Wireless Internet with BlackBerry 8830 or 9630 as Bluetooth Modem for Mac OS X
I recently had the opportunity to upgrade to a new BlackBerry 8830. It has several bells and whistles (improved keyboard, GPS, voice activated dialing, etc.) but perhaps most importantly, I now have the ability to use my BlackBerry 8830 as a wireless modem on the Sprint wireless network with my laptop.
12/6/09 Update – I recently upgraded to a Blackberry 9630. The 8800 modem script works for the 9630, too (I couldn’t find a modem script explicitly for the 9630 so when I tried the script for the 8800, it connected just fine). It should also be noted that the link to the modem scripts below DOES work for Mac OS 10.6 as I’m also running that now, too.
Internet access anywhere there’s a cell signal
No more having to pay $9.95 at each airport I sit in for Internet access. I’ll basically have Internet access wherever I have a cell phone signal! 
Here’s how:
- Install the BlackBerry 8800 modem scripts in Macintosh HD > Library > Modem Scripts
- Pair your BlackBerry with your Mac (I have a MacBook Pro which has built-in Bluetooth functionality). To do this: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network > Bluetooth and click the “Set Up Bluetooth Device…” button. Follow the prompts to pair your device.
- For the Sprint wireless network, you need to enter the following configuration information in the Bluetooth settings for Modem connectivity:
- Telephone Number: wap.sprint.com
- Account Name & Password fields can both be left blank
Hello, I am trying to do this with my blackberry curve 8330, does this pretty much work the same? My computer modem will state that it is starting to connect and then disconnect without ever allowing me to go onto the internet. Thanks for your help.
To be honest, I have only tried this on the 8830 Blackberry which I have. I'm not sure what would be causing the error you are getting. It may be related to your login not being correct for the dial-up settings for the modem.
do you have the data plan. I tried without having the internet data plan and it would connect then drop after the network found out I was not a valid user.
Mike – Yep, I do have a data plan.
-Eric
Shell, everything in the directions work except for using wap.sprint.com as the phone number. Use #777 and it will work and it is actually a pretty fast network. At least faster then I thought.
Eric, I could not get my mac to work using the wap.sprint.com as the phone number. Unless you are missing some directions here, it didn't work for me. I had to use #777
Hi Eric,
I'm still unable to use my blackberry as a modem. Im not sure if I've downloaded the right software? I followed your instructions as well, but every time i try to connect by bluetooth services it disconnects me everytime. I've also tried using both #777 and wap.sprint.com as the phone number. Is there anything else you can do to help me out? Anybody? Please help me with this issue.
Mike
Mike – Is your Mac connecting to your Blackberry via bluetooth and that's where you're having the disconnect problem? Or is your Blackberry not establishing a data connection? The instructions posted in this blog post are literally all I did to get my Mac working with my Blackberry — the critical component is downloading the modem script for your Blackberry and putting it into the folder indicated in my original post.
-Eric
#777 worked for me as well… this is SOOO much more convenient than the way I had to connect to my PC… Thanks!!!
Thank you very much for these direction. I found them extremely helpful. The only thing different I had to do was use: #777 instead of wap.sprint.com for my phone number. Appreciate the help.
I have a verizon 8830. When I connect it takes me directly to the plan rates page and a number to sign up. Is there anyway to make it work without a monthly plan?
AWESOME. Thank you, Eric!! I also had to use the #777 for the phone number too and it's working excellently. Thanks everyone.
Thank you!! I've been trying to figure this out for a month and everyone says to use #777 but it doesn't work with my Tour and Sprint. wap.sprint.com works perfectly. Thanks!
i can turn on my blackberry 8830 wireless on can you please help me