Mac.sis making macs and S60 handsets talk

NOTE: These instructions apply to Tiger and earlier. With Leopard, there is generally no need to fiddle with modem scripts. Instructions for Leopard will be updated shortly.

When you're off the beaten path, using your S60 handset as a cellular modem for your Mac provides wireless internet access wherever there is cellular coverage. Particularly with 3G and (E)GPRS connectivity, the browsing experience is actually rather fluent – believe me, I spend most of my leisure time at summer cruising the coasts with a sailboat, and the web is a decent source of weather information that I regularly access with a Mac and a S60 phone.

I am used to setting up my wireless net access with the excellent modem scripts provided by Ross Barckman. Towards the middle of the page, you will find a section titled Mobile Phone Scripts, and if you scroll further down, you will find the scripts listed by phone manufacturer.

I have been successfully using at least the GPRS and 3G scripts from Ross. Be sure to select the type of script compatible with your handset. For maximum browsing pleasure, of course, there's no beating 3G.

The scripts are packaged in .sit archives, and since OS X 10.4 (Tiger), the required decompression software for StuffIt archives is not included in the operating system by default. If your Mac does not know how to open a .sit file, download a suitable decompression utility. Instead of Stuffit Expander, you might consider the rather excellent open source application The Unarchiver, which will decompress not only .sit archives but just about anything you can throw at it.

When you decompress the script archive, a subfolder is created (e.g. Nokia 3G), where you will find the actual scripts and a friendly Readme file. For a quick start, copy the modem scripts (e.g. Nokia 3G CID1 and CID2) to /Library/Modem Scripts. If the folder does not exist yet, create it yourself.

When the scripts are in place, perform the Bluetooth pairing process as described in the Bluetooth HOWTO. As you get towards the end of the procedure, you will arrive at the Bluetooth Mobile Phone Set Up screen:

Here, things get a bit hairy. The Username, Password and GPRS CID String fields are nothing but self-evident. In fact, you need to dig out the information either from your cellular provider or resort to the rather extensive list compiled by Mr. Barckman already. Look for the correct value for the CID string field in the APN column on Ross's page.

In the Modem Script option menu, select one of the scripts you copied to the Modem Scripts folder earlier. If you have problems with one of the scripts, try an alternative.

For quick access to wireless net later, you may want to leave the Show Modem status in the menu bar option selected. When you're happy, click Continue. You should be all set up.

In order to connect to the internet, have your phone available (within BT range) of your computer and look for the phone icon in the menu bar. Select Connect from the phone pull-down menu. Within a few seconds, you should be happily connected to the internet and possibly incurring massive data transfer costs. Please check with your operator.

To disconnect, click the phone icon again and select Disconnect. Rather logical, yes?