Using your mobile phone as a wireless modem
Bluetooth with GPRS
If your mobile phone contract includes GPRS mobile Internet service,
you can use a Bluetooth phone as a wireless modem for your Linux
portable computer.
If you remember the days when com-
puters connected to the Internet
through telephone lines, you might
be wondering whether it is possible to
use an Internet-enabled cellphone or
PDA as a wireless Internet connection
for a roaming laptop computer. This arti-
cle describes a technique for connecting
a Linux portable computer to the Inter-
net through a Bluetooth connection to a
mobile phone. Of course, this procedure requires a mobile phone service plan
that comes with some form of Internet
connectivity.
The example configuration described
in this article assumes Internet access
through General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS), a mobile networking architec-
ture supported by many wireless provid-
ers. A similar approach may also work
for other service types. If your service
plan provides Internet access through
an alternative method, consult your
provider for details and adapt the proce-
dures described in this article for your
own environment.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.