Connecting Snow Leopard to the Internet via a Softbank/Vodafone mobile
10 Oct 2009
An updated step-by-step guide to connecting your Mac to the Internet using a bluetooth Softbank/Vodafone mobile.
This is an update to a previous post with steps reflecting changes in Snow Leopard 10.6.
Ingredients
- MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard 10.6
- Nokia E61 mobile with a Softbank USIM.
Step 1. Add a bluetooth modem to the Network system preference
If your Mac doesn't already have a bluetooth modem (Bluetooth DUN) in the Network system preferences, you'll need to add this first before pairing your mobile and Mac.
Create a new network service
Select Bluetooth DUN and give it a name
Apply the changes and you're ready to pair your mobile
Step 2. Launch the Bluetooth Setup Assistant
You can launch the Bluetooth Setup Assistant from inside the Network bluetooth modem panel or via the Bluetooth system preferences or menu bar item.
Launching the Bluetooth Setup Assistant from inside the Network system preferences
Step 3. Select your mobile from the list of detected devices
Your Mac will begin searching for bluetooth devices and your mobile should appear in the device list after a few seconds. If it doesn't, confirm bluetooth is running on your mobile and that it is discoverable.
Step 4. Pair your mobile with your Mac
The Bluetooth Setup Assistant will generate a random passkey. Your mobile will prompt you to enter this passkey to pair it with your Mac. Once paired, it is a good idea to go into your mobile's bluetooth paired device list and authorize your Mac. This avoids having your mobile prompt you every time your Mac connects with it.
Step 5. Select your modem and enter your Internet access settings
In my case, the Bluetooth Setup Assistant suggested I use the Generic phone vendor. On other systems, the assistant suggested the Nokia vendor but it's best to go with the suggested vendor as this can easily be changed later if it doesn't work out. No matter what phone vendor is suggested, it's important to change the phone model from the default GPRS (GSM/3G) to whatever Dialup option is offered as the GPRS configuration doesn't work with Softbank.
To connect to the Internet via Softbank, use the following settings:
- Username: ai@softbank
- Password: softbank
- APN: *99#
To connect to the Internet via Vodafone, use the following settings:
- Username: ai@vodafone
- Password: vodafone
- APN: *99#
Select Dialup and enter your Internet access settings
After completing the Bluetooth Setup Assistant, iSync may open to enable address book and calendar syncing.
Step 6. Tweak your connection settings
Open up the Network system preferences and you should see your Internet access settings in the bluetooth modem panel but before trying the connection, it's a good idea to tweak the Advanced connection settings.
Select Advanced connection settings
In the PPP panel, make sure Send PPP echo packets is unchecked as this can cause problems. I would also recommend Connect automatically when needed is unchecked if available and you have as many Disconnect... options checked as possible: having your Mac automatically connect via your mobile to download the latest 100MB security update would result in some nasty packet charges.
Although some mobile networks have problems when Use TCP header compression is checked, Softbank does not so we can leave this alone.
Turn off Send PPP echo packets
Step 7. Test your connection
Connect
Connected!
WARNING: Packets charges for your Mac connection are not covered by any unlimited or discount Softbank packet plan. I really don't want to read about your record-breaking mobile bill so please be careful.
Step 8. An extra step for modem errors
If you get a modem error when trying to connect, try selecting another modem from the Advanced connection settings panel. Many Softbank mobiles work with the Softbank VC701SI modem script.
Selecting the Softbank VC701SI modem
Selecting the Nokia modem
