GSM Dial-Up over Nokia N900 Bluetooth on Ubuntu Karmic

It was some time ago that I needed to setup a Dial-Up connection on my Ubuntu workstation and boy, things have changed since. The procedure got easier, but it still isn’t straightforward. This time you don’t need to manually edit files though. :-)

Let’s get to the business…

Nokia N900 part

Default Maemo5 bluetooth setup on Nokia N900 does not provide Dial-Up Networking BlueZ profile. You need to install “Bluetooth Dial-up Networking” package from extras-testing repository. Restart the phone after installing to activate DUN.

Ubuntu Karmic part

Ubuntu default gnome-bluetooth package does not provide means needed to setup Dial-Up connection. You need to replace it with a lot better Blueman. First add Blueman PPA to repositories.

Then install Blueman. It will replace gnome-bluetooth. Reboot workstation to get changes active.

Right click on bluetooth icon in notification area and “Setup a new device…” – pair your N900. Then left click on same icon and “Bluetooth devices” window opens.

Select your device and click “Settings…” button. Then connect “Dialup Networking (DUN)”. This will add your device to NetworkManager. Right click Network icon in notification area and select “Modify connections…”. Then on “Mobile” tab “Add” a connection for “Installed GSM device”. It’s good to check “Connect automatically”.

Now when you want to establish a connection just click the Bluetooth icon in notification area, right click your device and Connect “Dial-up Networking”. NetworkManager will kick in if you checked it to connect automatically and you’re online.

Have Fun.