Need to know what cell carriers/phones support bluetooth tethering

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Need to know what cell carriers/phones support bluetooth tethering

I had the MotoQ9C for about a year and was using it (OS Windows Mobile 6.0) to tether with my macbook with no problems. However, the phone went belly up and they sent me a replacement. It had the 6.1 OS. Well, it no longer worked with the Macbook after that. So aggrivating. After much discussion with my cell carrier, Alltel, they let me out of my contract a year and a half early because this is a feature I MUST have with my phone and they claimed to have no OS and no phones which would support it.

SO, now I am on the hunt for a new service provider and a new phone. I have to be able to tether with my Mac. Have to. I was using it on a daily basis before I was sent the new phone and I am beyond annoyed that I suddenly can't do it anymore. The Alltel sup basically told me, "good luck" when I asked if she knew of any providers who DID support the Mac/phone tethering. She said she didn't know of any herself and she's been in the industry to 6 years. Ugh.

So, I know it can be done but I need help finding out how, who and where. If anyone is able to tether with their phone, could you please send me info on who you're using, what phone and how to set it up??? I'm on the hunt and need this info yesterday. : )

Thanks in advance!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Aug 26, 2009 3:55 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 26, 2009 4:09 PM in response to onthegogirl1

Why not ATT and an iPhone?

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Answer 2

onthegogirl1 Author

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Aug 26, 2009 4:24 PM in response to donv_the_ghost

I thought of the iPhone...and I figured that HAD to work, right?! Only problem with that is the service where I live....very splotchy. I guess I should clarify this a bit more....I can't (or at least wasnt able to over a year ago) use TMobile out here and ATT is sketchy too. Alltel is gonna be out because of the afore mentioned issues....so I guess that leaves Sprint and Verizon?

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Answer 3

onthegogirl1 Author

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Aug 26, 2009 4:31 PM in response to donv_the_ghost

I thought of the iPhone...and I figured that HAD to work, right?! Only problem with that is the service where I live....very splotchy. I guess I should clarify this a bit more....I can't (or at least wasnt able to over a year ago) use TMobile out here and ATT is sketchy too. Alltel is gonna be out because of the afore mentioned issues....so I guess that leaves Sprint and Verizon?

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Answer 4

Aug 27, 2009 7:13 PM in response to onthegogirl1

I would think the iPhone has to work, too.
But it doesn't.
Have been unable to thther my MBP to iPhone.
My iPhone shows as discoverable, and my MBP also shows that it sees it. But it doesn't connect - the Devices on the iPhone just keeps searching & searching & searching.

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Answer 5

Aug 27, 2009 7:36 PM in response to onthegogirl1

I never clarified "tethering." I have been assuming using Bluetooth, right? I tried pairing my Touch iPod with my MBP using Bluetooth, and I had no luck. I guess that's just an aside, but maybe there is a Bluetooth problem. I am going to try my Samsung Sync. I'll get back to you if it works.

Edit: Well, I did get it paired, but could only use it as a modem.

I don't have a USB cable for my phone so I can't try that. Maybe you mean tether in the "true" sense of being connected physically. Probably so. Obviously, I can tether with my Touch iPod in this sense.

Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

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Answer 6

onthegogirl1 Author

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Aug 28, 2009 3:41 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

No, you were right....I meant "tethering" by way of bluetooth. I know you can use the USB but out of convienence, I wanted to just use bluetooth.

We talked to ATT and they said that the iPhone doesn't tether at all. Guess they're wrong if you can do it with a USB, at least.

At any rate, I went into a Verizon store and they said all their phones will tether with a Mac. They promised. Ha ha. They did say that a USB connection is better just because it's a "physical connection to the source" but that you could still do it with bluetooth, if you wanted. So, I guess I'm going with Verizon....just gotta pick the phone. If anyone knows of issues with this carrier though, please let me know ASAP because I'm getting ready to sign on the dotted line!!

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Answer 7

Aug 28, 2009 4:17 AM in response to onthegogirl1

AT&T is correct (and donv doesn't seem to understand 'tethering' in this context) - tethering is currently not supported with the iPhone - not via USB nor Bluetooth. The iPhone itself is capable of tethering (either BT or USB) and can be used like that with carriers in other countries. AT&T may decide to support tethering via the iPhone at some point in the future, and will likely charge the same as they do for their other smartphones - an additional $30/month on top of the data plan.

So at the present time, the iPhone is not what you're looking for. But, any carrier with a device that supports tethering on their network will work with the MBP (phones from Nokia, Samsung, etc., BlackBerrys, whatever, from Verizon, AT&T, etc.).

@donv - "Tethering" means using a cell phone as a wireless modem to connect your Mac to the internet. The iPod Touch lacks a cellular radio, so tethering is moot.

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Answer 8

Aug 28, 2009 6:28 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Right, I didn't understand that meaning. I was able to tether my Samsung Sync via BT so she might be interest in Samsung's in general.

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Answer 9

Aug 28, 2009 6:38 AM in response to onthegogirl1

Sorry for not understanding you earlier? What is your purpose in tethering? Do you want to use the phone as a modem? See the linked instructions for using an iPhone as a modem in the US: http://www.pcworld.com/article/159627/howtouse_your_iphone_as_a_wireless_laptopmodem.html.

Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

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Answer 10

onthegogirl1 Author

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Aug 28, 2009 8:24 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

Wow....great article. Thanks! I love finds like that....help in clarification for "dummies" like me. : )

But I don't think we're going with the iPhone just yet. ATT is not a good service provider for where we live and while I love the iPhone, I don't deal well with technological irritations like dropping calls at my house or not being able to make them. So, once Verizon comes out with carrying it, we'll probably do it but for now, I'm looking at the Blackberry Tour. I realize I'm going to be one of the "sheeple" that carry the BB but hey, I hear it's a great phone and the majority of the masses use it....must be pretty decent.

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Answer 11

onthegogirl1 Author

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Aug 28, 2009 8:25 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

And yes....I'm going to be using the phone to "tether" to my Mac for internet purposes.....

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Answer 12

Aug 28, 2009 8:41 PM in response to onthegogirl1

You are very welcome. Good luck. Samsung? Let us know what you do.

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Answer 13

pbxpress

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Sep 12, 2009 7:59 AM in response to onthegogirl1

FYI, Verizon and Blackberry intentionally disables the Bluetooth data transfer protocols on their phones so you will not be able to tether it to your laptop. You also can't use Bluetooth to send/receive files, pictures, ringtones from your phone to other Bluetooth devices. Verizon has been sued in court over this and settled, but they continue to cripple their phones. That's the main reason I dropped them. Last time I checked, the iPhone is similarly disabled.
I currently use an unlocked Nokia N95 with ATT and have no problems tethering to my Macbook and win xp laptops.
When looking for Bluetooth phones that support tethering, make sure it has the following Bluetooth profiles enabled: FTP (file transfer protocol) and DUN (dial up networking)

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