I was keen to get hold of my Nexus 7, knowing it didn't have 3g support, I knew I will have to rely on my phone for internet connection. Well that's where the problem starts. It is a Nokia E63 I have had since 2009.
Joikuspot was an option but it only created an ad-hoc connection which is no good for my Nexus 7 or Kindle e-reader. My joy ended instantly but I continued in my search for a solution.
Enter BlueVPN. BlueVPN let's you connect your tablet to the Internet by pairing it with with a bluetooth enabled device with Internet connection. To begin, head over to Google play and install the latest version of BlueVPN. Once installed, open up the app.
On the screen that appears, tap settings. On the settings screen tap "Access Point". On the screen that appears, you will be configuring the access point that use in connecting your phone to the Internet.
For your phone, the access point is usually set by your network provider and all you have to do is enter the exact address you see into the BlueVPN access point setting. On my phone, Nokia E63, it can be found at: Menu -> Tools -> Settings -> Connection -> Access points. You will see a list of both network defined and wireless access points. Open up one of the network defined access point, in my case "MTN WAP". Locate the "Access point name", open it if necessary to see the access point you need to enter into BlueVPN, in my case it is "web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net".
Once the access point name is entered, return to the BlueVPN home screen where you will find a list of paired bluetooth devices. This should include the phone you are to use to tether your tablet. Ensure that your phone's bluetooth is turned on. Then click on the name of your phone in the list of paired devices. You will get a prompt asking to allow BlueVPN to create a VPN. Well that's why you are reading this post so the answer is obvious. Then you will get a prompt on your phone asking to allow your tablet connect to your phone. You are also to allow this.
Then BlueVPN starts to create the connection and if it is successful, you get a screen as shown below.
Congratulations you can now browse Web pages, tweet and connect with your folks on Facebook. However your tablet still shows "No Internet connection", open but most apps still work as expected. The last time I checked, the following apps did not use the Internet connection: Current - which refused to sync and get new content; Google play - this one is funny, it connects and you can search for apps as well as check which appears needs to be updated. However, you cannot download any apps as it continues to wait for internet connection.
Well, it's far better than not having access to the Internet at all, until you get an alternative, enjoy BlueVPN. Don't forget to drop a feedback or ask questions if you are having difficulty using BlueVPN.
