Database Users

Ditching the home ISP, using XV6800 as modem instead?

I just did a speedtest on my home internet connection, then did the exact same speedtest using my phone as my internet connection, and sinc eI have crappy DSL at home, my phone actually beat it. Home connection was around 1000/400kbps and phone was around 1500/600kbps.
So, my question is, since I never use my internet when I am away from home, can I ditch my home service and use my phone as the modem all the time when I am home?
I have the unlimited data plan from verizon, just added it a week ago...is there a limit? I heard back in 2007 there is a 5GB limit that they dont tell you about, but is there still an unspoken data limit on the unlimited plans? Thanks!!
P.S. - I download like 10-20GB a month of music (all legal through a paid subscrition service) and another 20-30gb a month via IRC transferring large project files when I work at home. Will that much data be a problem?? Will Verizon cut me off?

There is a 5GB limit on VZW's data plans.... So i would either upgrade services or change providers, but that wont help if you are far from the central office for your DSL service.

I spoke to a friend that works at verizon, he explained that after reaching the 5GB mark, there wont be any extra charges (as long as you have the unlimited data plan). But they will slow down the connection to something similar to a dialup speed.
I am not sure of the accuracy on this, but this is what they were instructed to say regarding it. Basically cellphone companies dont want you using their bandwidth to replace their home isp...
I am with sprint now, and so far I don't think they have added the 5GB cap... so I continue to use my cell as my isp, but if I see they slow the connection down, I will have to steal a wifi connection from one of my neighbors!!!

from what ive seen, they just cut your off completely. You dont get any more data that month if you break the 5GB limit. That is if you have their 5GB plan, if you have unlimited they cannot cut you off. period.
Also, i was not made aware of this 5GB landmark they set for unlimited users....

I have unlimited. Verizon does not have a "5gb plan", they only have 10mb and unlimited.

crobs808 said:
I have unlimited. Verizon does not have a "5gb plan", they only have 10mb and unlimited.
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Check this out Yodaman,
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...catId=409&action=viewPlanDisplay&planId=46740
they have a 5GB plan but i think its for wireless broadband and not necessarily for pda/smartphone browsing... i hear much talk about the national carriers moving to the 5GB cap... but I cant find anything solid on the subject...

aledc78 said:
Check this out Yodaman,
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...catId=409&action=viewPlanDisplay&planId=46740
they have a 5GB plan but i think its for wireless broadband and not necessarily for pda/smartphone browsing... i hear much talk about the national carriers moving to the 5GB cap... but I cant find anything solid on the subject...
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the 5gb plan is stand alone and apart from your phone service...you can get that if you have a VZcard for your laptop...but as far as "phone data plans" there isnt a 5gb one.

crobs808 said:
the 5gb plan is stand alone and apart from your phone service...you can get that if you have a VZcard for your laptop...but as far as "phone data plans" there isnt a 5gb one.
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cool...thanks...
I have considered to move to verizon based on the phone selection... but i pay so much less with sprint... so im sticking to them for now...

All of Verizon plans have a 5GB cap. I believe same with ATT and now soon to be Sprint. You cant run to anyone any more. My home connection is 10MB so going to Rev A VZW is not worth it. I use WIFI at home and VZW every where else.

Only tethered to laptop a few times...once with titan and once with friends 3G TILT... UNCOMPARABLE... took forever on TITAN...couldnt rely/put up with it daily..maby if i had 3g but i dont so I would stick having a seperate ISP

prepsssuck said:
Only tethered to laptop a few times...once with titan and once with friends 3G TILT... UNCOMPARABLE... took forever on TITAN...couldnt rely/put up with it daily..maby if we had 3g but we dont so I would stick having a seperate ISP
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Interesting.
At the office I tether my laptop to my XV-6800... it's faster than my companys' network. I've used it at hotels too. I don't know where you are located, but the places I've used it, it was as fast or faster than the networks I was sitting at.
I have spoken to VZW's tech reps in the past several months, they do have new data plans. BUT, our (or at least my) unlimited data plan is just that: Unlimited.

Splitter said:
Interesting.
At the office I tether my laptop to my XV-6800... it's faster than my companys' network. I've used it at hotels too. I don't know where you are located, but the places I've used it, it was as fast or faster than the networks I was sitting at.
I have spoken to VZW's tech reps in the past several months, they do have new data plans. BUT, our (or at least my) unlimited data plan is just that: Unlimited.
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Im in a NON-EVDO NON REV-A craphole...Everwhere 10 miles around the city I live in has EVDO...just not in the city. But even when I tried with evdo It still wasnt comparable.
When I got service at alltel they asked if I wanted to use as a modem for pc and if I was they wanted to charge an addition 9.99 a month for the service...even with my unlimited plan.... I have always heard that if they start seeing huge data downloads from your account they will try charging for it.....KEYWORD "HEARD"

I am actually having good luck using it as a modem. I still have landline internet thats faster. But for my laptop I use my titan with wifi to send internet to it. Seems okay..with download speeds of 50 kilobytes to 200 kilobytes a second depending where I am downloading from.
My biggest issue with it though is since its getting to summer..my phone is overheating from the strain so I gotta put a fan on it so it don't run out of battery.

I hope we won't be having this conversation in a year once sprint Wimax is available. Your Cable ISP is suppose to be providing wireless Wimax access for less ( I don't think greedy Communistcast will give it away for free). I heard one of the Cable ISP is already doing it in tri-state area. I can't recall their, read in paper few weeks ago. This way hard lined ISP will have fighting chance as oppose to fixed phone versus cellphones...

I seriously cant believe people think about replacing their home connections with their cell phone. I mean the phone is great and it is fast. But how quick we forget at least on verizon unless your paying near 60 a month for just the data plan with the 15 dollars for modem usage rights that we are teathering illegally. I teather my phone all the time with the hacked os its running but I dont abuse the connection I just browse the internet download smaller files and pictures and msg on it. ITs more of a connection for when your out traveling on the road or not at home and need an internet connection. I think its straight abuse of the connection to be pulling through 10 to 20 gigs a month on a cell phone network and its just asking for them to redflag your account and look into how your using all of your data. Id save my big downloading for a cable connection thats what they are designed for.

leedawg said:
I seriously cant believe people think about replacing their home connections with their cell phone. I mean the phone is great and it is fast. But how quick we forget at least on verizon unless your paying near 60 a month for just the data plan with the 15 dollars for modem usage rights that we are teathering illegally. I teather my phone all the time with the hacked os its running but I dont abuse the connection I just browse the internet download smaller files and pictures and msg on it. ITs more of a connection for when your out traveling on the road or not at home and need an internet connection. I think its straight abuse of the connection to be pulling through 10 to 20 gigs a month on a cell phone network and its just asking for them to redflag your account and look into how your using all of your data. Id save my big downloading for a cable connection thats what they are designed for.
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whoa buddy....you are getting taken to the cleaners, or duped by some customer service rep if they are charging you that....
quote: "60 a month for just the data plan with the 15 dollars for modem usage rights"
The national rate for VZW customers is $29.99 for unlimited data, including the use as a modem. The actual VZW repguy told me that he uses his as a modem to download stuff from rapidshare, and maxes out both his rapidshare premium accounts (which by the way have a 25gb limit every 5 days)...so that is a TON of data.I am here to dispell all the myths that they will cut you off if you use 'X' amount of data, or use it as a modem (which the rep also said many people do, which is fine)
FYI - the stock verizon rom came with internet sharing by the way, so it isnt a ROM hack to be able to use it as a modem, it is part of WM6!
People on here need to stop spreading rumors about how verizon will cut you off, and having limits on the unlimited plan, etc...they do no such thing.

gTen said:
...My biggest issue with it though is since its getting to summer..my phone is overheating from the strain so I gotta put a fan on it so it don't run out of battery.
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You gotta put a fan on it? what??? I live in Texas....it was 102 yesterday and 97 today and my phone is fine...do you live somewhere hotter?

crobs808 said:
whoa buddy....you are getting taken to the cleaners, or duped by some customer service rep if they are charging you that....
quote: "60 a month for just the data plan with the 15 dollars for modem usage rights"
The national rate for VZW customers is $29.99 for unlimited data, including the use as a modem. The actual VZW repguy told me that he uses his as a modem to download stuff from rapidshare, and maxes out both his rapidshare premium accounts (which by the way have a 25gb limit every 5 days)...so that is a TON of data.I am here to dispell all the myths that they will cut you off if you use 'X' amount of data, or use it as a modem (which the rep also said many people do, which is fine)
FYI - the stock verizon rom came with internet sharing by the way, so it isnt a ROM hack to be able to use it as a modem, it is part of WM6!
People on here need to stop spreading rumors about how verizon will cut you off, and having limits on the unlimited plan, etc...they do no such thing.
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here is a quote from the old terms of use:
Anyone using more than 5 GB per line in a given month is presumed to be using the service in a manner prohibited above, and we reserve the right to immediately terminate the service of any such person without notice.
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here are the new terms:
If your usage on a Data Plan or Feature that does not include a specific monthly Megabyte allowance or that is not billed on a pay-as-you-use basis exceeds 5 Gigabytes per account line during any billing period, we reserve the right to reduce throughput speed to a maximum of approximately 200 Kilobits per second for up to thirty days.
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currently vzw chrages 49 cents per mb over 5gb, this doesnt appear to be a rumor, as theyve recently been sued over it
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localn...epaper/2008/07/06/c1b_cellphonesuit_0707.html
supposedly sprint is going to start a similar billing system sometime this month
also, besides all this, using the data plan as a replacement for a landline connection is specifically against the terms and conditions
Data Plans and Features: Prohibited Uses.
You may not use our Data Plans and Features for illegal purposes or purposes that infringe upon others’ intellectual property rights, or in a manner that interferes with other users’ service, interferes with the network’s ability to fairly allocate capacity among users, or that otherwise degrades service quality for other users. Examples of prohibited usage include: (i) server devices or host computer applications, including continuous Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications that are broadcast to multiple servers or recipients such that they could enable “bots” or similar routines (as set forth in more detail in (iii) below) or otherwise denigrate network capacity or functionality; (ii) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections; (iii) “auto-responders,” “cancel-bots,” or similar automated or manual routines that generate amounts of net traffic that could disrupt net user groups or e-mail use by others; (iv) generating “spam” or unsolicited commercial or bulk e-mail (or activities that facilitate the dissemination of such e-mail); (v) any activity that adversely affects the ability of other users or systems to use either Verizon Wireless’ services or the Internet-based resources of others, including the generation or dissemination of viruses, malware, or “denial of service” attacks; (vi) accessing, or attempting to access without authority, the information, accounts or devices of others, or to penetrate, or attempt to penetrate, Verizon Wireless’ or another entity’s network or systems; or (vii) running software or other devices that maintain continuous active Internet connections when a computer’s connection would otherwise be idle, or “keep alive” functions, unless they adhere to Verizon Wireless’ requirements for such usage, which may be changed from time to time. By way of example only, you may not use a Data Plan or Feature for web broadcasting, or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices.
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....of course i use my sprint connection as a backup when my cable is out, im just making sure people understand that they are in fact breaking rules and shouldnt get pissed if they get nailed for it

defaultdotxbe said:
Data Plans and Features: Prohibited Uses.
You may not use our Data Plans and Features for illegal purposes or purposes that infringe upon others’ intellectual property rights, or in a manner that interferes with other users’ service, interferes with the network’s ability to fairly allocate capacity among users, or that otherwise degrades service quality for other users. Examples of prohibited usage include: (i) server devices or host computer applications, including continuous Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications that are broadcast to multiple servers or recipients such that they could enable “bots” or similar routines (as set forth in more detail in (iii) below) or otherwise denigrate network capacity or functionality; (ii) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections; (iii) “auto-responders,” “cancel-bots,” or similar automated or manual routines that generate amounts of net traffic that could disrupt net user groups or e-mail use by others; (iv) generating “spam” or unsolicited commercial or bulk e-mail (or activities that facilitate the dissemination of such e-mail); (v) any activity that adversely affects the ability of other users or systems to use either Verizon Wireless’ services or the Internet-based resources of others, including the generation or dissemination of viruses, malware, or “denial of service” attacks; (vi) accessing, or attempting to access without authority, the information, accounts or devices of others, or to penetrate, or attempt to penetrate, Verizon Wireless’ or another entity’s network or systems; or (vii) running software or other devices that maintain continuous active Internet connections when a computer’s connection would otherwise be idle, or “keep alive” functions, unless they adhere to Verizon Wireless’ requirements for such usage, which may be changed from time to time. By way of example only, you may not use a Data Plan or Feature for web broadcasting, or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices.
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Ha...did you read that ENTIRE section of what is prohibited? Nowhere in there does it talk about restricting modem use. In fact, it only talks about the most extreme stuff like copyright infringement, bots, using it to HOST a p2p sharing protocol, or using it for security/suveilance services, etc...
The reason they do not address modem usage is because it is 100% ALLOWED!
There is actually a verizon advertisment where a guy is frustrated in an airport and cannot get a wireless connection. He pulls out his WiFi PCMCIA card, throws it in a trash bin, and hits a button on his phone. Verizon is SELLING the fact that you can use their phones as internet connections. For crying out loud, the slogan on the ad was "Internet. Anywhere. Anytime." and it shows the guy still there at night browsing the net, in a dark airport and nobody is around.
I mean obviously they have changed their policy since NOTHING in that paragraph you wrote talks about limiting data usage, and the Verizon Rep specifically told me that there is no 5gb cap anymore, and there hasn't been since November. That case you linked is a year old now. Data usage and plans have evolved a TON in a year...plus, that is when the case was filed...they were suing over something that happened well OVER a year ago, so even more has changed.
Get with it bud Things have changed, no 5gb cap/limit, and unlimited = use however you want as long as it isn't illegal (same as the rules on a home ISP connection)

crobs808 said:
Ha...did you read that ENTIRE section of what is prohibited? Nowhere in there does it talk about restricting modem use. In fact, it only talks about the most extreme stuff like copyright infringement, bots, using it to HOST a p2p sharing protocol, or using it for security/suveilance services, etc...
The reason they do not address modem usage is because it is 100% ALLOWED!
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did you read the bit i bolded about it being used a replacement for landlines?
how about the part about it being cut to 200k after 5gb?
The reason they do not address modem usage is because it is 100% ALLOWED!
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im not talking about tethering charges, im talking about data usage regardless of how its being used
Get with it bud Things have changed, no 5gb cap/limit, and unlimited = use however you want as long as it isn't illegal (same as the rules on a home ISP connection)
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did you read the news article about the guy who got a 9500 dollar bill for going over the 5gb cap? can you explain that? or is that just a risk everyone should be willing to take?

Caught wifi sharing

As of tonight I have been getting an sms from t-mo U.S. everytime i start up the wifi sharing. This is the message "Free T-Mobile Msg: Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing access has been blocked. Please add a Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi......."
I never used it much so its not the end of the world, nor am I here to discuss wether or not it is. I am more interested in simply understanding how it is that they determine I was using the data on my laptop as opposed to my phone. Im sure others have discussed how this could be done in the past but I specifically curious how T-MO US detects this.

Because your phone turns into a NAT router and a major carrier's proxy server is not exactly monitored by one fat slob in a basement.

The moment you open the browser on your laptop you give the game away. Each request for a web page carries information on the browser you are using. If the browser is non-mobile then they know you are tethered.
You say you never used it much but I spoke at length with an AT&T tech regarding tethering and he told me that they don't actively look for non-mobile browsers but rather they look at the data usage. Mobile browsers tend to request the mobile friendly pages with less data so large chunks of data trigger a flag.

I have been with T-MOUS tech for the better part of the day, apparently my apps that are not working are being recognized as tethering activity by the network. No one at TMO at this point understands why but they can tell that certain applications that access data are triggering the tethering notification, rendering them unable to gain network access. I have had trouble getting F.IM last.fm, internet explorer (at times) yet opera browser and slacker radio work just fine. To prove to T-MO it wasn't my device we initially tested all this again on other SIM Cards and all was well. It sounds to me like they are blocking internet 80 but they assure me that is not the way they prevent tethering. They said that the new system for blocking tethering went up in the last few days at the same time they cut our throttling pt from 10gig to 5gig. I am the first to have this problem or anything similar according to tech. I must add they have been very kind and understanding, they believe me when I tell them I know something and they don't make me hard reset the device or replace battery when I told them I already did that myself. ATT never believed me and always made me repeat myself and processes.

I'm not entirely sure but I think most of the major providers just changed to the "unlimited" plan that is limited as standard so changing provider might not be a good option.
There have to be a bazillion unprotected WAP's near where ever you are...

I've experienced the same in the last 2 days. Now, when I do try to tether, it routes me to a T-Mobile site offering their tethering option for 15 bucks.

Tried the hotspot about an hour ago. so far so good
I was sharing with my zune hd, not a laptop, so that might make a difference. logged into msn messenger and sent some messages, used the FB app, and dl a song. so far no nasty-gram texts from T-mo. I'll let you know if one comes later.

Airborne Aircrew said:
The moment you open the browser on your laptop you give the game away. Each request for a web page carries information on the browser you are using. If the browser is non-mobile then they know you are tethered.
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that's a bit of a broad method. i have opera set to present the FireFox useragent, to bypass mobile sites, are you saying i wouldn't be allowed to do this on t mo us? surely that's illegal? i mean its not like you have to hack opera to make it do it, its a user setting.
what if you wrote your own browser? surely they can't be allowed topresume you are tethering on such flimsy evidence.it would be a bit like doing you for downloading music just because you have some speakers and a computer.
the easy way to test of course is to set your pc useragent to opera.

samsamuel said:
that's a bit of a broad method. i have opera set to present the FireFox useragent, to bypass mobile sites, are you saying i wouldn't be allowed to do this on t mo us? surely that's illegal? i mean its not like you have to hack opera to make it do it, its a user setting.
what if you wrote your own browser? surely they can't be allowed topresume you are tethering on such flimsy evidence.it would be a bit like doing you for downloading music just because you have some speakers and a computer.
the easy way to test of course is to set your pc useragent to opera.
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barring online privacy acts and what-have-you, they could easily read your header and determine that the client/laptop/tethering device does not contain mobile protocol and with reasonable doubt that traffic is getting moved fairly quickly (amount of data relay, TTL, etc) on a "mobile" device, they'll flag the activity. Changing user-agent isn't a problem when they have other concrete methods to track you by.
Like airborne aircrew said, the OP must've sent a huge amount of traffic when he's tethering. That's like saying I only tether once a month, but when I do, I download 4GB torrent...

Its not when I use my PC browser because the message comes as soon as I launch the wi-fi sharing app. If I USB tether then I get a message on my desktop browser.
I called t-mo us
Now apparently my threshold is 5g a month instead of the 10g when I signed up. Also since this tether block several apps can't get online via 3g on my HD2 such as F.IM Facebook instant messenger. (This all stinks because the reason I went to T-MO U.S. is because they never removed usb tether from winmo, and they had the threshold for speed throttling at 10 gigs. Now they have lowered my throttle to 5 gigs and expect me to pay an additional 15 to access those same 5 gigs with my laptop.)
Im not trying to start a debate on their policies or anything just after all that my HD2 itself can't access that value raped service with some apps.
***I added the Wi-Fi Internet sharing app to the phone my self. This is why its so puzzling that they message me as soon as I launch the app.

hecatombercm said:
Now they have lowered my throttle to 5 gigs and expect me to pay an additional 15 to access those same 5 gigs with my laptop.)
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You'll need to do some digging on local state laws but down under if you've signed a term contract the carrier can only upgrade your plan (e.g. 10G to 15G) not downgrade your service until the contract expires. With tactics like that I'd be looking at another carrier and port your phone number across.

visser said:
You'll need to do some digging on local state laws but down under if you've signed a term contract the carrier can only upgrade your plan (e.g. 10G to 15G) not downgrade your service until the contract expires. With tactics like that I'd be looking at another carrier and port your phone number across.
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Yep same here - in my T&C it said that if they change your plan and give you less, you have the right to get out of it there and then.

Very interesting cause the customer service rep admits that I had a 10g throttle point that is now 5g and also admits that the sales rep would have told me I'm allowed to use the built in tethering app modestly. This was my first attempt to tether in several months, and the one time I reached the 10g throttle point I didn't own a laptop so it was all done through the handset. I imagine I'll easily hit the new throttle point now even if I never utilize tethering. Heres and interesting thread over on the t-mo us forums. Someone talks a little bit about how T-Mo determines someone is tethering. http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/myTouch-4G/tethering/m-p/551487/highlight/false#M5025

Canadian Focus Buyers beware!!!

I have a really good plan (grandfathered unlimited data, enough said?), thus i'm sticking with bell. I originally got the LG quantum when it came out, however since October i had my eyes set on the Focus.
Other then being heavy and small screen, i had no issue with the quantum. I ordered the Samsung Focus from rogers site.Once i got it, i stuck in my bell SIM and got a screen asking for a code. Took the phone to a local independent cell phone store in Downtown london, ont. the guy took my IMEI and gave me back the phone, a few hours later he e-mailed me the a code. Once entered, the phone went to start screen, everything seemed good.
Could text, and make calls. NO data, NO MMS!!
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
However, It feels as if i would I have to make multiple attempts to force the phone to connect via HSPA+ network (i.e. get 3G+ icon to appear). If on 3G not data works!
and even there it doesn't stay connected. (disconnect between surfing sites, making transactions is a pain) On top of this phone sometimes, looses it's ability to make call or send texts, even with full bars, until soft reset (i.e. power down and up).( only happened once, after i swapped SIM card, hasn't re-occured since hard reset)
Ultimately , the issue is the network profile has been manual programed in the phone to use ROGERS addresses for DATA and MMS. Thus far i can't find a way and the community hasn't helped figuring out how to change the profile, by either manually changing it or changing to a Bell preset.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode. I have a theory, either because the bell network is new it doesn't support 3g data mode, which i doubt as my Quantum seemed fine, or bell doesn't have my IMEI which is how they provided data access on old network. I'm going to a bell store today and giving them my phones IMEI i'm hoping this might provide a break through. (will update afterword)
Samsung offers a network profile app via marketplace, however, once launched it provide the following msg "The application can't be launched with your mobile operator".
I will be contacting Samsung tech support this afternoon, hopefully they'll help with a solution. Although i suspect they say some BS about exclusive to roger, we can't help.
Ultimately, i've played with all WP7 device available in canada. The Samsung focus is the one i enjoy they most. My only let downs are the 16 bit screen which doesn't show gradients, and the OS lacking of essential features (hidden Wi-Fi access, multiple calendars, etc.). When data works i am absolutely in love. hopefully this issue can be fix soon.
UPDATE:
Having provided bell with the IMEI (rep at stored scanned it in from behind battery), nothing has changed still having issues.
I still think it's Network Profile, however in post #3 someone mentions an alternative APN, going to investigate and see what the LG quantum uses then might try.

I wonder if this is due to the Bell network, or if it's due to the Focus coming from Rogers?
I have an AT&T ordered, and it should be here within the week. Let's hope I don't have the same problems as you :S

reaver_shadow said:
I found that adding the bells APN (pda.bell.ca), sort of gets data working.
I can't believe that the phone does not get data in 3G mode.
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There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.

zing said:
There have been some cases reported with new phones on HSPA not being able to connect on pda.bell.ca and that APN setting having to be changed to inet.bell.ca.
Note, however, that under the inet.bell.ca setting, you will incur charges, unless you have a true data plan (150MB/500MB/1-6GB) and not the Unlimited Mobile Browser, which many have historically (and wrongly) referred to as "unlimited data". It's just that pda.bell.ca has never charged people correctly, even now. Expect that free puppy to go the way of the dinosaur, though.
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On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?

reaver_shadow said:
On my plsn it lists "unl Email-Internet Windows 30". Is this consider a "true data plan", and not the historically wrong one?
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Neither the UMB, nor the email-internet 30 (often referred to as UNPDA 30, or simply UNPDA), nor the email-IM 15 are true data plans. People everywhere have been calling their UNPDA and UMB plans as unlimited data, only because Bell has not been properly metering and charging through pda.bell.ca portal. The metering of the sessions through pda.bell is actually capped at some ridiculously small amount, whereby you can essentially use "data" well beyond that point and presumably with no limit and the meter still shows stuck at that silly low figure (that figure being in kilobytes and not even reaching megabytes).
It's all good and well to take advantage of this wonky metering. I had the UMB for three years and loved it. "Unlimited data" for 7 bucks! Who would say NO to that? The problem arises when metering actually does function properly. If and when they do correct it, they *can* charge you retroactively for at least that one month of usage not in accordance to your initially agreed to contract. When you first signed up, you agreed to use the UNPDA for emails and internet browsing (and sometimes IM); not for downloading movies, listening to radio and podcasts or tethering to your laptop.
Rather than play hookie with the likes of Bell and go to bed every night praying that today was not the day they fixed the metering, because you just watched "How to Train a Dragon" on your phone, I would suggest to renegotiate a true data plan. This way, you can browse, stream, listen and tether all you want - within reasonable limits.
I switched from the $7 UMB to the 6GB data with tethering plan and I don't lose any sleep. Even with tethering and watching a couple of movies a month, I don't come close to the limit. Oh, and I actually pay about $5 more than I did before for this peace of mind. Some people have even negotiated plans lower than mine.
For some related reading, google "Pda.bell.ca and Tcare Data Usage Meter". A thread from HowarForums should come up at the top. See especially post #14.

I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.

geological1 said:
I unlocked my Rogers Focus and using it on Telus no problem.
Do you have a friend with a Telus sim?
Maybe the phone is faulty.
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WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply

reaver_shadow said:
WOW
This sucks, I have questions:
1) How did you unlock you device
2) does network profile app give you error msg when try to launch it?
3) can you MMS?
4) when the phone is in 3G can you use data
5) can you access the root menu using #634# -> *#197328640# ?
Thanks for your reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may want to change the title of the trhead as it is a bit alarmist.
1. I unlocked it from a code supplied from a seller on Ebay.
Great service but the listing is gone now for some reason.
MobileXpress Canada (just one "e")
2. I did install it and yes it gave me an error message so I just uninstalled it.
3. I haven't tried yet
4. Oh ya...big time 3G+ icon at times.
5. I don't want to muck with the root menus until other guinea pigs want to.
I am enjoying the phone too much to mess it up.
I'll let you know if the MMS works after I try it.
You did set up the APN correctly right?
Try another sim??

[Q] Tethering: Default Samsung vs 3rd part App (e.g. PDANet+ etc)

Hello
I have an International Note 3 (unlocked, unbranded) Exynos (N900).
I would like to know whether there is a difference in the tethering support / method / features of the stock tethering feature vs. using a 3rd party App like PDANet+ etc.
The reason for my question: I have an uncapped data plan as part of my mobile package, but I am not sure if tethered usage (to my PC) is allowed and whether I am safe (won't be charged extra) while tethering through the stock setting?
Please, any advice is appreciated.

If your carrier is anything like Three and O2 in the UK - As soon as you start tethering they pick up on it and send you a message about it informing you that tethering is not permitted, need to get the right plan etc and they D/C your mobile net for 30minutes. Only way to test is to try really

You need to figure out whether you have tethering included in the plan. If you don't then in terms of it being "safe" to tether, you're violating the terms of your agreement with your mobile carrier (at least in the States, don't know how the rest of the world works) if you attempt to mask tethering as regular data usage. If however the carrier has specifically either said they don't care whether you tether, or that tethering is allowed as part of your mobile data, then you're safe to tether however you so choose.
The last thing you want to do is do nothing. You're not harmed at all by verifying with your carrier. Five minutes on Google is enough to demonstrate the possible negative side effects of tethering without checking first:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1706143
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2204186
Also worth noting that I've seen some "Root your phone and tether with a third party! They'll never know!" solutions that have definitely not been solutions. I prefer playing it safe to doing something that could really cause me a lot of problems. Most carriers you can pay ten or twenty bucks a month extra, lock in a tethering option, set a data limit on your phone, and have peace of mind.

radicalisto said:
If your carrier is anything like Three and O2 in the UK - As soon as you start tethering they pick up on it and send you a message about it informing you that tethering is not permitted, need to get the right plan etc and they D/C your mobile net for 30minutes. Only way to test is to try really
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Click to collapse
I am on Telkom Mobile (South Africa) - the first carrier to have an unlimited package here in SA (unlimited calls, sms, data...) and unfortunately there is very little documentation on the package. No info about tethering as such. I also have not received any warning messages or anything.
BewareAlbatross said:
You need to figure out whether you have tethering included in the plan. If you don't then in terms of it being "safe" to tether, you're violating the terms of your agreement with your mobile carrier (at least in the States, don't know how the rest of the world works) if you attempt to mask tethering as regular data usage. If however the carrier has specifically either said they don't care whether you tether, or that tethering is allowed as part of your mobile data, then you're safe to tether however you so choose.
Also worth noting that I've seen some "Root your phone and tether with a third party! They'll never know!" solutions that have definitely not been solutions. I prefer playing it safe to doing something that could really cause me a lot of problems. Most carriers you can pay ten or twenty bucks a month extra, lock in a tethering option, set a data limit on your phone, and have peace of mind.
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Click to collapse
What I am interested in is that, for example PDANet claims they have a feature that fools the mobile network that the data packets look like they are from the handset, and not the tethered PC. So I was wondering if Samsung's default tethering does the same, or how does the different tethering options handle the data packets differently..
But thanks anyway folks, I am not looking to violate anything by downloading excessive amounts of data, it is just for that odd time that I need internet on my laptop.

LubbeSGS said:
I am on Telkom Mobile (South Africa) - the first carrier to have an unlimited package here in SA (unlimited calls, sms, data...) and unfortunately there is very little documentation on the package. No info about tethering as such. I also have not received any warning messages or anything.
What I am interested in is that, for example PDANet claims they have a feature that fools the mobile network that the data packets look like they are from the handset, and not the tethered PC. So I was wondering if Samsung's default tethering does the same, or how does the different tethering options handle the data packets differently..
But thanks anyway folks, I am not looking to violate anything by downloading excessive amounts of data, it is just for that odd time that I need internet on my laptop.
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Click to collapse
The best way to look at it is: If the tethering feature you use (WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, etc...) shows up on your monthly statement as separate tethering usage, than it doesn't violate TOS. If it was supposed to show up separately and it shows up lumped into data usage, then you're probably violating TOS. So if you're not sure and you don't know what the policies of your carrier are, then using any service that tries to mask that the data is being carried over to another device is probably bad.
That being said, there are grey examples. For example, one carrier I use, T-Mobile, allows BYOD. They market that quite heavily. So I brought my own device, a rooted Nexus 4. Since it's unlocked and under my own ownership and not leased from a carrier I can make toast out of it or use it for exploratory nasal surgery, T-Mobile has no ability to have a problem with what I do with it so long as it doesn't do naughty things to the telecom itself.
I have contacted them repeatedly to bring up the fact that my Nexus 4, with no attempt at being sneaky whatsoever, using the default tethering features, sometimes arbitrarily shows up as hotspot data and sometimes doesn't. They have yet to figure out a solution or send me an app I can install. I have always been up front about this weirdness, and they have in return never bothered me about abnormal bills weighted either one way or another.
One other thing you could do is you could pick up one of those handy prepaid USB mobile broadband sticks from a MVNO or whatnot, where when you want Internet you just pay a few bucks and it gives you a certain amount of gigs, and when you consume them you can just pay for another block. Then if you don't need it again for three months just throw it in a drawer. Really useful.

[Q] Will my carrier know if i am tethering?

I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".

ryan4888 said:
I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".
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I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.

reb1995 said:
I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.
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From what I've read i think you'll be fine as long as you aren't roaming. If you're roaming it throws a lot of red flags for the carrier to start looking into logs and whatnot. And obviously don't exceed your data limit if you're not an unlimited customer.

I never heard of anyone getting "caught" for tethering so you should be safe. Even if they do detect you, they'll probably send a warning letter theyll never bill you.

No, Traffic is traffic, if you send a lot of data they might complain for example p2p, excessive downloading on an unlimited data plan, If your phone is running stock the tethering capability is spoiled and bloated with useless software that checks with your carrier and let the servers now you activated tethering, that's why you should tether with a different app besides the stock one, also it's better that you use a custom rom or root the stock one and unbloat the phone's software.

They could know as you phone most likly has 2 APN one is Provide LTE and LTE Tethering
I have deleted LTE tethering ( I have 6 GB tethering anyways included )

It depended on how you report traffic, but in general they can only analyze your data usage and profile you accordingly. If you turn your phone in to a wifi hotspot or use P2P through your LTE connection it is going to be very obvious that your making NAT based request or running applications that people do not normally run directly on the phone, but if you stick to web traffic and IMs your not likely to be noticed let alone trigger any alarms. People run Netflix and Pandora almost 24/7 over there phones now so its not even a matter of total consumption as the type of it.