While most Android phone users are well aware of how they can browse the web on their smartphone, many don’t understand the full capabilities of their device. Tethering, which allows owners to use their Android phone like a wireless broadband modem is available on most devices, and can be set up with ease. By connecting an Android based phone to a PC, owners can utilize their 3G Internet to its fullest potential.
Let us get into the procedure to make your Android Phone to work as a Wireless broadband modem to access faster 3G Internet..
Data Usage and Service Provider Requirements
Each service provider has different rules and limitations in regards to the tethering options they offer. Depending upon a person’s current plan, tethering may or may not be covered. Most carriers have fees, while others might not allow tethering at all. Knowing what rights and rules there are is important to making sure that stiff penalties or other issues don’t arise.
For those that do allow tethering, data usage needs to be kept in mind. If you have unlimited data usage, there shouldn’t be any problem with going over the limit, or breaking your service providers rule. Reading the fine print will allow Android phone users to make sure their usage remain within their plan’s limits. Having a plan that limits total data usage could potentially be costly, if you were to go over that amount.
Getting Started With Tethering
Once you’ve decided that tethering is right for you, it is important to sync your phone and PC correctly. Advanced users will benefit from changing configurations within their phone, but for the novice, there is a means of achieving the same goal. By choosing this option, a person doesn’t have to run the risk of changing important settings and changing their phone into a brick (useless device).
One of the best programs to facilitate tether is PdaNet. By using your phone to go to the Android Market, you should easily be able to find this application and download it for free. Next, you’ll have to download an application to your PC, which will work with the one you just put on your phone. Search for a company called June Fabrics, and download the version of their software that is right for the Operating System your PC is running off. They support most Windows and Mac systems.
At this point, you’ll have to change some settings on your Android device. On your phone’s home screen, go to the menu screen and then select the settings option. There should be a button that says applications, once inside there; you’ll have to look for the development icon. Once you’ve entered the development screen, you need to make sure that USB debugging has been turned on. If there is a confirmation screen, make sure that you check ok to allow this change. This now allows you to stream data from the Android device to the PC of your choosing. It is a good idea to turn off USB debugging when not streaming data, to avoid others taking advantage of your connection.
Finish Tethering the Devices
To finish the process, connect your Smartphone to a USB port on the computer. At this point you can open the PdaNet application and choose the option that says “Enable USB Tether”. Once running, PdaNet will automatically see that you have the companion application on the PC. A prompt screen will appear, and you’ll have to select “Already Installed” to complete the process.
Once your Smartphone is taken care of, there should be a pop-up screen in the notification area of your PC. By clicking connect you should then have a tethered PC running off of your wireless broadband device.
This is a guest post by Spencer Hogg who writes for Broadband Expert where you can find the best broadband deals.