Cingular WAP Dial-Up Networking Settings

Using your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone as an internet gateway is really easy… if you know how to set it up. Funny thing is that Cingular doesn't tell you how to use the MediaNet unlimited account I have as an internet gateway — I had to search for an hour or so online to get it working. So if you're trying to use your mobile phone to connect to the internet and you're on Cingular Wireless, here's how you make it happen.

Basic setup instructions

1. First, set up a Bluetooth connection between your phone and computer. You should be able to use the built-in Bluetooth features of Windows XP to "pair" the two devices.
2. Add a new Dial-Up Networking (DUN) connection: go to the Start Menu, right-click My Network Places, and select Properties.
3. Click the "Create New Connection" link at the top of the left navigation bar. In the wizard, click Next, choose Connect to the Internet, click Next, select Set Up My Connection Manually, click Next, then choose Connect Using a Dial-Up Modem.
4. The next window shows the modems connected to your computer. If you don't see something like "Standard Modem Over Bluetooth Connection" listed, go back and get your phone talking to your computer. Select the Bluetooth modem connection and click Next.
5. Type Cingular (or whatever you'd like to name this connection) and click Next.
6. Type *99***1# as the phone number. Yes — that's the phone number.
7. Enter the login details:
   • Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
   • Password: CINGULAR1

Check the box about using the connection for anyone who uses your computer (unless you'd rather not), and uncheck the second box (unless this is your only or default connection). You should be good to go — use this connection like any other dial-up connection. In the connection properties you can set the port speed to 230k if you have an EDGE-enabled phone, although actual speeds may be lower.

Nokia PC Suite alternative (update 7/26/05)

A newer version of Nokia PC Suite includes a "One Touch" internet gateway application:

1. Fire up the PC Suite software and select the "Connect to the Internet" application icon.
2. In the window that pops up, select the Settings button in the lower left-hand corner.
3. Choose "Standard Modem over Bluetooth Link" from the drop-down list.
4. Select the Configure Manually button and click Next.
5. Leave the Access Point name blank.
6. Password is CINGULAR1.
7. Click Finish and you should be good to go.

PC Suite is just for Nokia phones, but the directions above should work for just about any phone in conjunction with Cingular's MediaNet and Windows XP.