Connecting BlackBerry as Modem with Airtel (India) carrier

[Ananth]

I spent a lot of time with Airtel support (121) and Airtel BlackBerry support (7070) but could not get any help. By using various inputs and several trial and error, I am now able to use BlackBerry 8700 as a modem with Windows XP laptop. I believe the steps should also apply to other BlackBerry models that support modems. I am asusming that you have the required BB services from airtel.

1. Install the BB desktop manager. BB modem driver should also be installed when you do this. You can check if the modem driver is installed by looking for "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\Modem Drivers"

2. Connect the BB modem using the USB cable and start the "BB Desktop Manager" sofware. BB Desktop Manager should be running to use the device as modem

3. Test the basic modem functionality by

click on Control Panel -> Phone and Modem options
Click on Modems tab and select Standard modem
Click on Properties, a new window (standard modem properties)will open
click on diagnostics tab and click on Query Modem button, you should see something like
ATQ0V1E0 - OK
AT+GMM - BlackBerry IP Modem
AT+FCLASS=? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT#CLS=? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT+GCI? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT+GCI=? - COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
ATI1 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI2 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI3 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI4 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI5 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI6 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem
ATI7 - Research in Motion BlackBerry IP Modem

4. click on the Advanced tab and enter the following extra initialization command
+cgdcont=1,"IP","airtelgprs.com",0,0
5. Close out the Phone and Modem windows
6. Go back to control panel and click on "Network Connections"
7. Click on "Create New Connection" and do the following

select "connect to the internet", click next
select "setup my connection manually", click next
select "connect using a dial-up modem", click next
select "Modem - Standard model" ONLY, click next
Provide a name of your choice, say "Airtel BB", click next
Enter *99# as phone number to dial, click next
select "Anyone's use", click next
In the internet account information window, leave all fields (username, password) empty, uncheck the 2 options, click next
check the "add a shortcut.." (you will find this handy), click FINISH


8. When you need to connect using the modem, click on the newly created short cut, and click on "Dial". :smile::smile:


With the above steps, I got connected with 115.2kbps.

Happy Modem-ing

Hope you will find this helpful.