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Bluetooth®

General Information

1. What is Bluetooth?
2. Why is it called Bluetooth?
3. What is the history of Bluetooth?
4. How does Bluetooth fit in with WiFi?
5. What are some of the uses of Bluetooth?
6. Is Bluetooth typically built in to laptops/computers?
7. Does Verizon Wireless offer any Bluetooth-compatible devices?
8. Does Verizon Wireless offer any Bluetooth accessories?

Profiles & Pairing

1. What are Bluetooth profiles?
2. Which profiles does Verizon Wireless currently include?
3. What is the Bluetooth pairing (sometimes referred to as bonding) process?
4. What are the steps in the Bluetooth pairing (sometimes referred to as bonding) process?
5. What is the Bluetooth headset profile?
6. What is the Bluetooth hands-free profile?
7. What is the Bluetooth Dial-up Networking (DUN) profile?

Setup of Bluetooth Accessories

1. How do I set up a Bluetooth headset?
2. How do I get additional help setting up a headset?
3. How do I get help setting up accessories other than headsets?

Technical Information

1. What are the basic Bluetooth data rate specs?
2. What are the basic Bluetooth range specs?

General Information

1. What is Bluetooth?
   Bluetooth is a wireless networking technology designed primarily to replace cables for communication between personal computing and communication devices. It is intended to be used for both voice and data communications.
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2. Why is it called Bluetooth?
   The Bluetooth name refers to King Harald "Bluetooth" Blaatand, a famous Danish king of the 10th century, who unified Denmark and Norway. In the beginning of the Bluetooth wireless technology era, Bluetooth was aimed at unifying the telecom and computing industries.
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3. What is the history of Bluetooth?
   Bluetooth was initiated by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba in early 1998. These companies later formed a special interest group known as the Bluetooth SIG. The Bluetooth 1.0 specifications were released on July 26, 1999, but the technology has only recently become inexpensive enough for widespread use.
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4. How does Bluetooth fit in with WiFi?
   The 802.11b (WiFi) standard is commonly used for wireless networking. Bluetooth is not a competitor with 802.11b, but rather a complement to it. While 802.11b is generally a replacement for wired local area networking, Bluetooth is more commonly used as a replacement for cables between individual devices. Bluetooth is designed to link devices within a very short range (up to 33 feet for Verizon Wireless’ devices). Bluetooth is part of the 802.15 standard.
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5. What are some of the uses of Bluetooth?
   Depending on the Bluetooth profiles included on the device, Bluetooth technology has the capability to wirelessly synchronize and transfer data among devices. The Bluetooth audio capabilities can be used for headset and hands free applications. The exact functionality provided by a Bluetooth enabled device depends on the Bluetooth profiles included. Verizon Wireless products do not include all Bluetooth profiles (Please see the Bluetooth profile section below for more details about the Bluetooth profiles included on Verizon Wireless’ products).
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6. Is Bluetooth typically built in to laptops/computers?
   Bluetooth is not generally built in to most laptops sold in the US today. However, a Bluetooth adapter can be added to a laptop either as a PCMCIA card or a USB dongle (which looks like a memory stick). If a Bluetooth adapter is added to a laptop or computer, Bluetooth client software must be installed on the computer to be able to use Bluetooth.
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7. Does Verizon Wireless offer any Bluetooth-compatible devices?
   We currently offer devices on our online store.
   
   The specific Bluetooth functionality included for each of these devices can be found in the Bluetooth profile section below.
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8. Does Verizon Wireless offer any Bluetooth accessories?
   Yes, We currently offer the following Bluetooth accessories
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Profiles & Pairing

1. What are Bluetooth profiles?
   A profile is a description of how to use a specification to implement a particular function. The International Standards Organization (ISO) first came up with the idea of profiles. In Bluetooth, there are several profiles available and they are arranged in a hierarchical fashion. For example, in order to use the headset profile, a device must also include the lower level profiles such as the serial port and general access profiles. Bluetooth has many profiles, but they are not all included in Verizon Wireless’ devices.
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2. Which profiles does Verizon Wireless currently include?

   Rather than discuss specific profiles, Verizon Wireless has found it more helpful to our customers to discuss Bluetooth functionality.  For functionality included on each of our Bluetooth-enabled devices, refer to the following:

   Profiles for handsets (e.g., Motorola, LG)
   Profiles for PDAs (e.g., BlackBerry, Palm)

   
   Note: To view the Adobe Acrobat files, you may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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3. What is the Bluetooth pairing (sometimes referred to as bonding) process?
   For Verizon Wireless handsets, all Bluetooth accessories must go through a pairing process with the handset before they can be used. Pairing is a special process used when two devices connect for the first time. The pairing process is used to generate a link key that is used for authentication purposes during subsequent Bluetooth connections between the two devices.
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4. What are the steps in the Bluetooth pairing (sometimes referred to as bonding) process?

   To pair with a Bluetooth device:

   1. Make sure the device's Bluetooth radio is on.
   2. Set the handset's Bluetooth discover mode to On.
   3. Select the appropriate Bluetooth accessory.
   4. Enter  your PIN number.

   
   Once a Bluetooth accessory has been paired with the device, it can be used with the device, without the need for re-pairing, assuming the appropriate profile exists for the required service.

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5. What is the Bluetooth headset profile?
   The Bluetooth headset profile allows the use of a Bluetooth headset with a Bluetooth-capable Verizon Wireless device. The Bluetooth headsets sold by Verizon Wireless have a range of 10 m (33 feet) from the handset.
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6. What is the Bluetooth hands-free profile?
   The Bluetooth hands-free profile allows the use of hands-free accessories, such as car kits and portable speaker devices. Verizon Wireless recommends that the customer check the car kit interoperability chart prior to purchasing a Bluetooth capable device. Interoperability with car kits varies and not all Bluetooth features are supported in every car kit.
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7. What is the Bluetooth Dial-up Networking (DUN) profile?

   The Bluetooth dial-up networking profile allows the use of the Bluetooth handset as a modem (please consult the Bluetooth functionality charts to see if a specific Verizon Wireless device supports Bluetooth DUN). In this configuration, Bluetooth acts as a replacement for the cable that is used to connect the computer to the handset in tethered mode. The user has several steps to take before Bluetooth dial-up networking can occur:

   1. The laptop/computer must have Bluetooth capability (typically by using a PCMCIA card or USB dongle for hardware and the associated Bluetooth client for software).
   2. The laptop/computer must be paired to the handset
   3. A dial-up networking profile must be created on the laptop/computer (e.g., manually created using the Microsoft wizard or automatically created by the VZAccess client software).
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Setup of Bluetooth Accessories

1. How do I set up a Bluetooth headset?

   Follow these steps:

   1. Charge the headset completely before beginning
      
   2. Power up the device
      
   3. Put the device in Pairing Mode
      
      • Check your user manual to find how to do this with your device
        
   4. Put the Headset in Pairing or Sync Mode
      
      • Check the headset user manual to find how to do this with your headset
        
   5. The device and headset must be in Pairing mode at the same time
      
      • They normally search for approximately 60 seconds
        
   6. Device will scan for all Bluetooth Devices
      
   7. Highlight device (headset) that you wish to pair with your device, press OK
      
      • You may be prompted for a PIN code; the default code is typically “0000”.
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2. How do I get additional help setting up a headset?

   For additional Bluetooth support related to headsets, pleasecontact the device manufacturer or contact the accessorymanufacturer:

   • For Motorola headsets, call (877) MOTOBLU
   • For Jabra Headsets, call (800) 327-2230
   • For Plantronics headsets, call (866) 746-4375
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3. How do I get help setting up accessories other than headsets?
   For help setting up Bluetooth accessories carried by Verizon Wireless, please contact our technical support line at (800) 922-0204. For additional Bluetooth support related to Verizon Wireless devices, please contact the device manufacturer.
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Technical Information

1. What are the basic Bluetooth data rate specs?
   Bluetooth has the capability to enable both voice and data (depending on the specific Bluetooth profiles included on the device). The voice channels typically operate at 64 kbit/s. The Bluetooth 1.0 data rates include an asymmetric data rate (one way) of 721 kbit/s (while permitting 57.6 kbit/s in the return direction); and a symmetric data rate of 432.6 kbit/s.
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2. What are the basic Bluetooth range specs?
   There are three classes of Bluetooth devices: Class 1, 2, and 3. The class specifies the transmit power of the device which affects the range (higher transmit power typically allows greater range). Verizon Wireless’ Bluetooth capable devices are all Bluetooth Class 2 devices. They can be used with Bluetooth Class 1, 2, or 3 accessories up to a maximum range of 33 feet (10 meters).
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