Gabriel

How-to: Use your shiny new Treo 700p as a USB Modem for your laptop and get super-fast Sprint EVDO speeds

If, like me, you found your new Treo 700p to be AWESOME, except for the $39.99 or $49.99 ADDITIONAL monthly charge to actually USE the Bluetooth DUN feature (that wasn’t mentioned ANYWHERE in the marketing that I saw) so that you can hook up your laptop to it and surf the internet using your phone as a connection, (which I only found out about by calling support and asking why using DUN wasn’t working) then you will probably be VERY interested in this handy $24.95 application from Mobile Stream:


Treo USB Modem software screenshot

USB Modem allows you to use Treo 600, Treo 650 and Treo 700p smartphones as a USB modem for connecting a desktop or notebook computer to Internet. To surf the Internet from your PC you will need only a USB cable and a Treo with GPRS/EDGE service or CDMA 1x/EvDO data plan.

Features

* Support for Treo 600, Treo 650 and Treo 700p smartphones
* Support for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems
* Support for USB and Bluetooth connectivity
* Support for background mode so it is possible to make outgoing voice calls or perform other activity on the Treo without disabling the modem mode
* Support for Fax modem operation
* Small memory footprint (30 KB)

I couldn’t get the Bluetooth connectivity option to work. The USB connection option seems to do the trick however. I’m now able to use my phone now exactly as I wanted to without paying the extra EVDO connection fees (hopefully).

Also, I found a bug where if you have Menu Meters installed and the Bluetooth indicator in the menubar as well Menu Meters keeps on restarting while you are connected. If you turn off display of the Bluetooth icon then everything is fine.

Hopefully this won’t get shut down, since it basically enables exactly what you want — internet access on your laptop (in my case a Mac OS X G4 Powerbook) using EVDO speeds.

Internet Connection panel showing Treo 700p USB Modem setting

Directions:

  1. First, download the trial of the USB Modem software to make sure this will all work for you.
  2. Follow the User Guide instructions to configure your laptop, and install the USB Modem .prc onto your Treo 700p.
  3. Go to Prefs, click on Networking. Make sure that you are currently disconnected. Otherwise the USB modem won’t work.
  4. Click on the USB Modem application
  5. Click the Enable Modem Mode button. Leave the Connectivity method set to USB, and the Background mode set to checked.
  6. Under OS X, open Internet Connect application, and select the Treo 700 USB Modem option. You should see #777 in the Telphone Number, leave everything else blank.
  7. Click Connect.
  8. You should see it saying Contacting PPP Server… then Authenticating, then Connected.
  9. Use the internet on your laptop to check your email, ssh, surf the web, instant messenger, whatever
  10. When you’re done using the internet, click Disconnect in Internet Connect, then click the Disable Modem Mode in USB Modem. If you don’t do this, the next time you try to sync using the USB cable you will get an error message stating that the connection is already in use.
  11. Enjoy super-fast EVDO speeds on your laptop wherever you go…!!!

I did find that occasionally you will need to turn the phone off and then back on again to reset the internal networking features after you’ve used it as a modem.

I purchased the software since it seems like exactly what I need, and I’d encourage you to do the same. Also, I haven’t gotten my first bill with the new phone yet, so I’m not 100% certain that there won’t still be a charge for using the phone as a modem. But you may as well give it a shot.

I’ll update this post if I see anything on my next bill — I don’t expect to be using the phone as a modem all the time since I’m usually in the vicinity of a WiFi connection.

Update 1: I haven’t seen any additional charges on my bill, so this looks like a pretty great solution.

Update 2: Warning: please see comment #23 below for a problem that David had with this where it “fried” his hard drive. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but please use caution when following these instructions. I haven’t had any problems with it at all, but you may want to backup your hard drive before you proceed.

Update 3: – Jan 28, 2008 – Note: it appears that Sprint / Nextel has changed their terms and conditions to specifically exclude using workarounds like this. Here is the exact text of their current T&C as it applies (emphasis added):

Vision/Power Vision: Services are not available with all Sprint phones. Usage is calculated on a per kilobyte basis and is rounded up to the next whole kilobyte. Rounding occurs at the end of each session or each clock hour and, at which time we deduct accumulated usage from your plan, or assess overage or casual usage charges. You are responsible for all data activity from and to your phone, regardless of who initiates the activity. Estimates of data usage will vary from actual use. Your invoice will not separately identify the number of kilobytes attributable to your use of specific sites, sessions or services used. Premium content (games, ringers, etc.) priced separately. Services are not available for use in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections. Except with phone-as-modem plans, you may not use a phone (including a Bluetooth phone) on a plan with unlimited Vision/Power Vision as a modem in connection with a computer, PDA, or similar device. We reserve the right to deny or terminate service without notice for any misuse. Availability of downloadable or streaming content is subject to change.


You can read my response below, but basically I think they’re shooting themselves in the foot here. I haven’t heard anything from them about this, and probably they’ll only use that T&C to address specific problem usage (for them) where they have a customer using too much of their “unlimited” data plan. I don’t think it’s a real great strategy to tell some of your most fanatical customers and fans that they are basically screwed. Because heres the thing: we have options, some great ones. It’s probably time to look at shopping for a different carrier if you care about regular computer usage without having to pay their extortionate fees for using your computer with this phone as a modem.

Link to share this: https://www.gabrielserafini.com/blog/2006/06/02/how-to-use-your-shiny-new-treo-700p-as-a-usb-modem-for-your-laptop-and-get-super-fast-sprint-evdo-speeds/

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Gabriel

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206 responses to “How-to: Use your shiny new Treo 700p as a USB Modem for your laptop and get super-fast Sprint EVDO speeds”

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  7. Saw on my latest sprint bill where it says
    Sprint will begin charging 3 cents per kilobyte and 15cents for text messages.
    They can’t charge it if you have a plan..
    but then On the phone a sprint rep told me that they can tell when someone is using their treo 700p as a modem. I thought he might be blowing smoke… Can they tell… maybe based on the amount of bytes flowing when using a laptop..???

    Reply

  8. First, thanks for all the information that I found here. I contacted Sprint and was told that the software would not work UNLESS I was willing to pay an extra 40.00 per month for the DUN service through them. Also, it seams the only way that I could get the system to work is through the Bluetooth part of the software. I have now idea of how I did it. The first time I tried to connect it would not, and then I went into the DUN properties and selected both the USB and Bluetooth modems that I had created. I then re-tried to connect and it worked. Right now I am watching my Tevo through my Sling software with a wonderful picture for 115 KBS connection.

    The only question that I have is, none of you have had any additional charges from Sprint because of this service. I am an IT Professional and will be using this software all the time and really don’t want to get a 500.00 bill from my provider.

    Thanks in advance for all your comments!
    Rebecca V

    Reply

  10. Rebecca,

    Using the USB Modem software is not an official Sprint recommended activity, as far as I know. It is simply using 3rd party Palm software and the unlimited on-phone data plan that Sprint offers. I’m sure that the Sprint person probably was telling you what their plan would require if you wanted to use the provided “out of the box” experience. I’ve been using this application successfully for months now with zero additional charges.

    (I don’t work for Sprint, and I don’t speak for them, I only really really like the Treo and using it as a USB modem.)

    —
    Gabriel

    Reply

  11. Can someone comment on Cingular and my skepticism that if I hack their WAP to be DUN, they will still nail me for data charges. . . In other words, is there a known way to trick them into thinking you are simply using minutes?

    Reply

  12. Pepe,

    I can’t comment on Cingular, but if they offer an unlimited on-phone data plan (ie using on-phone applications like Blazer, email etc…) then you should be fine with this application. It is only when you use the supplied DUN software that they are able to differentiate between on-phone and DUN usage. There is no hacking required to get this to work, and you could give it a try for a month and see if you get any additional charges.

    Note that the phone companies probably _could_ detect the use of an application like USB modem by looking at usage patterns if they really wanted to shut this down. Nothing I’m advocating here breaks the letter of the terms and conditions, it just gets around using the supplied application and uses a different one to do an allowed activity (access the Internet using an on-phone application).

    So, probably the answer has to do with what your Cingular plan allows regarding on-phone usage of data minutes. Sprint offers unlimited on-phone minutes, and that’s what I’ve seen on my bill.

    Reply

  13. I’ve tried everything, step by step, several times over… But when it tries to connect, it says disconnecting, then the message “Internet Connect- A modem error occurred. Please verify your settings and try again.” Everything was done exactly according to what was written above… Any advice?

    Reply

  14. did not get connectiom mgr with palm treo 700p. hot sync didn’t work on os x 10.4.8, appeared to get lib problems. installed “missing sync” and can sync etc. where (url) can I get connection mgr?

    Reply

  19. First of all, thanks Gabriel for pointing out this software.

    > Benjamin Says:
    > says disconnecting, then the message “Internet
    > Connect- A modem error occurred. Please verify
    > your settings and try again.”

    Benjamin, try this

    1) Go to “System Preferences > Network”.

    1) In the “Show” drop down, select “Treo 700 USB Modem”
    2) Click the “Modem” tab
    3) In the “Modem” drop down menu, select “Palm Treo CDMA” or “Palm Treo GSM” depending on the type of wireless carrier you have. This refers to the modem scripts you should have moved into /Library/Modem Scripts per the Mobile Stream instructions.

    Reply

  22. hey guys… i seem to have everything set up right but when i try to connect via bluetooth i see my phone connected for a second then it disconnects and says “could not negotiate a connection with the remote ppp server. Now i have a 700p using verizon and a new macbook, i have no user name and password info put in just #777 as the number and i followed all instructions. can anyone help?

    Reply

  25. I’ve tried to use USB modem with my treo 700p and mac powerbook g4 and am able to connect using a usb cable, but can’t get it to work using bluetooth. Using the instructions from USB modem, I get through to the part where you are supposed to select the treo phone and ‘edit serial ports’, but there is no such button or option in order to edit the serial ports, and when I try to connect anyway, it doesn’t work. Any suggestions?

    Reply

  26. I am a new Treo user as well as Sprint user. I currently have plan with vison for 600 minutes. Do I need an additional plan, a different plan to use my Treo as a modem? You talked about a data plan and a vison plan and I am confused. Sorry to bother you but like I said I am not real swift on these things.

    Reply

  27. I have another dumb question. You need a dial-up IP don’t you? I need to access my banking and e-mail. I currently have cable IP. I was reading on the setup instructions of USB Modem that I would need APN number??? so do I need another IP provider to use this program?

    Thanks if advance from a really dumb blond when it comes to stuff like this.

    Reply

  28. Bobbi,

    As long as you’re subscribing to one of the Power Vision Packages for your Treo you don’t need anything additional to use the USB Modem Software. The Power Vision Packs offer Unlimited Internet Use on Software that’s installed on the Palm. And since the USB Modem is installed on the palm, and uses the internet, you won’t be charged.

    And no, you dont need a dail-up IP. The USB Modem software uses the IP address your Palm Treo gets when it uses the Power Vision Plan.

    Hope that clears it up a bit.

    AL

    Reply

  29. Mark, send the guys at USB Modem and email with your problem. I had the same thing. They sent me a Bluetooth Update file for their software. They said it was a temporary fix for now, but it does work. I’ve used Bluetooth a few times, and it’s great. But I would rather use the cable, since it seems faster with it.

    AL

    Reply

  32. Help…!

    Verizon
    Treo 700P
    iBook G4; OSX Tiger

    I can see Treo 700P in the “Internet Connect” window, but the status never gets past “Contacting PPP Server” before timing out.

    I have #777 entred in the first line, and the rest are blank.

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    -Tim

    Reply

  33. I am trying to use my treo 700wx as my modem and connot figure it out can someone please help me…I have tried everything and still have nothing…Thank you , Isabella

    Reply

  35. I am having connection problems using my USB Modem Software. I tried connecting via my Treo 700 (connected via cable to laptop), but I keep getting the following error message: ‘Error 680: There is NO Dial Tone’

    Here is what I did for Treo setup and Laptop Setup: I installed the Trial (v1.50) version of USB Modem on my Treo 700p to try out. I also installed the XP Driver and created/set my Internet Connection on my laptop (Windows XP) as instructed on the USB Modem Users Guide.

    I was also confused on setting up my Treo in the Preferences section of the Treo (Phone>Options>SystemPreferences>Networking).

    Right now these are my default settings I have on the Treo: Service(Power Vision) / Connection(High Speed Wireless) / UserName(My Sprint Email)/ Password(my password).

    Am I supposed to make some ‘Modification’ changes to the Treo here for connectivity to the USB Modem Software?

    Also, when I open the USB Modem on the Treo, I have it set on the following: Connectivity Method (USB) / Low Latency(unchecked) / Background Mode(checked) / Enable Auto Start(unchecked), then I chose ‘Enable Modem Mode’

    What is causing this ‘Error 680: There is NO Dial Tone’ error?

    Can anyone help me with a fix or proper settings in the Treo Preferences section or elsewhere? Thanks!! Want to see if work so I can purchase…

    Reply

  36. I am having connection problems using my USB Modem Software. I tried connecting via my Treo 700 (connected via cable to laptop), but I keep getting the following error message: ‘Error 680: There is NO Dial Tone’

    Here is what I did for Treo setup and Laptop Setup: I installed the Trial (v1.50) version of USB Modem on my Treo 700p to try out. I also installed the XP Driver and created/set my Internet Connection on my laptop (Windows XP) as instructed on the USB Modem Users Guide.

    I was also confused on setting up my Treo in the Preferences section of the Treo (Phone>Options>SystemPreferences>Networking).
    Right now these are my default settings I have on the Treo: Service(Power Vision) / Connection(High Speed Wireless) / UserName(My Sprint Email)/ Password(my password).

    Am I supposed to make some ‘Modification’ changes to the Treo here for connectivity to the USB Modem Software?

    Also, when I open the USB Modem on the Treo, I have it set on the following: Connectivity Method (USB) / Low Latency(unchecked) / Background Mode(checked) / Enable Auto Start(unchecked), then I chose ‘Enable Modem Mode’

    What is causing this ‘Error 680: There is NO Dial Tone’ error?

    Can anyone help me with a fix or proper settings in the Treo Preferences section or elsewhere? Thanks!! Want to see if work so I can purchase…

    Reply

  38. I cannot get the USB Modem v1.50 to work with my Palm Treo700p !!

    I get the following Error: ‘Error 680: There is No Dial tone’ , when I try to get connection from my laptop with the Treo 700p connected via cable.

    I installed the .prc file, set up the USB Modem software and my laptop internet connection according to the USB Modem Users Manual instructions, but still get this error message!

    How can I fix this problem? Anyone know?

    Reply

  39. Santa’s hopefully bringing me a Treo 700p for Christmas. I just happened to come across this site and really have learned alot about it just reading the above comments. I’m still confused about the difference of the 700p and 700w. With the new Vista OS coming out, would it be more recommended to purchase the Treo 700w? Anyone know if 700p will be compatible with Vista?

    Reply

  40. I have followed every scrap of the directions for a 700P with a powerbook g4 and Sprint. Contacts ppp, tries to connect for 20 seconds or so, and then disconnects. One thing I noticed is that the driver icons in the /libray/etc etc are applications, and the ctrl i identifies them as unix apps. Is something weird there? Anyway, I’d love to get this to work, but no luck. One cryptic phrase in the directions is: “Go to Prefs, click on Networking. Make sure that you are currently disconnected. Otherwise the USB modem won’t work.” So I tried shutting off my airport connection, but it made no difference. Any tips?

    TIA.

    Eric

    Reply

  44. Thank goodness I found your post. I was expecting to have to use Bluetooth with my Mac iBook. Instead I downloaded the trial and it works like a dream. THANK YOU!

    Reply

  45. How is the speed with this setup. I am looking upgradeing my 650 to a 700P and getting rid of my EVDO card. I tried this with the 650 (non evdo) and it was pretty slow in comparison to the card in the same non EVDO area. Anyone have a comparison to the card speeds?

    Reply

  48. Important step not documented in these instructions…you have to:

    Go into system prefs, network.
    Choose modem tab
    Choose Mobile Stream CDMA from drop down menu

    Then everything works just fine. Took me a few weeks to figure this out…

    Eric

    Reply

  50. I’m a new 700p purchaser/user. I know I have access to use as a modem using Power Vision pak. I’ve read many of the posts. but can’t figure out whether the USB hot sync cable is also used as the modem cable. Don’t think my computer is equipped with bluetooth, but have a usb bluetooth adapter. Will I be able to set up using adapter to bypass cable? If so anything specific I need?
    Thanks for all reples.

    Reply
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