Although most tablet PCs are equipped with wireless Internet capability you may find yourself without a hotspot or Internet access in certain areas where you require a connection. For this reason, it is important to be able to have the ‘know how’ to connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your cellular phone.
Depending upon the type of tablet PC you are using, the model cell phone, and the wireless carrier you use for cell phone service, the process of connecting your tablet PC to the Internet will vary. What we can do in this article is provide you with a general idea of how to connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your smartphone. This will provide you with a solid place to start for using your particular configuration to obtain Internet access.
Tablet PCs and Internet Access
Most tablet PCs connect to the Internet via a WiFi infrastructure or a public wireless hotspot. They can also connect to the Internet via your home wireless router and via specific types of smartphones which are Bluetooth enabled. If the cell phone does not have Bluetooth capability it is possible you may not be able to establish a connection with your tablet PC. Again it depends upon the devices you choose to establish the connection.
Bluetooth provides a way for your tablet PC to communicate with another device such as your cell phone which must be located within a short distance. When the two devices are connected via Bluetooth they are capable of exchanging information with one another and sharing a connection to the Internet.
When you use your cell phone to connect your tablet PC to the Internet you can access the Internet in any location where your cell phone signal is available. This allows you to access the Internet in areas that have limited connectivity and it prevents you from having to spend time searching for the nearest hotspot.
Pairing Your Tablet PC with Your Cell Phone
When you establish an Internet connection to your tablet PC the first thing you should do is check to make sure the Bluetooth on your cell phone is turned on. Depending upon the model of cell phone you are using this process will vary but typically the Bluetooth switch is located under Settings on the main page of your cell phone. If you are unsure of how to activate Bluetooth you can check the owner’s manual for the device you are using.
Once you have switched on the Bluetooth it is necessary to pair each device with one another. Once you accomplish this step you never have to reconfigure the settings in the future if you want to connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your cell phone.
On your tablet PC it is necessary to locate the Control Panel on your device. Depending upon the operating system this process may vary however the Bluetooth settings are typically located under the Control Panel. Once you locate Bluetooth click on the icon and then choose Devices. Select New and then choose the cell phone you are using and place a check mark in the box next to Set as Trusted Device and then choose OK.
Once you have completed this step go back to your cell phone and choose Accept when your phone prompts you for permission to pair with your tablet PC. You may also be asked for a security code which you should enter on your phone’s keypad to enable each device to trust one another. Depending upon the cell phone you are using you may be required to set your tablet PC on your cell phone as a trusted device to prevent having to configure it every time you want to establish an Internet connection.
Setting Up an Internet Connection to Your Tablet PC
Once you have completed pairing the devices with one another using the above process or similar process, your tablet PC will prompt you by asking you if you want to use your cell phone to connect the tablet PC to the Internet. You simply acknowledge this request by selecting Yes or something similar.
Acknowledging the prompt will launch the Setup Wizard which will walk you through the process of establishing a connection of the Internet. Your tablet PC will typically ask you which cell phone network you wish to connect to and then lead you through the remainder of the process before clicking Next after each step.
When you choose the cell phone network you want to use this is typically located on the drop down menu when you choose the Mobile Operator. Again this may vary according to the type of tablet PC you have. When you have completed the process with the Setup Wizard you simply choose Finish and then close the window. Try to access the Internet by opening the browser on your tablet PC.
Additional Tips When Connecting Your Tablet PC to the Internet
You can configure your tablet PC and your cell phone to automatically connect to the Internet when both devices are turned on or you can choose to do it manually each time you want to establish a connection. If you only connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your smartphone on occasion you may want to set it to manual.
On the other hand, if you use your cell phone frequently to connect your tablet PC to the Internet you may want to configure it to connect automatically. You can usually access this setting under the Control Panel and by clicking on Connectivity. It may also require you to set your tablet PC on your cell phone as a trusted device depending upon the devices you are using.
If you have more than one cell phone you can connect each one to your tablet PC by individually pairing each device with your tablet PC using the above described method. Then you simply choose which cell phone you want to use to establish an Internet connection with your tablet PC.
It is also important to keep in mind that you may have to pay additional data charges if you frequently connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your smartphone. Other cell phone providers may offer you a flat rate deal for connecting to the Internet. It is worth checking on this aspect before you decide to connect your tablet PC to the Internet using your cell phone.