This article will guide you to use your GloMobile line with your phone as a modem for internet access on your PC.

Make Sure That You Have Been Activated for Internet

There are different data settings on the GloMobile network. What you need is the settings for “Glodirect”. Speak with a representative. Emphasise that you want to be activated for “Glodirect” on their 3G network.

If you have been activated for the much older Glo WAP settings, that won’t do. You need Glodirect settings. Glo now has new bundle data plans that you need to subscribe to. Once you have this, you will be able to browse on both Glo’s GPRS and 3G networks. This is really the most important step in the process.

See Official configuration settings for the new Glo prepaid internet bundle plans.

You may also need Essential tips for using Glo prepaid internet bundle plans.

Or better yet, download a copy of my ebook, Guide to Mobile Internet Usage in Nigeria.

Install Your Phone’s PC Suite on the PC

This usually comes in an installation CD in the phone sales package. Slot the CD in the CD drive and complete the installation.

Connect Your Phone to the PC

I’m assuming that you are using a USB cable here. Connect the cable to your phone and then to the PC. Your PC should indicate that your phone has been connected, and tell you your phone is ready to be used.

Launch the PC Suite on PC

Under the “Programmes” menu, launch the PC Suite application. Select the “Internet Connection” menu. The title may vary a bit, so don’t panic if that’s not exactly what you see. In Sony Ericsson PC Suite, for example, it is called “Mobile Networking”.

Some PC Suite applications automatically setup the connection. Others may require you to manually do so. If you can’t get the PC to establish an internet connection, select the manual setup option, and use the following parametres wherever a request for any of them is made by the application:

GloMobile
- APN: gloflat
- Username: flat
- Password: flat

Complete the setup by clicking the relevant button, and now you have just one more step to go. Yes; just one more.

That’s It

You should be able to browse now on your PC using a GloMobile line on your phone. You have no need for a proxy of any sort.

Convergence makes a lot of sense. Though it has its disadvantages, it has more going for it in an environment like ours.

Last Saturday, I was part of a discussion about the benefits of having private internet access. One of the key problems raised was that of the terrible power supply situation in the country. Someone pointed out that a monthly internet subscription becomes wasteful when there is no power supply to put the subscription to good use.

Of course, I did not need to mention that even with a power generator available, the subscription is still largely under-utilised, and even then the extra costs of running a generating set are just obscene.

I pointed out at that discussion – waving my Nokia E90 in the air – that only those of us who use connected mobile devices really put our subscription to full use – regardless of time, location and availability of public power.

If you need internet access, I recommend that you strongly consider a mobile device and internet subscription. This makes sense financially and functionally.

The E90, for example, in all its glory is cheaper than a laptop and gives you longer hours of usage on battery than a laptop does.

There are places where it would be foolish to take a laptop to e.g. your friend’s wedding, yet no-one would bat an eye-lid at seeing your communicator there. We must also not forget those outdated eateries that want to tantalize you but post bold signs that read: “The use of laptops is not allowed in here“. Of course, my E90 gets in all the time and gets used too. They are really clueless; aren’t they?

After church service on Sunday, a group of us were chatting and someone asked for the location of a cultural centre in Lagos. He needed to find his way there that afternoon. None of us present knew. But Google did – and my communicator was available. In a few minutes, he had the address he was looking for. Thank God for mobility!

The problem of text input is largely resolved on devices with QWERTY-layout keyboards. Copy and paste functionality exists on many of them, and most have capabilities to read and edit Office documents. The majority come with the ability to read PDF files as well. These things are computers – albeit very handy ones.

Honestly, if you are not a programmer, graphics designer and the like, you are on a budget and need an internet device and connection, instead of shelling out for a PC/Laptop and getting a fixed internet connection, you can have a single device with access to internet access anywhere.

Usually, people are hesitant in considering that some mobile devices can serve effectively as PC replacements. For what most people use their PCs for, many mobile devices are more than qualified as PC replacements.

If you have questions on this, I’d be delighted to help you sift through the maze of mobility to narrow down your search for the right device for you. So, post your questions below!

1. Voice
The ubiquitous voice is what almost everyone uses their mobiles for. Being mobile means that your customers can speak with you whether you are in the office or on the road. But you knew that already; didn’t you?

2. SMS
SMS (text messaging) can be a powerful tool in maintaining effective customer service. For example, SMS can be used to deliver instant notices to your clients and customers.

It can also be used to notify single customers of important issues should a need arise. SMS can be used to congratulate a client on his/her birthday or any other special day.

3. Mobile Internet
With a GPRS/EDGE/3G/3.5G connected phone or smartphone, you or your field workers can access information e.g. over Google or email round the clock and when on the move.

Mobile internet can also serve as your primary (or backup) internet connection at the office, seeing that bundle packages are now available at good costs.

Do transactions online, do social networking and more – all on the move.

4. Scheduling
Phones have served faithfully as efficient personal organisers for years. Most recent phones (even the low-tier ones) have built-in alarms, notes and calendars. Use them!

5. Grab Information
Record that business discussion in audio format. Or you are driving and see an inspiration scene; pull out your camera and take a snapshot, so you can have reference material later. The option of recording video is there as well.

6. Storage Media
With many phones having external memory card slots and potential card capacities of over 8GB, your phone can serve as a storage media. Use bluetooth, infrared or USB to store those documents or files for reference when you get back to your desk.

7. View and Edit Office Documents
Not only can you store your Powerpoint, Excel and Word files on your phone, many business phones and communicators come with MS Office viewers and/or editors. So, you don’t have to wait till you get to the office to review that document. keep busy while caught in the traffic.

Conclusions
As you can see, there’s much more to phones today than the average user considers. I once ran my entire business operation from a Nokia 9500 communicator and later an E61. And I had excellent results to show for it.

Honestly, its a possibility that I left something out, though I suspect that whatever it is would fall under one of the above categories.

Get smart with using your mobile phone. No point wasting the potentials of a device you spent that much on.