Inter - GPRS - net

Internet / the World Wide Web - its a passion for some people!

Some people just have to be connected to the NET! All the time !!

But sometimes, one has no way to get connected. Maybe you are on the move and donot want to bear the cost of a Wireless Internet Data Card. Maybe, just like me, you stay in a locality with no Broadband connectivity. Or maybe one uses it only for a short duration of time at no particular time, wants to have a connection available anytime and doesnot want to make any committments to any service provider.

What do we do ?

Well, if we have a phone featuring GPRS; a phone connectivity software like NOKIA PC SUITE installed on the computer and preferably, bluetooth support in both the devices, there is hope !

We would need to get the GPRS service activated by contacting the service provider, first.

If we have all that, we can connect to the internet using the phone as the modem and the computer.

For a NOKIA phone, here is how we cook it up:

Ingredients - An active GPRS connection enabled mobile phone with bluetooth facility.

NOKIA PC SUITE with bluetooth connectivity.

A bluetooth enabled computer with the SUITE installed.

Procedure -

• Using the SUITE, connect the phone to the computer (via bluetooth; a connectivity cable will also do)
• Once connected (it will show connected at the bottom left), click on "Connect to the internet"

• The ONE TOUCH ACCESS wizard will then run. We will need to click on SETTINGS; if SETTINGS is not highlighted then most probably we are not using the administrator user account.

• It will then show you a modem, already chosen as we are already connected using Bluetooth (STANDARD MODEM USING BLUETOOTH LINK). We just need to click on NEXT
  

• We will then be given two options: Select the provider / Setup the connection manually, I would suggest using the latter as it is the better one. We then click on NEXT
  

• We then will need to enter the GPRS connection details as provided by the provider: The Access point, Username and the password. In the screenshot you see details for the HUTCH GPRS CONNECTION. And then NEXT
  

• We will then see a the connect screen which will show us the CONNECT button to use and will tell us that the connection will be established using Standard Modem Over Bluetooth Link

• When we click on the CONNECT button we view the connection in progress animation, telling us that the port is being opened and then verifying username and password

• If all goes fine, it will connect and tell us about it !
  

• Once we are connected, we need to open a browser like MOZILLA FIREFOX and configure the proxy settings if required. The settings will be provided by the service provider. Since, I use HUTCH; I have to use the following proxy settings, I configured them by going to TOOLS > ADVANCED > NETWORK > SETTINGS
  

Once all this has been taken care of, the connection is all set to be used.

Happy Surfing !

Note: one piece of advice - check the GPRS data download charges with your provider as some might prove very expensive !