting as a tethered moden, cell phones use Bluetooth technology to communicate wirelessly. If the host computer, which is used as the bulletin board platform, is not Bluetooth-enabled, the micro USB data cable can allow the smart phone to act as a modem.
-
5
Initiate the appropriate software, and verify that the computer is connecting to the Internet via the smart phone.
-
6
Connect the smart phone to a power source with the phones charger / power cord. The bulletin board software is always on, and constantly streams data between the host computer and the Internet. Therefore, if used for extended periods of time as a modem, the phone should be plugged in so as not to run out of power.
-
7
Launch the bulletin board software on the computer. Once your Internet connection is established, the bulletin board software on the computer host should function as if the computer were connected to any other modem.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cell phone data connections to the Internet are much slower than hard-wired, broadband Internet connections. A bulletin board host computer will process data much more slowly when connected via a smart phone modem.
Users should be fully aware of their phone carrier's service plan before tethering to a computer for data access. Some plans include unlimited data access. Other plans charge in additional fee for data access. Operating a bulletin board via a smart phone modem would qualify as data access and could incur significant data use charges.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit smart phone image by Jon Le-Bon from Fotolia.com
