Ubuntu and Smart Telecom Internet (Philippines) thru Bluetooth

Posted by Mikko at 22 September 2008

Category: How-To, Linux

Tags: ,

Lately, I have been trying to amaze myself doing some weird stuff on Linux. Gladly, I thought of connecting my mobile phone to my Linux-running laptop for Internet.

I’d like to share it in case anyone might be concerned on how to do so.

Prerequisites

  1. A Bluetooth, GPRS and/or 3G (but preferably with 3G) capable mobile phone.
  2. A machine with a Bluetooth adapter.
  3. Bluez Bluetooth GNOME applet (the Bluetooth icon on your system tray).
    1. If not installed, may be obtained by typing sudo apt-get bluez-gnome.

This works pretty well on my Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and Linux Mint 5.0 installation.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. First of all, enable Bluetooth for the mobile phone and workstation (laptop, desktop, etc). Make sure both devices are discoverable.
  2. On your workstation’s terminal (on Ubuntu, go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal), type hcitool scan .
  3. You should see your mobile phone’s name and address.
  4. Now, let’s bind your device to rfcomm. Type sudo rfcomm bind /dev/rfcomm0 <replace_this_with_address_of_device> <replace_with_channel> .
    1. Replace <replace_this_with_address_of_device> with the address you obtained from hcitool scan (the ones on the left of your phone's name).
    2. Try the values 1, 2 or 3 for <replace_with_channel>. In case the whole process doesn’t work, just unbind your device to rfcomm by typing sudo rfcomm unbind rfcomm0 and repeating the whole process again with another value.
  5. After doing so, click on the network icon in your system tray (near the clock) and choose manual configuration. Unlock it with your password. Change the settings of point-to-point connection by double-clicking the option.
  6. Check “Enable this connection”.
  7. Choose GPRS/UMTS as Connection Type. Change access point name to “internet” without the doublequotes. For account data, just enter any username and password.
  8. On the second tab named “Modem”, type /dev/rfcomm0 to modem port field.
  9. On the third tab, check “Set modem as default route to internet” and “Use the internet service providers’ nameservers”.
  10. Hit OK.
  11. Now, check the checkbox of point-to-point connection.
  12. By this time, you should have an internet connection on your workstation. If it doesn’t work, repeat the process. Note to try other channels (described in the fourth step).

That’s all. Hope it works.

======================================

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11 Comments

  1. Jehzeel Laurente says (22.09.2008 at 6:42 am):

    geek!!! hehehe.. nag blog ka pa talaga habang naka GPRS :D

    Jehzeel Laurente’s last blog post..Super Tears of Joy

    Reply
  2. jhay says (22.09.2008 at 7:42 am):

    Awesome! Gaano naman kabilis ang connection mo?

    jhay’s last blog post..Cell phones can affect sperm quality?!

    Reply
  3. aldwin says (22.09.2008 at 9:37 pm):

    Hi there! Visiting you from davao, RP! Hehe… :D

    Congratulations! blog hoppin’…

    btw, care to xlink?

    http://innerphets.blogspot.com

    Thank you! :D

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    aldwin’s last blog post..ESET NOD32 Antivirus Free Download

    Reply
  4. Mikko says (23.09.2008 at 2:14 pm):

    @Kuya Jhay:
    Uhm, kung GPRS approximately 70kbps. Kung 3G naman, 400kbps.

    @Aldwin:
    Hi. Babalik ako ng Mindanao sa October. :D

    Reply
  5. rian says (17.10.2008 at 9:25 am):

    is this for free? or bawas sa prepaid load mo?

    P.S. Great website you got here! ex links? :)

    rian’s last blog post..from cebu with love

    Reply
  6. williams says (13.11.2008 at 9:00 pm):

    This company stock (ROKE) is set to take off. Worldwide client base in the mobile communications space. See the details at
    http://www.icoft.com/roke.html

    Reply
  7. j-r says (8.12.2008 at 7:11 pm):

    try using opera mini 4.2 on your phone, then connect your laptop to your phone…you only need P1 load…great speed, im posting this from my phone, btw…enjoy browsing…
    peace out…
    silentWizz@hotmail.com

    Reply
  8. cindy says (16.07.2009 at 3:03 pm):

    hi sa smart lge ako nag papaactivate pero la eh d nmn nangyari ganun pa rin sbi ng phone ko check conection settings… nailagay ko na lahat dun dpat.. conection name daw nun mali at un acces point anu ba dpat ko lagay dun?

    Reply
  9. cindy says (16.07.2009 at 3:08 pm):

    hi help namn kau… phone model ko 6600 at smart subscriber… nakaactivate na ako sa 3g at mms pero kaso pag nagpunta na ako sa service ng phone ko para magumpisa na sana mag surf eh la nmn nangyayari.. sbi lng check conection setting… anu ba dpat ilagay ko sa conection setting bigyan nio nmn ako help.. kng anu dpat ilagay ko sa acces point at conection name…

    Reply
  10. edebreo says (3.10.2009 at 10:16 am):

    i wonder if this works with post-paid subscribers. won’t i get charged for usage if i use opera mini?

    Reply
  11. Blog4Money says (30.05.2010 at 11:00 am):

    Greetings, well done blog. Want to get cash for blogging? Check out: http://bit.ly/PaidWriting

    Reply

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