You DO NOT need VZAccess software to use your Pearl tethered. For that matter, you don't need it to use an air card, either.

As proof, my hard drive in my laptop pooped out on Friday night and I spent the weekend re-formatting and reinstalling XP Pro from scratch. I did not install the VZAccess software.

I DID install the BB Desktop Manager and BB OS. Once that was installed, I connected to my BB first via a USB cable to make the initial connection, and then via Bluetooth.

Then I connected to the Internet using the BB via Bluetooth. I used the Network Setup Wizard to create the Dial-up Networking connection for that.

Once connected, I inserted my Kyocera KPC650 aircard into my laptop and ran Microsoft Update, which detected the air card and downloaded a couple of drivers for it (via the Pearl BT connection). Now, when I insert my aircard, it automatically connects and works. I don't even have to use a Dial-up Networking connection to use the aircard.