Since my company-supplied SIM stopped working in my iPad (it’s not blocked – it works in a 3G dongle, just not in the iPad…) I’ve been looking at other solutions. Before we switched from Vodafone to O2, I had a fantastic Wi-Fi router but the software needs a Vodafone SIM so that’s not working for me any more. Another option is to use my smartphone as a modem: my company-supplied iPhone does not have the personal hotspot functionality enabled (and it’s not jailbroken either), so that leaves my personal Nokia Lumia 800; except that Internet sharing isn’t available on that device…
I spent a bit of time yesterday evening looking into this and, even though I was ultimately unsuccessful, I thought I’d share my research, in case it comes in useful later:
- If you’re thinking of using the Lumia 800 as a Bluetooth modem, you’re out of luck. According to Nokia’s device specifications the supported Bluetooth profiles are A2DP 1.2, AVCTP 1.0, AVDTP 1.0, AVRCP 1.0, AVRCP 1.3, GAVDP 1.2, HFP 1.5, HSP 1.1, PBAP 1.0, RFCOMM 1.0, and SPP 1.0. It’s also missing FTP, OPP and GEOP so file/contact transfers are out of the question too…
For a cable-based solution, there is a method of tethering LG and Samsung phones that involves enabling diagnostics mode and switching into serial mode (more information at ilaptopphone.com, mywpstory.com and mobilitydigest.com). I used the same method to switch the Lumia into serial mode (requires a reboot and disables Zune sync, until you switch it back again) but Windows was unable to find any drivers.
The Supreme Shortcuts app was another route I tried – it can be used (on an unlocked phone) to enable an Internet Sharing icon for a Settings option that’s hidden on the Lumia 800. Sadly, turning it on results in a dialogue that says “Internet sharing isn’t currently available” – I suspect I might be able to do something in the registry, if only there was an interop unlock available for the Lumia 800, and there isn’t at the time of writing…
There is a glimmer of hope though. Some reports indicate that Nokia will enable tethering in a future update (I believe the Lumia 900 has this feature) but there is no date given yet (just some time in 2012). I do hope it comes soon though – the Lumia 800 is a great handset but it’s held back by far too many artificial software limitations…
Im surprised that the Nokia Lumina 800 doesn’t provide Internet Sharing. I thought Microsoft enabled that for all phones after the last update?
Hi Mark, YES YES YES your comments are absolutly correct, the advise from Nokia regardint the “future” fix on internet sharing is very old now.
So I propose to go to Keilalahdentie 2-4; FI-02150 Espoo, and make a big big bonfire with all ours Lumia 800 and 700.
It is possible that Nokia have in mind the users from this event.
Please apologize the bad english.
The OS does support it, but it’s handset-specific as to whether it’s enabled. Apparently it needs a firmware fix from Nokia.
Is there any new info is it possible to share internet already? Or still no update for this matter?
No update yet… rumour has it this will come with the next Windows Phone release (codenamed Tango) – although I find that hard to believe as it’s not an OS limitation (it’s Nokia limiting the device capabilities).