FAQ: Enabling IP Modem Tethering in Desktop Manager 5.0 for Verizon

by Ronen Halevy on Nov 11th, 2009 at 2:03 pm EST

I have not noticed this myself but I have been hearing multiple reports from readers that the new IP Modem (Tethering) button in Desktop Manager 5.0 is not visible for Verizon BlackBerry devices. From what I hear it is not only Verizon.

Tom sent me this little set of instruction on how to re-enable IP Modem in Desktop Manager 5.0 so that it works with all carriers.

Edit the IP modem XML file (for me, it’s C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\ip_modem_configuration.xml).
Find the configuration section for your carrier. For VZW, it’s:
       – <carrier uid="93" id="Verizon Wireless" enabled="false">
            <vendorid>105</vendorid>
            <vendorid>106</vendorid>
            <vendorid>156</vendorid>
            <vendorid>177</vendorid>
            <vendorid>237</vendorid>
            <supportednetwork>CDMA</supportednetwork>
         </carrier>
Change the "false" to "true" as follows, and save the file.
       – <carrier uid="93" id="Verizon Wireless" enabled="true
            <vendorid>106</vendorid>
            <vendorid>156</vendorid>
            <vendorid>177</vendorid>
            <vendorid>237</vendorid>
            <supportednetwork>CDMA</supportednetwork>
         </carrier>
Restart the Desktop Manager, and there it is (i.e., "IP Modem" button — I was able to connect to the Internet, too (this e-mail was sent using the connection!)

Please Share With A Friend!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 and is filed under News.
Tags: BlackBerry IP Modem, FAQ, Tethering

If you enjoyed this article, make sure you subscribe to our RSS Feed to stay on top of the latest BlackBerry news you can use.

Previous Post: BlackBerry Bold 9000 OS 5.0.0.348 Found Online »
Next Post: BlackBerry Curve 8900 OS 5.0.0.348 Found Online »

Latest Articles:

23 Comments to “FAQ: Enabling IP Modem Tethering in Desktop Manager 5.0 for Verizon”

Posted by: jeffreyrr
November 11, 2009 at 2:39 pm EST

Do you need the tethering plan add-on for verizon to use this? I am currently a TetherBerry user curious if this is even necessary anymore.

Reply
Posted by: mckinneycm
November 11, 2009 at 2:53 pm EST

Thanks!!! This works the same for AT&T as well. Although, you still have to create a profile for AT&T in the IP Modem options.

Reply
- Posted by: ohbarnes
  November 13, 2009 at 12:46 pm EST
  
  Confirm working with AT&T.
  
  If “isp.cingular” does not work for you then try replacing with “blackberry.net”
  
  Reply
Posted by: mcky
November 11, 2009 at 3:44 pm EST

Sprint disable the work around tethering feature. The IP Modem icon is available when the BB is connected, but setting up a custom profile does not work. “internet.com” no longer works for the access point.

Reply
- Posted by: Derek Brown
  November 11, 2009 at 6:12 pm EST
  
  Yeah, I have a Sprint Tour, and mine stopped working about a month ago. I only used it once or twice a month (I used Sprint SmartView), but I do miss it. The real kicker is that the $15 tethering plan cannot be added to the plan I am on (Everything Data Share 1500). Long story short, Sprint wanted me to remove my phone from my 5 line family plan, and have my own individual bank of minutes, which would cost me about $70 more a month. No thanks
  
  Reply
Posted by: SQ609
November 11, 2009 at 11:32 pm EST

I eventually got the IP Modem to show up. But I had to download an XML Editor first.

Reply
Posted by: Tom
November 12, 2009 at 6:22 am EST

On a Windows system, just use WordPad as an editor.

Reply
Posted by: John G
November 12, 2009 at 8:56 am EST

This XML files does not exist on a Windows 7 machine. Anyone know where this setting (Verizon Wireless) is when Desktop Manager is loaded onto Windows 7?

Reply
- Posted by: Tom
  November 12, 2009 at 9:10 am EST
  
  Have you tried searching the drive where the Desktop Manager is installed for “ip_modem_configuration.xml”?
  
  Reply
  - Posted by: John G
    November 12, 2009 at 9:16 am EST
    
    Searched the entire hard drive….no where to be found. I even searched the registry and couldn’t find anything.
    
    Reply
- Posted by: Derek Brown
  November 12, 2009 at 9:39 am EST
  
  This actually changed in Vista. You probably already figured out that the ‘Documents and Settings’ folder is now ‘Users’. Inside the ‘Users’ folder, there is a hidden ‘All Users’ folder, which is really just a pointer to ‘C:\ProgramData’. The ‘All Users’ and ‘ProgramData’ are hidden files, so by default will not show in your search results. Anyway, ‘C:\ProgramData\Research In Motion\BlackBerry’ should have what you are looking for, if you are using Vista/Win7/Server 2008.
  
  Reply
  - Posted by: Derek Brown
    November 12, 2009 at 9:42 am EST
    
    I meant those are hidden folders, not files. Anyway, you can type the entire path in Explorer (in the address bar, in IE, in the Start Menu, etc), or go to Folder Options, click the View tab, and click the bubble next to ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’. I would not recommend leaving this option enabled unless you know what you are doing…Microsoft hides certain folders from the normal user for a reason.
    
    Reply
  - Posted by: John G
    November 12, 2009 at 12:40 pm EST
    
    Bingo! Found it…unfortunately, the Verizon Broadband Webpage displays and requires a monthly subscription for $30 in order to connect. Stinker……
    
    Reply
    - Posted by: Derek Brown
      November 12, 2009 at 12:48 pm EST
      
      Tetherberry uses your data connection to accomplish the same thing. It’s a one-time $50 purchase, but there is no monthly subscription. They have a trial, too, so you can test the waters, so to speak.
      
      Reply
    - Posted by: Tom
      November 12, 2009 at 1:04 pm EST
      
      Personally, I have the tethering option (aka Broadband Access Connect) on my account — it is $15 per month on my BES-enabled account as opposed to $30. It is not clear whether the Desktop Manager (DM) solution uses “standard BlackBerry data” or some other means since the dial-up number that it uses is different than that which the Verizon software (i.e., the Desktop Manager dials “*99#” while the VZAccess Manager uses “#777″). My guess is that if users who don’t subscribe to Broadband Access Connect can in fact initiate a tehthered data connection using the DM, then it uses standard BlackBerry data (since VZW uses the device phone number, etc. to authenticate). YMMV. Not sure what Verizon’s position is on this either…
      
      Reply
Posted by: ilabelu
November 12, 2009 at 12:43 pm EST

that is freakin awesome. it is about time verizon got with it and allows tethering. now i can continue shopping for my new laptop/netbook. what a scam verizon is running with their netbook plan. you have to be a complete idiot to not know you can just tether your phone to your computer….for free!

Reply
- Posted by: John G
  November 12, 2009 at 12:58 pm EST
  
  Free?
  
  The first webpage that comes up after I connect requires me to approve a $30/month subscription charge for 5GB of data usage. It won’t let me do anything unless I accept these terms and subscribe.
  
  Reply
Posted by: ilabelu
November 12, 2009 at 1:39 pm EST

my bad i guess. i assumed connecting through desktop manager creates a regular connection. it did not ask me to subscribe, but ran for about a minute and disconnected. not sure if that was due to lack of service in my office.

Reply
Posted by: DavidB
November 12, 2009 at 2:41 pm EST

EVERY major USA carrier has a clause in the terms and conditions you signed for your contract that specifically PROHIBITS doing this without paying for a tethering plan. Same applies to TetherBerry or any of the myriad other ways to hack using your device as a “bridge” to the internet for something other than the device itself. Cry unfair all you want, but you signed a contract and that’s what it says. There was a great write-up (I wish I could find it again) over at HoFo or Crackberry or PinStack or somewhere back when TetherBerry first hit the interwebs covering all the “big 4″ and the specific contractual verbiage.

That said, IF you can get it working, you just MIGHT get away with it. But then again, you MIGHT get busted and you very likely would (under other terms of the contract you signed) be liable for any back charges the carrier wished to impose for you using your device in violation of your contract.

So…as they say, caveat emptor….

Data usage is the cash cow for all the USA wireless providers. If they don’t catch you right away or have it already locked out, they WILL catch it some day. Do you really want to run the risk of getting hit with some crazy expensive back charge for data usage, or perhaps worse they just terminate your plan “for cause” and you’re left with a huge bill AND no service at all?

Reply
Posted by: murphythadog
November 12, 2009 at 4:37 pm EST

I got it to work in Win7, I don’t have tethering. I hit connect it went in like it was going to connect but I canceled it. In Win7 I found that XML file a bunch of places. In 2 of them I had to change it from false to true. The 3rd location was already set to true. It didn’t work until i went into the users\myusername\application data\research in motion\

Reply
Posted by: Jose
November 12, 2009 at 5:42 pm EST

Does anyone know what the config settings are for Verizon once we are able to get the IP button to show up???

Reply
Posted by: Tom
November 12, 2009 at 6:28 pm EST

Once the button shows up, it appears to be automatic — no additional config necessary.

Reply