Using your phone as a modem to the internet is completely possible, if you have the proper know-how. This article will help you understand how to make your phone as modem, what type of hardware and software you need, and some other options in case you find that tethering your phone isn't for you.

First of all, consider if you have the right cell phone and network to get connected. Some phones only work on 2G networks, making their download speed only 2 times faster than dial up. While this might work for some folks, if you're looking for a high speed connection, having a 2G connection either because you have 2G equipment or you live in a 2G area (check your carrier's coverage map) will only be disappointing. Certain phones don't support phone as modem, such as the iPhone, even though their carrier has a tethering plan.

Next, make sure that your carrier supports phone as modem with your data plan. Some carriers charge $60 for this feature, such as AT&T and Verizon, and others, such as T-Mobile, include it in their data plan when you're using a BlackBerry. Sprint charges $15 - $30 for this feature depending upon your cell phone. With some phones, you can find applications that will allow you to tether without the carrier charges - do some searching if you want to find out how.

Once you are satisfied that your phone will be fast enough and you've enabled the feature (with or without your cell phone carrier's approval), then you'll need to hook up your phone. If you have your carrier's tethering plan, you'll need the connection manager software supported by your carrier. If you need the software: 

Verizon: http://www.vzam.net
AT&T: http://www.att.com/acm
Sprint: http://www.sprint.com/mobilebroadband
T-Mobile: http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm22300.xml#GPRS

Once you have the software, you need the hardware to make that connection for the cell phone. If you downloaded your connection manager, you already have the USB drivers necessary for Windows users. If you didn't download your carriers connection manager, then you can search the internet for your driver, or just download the connection manager, even if you don't plan to use it, just so you can get your USB drivers for your cell phone. You should just need to get the USB cable and connect it to your computer, start up your software, and your'e good to go.

If you want to be wireless while using your phone as modem, you may also choose Bluetooth if your cell phone supports the profile (to check, its under your connectivity settings for Bluetooth and 'supported profiles') and your computer you're making the connection to has Bluetooth as well.

If you've done everything correctly, you should easily be able to connect to the internet. Just remember, with certain providers (Sprint and Verizon, for example) you may not be able to be connected to the internet while on a call.

Using your phone as modem is not for everyone - you might want to get a mobile broadband card if you're planning to use the internet more frequently and you don't want to mess with the cabling issue and the potential to miss calls. You can get started using mobile broadband as low as $10 once you have the right modem, and some people find it easier to do that than tether their cell phone.

Of course, keep in mind these are very general instructions to getting your phone to work as a modem to get internet on your computer. If you post a question in the comments section, I can certainly work on more specific phone as modem pairings. Good luck!