Using the Samsung SHG-D800 as Bluetooth GPRS data modem

If you're reading this after a Google search, it probably means that you had the same problem as I did: you bought a Samsung D820 or D800 or D600 (basically a Samsung from the SGH-Dxxx models) and with your Mac running OS X, you could not use it as a Bluetooth GPRS/EDGE data modem. You are now kicking yourself and thinking about returning the phone to get a Good Ol' Nokia. Well do not kick yourself, do not return the phone and fear not because there is actually a solution.

Step 1: go to Tim's Samsung T509 Project page. Scan the page quickly and get the link to download the modem script Tim hacked for his T509 phone. I am currently using the 0.1 version of the script.

Step 2: once the script has been downloaded, unzip the file. Using one of your text utilities, since we're talking about OS X I believe TextEdit would do just fine, open the unzipped file.

Step 3: if you've never dealt with modem scripts before, fear not. What we will do is very easy and fool-proof. Find the following line: write "AT+cgdcont=1,\34IP\34,\34^1\34\13", copy it to the clipboard and then comment it out by placing a "!" in front of it. At this point, the line would look like this: !write "AT+cgdcont=1,\34IP\34,\34^1\34\13".

Step 4: using your carriage return, go to the next line and paste the code that you've copied earlier onto the new line. In that line of code, replace the ^1 by the name of the APN of your wireless network provider. For South African readers and since we're in South Africa, here's the list for the APN of the various providers:

• MTN's APN: internet
• Vodacom's APN: internet
• CellC's APN: internet
• Virgin Mobile's APN: vdata

For readers not using any of those networks call your service provider or check out Ross Barkman's GPRS page.

Back to the script, at this point, assuming that Virgin Mobile is the network provider, the line of code would now look like this: write "AT+cgdcont=1,\34IP\34,\34vdata\34\13".

Step 5: save the file, close the editing program. From the Finder, open /Library/Modem Scripts/ and drag or paste the file in that folder.

Step 6: from this point on do the following:

1. Pair the Samsung cellphone with the OS X computer system if it isn't already.
2. Go to System Preferences : Network : Bluetooth : Bluetooth Modem.
3. Select "Samsung T509 tmo". Uncheck "Enable error correction..." and "Wait for dial tone...".
4. Go to TCP/IP tab. Click "Configure IPv6". Select "Off".
5. Go to the PPP tab.
6. Enter the name of your service provider.
7. Leave the "Username" and "Password" fields blank.
   
8. Enter *99# as the phone number.
   
9. Hit the "Dial Now" button.
   

Step 7: that's about it! We're done.

References:

• Tim Hatch's Samsung T509 Modem Script Project: http://timhatch.com/projects/t509-osx/
• Ross Barkman's GPRS Info Page: http://www.taniwha.org.uk/gprs.html
• Samsung SGH-D820 User Manual
  
• Lots and lots of Googling: http://www.google.com :-)

Glossary:

• APN: Access Point Node