Tethering a cell phone to a Linux PC via Bluetooth for mobile internet access

"Tethering" is a term that refers to connecting a mobile phone with internet access to your computer so that the computer can access the internet using the phone. This is handy for laptop users who need internet access on the road and can't find a wifi hotspot or phone jack to dial-up with.

Bluetooth phones are becoming more and more common, and it is nice to be able to connect the phone to your computer while it is clipped to your belt or in your pocket.

The idea in my case is that every Linux-based navigation program relies on internet access to get its street maps. The two most common ones are GpsDrive and Roadnav. I use the latter one right now because it is more friendly to the automotive environment and has nice big buttons (and an onscreen keyboard) for touchscreen computers. It seems perfect for an in-car "carputer" with a touch screen monitor in the dash. Be aware, though: GpsDrive is MUCH better at resolving turn-by-turn directions, uses MUCH nicer maps, and has a MUCH prettier interface. Roadnav also can't tell if a road on a map is one-way or not, and can't tell if an intersecion is actually and under- or overpass, so it may tell you to make an impossible or illegal turn! For these reasons I may switch to GpsDrive and use an external on-screen keyboard when my carputer is done.

The first few walk-throughs are some generic text-only instructions that will work with most distributions. The GUI methods will work in KDE (or maybe Gnome and others, as I haven't tested these) on most distros. The last one works in Suse only. All methods were tested/developed using openSUSE 10.2 and a Knoppix 5.0.1 live DVD on my (pretty standard-fare) desktop and a Thinkpad A22m.

I have Cingular cell phone service, so I will include requisite details along the way that are specific to Cingular, but these instructions should work with any carrier if you find out some of the information that I don't have on hand for all carriers.

There are some required packages that not all distros install by default, so use your favorite package manager (Yast, Yum, Smart, Apt, Synaptic, blah, blah, blah...) to install/confirm the packages I refer to in the howtos if you have problems.

In all cases be sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and that it is set to be discoverable before getting started. Also be sure that the bluetooth adapter in your PC is turned on (or plugged in if using a USB dongle).

Text-mode method 1 using pppd

Text-mode method 2 using wvdial

Text-mode method 3 using pon (Debian-Based distros only!)

GUI method 1 using KPPP

GUI method 2 using Yast2/NetworkManager (Suse only!)
This is definitely the easiest one...

Secret: You can subscribe to Cingular's SmartPhone Connect Unlimited data plan, which costs about $20/month as of this writing, and tether by these methods without having to subscribe to an expensive tethering data plan. Be sure to use the "WAP.CINGULAR" gateway and include the critical init strings mentioned in all of the above methods. My understanding is that this will make the tethered connection indistinguishable from browsing on the phone.  This is, of course, against Cingular's Terms Of Service and I will not be responsible if you get shut off.  Caveat emptor!