Database Develop

[Q] Will t-mobile know you're tethering if you don't use their tethering app?

I searched and found all different answers. If I tether my G1 using a different app that requires root...will t-mobile be able to differ between the stock tethering app and a market tethering app? If they can't differ, I wouldn't be charged extra...right?

So far I haven't found any definite proof on the forums. But most of the complaints I've seen were from people using the stock froyo tethering feature. So I guess if you use a 3rd party tethering app you're less likely to be caught. And anyways you should use 3rd party tethering apps because of the extra features they have.

I have been wondering the same thing.. I have been using a third party tether app to allow access to my ipod touch in my car (dont feel like buying another adapter) and i stream pandora through it and so far have not been caught or charged extra.. But like with anything else here use at your own caution. As long as your not downloading torrents, movies, etc, things that are large amounts of data you should be okay x)

Tmobile doesnt charge you for overage of your bandwith, just throttle you to edge speeds after your cap is exceeded.

d12unk13astard said:
Tmobile doesnt charge you for overage of your bandwith, just throttle you to edge speeds after your cap is exceeded.
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They dont charge you for overage but they can tell if your downloading large files which will lead to the suspicious that you are tethering and thus they will look up your account and determine whether you have the app or not and whether they should be charging you for the service..

jr10000 said:
They dont charge you for overage but they can tell if your downloading large files which will lead to the suspicious that you are tethering and thus they will look up your account and determine whether you have the app or not and whether they should be charging you for the service..
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Never got a letter from them in the 3 years i've been with them about any tethering/overage issue. They always just throttle you down to edge, since it's unlimited data for 10 bucks. Unless your on a different plan?

d12unk13astard said:
Never got a letter from them in the 3 years i've been with them about any tethering/overage issue. They always just throttle you down to edge, since it's unlimited data for 10 bucks. Unless your on a different plan?
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On the $30 android plan, and theres something that says if you tether, you will be charged an additional $15/mth

d12unk13astard said:
Never got a letter from them in the 3 years i've been with them about any tethering/overage issue. They always just throttle you down to edge, since it's unlimited data for 10 bucks. Unless your on a different plan?
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Same story here, once I hit my limit they just choked me between 4pm & midnight.

michael2041 said:
On the $30 android plan, and theres something that says if you tether, you will be charged an additional $15/mth
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Click to collapse
Ya, the 30 dollar plan thats right same here, you'll be fine trust shadowch31 and me. TMobile dont give a crap if you tether or not.

So, had a talk with my TMO rep yesterday. I was bemoaning how the HD7 doesn't have a tethering feature.
She informed me they are going to start charging 14.95 a month for tethering February 1st.
Is this old news to you guys?

jimbonics said:
So, had a talk with my TMO rep yesterday. I was bemoaning how the HD7 doesn't have a tethering feature.
She informed me they are going to start charging 14.95 a month for tethering February 1st.
Is this old news to you guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... Unfortunately it's true. HERE is the article I found.
Oh well... Lucky for me it's built into my ROM. And I will fight it tooth and nail and play stupid if it shows up on my bill.

[Q] Wifi tethering: native android vs ATT?

So with flashing a custom rom with 2.2, there's obviously the "mobile AP" function that's built into 2.2.
But my question is this: with ATT coming out with a $-per-month wireless tethering plan, will there come a time when they will be able to detect if we're using our phone's built in tethering, and automatically opt us into the $X a month plan?
Also, I've read other plans where you may get 2GB for the phone's data, and then an additional 2GB for tethered devices. How can they keep track of this? Can they tell if I am using my phone's tethering capabilities.
Obviously I'd like to continue to use my wifi tethering free of charge, and not have to pay ATT for their own service, much like Google Navigation vs ATT Navigator.

Curious about this as well. Came up in a conversation today at work. There was debate between tethering on Android and the iPhone. Any one have insight?

trekie86 said:
Curious about this as well. Came up in a conversation today at work. There was debate between tethering on Android and the iPhone. Any one have insight?
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AT&T won't know if u tether through ur phone using android API. But u got to be careful as they can make out based on the amount of traffic u use.

Well, I can speak for the android phones but the never detected me doing it with my blackberry for the last 4 years.
Once they release their "version" I'll be able to report on the captivate as I will use it as much as possible.

Unless u have unlimited data plan, ATT should not care about it at all.
Power by Perception 10.3, FB2-0.8, KP1

i have the $30 grandfathered unlimited plan... i hooked up to wifi last month to download a 4.6gb torrent... they havent said anything...

B-Naughty said:
i have the $30 grandfathered unlimited plan... i hooked up to wifi last month to download a 4.6gb torrent... they havent said anything...
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Excellent example of why grandfathering will be phased out. Already doing it to the old blue plans.

B-Naughty said:
i have the $30 grandfathered unlimited plan... i hooked up to wifi last month to download a 4.6gb torrent... they havent said anything...
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But here he said "hooked to wi-fi", not cell network. Well, unless he means to have enabled tethering and connected it to his laptop.
newter55 said:
Excellent example of why grandfathering will be phased out. Already doing it to the old blue plans.
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+1
This is why at&t says that max bandwidth is used by less than 1% of their network users. And for a company this big, cutting/forcing data plan on this 1% shouldn't be a big deal, even if they threaten to leave, to ensure quality service to rest of the customers.

diablo009 said:
But here he said "hooked to wi-fi", not cell network. Well, unless he means to have enabled tethering and connected it to his laptop.
+1
This is why at&t says that max bandwidth is used by less than 1% of their network users. And for a company this big, cutting/forcing data plan on this 1% shouldn't be a big deal, even if they threaten to leave, to ensure quality service to rest of the customers.
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i was wifi tethering... and i checked last months usage, was wrong on the amt, i barely broke 2gb for the month, but it was all that torrent... took like 20+ hours to download it all... maybe they didnt say anything because typically i dont even break 500mb a month... only at 76mb now... who knows... i rarely tether because most places i have internet... but just casual tethering i wouldnt worry about it... not sure how they analyze the usage for each customer but i highly doubt there is an att employee watching every customer so it's gotta either be the monthly usage, huge spikes in data like i did, or both... was just saying i havent heard anything about it, and that bill has been settled... but they do catch ppl...

diablo009 said:
+1
This is why at&t says that max bandwidth is used by less than 1% of their network users. And for a company this big, cutting/forcing data plan on this 1% shouldn't be a big deal, even if they threaten to leave, to ensure quality service to rest of the customers.
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How about they upgrade their network to handle ALL the traffic and not keep selling/pushing devices that people use to consume data? IMO there is no abuse or "using too much" bandwidth. I bought an UNLIMITED data plan to use I see fit and use a device that has the capabilities to run apps that use bandwidth, I'm gonna use them when I want and as much as I want, and everyone that has such a device and plan should be able to. If more people would stand together and voice that they wouldn't be getting rid of the "1%". Customer service and providing a good wireless experience doesn't mean turning away customers that actually use the features that AT&T SOLD to them.

i feel like if im able to make my phone tether without their help and i have unlimited data i can do that... it's for MY USE AND ENJOYMENT.... i realize att and most customers dont feel the same, and any business model wont permit that, so im not trying to start an argument or anything... just how i feel about it all... i have an unlimited plan, that means i can use UNLIMITED DATA regardless of how i use it...
but to answer OP, stick with native android if casual tethering, just watch your back and usage... maybe look into the att plan if your gonna use it everyday

B-Naughty said:
i was wifi tethering... and i checked last months usage, was wrong on the amt, i barely broke 2gb for the month, but it was all that torrent... took like 20+ hours to download it all... maybe they didnt say anything because typically i dont even break 500mb a month... only at 76mb now... who knows... i rarely tether because most places i have internet... but just casual tethering i wouldnt worry about it... not sure how they analyze the usage for each customer but i highly doubt there is an att employee watching every customer so it's gotta either be the monthly usage, huge spikes in data like i did, or both... was just saying i havent heard anything about it, and that bill has been settled... but they do catch ppl...
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Right. Once in a while is ok. But there are some habitual consumers. Such accounts would get flagged. Cos they didn't complain when u consumed high a couple doesn't mean people aren't watching.

mxracer101 said:
How about they upgrade their network to handle ALL the traffic and not keep selling/pushing devices that people use to consume data? IMO there is no abuse or "using too much" bandwidth. I bought an UNLIMITED data plan to use I see fit and use a device that has the capabilities to run apps that use bandwidth, I'm gonna use them when I want and as much as I want, and everyone that has such a device and plan should be able to. If more people would stand together and voice that they wouldn't be getting rid of the "1%". Customer service and providing a good wireless experience doesn't mean turning away customers that actually use the features that AT&T SOLD to them.
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Right. And they could charge the unlimited at a premium price. No one expects people to download movies using phone network.
Oh wow, and now I don't want to start a war.

diablo009 said:
Right. And they could charge the unlimited at a premium price. No one expects people to download movies using phone network.
Oh wow, and now I don't want to start a war.
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Ha... no wars here The yelling was more at AT&T for effect.

diablo009 said:
No one expects people to download movies using phone network.
Oh wow, and now I don't want to start a war.
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mxracer101 said:
Ha... no wars here The yelling was more at AT&T for effect.
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yes, please no forum fight LOL...

B-Naughty said:
yes, please no forum fight LOL...
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Yes. That would be the last thing I would want to do with my friends here

diablo009 said:
Yes. That would be the last thing I would want to do with my friends here
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With all the customers att has I'd think you'd need an insane amount of data usage to get noticed. I have unlimited and I used 4.5 gigs last month with zero tethering. Also they may filter your usage to see if your playing an online game or something, obviously if your communicating with a WoW server or BC2 server for three hours strait you're teathering. But if your just D/Ling stuff a lot they really can't tell because your phone could realistically be doing that where as obviously it can't play BC2 ;-)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897

Clienterror said:
With all the customers att has I'd think you'd need an insane amount of data usage to get noticed. I have unlimited and I used 4.5 gigs last month with zero tethering. Also they may filter your usage to see if your playing an online game or something, obviously if your communicating with a WoW server or BC2 server for three hours strait you're teathering. But if your just D/Ling stuff a lot they really can't tell because your phone could realistically be doing that where as obviously it can't play BC2 ;-)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897
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I agree. They don't care what u do. But they could be raising alerts to the network team if usage crosses a certain level. Certainly, many customers satisfaction in any given area is considered more than one satisfied customer. Thinking from business angle here. Most of the alerts they may not bother, but if any tower is getting overloaded, then it would create a high priority issue for them, and that is when notice of high usage could be sent to consumers choking the network.

ejmeier1 said:
So with flashing a custom rom with 2.2, there's obviously the "mobile AP" function that's built into 2.2.
But my question is this: with ATT coming out with a $-per-month wireless tethering plan, will there come a time when they will be able to detect if we're using our phone's built in tethering, and automatically opt us into the $X a month plan?
Also, I've read other plans where you may get 2GB for the phone's data, and then an additional 2GB for tethered devices. How can they keep track of this? Can they tell if I am using my phone's tethering capabilities.
Obviously I'd like to continue to use my wifi tethering free of charge, and not have to pay ATT for their own service, much like Google Navigation vs ATT Navigator.
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Click to collapse
Technically, yes they can tell that you're tethering... but not because the tether itself sends a red flag. It's the type of traffic that your "phone" is generating that can be a dead giveaway. For example, if the user agent on your browser says it's IE8 running on Windows 7 it's pretty suspicious. If you're running p2p, gaming or any other kinds of software or data patterns that aren't really expected from your phone then it could raise a red flag. They aren't sniffing everyone's packets. However, if you are using unusually high data amounts, they could start monitoring your traffic and determine that you are most likely tethering. I guess you could deny it. I'm not sure how far you could argue that or how far they could "prove" their side.
However, they're not in the business of running customers off. They aren't looking to lose or upset a customer. If you aren't abusing the tethering (ie excessive data usage on an unlimited plan) I highly doubt that they would care or desire to upset you. I do suspect that some day they may use this as a tool to get rid of the unlimited data plans. I also suspect that if you aren't on an unlimited plan they probably would never complain, since you are paying per gb. This is all speculation on my part.
-Rich

diablo009 said:
I agree. They don't care what u do. But they could be raising alerts to the network team if usage crosses a certain level. Certainly, many customers satisfaction in any given area is considered more than one satisfied customer. Thinking from business angle here. Most of the alerts they may not bother, but if any tower is getting overloaded, then it would create a high priority issue for them, and that is when notice of high usage could be sent to consumers choking the network.
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The most they would probably even do if they did happen to single out a user for "unreasonable usage" is maybe ask you to stop or take away data unlimited. the fine print in the brochure does not say anything about cash penalties for over use it just says it will not be allowed.

T-Mobile data usage hack search

i remember some time ago, someone developed an app or program to install on the phone that tricks t-mo into how much usage you actually use. He had a screenshot of over 10GB of data used without being throttled. I searched but cant find and wonder if anyone knows where it is or can link me and does it work?

I don't think anyone here will/should aid you openly in circumventing TMO's data usage regulations--

this was a thread posted on XDA with many replies and views. I dont think T-Mobile should throttle my unlimited plan either

I do remember that thread but just use Google, found a few diffrent places with step by step how to
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

When I was back in the states for a month, I brought my T-MO account out of suspension. I was under the impression I had an unlimited account (as that is what was listed on the website). It turns out that it was limited to 5GB. Well, I didn't find that out until half-way through the month when I got a text saying they were going to throttle my speeds. I wasn't too happy about it, and I called customer service to complain and find out what my options were. My only option was to switch to another plan that required a new 2 year contract and then pay an extra obscene amount to get data past the 5GB point. I wasn't pleased when I hung up the phone.
Lo and behold, next time I need to use the internet with my laptop (my only internet access was through tethering), I found my speeds were not throttled. I guess T-MO uses software on the phone to actually do the throttling rather than something network-side. By the end of the month, I had used 8GB (which I didn't feel bad about considering my plan was advertised as unlimited).
Anyway, moral of the story: CM7 doesn't seem to be affected by throttling with T-Mobile US (as of June/July 2011).

bassmadrigal said:
Anyway, moral of the story: CM7 doesn't seem to be affected by throttling with T-Mobile US (as of June/July 2011).
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That is over 9000% wrong.
If you didn't know about the fine print that is your own fault and while it may be a little misleading it is in fact unlimited, just at a slower speed >5gb.

Been on T Mo for years. They implemented this what, a year ago. I'm well aware of it and am trying to hook someone up. First post attacked me as if it wasn't on this site somewhere when in fact it is or was for a while. I know how things work around here.... somewhat ...lol
Sent from my Nexus One

I wasn't attacking you on being incorrect about the thread. I remember it also. I was commenting on what I perceived (correct me if wrong) was an app to cheat TMO out of it's ability to throttle speeds above 5gb.
I am totally against that policy, but respect their right to do it. I also find the ads misleading.
But, if the app does that, then it is, to me, like finding a way to make free long distance calls when your company charges for them.
An ethical question, if not illegal procedure.
So, my comment was saying I didn't think someone would help you do that.
Again, if I am wrong on the purpose of the app, sorry. If not, I stand by my opinion.

evilkorn said:
That is over 9000% wrong.
If you didn't know about the fine print that is your own fault and while it may be a little misleading it is in fact unlimited, just at a slower speed >5gb.
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When I ordered the plan, they listed it as unlimited. When I viewed it on the site, it didn't have a data counter near it, it just said unlimited. So there wasn't even a way to see how close to the 5GBs I was getting. And I am not going to read through 30 pages of fine print just because they want people to think they have an unlimited plan (which as you state, is unlimited, just at a slower speed).
If they had let me know I had a 5GB cap before my speeds would be throttled, I would've totally changed my habits to prevent me from ever reaching that (I had downloaded an ubuntu ISO for a friend while we were out and about - definitely could've waited until I got to an area with wifi, had I known). I had no intention to go over, but when they try and mask what their plans are, how are we supposed to know unless we are lawyers and are able to understand their fine print.
Now that I know what my limits are, I won't ever reach them again. But do I feel bad for hitting their limits and then being able to go over them because I was running CM since they do their best to keep that information hidden? Absolutely not!

evilkorn said:
it is in fact unlimited, just at a slower speed >5gb.
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Click to collapse
FYI: You just defined limited.
I live in a big city, so I'm never going to hit my 5GB or 2 or whatever it is this week, mostly because the 3G speeds are horrible here and WiFi is everywhere.
My complaint is that T-Mobile implemented a fundamental change to a service that is locked into a contract and they won't let you out of it.

Joe USer said:
FYI: You just defined limited.
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It's a speed limit, not a data limit. Unlimited data is unlimited.

from what i been searching around the internet, it all points to editing the services.jar to achieve this.
i havent found anything about an app to do something like this yet, so i wouldnt be so sure if there is.
but something like this in general would be nice to have just to get alittle more speed than was intended for
update: guess this is the page you were looking for OP? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052064
it was ment for the g2x so it might not play so nicely with our N1s, but yeah if you really wanna look into doing this google is your friend! lol

htc g2
Buck Shot said:
i remember some time ago, someone developed an app or program to install on the phone that tricks t-mo into how much usage you actually use. He had a screenshot of over 10GB of data used without being throttled. I searched but cant find and wonder if anyone knows where it is or can link me and does it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use to have a htc g2 with a $50 dollar prepaid plan witch only give me 100mb 4g data speed
after I root my phone I also flash the HBOOT from the European phone htc dezire z after I did this I use all 4g I want and tmobile does not detect my data usage but this only works with wap.voicestream.com apn not epc you have to delete all default apn and create a new one with wap apn
now this seems to work only on htc g2 because I upgrade my phone to sensation 4g I root this phone flash radios,roms use different apn nothing works on this phone tmobile detect my 4g data use.....

cant get tether working on ics leak...

I'm on the second leak and tried both regular rooted stock and safe strapped to cm9 but wireless tether for root users fails setting up adhoc on both. Anything I'm missing here or is this a known issue?

Try the generic ICS profile on wireless tether.

silversonic1 said:
Try the generic ICS profile on wireless tether.
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Completely overlooked that profile. Switched to Droid bionic profile but didn't see that one. That did it boss.....appreciate it buddy

Did it work? I was able to get it connected but no internet service
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

Yea it worked for me

jj972 said:
Yea it worked for me
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What leak are you on? 2231 2233?
I tried that and it still don't work for me
I even disable access controll
Only foxfi working for me
I'm on 2233

The SQL edit also works.

where can we pick up the sql hack?

twinkyz1979 said:
The SQL edit also works.
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You should pay the additional $30 if you want to WiFi Tether. (or switch to Sprint). Don't be cheats. Rooting and installing custom ROMs isn't illegal, it just voids your ability to call in for phone support...WiFi Tethering without a plan is against the TOS. Nobody should be encouraging others, or instructing them on how to violate the TOS. XDA mods really need crack down on threads like this. If you pay for the feature it will work without you having to do any workarounds.

I use it in cases when there is no wifi and we need a real computer, people already pay upwards fo 100 dollars for one line. You pay for the data you should use it as you want. Plus the original android had wifi tether built in for free.

waffleb051 said:
I use it in cases when there is no wifi and we need a real computer, people already pay upwards fo 100 dollars for one line. You pay for the data you should use it as you want. Plus the original android had wifi tether built in for free.
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just do a google search i think you will find it pretty easy as it used to be if still not is on this site still somewhere that is where i got it from in the first place.
so now if i am breaking a rule on here please let me know but it's kind of funny how i first heard and found out how to do this in this very site.

waffleb051 said:
I use it in cases when there is no wifi and we need a real computer, people already pay upwards fo 100 dollars for one line. You pay for the data you should use it as you want. Plus the original android had wifi tether built in for free.
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You got that right! I pay upwards of $350.00 a month for 3 lines with unlimited data. What part of "UNLIMITED DATA" does verizon not get? I will continue to hack my phone until it can no longer be done !

Thank you I pay out but for my phone I should be able to do what I want with it besides it's not like they aren't making a killing off me and now they want to make more I work very hard for the little bit of money I get after all my bills are paid I have 60 dollars a week to live off of and that is not including food and I get no food stamps or anything so believe me when I say
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA

Paying for tethering is simply not possible on a ROM that doesn't have moto/vzw apps built in, either. Nobody would possibly pay for something that they can't use due to it not existing
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

crobs808 said:
You should pay the additional $30 if you want to WiFi Tether. (or switch to Sprint). Don't be cheats. Rooting and installing custom ROMs isn't illegal, it just voids your ability to call in for phone support...WiFi Tethering without a plan is against the TOS. Nobody should be encouraging others, or instructing them on how to violate the TOS. XDA mods really need crack down on threads like this. If you pay for the feature it will work without you having to do any workarounds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha! You tell em.
I don't know about you but I'm tired of paying nearly 200 buck for 2 smart phones that I can't do anything I want with. If I have the capabilities and the know how, then I see no harm. I think you should save your opinion or start your own thread called the "Android Police." I'm personally here to give help where help is needed if I can.
I also personally see no problems using my phone as a wireless tether because the 4GB data plan I have that I pay 30 bucks for each line runs out so quick each month I feel I either have to be rich or be a drug dealer to be able to afford the plan I need to get the most out of my phone.
PS. I think this post is a great candidate for a dislike or thumbs down button.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium

crobs808 said:
You should pay the additional $30 if you want to WiFi Tether. (or switch to Sprint). Don't be cheats. Rooting and installing custom ROMs isn't illegal, it just voids your ability to call in for phone support...WiFi Tethering without a plan is against the TOS. Nobody should be encouraging others, or instructing them on how to violate the TOS. XDA mods really need crack down on threads like this. If you pay for the feature it will work without you having to do any workarounds.
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Click to collapse
I'm Sorry, i didn'tknow you were on verizons payroll. Verizon screws us out of a lot of money monthly and continue to come up with ways to screw us more. All we are doing is getting our moneys worth
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

Topsnake said:
I'm Sorry, i didn'tknow you were on verizons payroll. Verizon screws us out of a lot of money monthly and continue to come up with ways to screw us more. All we are doing is getting our moneys worth
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
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Haha I thumbs upped you.
I was personally with sprint for 10 years before switching to Verizon. I was tired of paying more than 2 grand a year with sprint and couldn't even get good data signal at home or work. Then they made me pay to get out even though I didn't get good service to begin with. Verizon's 3g and 4g run circles around sprint.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium

I'm sure it is. I hate people like that poster though
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

holy schist 350 for 3 lines wow. I pay 260 for 6 and only 3 have data. And i found it lol

crobs808 said:
You should pay the additional $30 if you want to WiFi Tether. (or switch to Sprint). Don't be cheats. Rooting and installing custom ROMs isn't illegal, it just voids your ability to call in for phone support...WiFi Tethering without a plan is against the TOS. Nobody should be encouraging others, or instructing them on how to violate the TOS. XDA mods really need crack down on threads like this. If you pay for the feature it will work without you having to do any workarounds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi tethering is part of AOSP Android, bud. The carriers (at least in the US) remove this feature and include their own hotspot for a fee. Installing the SQL hack is technically against the TOS, since in that case you are using their service, they just don't know - but when you use an app that does *not* use their service, but rather Android's built-in capabilities, then you are doing nothing wrong.

Moderator Please Delete, thanks to everyone that commented!

Sprint sent us a letter saying that my dad's phone had been sharing his connection to computers without their permission. We have been using our phones as our house internet for about 2 years, we got 4G last summer, we use the heck out of it. We have the family plan with unlimited text and data. His number hasn't tethered in a while, we have been using my brothers phone for the house internet while he's in boot camp. Why are they saying they will terminate our account because of my dad's number? The phone for the house internet has used A LOT of data, but that's the point of have UNLIMITED can they really do this? They said they will be monitoring our data usage for the next 10 days, isn't that invading privacy? Thanks

They can tell when your device is tethering. They will only monitor the amount of data being used. Not what you are viewing or downloading. They don't have the ability to actually see that. Why don't you consider home internet? Its cheaper than a hotspot or mobile broadband
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

hellot1M said:
They can tell when your device is tethering. They will only monitor the amount of data being used. Not what you are viewing or downloading. They don't have the ability to actually see that. Why don't you consider home internet? Its cheaper than a hotspot or mobile broadband
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
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We can't get it where we live it pisses us off because it would cost us $24,000 to run it from the middle of our road to us. That's why we use the hotspot, we arent paying for the hotspot, if we did pay for the $30 fee, do you think we could use as much as we want?

Comet1966 said:
if we did pay for the $30 fee, do you think we could use as much as we want?
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I'd think you would be able to, but I'd still drop Sprint an email to make sure with them and get it in writing in case they try to give you trouble later on.

Unlimited isn't truly unlimited, it's unlimited within reason. It's in their fine print. They also say they can terminate you without further notice for using too much data per month, especially if you roam.

You need to come up with a better solution. It's because of people like you that make the network slower than hell for the rest of us. Tethering here & there I have no problems with but people that use it for home internet is just so stupid. You can get a hotspot or sat internet if you can't get a wired connection.

Seriously guys? When did this sentiment begin? People have been sneaking tethering for years and that's one thing that is a preferable benefit to sprint and these phones. Since when can they tell we tether while rooted?

Comet1966 said:
Sprint sent us a letter saying that my dad's phone had been sharing his connection to computers without their permission. We have been using our phones as our house internet for about 2 years, we got 4G last summer, we use the heck out of it. We have the family plan with unlimited text and data. His number hasn't tethered in a while, we have been using my brothers phone for the house internet while he's in boot camp. Why are they saying they will terminate our account because of my dad's number? The phone for the house internet has used A LOT of data, but that's the point of have UNLIMITED can they really do this? They said they will be monitoring our data usage for the next 10 days, isn't that invading privacy? Thanks
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Comet1966, Consider that Sprint, just like your cable, water, gas, credit card company all have the ability to "profile" you. They know who you call, for how long, what shows you watch, how much water and gas you use, and where you shop. etc.
Sprint Terms Of Service prohibits tethering unless you pay for it. They were offering 5 gb with the unlimited for life plan for authorized tethering. As others have suggested either try to work with Sprint to get a tethering plan or stop tethering if you like your Sprint service. At least they put you on notice and just didn't disconnect you.
And I know exactly what you mean, my dad's and brother's houses are in the country and from time to time I have turned on the tethering - but not as my primary internet connection for a household every month.

"I didn't pay for something and now that I am abusing it Sprint wants me to stop or pay"
First, you know tethering is an extra fee, by bypassing it Sprint could have charged you for every bit of data used. More importantly in response to your "unlimited" claim, it is unlimited data used ON YOUR PHONE. In fact Sprint doesn't even offer an unlimited tethering plan, I believe the highest they go is 5GB. It sucks you live in a crappy part of town but you need to look into an actual solution.

There is NO WAY of me finding another solution, we CANNOT get cable internet at this point in time. It would cost us $24,000 to run it to us. Now of course all the cable companys get our hopes up by saying that they have it in our area, right up until we call to get it. Google intended for the tethering to be free in the beggining, but yes its really up to the carriers. It is the only thing that we know of that is actually usable and stable. No need to start pointing fingers, I was just figuring out why. And to say "it's because of people like us that the networks are slow" is the dumbest dank thing I've heard today, 1 of the five phones that are on our plan could be downloading a torrent at 2.5MBps right next to me, and I would still get 20MBps, I believe yes they throttle us otherwise one guy would be getting 100MBps and the other would be getting 1. Bit the limits of our radio's also do that.

Comet1966 said:
There is NO WAY of me finding another solution, we CANNOT get cable internet at this point in time. It would cost us $24,000 to run it to us. Now of course all the cable companys get our hopes up by saying that they have it in our area, right up until we call to get it. Google intended for the tethering to be free in the beggining, but yes its really up to the carriers. It is the only thing that we know of that is actually usable and stable. No need to start pointing fingers, I was just figuring out why. And to say "it's because of people like us that the networks are slow" is the dumbest dank thing I've heard today, 1 of the five phones that are on our plan could be downloading a torrent at 2.5MBps right next to me, and I would still get 20MBps, I believe yes they throttle us otherwise one guy would be getting 100MBps and the other would be getting 1. Bit the limits of our radio's also do that.
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Why not just pay for a Sprint MIFI card? Believe you get 5 GB a month? Is DSL available in your area or maybe even another wireless provider (at my dad's house, they have a company that has basically WIFI that uses a special receiver attached to a small dish antenna pointed towards a tower)?
And if you are running Torrent traffic over a Sprint connection, that definitely isn't standard "smart phone" traffic along with the amount of Internet traffic, is what Sprint is looking at when it comes to "abuse".

weidnerj said:
Why not just pay for a Sprint MIFI card? Believe you get 5 GB a month? Is DSL available in your area or maybe even another wireless provider (at my dad's house, they have a company that has basically WIFI that uses a special receiver attached to a small dish antenna pointed towards a tower)?
And if you are running Torrent traffic over a Sprint connection, that definitely isn't standard "smart phone" traffic along with the amount of Internet traffic, is what Sprint is looking at when it comes to "abuse".
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Yeah, we had something called planet connect it aimed at a tower, but it was highly unstable and their customer support sucks now.

Well your only option now is to find another solution because if you keep abusing Sprints network your account WILL be canceled. This is not something new and this is not the only thread like this. I admit I do tether but it's only to send an email or two every once in a while. You have clearly been abusing the system and now you've been put on notice. You will probably continue to do it then you will start another thread complaining that sprint canceled your service for no reason. I am not trying be be an a#$ but you've been a member of xda since 2011, you had to have seen other threads like this.
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

How much data were you using a month?

Comet1966 said:
There is NO WAY of me finding another solution, we CANNOT get cable internet at this point in time. It would cost us $24,000 to run it to us. Now of course all the cable companys get our hopes up by saying that they have it in our area, right up until we call to get it. Google intended for the tethering to be free in the beggining, but yes its really up to the carriers. It is the only thing that we know of that is actually usable and stable. No need to start pointing fingers, I was just figuring out why. And to say "it's because of people like us that the networks are slow" is the dumbest dank thing I've heard today, 1 of the five phones that are on our plan could be downloading a torrent at 2.5MBps right next to me, and I would still get 20MBps, I believe yes they throttle us otherwise one guy would be getting 100MBps and the other would be getting 1. Bit the limits of our radio's also do that.
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NO WAY at all huh. You can get a mifi card using the same network connection. You shouldn't be torrenting over hacked tether. I hope they cancel your account and they should. The bottom line it does affect other users & the network. Sprint's 3G is painful enough as it is, borderline useless in some areas. Stop being cheap and get a mifi card. If you actually paid for a capped connection, you would be a lot more careful with what you were using bandwidth for.

Comet1966 said:
Yeah, we had something called planet connect it aimed at a tower, but it was highly unstable and their customer support sucks now.
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Have you tried these guys
ABG Wireless, LLC
Beasley Wireless Internet
Ken-Tenn Wireless
They are all WISPs in TN

tws101 said:
Have you tried these guys
ABG Wireless, LLC
Beasley Wireless Internet
Ken-Tenn Wireless
They are all WISPs in TN
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I've never heard of them, but I will mention them to my father. Thanks

Sim-X said:
NO WAY at all huh. You can get a mifi card using the same network connection. You shouldn't be torrenting over hacked tether. I hope they cancel your account and they should. The bottom line it does affect other users & the network. Sprint's 3G is painful enough as it is, borderline useless in some areas. Stop being cheap and get a mifi card. If you actually paid for a capped connection, you would be a lot more careful with what you were using bandwidth for.
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Have you seen the price of a mifi card plan, its insane. My dad called them today to try and figure out why, and the lady could not tell him she just kept saying we violated the terms of service, he asked which terms we violated, she said "I don't know".... Yeah Sprint " ranked #1 in customer service" BS they can't tell us anything, that's 2 people from there giving out useless information. If there was another company in our area that actually had reasonable prices for 5 phones, we would let them drop us in a heartbeat. Thanks for your information though, no reason to be an ass though.

beefcakeb0 said:
How much data were you using a month?
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Too much, I guess we hadn't had internet that was more than 100kbps in well, ever so we NON-STOP used it, from playing games to watching Netflix.

Comet1966 said:
Have you seen the price of a mifi card plan, its insane. My dad called them today to try and figure out why, and the lady could not tell him she just kept saying we violated the terms of service, he asked which terms we violated, she said "I don't know".... Yeah Sprint " ranked #1 in customer service" BS they can't tell us anything, that's 2 people from there giving out useless information. If there was another company in our area that actually had reasonable prices for 5 phones, we would let them drop us in a heartbeat. Thanks for your information though, no reason to be an ass though.
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READ THROUGH YOUR CONTRACT. There are provisions regarding the use of tethering. Its not the CSR's job to know what you and a million other people signed, It is yours. Sprint does not offer unlimited tethering. It is a separate charge and even then it has a maximum limit. It has always been that way, don't forget tethering existed well before Android ever did. This isn't even an argument, no matter what way you twist this you're wrong.