Sprint's "Phone-As-Modem" and the Samsung A900M

In case you have missed it, Sprint has completely embraced the "Phone-As-Modem" concept by offering unlimited internet access via any of their EVDO/DUN phones for only $40/month. This service is a real boon to those of us wanting (or needing) unlimited internet connectivity while we are "on the road."

The only problem is that it is frequently difficult to ascertain which is the correct phone to purchase. Once purchased, it is difficult to find any documentation outlining just how to go about using the phone with your notebook computer. Since most of the phones capable of providing this connectivity are relatively new, even the Tech Support people at Sprint have little or no experience, and can provide little help.

The endeavor of this post is to point readers in the right direction, and to describe one solution that works perfectly! If you are a current subscriber to a Sprint voice plan, and are considering using their "Phone-As-Modem" plan, or if you are considering switching to Sprint for the same reason, read on...

I have been using a Samsung phone with my Sprint voice plan for a couple years, and I really liked its features. I particularly liked the software running on the phone. I had vetted the features offered by other phone manufacturers, most notably Motorola, and I always came away disappointed. So, in searching for a phone compatible with Sprint's Phone-As-Modem plan, I leaned heavily toward their offerings from Samsung. In the end, the perfect phone for my purposes was Samsung's A900M.

Unfortunately, I immediately had problems getting the phone "paired" with my Macbook Pro. As I think anyone would have done, I attempted to pair the phone via Bluetooth from my Macbook Pro. This process goes quite smoothly up to the point that the phone displays a pop-up stating that a successful connection has been made; at this point, the phone freezes, and cannot even be powered off normally. The battery must be removed from the phone in order to rectify this situation. Obviously, any services the phone might otherwise provide to the notebook computer are inaccessible during this time. I should note here that a Sprint Tech Support rep., using a Mac and the same phone, was able to duplicate this issue.

After 3 days of following false leads on this issue, I at last discovered the "trick" to making this phone work with my computer, but I can now state that it does work, and quite well! It turns out that this phone can only be paired with a Mac by using the phone to create the pairing. Additionally, the phone will normally "see" any Bluetooth connection request from the Mac as a request for modem services.

In the end, this makes the actual use of the phone as a modem much more streamlined, as you will see. What follows is explicit instruction for setting up and using Sprint's Samsung A900M for use as a modem:

* If it is not clear to you from the above, DO NOT attempt to pair the A900M to your Mac using either Bluetooth preferences or the Bluetooth menu on your Mac. An "initial" pairing must be made from the phone.

* On your Mac, turn on Bluetooth, and turn on "Discoverable" in the Bluetooth menu.

* On the A900M, use the menus to select Tools>Bluetooth. This will display a list of "Trusted Devices" (which may be completely empty at this point). Choose "Options" by pressing the right "soft key," then choose "Add New" (option #1).

* Select "Search," then press the "OK" button. Wait for your Mac to show up in the list, select it, then choose "Add to list" (left soft key). A dialogue will appear on the phone asking for a "PIN." Enter any 4-digit combination you like, then press "OK."

* A dialogue will now appear on your Mac, asking for the same 4-digit "PIN." Enter the correct number.

A brief Bluetooth connection will be made with your Mac. Do not be alarmed if this is just a transient connection; your A900M will now have your Mac included in its list of "Trusted Devices," and it will happily accept any Bluetooth request in conjunction with a request for an internet connection. You are now ready to set up your Mac to use the phone...

* On your Mac, open System Preferences>Network. If necessary, unlock the padlock and enter your admin password. Choose Show: Network Port Configurations, and enable (check) Bluetooth, if it is not already enabled. Drag it in the list of configurations to a location that makes sense for your setup (mine is just below “Airport”).

* Next, choose Show: Bluetooth. Select the “Bluetooth Modem” pane. Make sure that “Show Bluetooth status in menu bar” is checked, check “Show modem staus in menu bar,” uncheck “Wait for dial tone,” then use the pull-down menu to select the “Sprint PCS Vision” modem script.

* Select the “PPP” pane. Your phone will automatically provide any authentication credentials, so leave these fields blank. For “Telephone Number:,” enter Sprint's "DUN" number: this is #777. Leave all other settings at their default.

* While still viewing the “PPP” pane, click the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the window. Finally, click “Dial Now…”

An Internet Connect window should open, showing the progress of your connection attempt. Within seconds, you should be connected to the internet. While you are connected, your phone will display: “Connected as data modem to XXX,” and you will not be able to make or receive calls. You can simply quit Intenet Connect, and the connection will remain.

When you are finished with your session, simply choose “Disconnect” from the modem status menu. When you want to make another connection, turn on Bluetooth, then choose “Connect” from the Modem Status menu. It’s really that simple!! To be clear: you will not make any attempt to connect to the phone "manually" via Bluetooth when you want to use it to connect to the internet... a Bluetooth connection will be made automatically whenever you choose "Connect" from the Modem Status menu.

I hope that this post helps others that might be attempting to make a Samsung A900M work for them, or are considering doing so. I can tell you that once it is configured properly, it works amazingly well (this post was made using the A900M ;-))!

Scott