Tethering my phone to my laptop for internet access

[Night Train]

How do I do this?

I believe it should be possible to get my laptop to be able to use my phone as an internet connection.
I have read the instructions on the phone and managed to get my laptop, Windows Vista, to 'see' my phone, Sony Xperia Arc, as part of the network but I can't get the laptop to 'see' the internet connection through my phone.

The phone's help page says something about installing the usb software in PC companion. Where do I find that and is it then installed on the phone or the laptop, or both?

Thank you.

 

[ColinJ]

I know that a lot of contracts don't permit tethering, presumably because most people don't use that much bandwidth through a phone but quite possibly would through a tethered computer. I remember that phil_hg_uk had to pay a monthly surcharge to get it enabled on his account.

 

[stumpy66]

Have you enabled the tehering on your phone. Once i enable that on my galxay 2, all i have to do is scan for it and then click on connect

 

[Pat "5mph"]

My previous phone (obscure brand smartphone) would ask on the laptop on connection if you wanted to use the phone as a modem.
My current phone, HTC Desire, needs to to be told to act as a modem in "settings" before connecting it to the laptop.
Hope this helps, or ask in the geeks forum?

 

[rusky]

I know that a lot of contracts don't permit tethering, presumably because most people don't use that much bandwidth through a phone but quite possibly would through a tethered computer. I remember that phil_hg_uk had to pay a monthly surcharge to get it enabled on his account.

I think he may have been confused unless he didn't have a data plan/allowance. The network wouldn't know any different.

You can either tether via wifi or USB. In Android it's in the Settings/wireless & networks settings.

Tethering & portable hotspot are where you'll find it.

 

[Sca1ey]

I think he may have been confused unless he didn't have a data plan/allowance. The network wouldn't know any different.

I'm fairly sure that the network [would know the difference] can detect tethered devices.

Tim

 

[rusky]

Apart from the possibility of an increase in traffic, there's no way for them to know as the phone is effectively a router.

 

[defy-one]

My previous phone (obscure brand smartphone) would ask on the laptop on connection if you wanted to use the phone as a modem.
My current phone, HTC Desire, needs to to be told to act as a modem in "settings" before connecting it to the laptop.
Hope this helps, or ask in the geeks forum?

This !

Go into phone settings and look for modem or tethering settings. Some Windows phone had this preset and asked what sort of connection you wanted (on lappy screen).
On iphone (ios5) it was blocked,but could be used if the device was jailbroken.
On android it's possible,but i havn't needed to try as work very kindly provide me with a 3G dongle

 

[tincaman]

This may help

 

[MrJamie]

I think he may have been confused unless he didn't have a data plan/allowance. The network wouldn't know any different.

You can either tether via wifi or USB. In Android it's in the Settings/wireless & networks settings.

Tethering & portable hotspot are where you'll find it.

Orange used to do a tethering bundle im not sure if they still do. I think they also remove some options from phone software too if you dont have an unlocked handset.

 

[Night Train]

Thank you, I had done all that you have already suggested anyway.

The laptop finds my phone, connects to it, but there is no internet access.
I also followed the video above and set it up as a wifi hotspot. Again my laptop finds it, connects but no internet.

Maybe it is Orange preventing me from connecting....

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I think he may have been confused unless he didn't have a data plan/allowance. The network wouldn't know any different.

You can either tether via wifi or USB. In Android it's in the Settings/wireless & networks settings.

Tethering & portable hotspot are where you'll find it.

You can only tether if your carrier allows it currently I am on the full monty on t-mobile which includes tethering but on my previous sim only deal tethering was charged extra. I think it has been since Honeycomb or ICS the carrier knows if you are tethering and can disallow it.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Thank you, I had done all that you have already suggested anyway.

The laptop finds my phone, connects to it, but there is no internet access.
I also followed the video above and set it up as a wifi hotspot. Again my laptop finds it, connects but no internet.

Maybe it is Orange preventing me from connecting....

On orange and t-mobile unless your tariff allows it tethering is an extra monthly charge call them and they can enable it for you.

 

[Night Train]

Thank you.
If that is the case and it costs around then £5pm then it is worth it.
I get 500mb on a £5pm dongle but also have 750mb on my phone as part of my contract.

I really struggle surfing on the phone so I only use it when I have to whereas I am reaching my limit on my Dongle when ever I am not at home.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Thank you.
If that is the case and it costs around then £5pm then it is worth it.
I get 500mb on a £5pm dongle but also have 750mb on my phone as part of my contract.

I really struggle surfing on the phone so I only use it when I have to whereas I am reaching my limit on my Dongle when ever I am not at home.

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