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O2 are charging £15 for tethering ability (Which is a complete rip-off). Now as far as I'm aware, they have no way of knowing if the internet usage is from the phone or from a pc it's connected to, can someone confirm this?
No there isnt, but over xmas I had it hooked upto the laptop and for the first time ever recieved a text message to say I had gone over my data allowence and to cut down, this was at 2.5 GB
Antimus said:
O2 are charging £15 for tethering ability (Which is a complete rip-off). Now as far as I'm aware, they have no way of knowing if the internet usage is from the phone or from a pc it's connected to, can someone confirm this?
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That's ridiculous. I don't see how they can get away with removing software from a standard build of the phone and then charge you to have it back. I'm suprised, because I rate O2 as a company, but that's just underhanded theft as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway, to answer your question, no. There's no way they can tell if it's your phone or a connection vie the wifi router that's using the data connection.
johncmolyneux said:
That's ridiculous. I don't see how they can get away with removing software from a standard build of the phone and then charge you to have it back.
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They aren't exactly charging you for the software, they're charging you for allowing a different kind of use of your data connection. £15 a month is what they charge for their standard "wireless broadband" package - intended for people using a USB dongle with a laptop. It has a 3GB/month limit and almost no restrictions in terms of what the contract says you can use it for. If you're merely using the "unlimited web bolt-on" then (according to the terms of fair usage policy) there's all sorts of things you're not allowed to do, tethering included, and the limit on data usage per month is much lower. I was on O2 for a bit, and, having received a warning the previous month, my internet connection was completely cut off when it hit 1GB the next month.
Shasarak said:
They aren't exactly charging you for the software, they're charging you for allowing a different kind of use of your data connection. £15 a month is what they charge for their standard "wireless broadband" package - intended for people using a USB dongle with a laptop. It has a 3GB/month limit and almost no restrictions in terms of what the contract says you can use it for. If you're merely using the "unlimited web bolt-on" then (according to the terms of fair usage policy) there's all sorts of things you're not allowed to do, tethering included, and the limit on data usage per month is much lower. I was on O2 for a bit, and, having received a warning the previous month, my internet connection was completely cut off when it hit 1GB the next month.
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Okay, if you explain it as the phone being used like a dongle then I can see some sense there, but it's still nonsense when you take into account the fact that anyone with a bit of tech sense (or a user of these forums) will just install the wifi router and use it. Alternatively, a USB cable would negate the need for the wifi routing software completely. O2 wouldn't know, so they could only complain about the amount of traffic (if you exceeded your agreed "unlimited" limit.)
Just sounds like they're selling air in a can, if you ask me. Thankfully, I don't see how they can enforce it.
slight difference re: £15 dongle price is that with the dongle you also get free access to "the cloud"and "bt open zone" wifi networks for your fifteen quid.
I've had mine for a few months now and after flashing to a non o2 ROM (tried 1.66 but now on Sone 1.33) I found that the wifi router wasn't any better than simply using a usb connection so I tend to stick with that if I dont want to use my 3 dongle...I try not to go crazy with the allowance from o2 and as such haven't had any -ve feedback from them so far...as for them finally getting round to coming up with a chargeable ammount for tethering, I'm surprised its taken them this long as it wasn't officially available at all when I upgraded to mine...when "negotiating" my deal I was initially offered 3gb at the bargain price of £405.00mth and that was on a £84mth+vat contract suffice to say that isn't what I went for
Even if you pay the £15 tethering charge, there is still a 3GB cap and if you exceed this you will receive the text message and then be 'monitored' by them after that...
At the end of the day; we are just expected to do a bit of browsing, read the online papers, update Facebook and play around on Twitter, watch a few You Tube videos etc on our mobiles. The data bolt-ons are not supposed to cover laptop tethering. Sure the feature is available on a few smartphones these days but that is a manufacturer feature and not a network carrier feature. Basically you have to be very careful if you use the facility. The days of being able to use your mobile as an unlimited data internet modem are not here yet.
I was under the impression that the limit for O2's unlimited web browsing bolt-on was around 250mb, not the 2gb that you guys are talking about.
Can't say as I'm wanting to spend £15 for the same thing, just with wireless access that I'll probably not use.
Can't wait for my phone contract to run out, I'm drooling over the HD2
They have no way of knowing providing you don't make them suspicious with ridiculous amounts of downloading.
I have used tethering for months, including on my iPhone before I got my HD2. For simple browsing and forum use you would have to make some serious effort to go anywhere near the allowed unlimited (hawk spit) download limit of 750mb a month. Especially if you do what I do and use Opera when tethered which allows very easy caching of images, especially useful for forums.
The only issue I find is O2's utterly s**t 3G network coverage but that's a different matter.
3G coverage is pretty good according to their map. At least it's better than Orange where I live, I get signal in one corner of my house, thats it.
sucks
Antimus said:
3G coverage is pretty good according to their map. At least it's better than Orange where I live, I get signal in one corner of my house, thats it.
sucks
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Individual places are going to be better on certain networks but taking the country's overall coverage into account Orange actually have the best 3G network there is, or they did the last time I checked anyway. And it will only get better if the proposed merger with T-Mobile goes ahead.
On O2 I get a brilliant HSPDA signal at my house but as I have 20mb wireless it's totally redundant. However, at work I don't get any data signal at all, never mind 3G but my work colleague who is on Orange in the same office gets the full works. It's a royal pain when the wireless router goes down (which is does frequently) as I can't use tethering.
O2 apparently have the worst 3G coverage in the country, although since the introduction of the iPhone 3G they have been steadily improving it.
With the "mobile hotspot" is what sprint is going to try and charge for $29.00 a month extra?! I have a windows mobile phone and I can teather my windows phone to my laptop via bluetooth or USB cable and it works great when Im in on the go or stuck in the airport or datacenter... etc. I have been reading that PDAnet will do the trick as well.
Another question, how will I be able to sync to Exchange? I really need to sync everything to Exchange as I do with Windows... hate to say it.. but is "is there an app for that" (hate iphones).
Mine is on reserve, ready for a new OS and phone. Windows for years and years.. ready for a change. (hopefully)
You can use PDAnet, though I would honestly recommend just rooting it once we get the option to, as it really expands your tethering options.
As for Exchange support, I know there's some degree of support in 2.1, and it was expanded upon in 2.2. You should be able to sync with just the default mail app, though I've heard it depends on the phone manufacturer.
root your epic on day one with the one click root and enjoy fee tethering, our wait until september for froyo and hope sprint doesn't lock down the tethering that comes with it. Personally, I will root on day one just like I did with my nexus.
Sent from my Nextel™ using the XDA app
Nice... thanks everyone
tommer12 said:
Another question, how will I be able to sync to Exchange? I really need to sync everything to Exchange as I do with Windows... hate to say it.. but is "is there an app for that" (hate iphones).
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I'm coming from the Hero, and currently running 2.2. The exchange support that is built in is good, but there is a very good app ($20 on the market) called Touchdown, that is a superb Exchange client. It allows you to access all of your Exchange folders (not just the inbox), calendar, tasks, contacts, etc.
The only downfall of Touchdown is that it does use Push - which can eat battery quick if you are in a poor service area. You can turn off Push, and just set polling intervals - this will save battery tremendously.
Yeah, I have a Touch Pro and I have my activesync on checking every 10 minutes. I do not need to to super live connected to email. Or I hit the manual button to sync. Touchdown sounds perfect.
Anyone notice this blurb about the data plan? "Everything Data Plan with $10 Premium Data Add-On is required for each Samsung Epic™ 4G "
So does this mean I cant use my 1500 minute plan anymore? Which would suck
No, your current plan is fine, but there is an additional $10/mo fee for this phone, just as with the HTC EVO 4g.
It gives unlimited 3g/4g access (no caps). I've not understood why it's required, but honestly - $10 more on my plan, but I'm still paying only half of what I would with Verizon or AT&T (4 phones on my plan, all unlimited text/data and the same 1500 minute plan + 24% employee discount where I work).
Altos said:
No, your current plan is fine, but there is an additional $10/mo fee for this phone, just as with the HTC EVO 4g.
It gives unlimited 3g/4g access (no caps). I've not understood why it's required, but honestly - $10 more on my plan, but I'm still paying only half of what I would with Verizon or AT&T (4 phones on my plan, all unlimited text/data and the same 1500 minute plan + 24% employee discount where I work).
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Diddo.. I have 25 percent with my employer as well... yahoo! But they dont cover the everything plan with 25 percent off... bah... still cheaper than att and verizon
Anyone have any information if At&t will consider the dock a tethered device and want the $60/month data plan?
I'm pretty sure the laptop dock is an empty shell, it uses the phone's internet connection (3G/4G or Wifi) just as it uses the phone's CPU, RAM and storage. It simply adds keyboard, touchpad and screen (and battery/charger) in a laptop format, through the dock.
Right, when your phone is docked it is still acting as a phone (but a crazy powerful one) - not providing data for another device, so this is not tethering.
hopefully at&t will interpret it that way
fingers crossed!
zedmec said:
hopefully at&t will interpret it that way
fingers crossed!
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They can't see any other way. The phone is the device, just with screen and keyboard. Now you can tether other devices regardless of the mode the phone is in. That they will charge you for.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
I had pondered this very same question. It obviously isn't tethering but when it comes to AT&T, I wouldn't doubt for a single second, that they would "re-classify" their tethering. I don't trust them at all on this one.
Wow, from what I read, AT&T seems truly evil! Glad we don't have them around... And isn't it ATT that denies installation from non-market .apk? That's crazy...
zedmec said:
hopefully at&t will interpret it that way
fingers crossed!
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There will be no extra cost to use the laptop dock other than the price of the dock.
link12245 said:
There will be no extra cost to use the laptop dock other than the price of the dock.
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How do you know this? Source? If that's true, I can't hardly wait to get my hands on it!
Think of it this way:
Would AT&T charge a tethering fee to put your Atrix in the multimedia dock? All that is, is a display output and USB port, which you can use to plug in a keyboard and mouse, etc. The answer is no, AT&T would not charge a tethering fee for that.
Well, the laptop dock is just a display and a keyboard/mouse. When you use it, your phone is not providing data for any other device. That is not tethering and AT&T would not charge a tethering fee for that.
Honestly I'm surprised people are even asking this question.
Rastor said:
Think of it this way:
Would AT&T charge a tethering fee to put your Atrix in the multimedia dock? All that is, is a display output and USB port, which you can use to plug in a keyboard and mouse, etc. The answer is no, AT&T would not charge a tethering fee for that.
Well, the laptop dock is just a display and a keyboard/mouse. When you use it, your phone is not providing data for any other device. That is not tethering and AT&T would not charge a tethering fee for that.
Honestly I'm surprised people are even asking this question.
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I only say this because I don't trust AT&T at all, not one bit. They "re-classified" my Nexus One a while ago and stripped me of my unlimited plan. They pushed me onto their 2gb plan and no matter how many people I talked to, I couldn't get my old plan back. I just wouldn't put it past them to "re-classify" tethering as well. They're the devil!
wraithevolution said:
I only say this because I don't trust AT&T at all, not one bit. They "re-classified" my Nexus One a while ago and stripped me of my unlimited plan. They pushed me onto their 2gb plan and no matter how many people I talked to, I couldn't get my old plan back. I just wouldn't put it past them to "re-classify" tethering as well. They're the devil!
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Exactly. I hope they don't get a mind to do something like Sprint did when the EVO came out and tack on a mandatory $10 "because we can" fee.
I just think that at&t will say that the phone while in the dock represents the same increased data usage as seen with tethering either via a usb dongle or thru a phones data connection
they should allow it for free but most people would still be on a 2gb cap...and for the extra $20 (assuming they don't want the full $60 they charge on aircards) people could get 5gb a month..
nevertheless it is a new phone with a new feature and I still think they will add the cool tax to it.
zedmec said:
I just think that at&t will say that the phone while in the dock represents the same increased data usage as seen with tethering either via a usb dongle or thru a phones data connection
they should allow it for free but most people would still be on a 2gb cap...and for the extra $20 (assuming they don't want the full $60 they charge on aircards) people could get 5gb a month..
nevertheless it is a new phone with a new feature and I still think they will add the cool tax to it.
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I thought this exact same question.
But think about it more deeply, and it's more obvious that ATT will NOT be charging extra. Why would anyone buy the laptop dock only to be having their data plan changed.
You buy the phone for the docks, ATT will get money that way. Putting the phone in the dock is not even classified as tethering.
Tethering is when you have your phone linked to another fully functioning device that can run on its own, and uses your phones internet. The dock? Well.. it's just a dock.
Also, I'm sure, regardless of ATTs schemes in the past, adding the laptop dock will not cause you have to have upgrade your plan to tethering. Think about how the ad would be. *INTRODUCING ATRIX 4G DOCK..... tethering data plan required.* Outrageous ad IMO, many people will frown and be turned off by that.
If I were to get the Atrix 4g, I sure as hell am not allowing them to touch my grandfather unlimited data plan.
kbc88 said:
If I were to get the Atrix 4g, I sure as hell am not allowing them to touch my grandfather unlimited data plan.
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QFT.
I got feature flipped years ago, and lost my MEW1. Never again. If I upgrade, I let them know that I'm not authorizing any changes to the account AT ALL. AT&T, to me at least, has acknowledged the vast screwing that customers have received, as now the receipts print out what changes, if any, have taken place on the account, as far as the rate plan, data plans, etc. I absolutely REFUSE to have my uncapped plan changed.
I am confused why anyone would think adding a screen/keyboard to your phone would be classified as tethering. Do they really not realize that the dock is just a screen/keyboard? It's not even called a "laptop" dock. It's called a webtop.
Personnaly, I'd close this thread. It's not tethering, and that's all there is to it, no?
This is At&t we are talking about.
They could go both ways...
not closing thread, just trying to spark some discussion about this topic, especially since this type of device and accessory combo will only become more common
the final result is not known and with this tid bit i just found
http://www.dailytech.com/ATT+Stops+...a+Allowance+to+4GB+on+Feb+13/article20816.htm
why would they make this change on feb 13......for the atrix.
Looks like we might have an answer, and it's not very pretty.
The first combines ATRIX 4G and the Motorola Laptop Dock for a promotional price of $499.99 after a two-year service contract and $100 mail-in-rebate after subscription to Data Pro smartphone data plan and tethering add on.
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Sounds like they are going to make you get the tethering plan for the dock, no?
I am sure not going to do that.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...ailable-for-preorder-on-feb-13-115191644.html
As you know Vibrant finally received the 2.2 update which everyone, including myself, was excited. One thing I was really waiting for was the wifi hotspot even though I was using Barnacles with 2.1 until T-Mo started charging for tethering.
What I want to know is will T-Mo charge me if I use Barnacles as a wifi hotspot tether? If yes, how can they know that I'm using that since it's not and official app. Thanks!
You know I have been using Mobile Ap for 3 months now and I don't pay the $15 tethering fee. they just want you to pay more! even got a text saying tethering was being blocked unless I paid the $15 fee. but they have not blocked it to this day. ether way once you hit 5gb download a month they with throttle your 3g speeds. even if you did pay the $15 for tethering. I am using tethering right now to write this message. at 7gb for the month so far. so don't worry about them blocking you from tethering.
No, it's just using your data, so you may get data throttled if excessive (5gb I believe)
M obileAP is better though for making your phone an ad hoc network.
Are you forcing edge though or have you found a way to get around the throttle?
darkside79 said:
You know I have been using Mobile Ap for 3 months now and I don't pay the $15 tethering fee. they just want you to pay more! even got a text saying tethering was being blocked unless I paid the $15 fee. but they have not blocked it to this day. ether way once you hit 5gb download a month they with throttle your 3g speeds. even if you did pay the $15 for tethering. I am using tethering right now to write this message. at 7gb for the month so far. so don't worry about them blocking you from tethering.
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Whats the work around in order to not pay for the tethering?
use Mobile AP. im using it now lol
Using MobileAP right now.
Never been throttled and have used wayyyyyyyyyyyy over 10 gigs a month (closer to 100).
Simple fix that I cannot verify.
Write protect the /throttle folders after deleting contents.
Use a advanced file manager to toss the commands at it.
Mobile AP and T959UVKA2 (vs T959UVJI6)
I've been a bit hesitant and slow about installing MobileAP, wanting both time to devote in case things go wrong AND a stretch of time when not traveling (same reason).
This weekend I was ready to proceed with installing, but had an upgrade pushed out (and accepted!) that changed the firmware from T959UVJI6 to T959UVKA2.
The original development MobileAP thread now seems to be locked, or at least I cannot post to it anymore, and the original moderator (developer?) seems to have moved on to other things. (Not unreasonably, since he met his needs.)
It doesn't appear that T959UVKA2 is going to be supported. Since this is an upgrade from T959UVJI6, my question is: what are the possibilities if I try to install MobileAP for T959UVJI6?
1) It works
2) It doesn't (I guess I get a "Force Close"? Or something else?)
3) It trashes everything (I'm guessing not)
I guess I need to reread the thread to see how to remove MobileAP if it doesn't work...
Any pointers appreciated...
n2ishun said:
Using MobileAP right now.
Never been throttled and have used wayyyyyyyyyyyy over 10 gigs a month (closer to 100).
Simple fix that I cannot verify.
Write protect the /throttle folders after deleting contents.
Use a advanced file manager to toss the commands at it.
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can you go into details abt this as I am having a hard time believing that you hot almost 100gb a month.
I have exhausted every option to defeat throttling and none have been successful
I am friendishly warning you to NOT USE IT. It will void your contract and they will drop you. If you didnt know this before hand, you may want to stop. I love wifi tether but sadly it will end up getting me droped =/ Its in the sprint contract terms and what not
Thanks, were you dropped?
Nah. Just as a noob would, im new to all this root stuff, so i looked up if its illegal or not and it is with some companys. Especially sprint.. they can tell if your using wifi tether without paying their $30 a month for wifi. They'l drop you first off lol
ReapersDeath said:
Nah. Just as a noob would, im new to all this root stuff, so i looked up if its illegal or not and it is with some companys. Especially sprint.. they can tell if your using wifi tether without paying their $30 a month for wifi. They'l drop you first off lol
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It's NOT illegal. Yes, it voids your contract, but as most people will tell you, you have unlimited data, they can't tell you how to use it.
And FYI, sprint can NOT tell if you are using wifi tether or not. To them, it just looks like regular data being used on the phone.
sitlet said:
It's NOT illegal. Yes, it voids your contract, but as most people will tell you, you have unlimited data, they can't tell you how to use it.
And FYI, sprint can NOT tell if you are using wifi tether or not. To them, it just looks like regular data being used on the phone.
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Bingo! Data is data no matter which way you look at it. You can lift its skirt or drop its pants, it all looks the same.
Sent from my EVO
Hmm ok. misread some info.. But you have to think.. they can notice.. When you go from suttle data usage to some rapid burning usage its sort of obvious
Yes that is correct. If your a constant 1gb user every month for like a year then jump to 10gb's they'll question that. Just don't go throwing up red flags and you'll be fine. There's been threads on here with ppl being dropped only cause in their words 'I'm gonna stick it to sprint' and they go and use 20+ gb's. And you wonder why sprint sends out the we're letting you go letter
Sent from my EVO
ReapersDeath said:
Hmm ok. misread some info.. But you have to think.. they can notice.. When you go from suttle data usage to some rapid burning usage its sort of obvious
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As long as you don't abuse the tethering and rack up 10s of GBs of data consistently, Sprint could care less right now about whether or not people who choose to stick with them are tethering for free, as Sprint continues to lose customers.
Sprint is more concerned right now with how much data is going over the air than how people are sending it, because too much data over the air slows service to everyone.
There have been more people who have had their contracts cancelled who were paying the $30 dollars per month, but racking up enormous amounts of data (more than 10GB consistently) than people who do not pay the $30 dollars, but use tether more sparingly. In fact, there are many users right here on this site who have tethered for a long time, who Sprint has never done or said anything to.
I was about to say,i've been using my tether for over 6 months and i've never been repremanded for it,from sprint.
tethering is to risky imo.. sprint is unpredictable
Speeding is illegal too, doesn't mean I won't do it on the way home. I figure Sprint told me, that my phone would connect to their advanced 4G network, as they would eventually cover most areas with it and yet now my phone will never be usable on their 4G if they get disgruntled about my tether then they let me go to VZW
Sent from my Synergized Evo with aggressive Freedom using the XDA app
ReapersDeath said:
tethering is to risky imo.. sprint is unpredictable
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If you read the terms and conditions, racking up enormous amounts of data (whether you are paying for tethering or not), as well as tethering for free are both violations of your contract. However, Sprint will cancel your service quicker for the excess data usage (even if you are paying the $30 per month), than they will over free tethering, because too much over the air usage slows down service to everyone, which is one of the biggest complaints about Sprint (Service being too slow).
Well they probably would drop you if you had like 50gigs+ every month and the only way you could do that is downloading major porn or like downloading world of warcraft 3 or 4 times lol
I've been tethering since we had what seemed like a 20 step rooting sequence using adb commands. In other words ancient history in terms of the Evo. They've never given any indication of caring, but I only tether when I need to. I've downloaded torrent sized files, but never very often. I probably use more data flashing roms from my dropbox than I ever have by tethering.
I wonder if the can supposedly glean this info from CIQ. They do take user stats and most likely apps stats.
I use about 12 gigs monthly since 06. No hitch
I personally don't use the tethering all that much. I find that it decreases my battery life by like 726237x. And I don't know about you guys, but I don't bring my phone charger with me everywhere. So.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Doesn't matter. I can't even use Wifi tethering.
My 3G speed is honestly making me think about switching to VZW, even though I wont get unlimited data. I can literally only pull 24 kB/s down (yes, 193 kbps - TERRIBLE) during the day. At night (1am+) I can pull about 1000 kbps.
I used to be able to get way better speeds, but over the last month or two it has literally come to a crawl. I only use Wifi on my evo now, i can barely use the market on 3g. I attribute this to the recent S2 and iPhone 4s. It's probably also related to my area, Southern Cali. Very populated and probably too much traffic (no 4g either... stupid.)
try boosting your 3g. theres a thread somewhere to do it.. it like calibrates your 3g to the best it can do
Tried searching around, no such luck for this thread. All I've come across is a some other users getting speeds just as bad as me.
Can't believe I'm paying the $10 dollar data fee per month, I could probably get a better connection from dialup.