Database Users

[Q] What's the strategy behind "no voice"

What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one? I don't think that would work, the first carrier that decides to sell it with voice will get the whole market.
Is there some other reason I'm not seeing? Come to think of it, why am I buyng this thing from the phone company if it's not even a phone!?
I'm with Bell and the TV add clearly says "complete communications solution" and shows a guy in a phone call... but only when you get to to store do they tell you you can't actually make a phone call!
No hothead answers please and yes, I know you can flash the thing and make calls anyway...

davidke said:
What do you think is the strategy behind selling the Tab with no voice capability? Make us buy two devices instead of one?
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Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
I can't imagine how there wasn't collusion involved here by the US carriers... unless it was Samsung's strategy, but that seems rather ham-fisted, even for Samsung.

Forcing you buying the device with additional data plan to the one you have now for your smartphone, that's whats behind date.

Wont I just cancel the data plan on my current phone when I get the Tab?
I'll be giving them less money not more... Why would anyone get two data plans?

Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.

Jyveafk said:
Well, had just been to the TMobile store today to sort some other things out.
Had a chat with the sales girl who at first said it was impossible to get phone calls, they were different to the Euro models. When I took out my Tab and made a phone call, she was suprised but I pointed out that it was crazy I could get voice on Tmobile, but not 3G, but AT&T could be hacked to enable both. I asked 'why would I want to keep 3 accounts (my phone, my tab, and GF's phone) on TMobile, when I can more them to AT&T and get the device working the way I wanted to.
She couldn't really come up with a reason but didn't try to BS me. Eventually she realised that it was mad buying a phone capable device that had the phone part removed, but understood why I'd be bringing it back in < 30 days to get a refund and go to AT&T.
Then, after all that, she admitted that I wasn't the first person in complaining about it.
Sheesh.
But yeah, at this time, it's Prisoner's Dilemma. If NO-ONE offers voice, they'll get away with it. As soon as one carrier in the US offers it, the rest will have to offer it.
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Interesting I plan on doing the same but did she say anything about returning it with the modified firmware allowed?? But yeah I'm seriously trying to debate if I really like having my second phone as a access point just to access Internet with the tab , and going to AT&T now with no unlimited Internet would be a crappy option stupid AT&T

TurckBoatTruck said:
Exactly.
A few of us has commented on this in other threads... and I come down on the thought that all of the carriers are now rolling out these data-only (or Mobile Broadband, webConnect, DataConnect, etc) monthly plans where the obvious intent is to lock customers into multiple contracts -- one for their phone and another for their tablet device -- i.e., it is a play for additional revenue.
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Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.

Unfortunately for tmobile I am going to return mine and get one from att. Didn't know they offer non contract. And their data plan seems cheaper and I can enable voice...
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App

My buddy who is a manager for AT&T said there were 2 reasons to cripple the tab... #1 - why have customers have a total solution when they can pay for 2. #2 - can't have it take any fame from the iPad. Come on, why would AT&T make a stupid move and take out mms on their tab?! As small as it is but still, didn't they learn their lesson with mms on the iPhone?? He said this was covered in training. Im sure other US carriers have the same think in mind... Minus tmobile for reason #2... I am rather surprised in tmobile as they have been Rollin out devices like nobodys business and meeting the community demand.

peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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I just signed for Axvoice unlimited international for just under $17/mo. and will be porting my cellular number to it. Now I can choose Simple Mobile or At&t for $60/mo for data only on the respective Tab and have simultaneous data and voip. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but now the plans and options make it possible .

peestandingup said:
Well, the joke's on them because I've cancelled my smartphone line & using the hacked Skype app to handle all of my Google Voice calls over their 3G network for a cool $25 a month. Can't imagine Im alone.
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Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).

TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
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Tell her to keep quiet while you're talking, problem solved!

TurckBoatTruck said:
Agreed. I'm sure a ton of folks will simply move to a data-only voip solution... but then you have folks like me who can't deal w/ any voip lag and require a traditional voice solution (but then I'm just going to use an ATT reseller as I refuse to contract w/ ATT directly!).
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Yeah, I imagine it may not be a robust enough solution for a lot of folks, esp business types who need to talk on the phone a lot & need everything to be solid.
Fortunately for me, Im just a stay at home dad & dont talk on the phone that much. My wife & I mostly email/IM when she's at work, even when I had a smartphone. And the Skype/Google Voice combo works well enough when Im on the road to make/receive decent calls from random friends/family if I need that.
So for someone like me who uses much more data than voice, its pretty awesome that the US carriers actually didn't try to turn the Tab into a phone & charge extra for a voice plan.

Its possible to use the voip for the sprint g tab?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Internet is Free - because Radio is Free - Therefore I have free Internet on my....

Hello.
Did you guys know that you can get the internet from boost mobile for 35 cents a day here in the USA? That's about $3.50 a month.
But actually, I don't have to pay for that. For some reason my phone has the internet whether I pay for it or not. It's an older phone so I don't usually use it, but sometimes I do and it comes in handy.
Has anyone else experienced this? I was seeing people saying they had this for T-Mobile but I didn't see anyone mention it on boost mobile. It makes sense though because those radio waves are pretty much in the air everywhere all the time whether we have access through them or not. It's just a matter of setting up the router/modem to access them.
Peace!

how do you get boost mobile internet for 35 cents a day?

The option is available on the boost mobile website under my account and plans. Just select the prepaid option. What I like to do is have two phones. I use a smart phone and get the internet through boost and then use another phone for regular calling. But you can use internet calling and texting too if you want to save money and only have one phone. Just get the internet through boost for 35 cents a day then go and get skype or some other internet calling and sms and use that through your boost internet. Works great u can get away with $10 a month for unlimited everything if you do it right.

Would it be possible to set up the boost phone as a mobile hotspot for my smartphone?

as long as your smartphone has that capability yes. I'm working on getting my touch pro 2 set up that way. You might need to download some cab files for it, drivers, software, etc... to enable the specific type of connection that you want. Generally the carriers who originally sold the phone don't want you to do things like this (because they don't get as much money) so they take things like that out of the phone or restrict them in any way that they can.

wait so would I be able to get Boost Mobile internet on my non-boost mobile phone? I have AT&T and an HTC Inspire 4G...So could I have all my AT&T service, but then have Boost for internet?

as far as I know this is possible, but may or may not be possible with your particular phone so you will need to check and see on that... but easier said than done. Check out this website article if you really wanna know how it works, then you can decide if you want to try : http://bridog.net/cellular/master-subsidy-lock-msl-codes/ (& plz click on an ad or two like I did to show your support for well written easily explained) its a good read but you would probably be better off going with a wifi router that fits in your pocket like the ones sprint or clearwire sells that you can stream internet from up to something like 5 or 8 devices. Or you could get another phone from boost and set up internet sharing and use that phone as your wifi transmitter. There's a lot of options really.
I was looking at the files on my blackberry and trying to get the msl unlock code, but it hasn't been easy for me so far. I thought If I could see what the programming is in the phone I could maybe understand how it does it, but as of now the software is incompatible with my windows 7 and for a second I thought I screwed my phone up as it started to give me an error when i was using a program called CDMA workshop. I just pulled the battery and it came back though thank god.

Actually you're probably not getting it free, the feature is usually enabled but you're not paying premium for data, but you will be billed extra for it.

Captainkrtek said:
Actually you're probably not getting it free, the feature is usually enabled but you're not paying premium for data, but you will be billed extra for it.
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you know boost mobile is prepaid right? There is no billing for boost mobile lol I'll bet you $100 I get it free

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. You'll pay for it somewhere.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

I may not know or understand and I have a lot to learn (from you maybe if you wanna teach me something ) everything but I put my money where my mouth is on this one. I'm getting free internet from boost mobile!

w00t! I managed to get the MSL for my blackberry by social engineering/tricking the carrier into giving it to me. CAUTION: I just wanna let you guys know that most if not all of those supposed MSL SPC codes for your blackberry or other device are FRAUDULENT AND CONTAIN VIRUSES! Do not download any programs like CDMA WORKSHOP CRACK V2.7 UNICDMA or HEX EDITOR UNLESS YOU WANT A BACK DOOR TROJAN! CALL YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER AND MAKE UP THE EXCUSE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CUBA OR SOME OTHER PLACE WHERE BOOST MOBILE/SPRINT or OTHER U.S. CARRIER DOESN"T HAVE SERVICE BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND YOU NEED YOUR CODE SO YOUR OPERATOR IN THAT COUNTRY CAN REPROGRAM PHONE FOR YOU TO USE WHILE THERE! IT TOOK ME 10 MINUTES!

derekstaroba said:
Hello.
Did you guys know that you can get the internet from boost mobile for 35 cents a day here in the USA? That's about $3.50 a month.
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You do realise that there are about 30 days in a month and at 35 cents a day it would be $3.50 for 10 days. More like $10.50 a month...

xozzx said:
You do realise that there are about 30 days in a month and at 35 cents a day it would be $3.50 for 10 days. More like $10.50 a month...
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I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out. Nice math on the part of the OP haha

lol that's funny can't believe I did that when I'm always doing algebra and algorithms for school apparently everyone else missed it too

like the subject the best things in life are for free.

Internet is Free
it is a good news for you, enjoy the free internet.

in panama dont have this service

firefox1991 said:
in panama dont have this service
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Oh yea americans only sorry. Unless you wanna try going to the american embassy and giving that as your address as technically that is America they might give you service if you threaten to sue? Then you could create an international legal drama and be famous and possibly somehow bring down the entire new world order in the process

derekstaroba said:
Hello.
Did you guys know that you can get the internet from boost mobile for 35 cents a day here in the USA? That's about $3.50 a month.
Peace!
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where did you learn to do math? here in the USA we have normally around 30 days in a month and at 35 cents a day that would be more around $10.50 a month, nice try tho lol

June 30, 2011 Update: Sprint tracking usage/Knows if your rooted/Canceling Service

June 30, 2011 Update:
First, thank you to all of you who posted and had positive things to say or add to the situation. I am not going to go into all of the post and try to refute and explain myself as what I posted is totally accurate and true from MY experience and from my HOURS of time spent on the phone and the endless emails and down time with my phone and the hours driving back and forth to the Corporate Sprint store due to either lack of service or because my phone completely stopped working. That, in and of itself, is another long drama that I have had to deal with. Good news for me, staying true to yourself and NOT lying, does sometimes pay off in the long run.
Anyway, from what I have found out from a Radio Shack manager, the excessive usage was coming from multiple sources. I did post and ask about this, but I didn't ever see a reply. Just heads up in case you are in a similar situation as I was, you might want to double check your settings on your wireless settings if you are using either the Sprint Mobile Hotspot Paid version or if you are using the free tethering App.
Basically, as stated, I did have one month of almost 45GB. Most, are around 22 according to the new graph on Sprint's online webpage. I do have three computers that are/were linked to my EVO using the Hotspot. The problem is that I had turned the setting from either OFF/Disable After 10 Minutes/Always On to "Always On". According to the R/S manager that is where the problem started. I had turned it to "Always On", because my Dad sometimes gets up early and likes to use the computer so I just figured I would leave it on so it is ready at any time. Because the computers, though not really being used physically, are constantly pinging for information. Checking for auto updates. Checking for new email. If a page was left open that has news on it, that is being constantly updated.
Now, this past month, due to Sprint's problem with their towers/service, I was in a constant state of roaming. Where I live, there is NO Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile official towers. Surrounding my area are all the old Alltel towers, which Verizon bought. So, when it did roam, it was using Verizon and costing Sprint an arm and a leg, through no fault of my own.
How this got resolved, like I said after MANY HOURS!! on the phone-my house phone as my EVO completely died. (Short story-In April the USB port stopped charging my EVO. My local store gave me a replacement but flagged it the same day as being water damaged/damaged beyond repair! I didn't find this out until I had performed the new 2.3.3 update and my EVO started shutting down and wouldn't turn back on for a day or so. My local store, advertises as being an authorized repair center, didn't have a Slate machine, so I had to drive 1 hour one way to a Sprint Corporate store. At the time, I didn't know it had been flagged improperly. They looked it over. Didn't find any water damage or any scratches. The tech DID know it had been rooted. He said he was new and didn't care about the software part, only the hardware.
Again, as soon as I got home, the phone stopped working again. Again, this is becoming WAY too long. I could write a book about ALL that happened. It has been a literal NIGHTMARE. Now, the Corporate store was saying that it was NOW water damaged. (It must have happened between the time they improperly flagged it as being water damaged to now-the day I walked into the store now). I have never had water touch or even come close to my phone so I knew that the refurbished phone that they had given me that was replaced for the bad USB was probably water damaged and they gave it to me. Of course all was denied by both my local store and the Corporate store. (I was told they couldn't possibly make TWO mistakes-one flagging the phone wrong the first time, then overriding it because they said it wasn't water damaged, then now suddenly it became water damaged).
Because I do keep such good records and because it was noted on my account all of the notes and all of the problems(A Sprint Phone Supervisor had taken off the bad IMEI damage report on my EVO. After sticking to my grounds about what had been happening and the excessive data/roaming issue, I ended up getting a brand NEW EVO from Assurion(Sprint paid my $100.00 deductible because the Corporate store wouldn't. They are very nice if you need a new phone or service, and are usually pretty good when you have problems. But these people, knowing most people do lie to them or whatever, acted the way some have on here. If it hadn't have been for all of my emails/recorded phone calls etc to Sprint Customer Phone Care, I would be SOL. I did also pick up a new EVO 3D at a Radio Shack.
Now, as far as the tracking/usage information. Yes, they can track you. Yes, they have the capabilities to see what sites you are visiting/what you are downloading etc. This was confirmed to me when I called the number that I had listed for me to call. Yes, they will send you the data statistics. However, as one user pointed out, it is MUCH easier for them to just cancel one user's account than to actually fix the problem of roaming issues. Unless, as one user pointed out, if you can use a secure private VPN that scrambles your personal IP address or uses servers that go through other servers type of thing. They can tell if you are rooted and if you are using the UNPAID version of the Sprint Mobile Hotspot. Are they watching everyone? No. It would simply take too much man hours to do so. HOWEVER, in my case, because last month the EVO was not working properly due to whatever the problem with the phone was, it made it roam excessively. When this gets triggered, your account WILL go to a SPECIAL DATA analyzing department. They will NOT tell you how much is TOO much and they DO NOT send out a warning letter.
According to the Radio Shack manager, and I can hear some of you doubters now, but although the EVO was always listed as being UNLIMITED 3G/4G, it is really only for NOW for the 4G. If you are using data usage over 5GB a month on Sprint's 3G network, your account will be flagged and it then because throttled. Those who have experienced this will agree. It may not happen if you live where there are an abundance of towers for you to bounce off from. Where I live, there is ONE and it is shared by Verizon on a private property owned tower/land. That is why it became such an issue as in MY town and even surrounding towns, all towers are/were Alltel towers, now owned by Verizon.
The funny thing is after all of this, Verizon is putting up an official new LTE tower about 2500 feet or so from my house on the same side of the road. I still love my EVO and more so the new 3D. And, looking once more at Verizon's cost, Sprint is WAY more cost effective.
The moral of the story. If you are honest and know you are in the right, stand your ground and don't let others who don't even know you try to tell you otherwise. Good always overcomes EVIL and hatred, if you can make it through it to the end. I can't begin to tell you how sad I felt the way the comments on here were. Not that it was a big surprise when I have read other threads-people are people-which are really just dressed animals. Take off the clothes and we are just pretty much barbaric.
PS. If you have your Wireless Hotspot setting to "Always ON", make sure you disable that to either "Disable after 10 minutes" or simply turn off the Hotspot or computers so that they are not always hooked up to the EVO.
If I have helped even one person who might have had this type or similar situation, this long saga, with lots of in-betweens not even listed, I have done my job.
Again, A Big Thank You to all who didn't bash and those who shared similar experiences or at least had some faith from a fellow XDA-Member. I appreciate it. Have a great day!
Good Morning.
I just wanted to post this as other post seem to talk about Sprint canceling service due to excessive roaming data/phone usage on the EVO. I am being canceled even though my phone is not roaming.
Long story short, Sprint said that they are now tracking exactly what sites people are using. They are actually pinpointing what sites you visit(thus the reason why I couldn't access XDA-Developers or Android Central, among other sites. They are taking readings from your phone and if it doesn't match what the official Sprint versions should be, your phone is flagged as being rooted and you are put on a list. This is not good people.
I never received any notice about excessive usage. In fact, I had called them to find out why my data usage was so high as I never(can't, because my 3G service is too slow, anyway), download any movies, rarely watch YouTube because of excessive buffering, can't use QIK, etc, but it would show I was using between 3-45GB a month. That part is what is discerning as I don't download anything that could be anywhere near that amount. And yes, I pay for the $30.00 Mobile Hotspot feature.
This was confirmed when I took my phone in for servicing because of a faulty USB port(wouldn't charge phone). EVO had been rooted many times, but I had put it back to specs by running RUU. The in-store REP said he knew it had been Rooted because their Slate machines show them everything that has been done to the phone. Also, because my towers were having problems, I called because my phone kept Roaming, when it shouldn't be. I was told by every person on the phone and in-store not to worry as you have an EVO with Unlimited Everything, including roaming, which I knew that was not true.
So, after being with Sprint since 1991,(In 1989 United Telecom purchased a controlling interest, and in 1991 completed its acquisition of US Sprint. The same year United Telecom changed its name to Sprint, due in large part to the increased brand recognition as a result of the successful Candice Bergen "Dime Lady" advertisement campaign). I am getting the boot. They also told me they are really cracking down as I was personally about the 30th person calling the special number they gave me to call. I asked why no one ever told me the past few weeks when I literally spent hours on the phone and hours driving to an actual Corporate store to get my phone repaired. I was told they don't have to. Only if you have excessive phone roaming they might give you a courtesy call or letter. However, if they consider you a Power data user, roaming or not, you will not receive any other type of letter than a termination of service plan.
They will, however, waive the ETF. I asked her what would be causing the excessive usage as I have wondered the same. I maybe downloaded a few roms a month. I do have three computers hooked up, but mainly do updates, then shut them down. So, it makes no sense. Just beware, they are now tracking what sites you visit and even block them. I was wondering why I couldn't access XDA or say Android Central etc, and they told me that is why. I live in Michigan and was being pinged from Oklahoma City, I was told. They said every detail of what sites I was visiting, what software version I had on my phone at that time and even when using the Mobile HotSpot, what type of devices were connected.
Since I live 1 1/2 mile from the city where I could get a packaged high speed Internet connection, my only available providers are Sprint or Verizon, no T-Mobile available and AT&T still using 2.5 Edge. I wanted to put as much info here so you would know and not have to ask too many questions if you have any. This is more of an F.Y.I. as Big Brother really is upon us. Packet Sniffers and all. Just be careful if Sprint is your only provider as they are watching, waiting, and canceling upon their discretion. I too, will miss this great forum and all of the devs and users for their help and knowledge and making my EVO fun to use. Take care and have a great day!
PS Please, if you don't have any information regarding the actual issue, please don't take up extra space and pages by adding in your comments about grammar, spelling mistakes, paragraphs needed, or you simply have no relevant information to add, etc. It serves no use on this post or any other. Just move on. I am not looking for sympathy or need chastising. If you read the post, I have done everything that I know to be perfectly legal. I am just letting others know that with this type of selective termination of someone's account, with no advanced warning, you could be next. Since MOST reading this are heavy users or are using the Mobile Hot Spot for free, Sprint knows and is starting to do something about it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Thank you and have a great day. Peace Out!

Wow..its like its hard to beleive but than again, ITS NOT :/ So Sprint is taking the same route as Microsoft with the ban-hammer over rooting? Seems fishy..i understand about the excessive roaming data, ive read that even in Cricket Wireless' agreement.

Are you saying that you're tethering three computers off your phone and taking Micrososft Updates? That could explain the excessive data usage right there and why you were flagged. An adroid pone should never be visiting the Microsoft Update website.
(EDIT: Just re-read your post where you say you pay the $30.00 tethering fee... well, that pretty much puts the lie to Sprint's "unlimited data" claims.)

Something doesn't seem right... If you are using 45GB a month then you are doing something and that is excessively high usage and to be honest, I don't blame them for kicking you off their network in order to protect it from customers who arent' using it as their sole internet provider (which it is not designed to be).
The issue here is quality of service. Sprint is in trouble imo. They have all these great phones, but their service (especially data rates) are going into the dump. I never get above 600 kbits/s and 3G is supposed to be as high as 3 mbits/s.

Agree about the 45GB part. That's probably why you were flagged and dropped. I doubt Sprint would give a rats ass about someone who's rooted but only using a few hundred MB of data each month.

Are you the reason my speeds are so slow?
That's excessive bro. Since you had been paying for the hotspot, then I would argue the case, but it appears from the outside that you may have abused the system and got caught.
Adapt and overcome...

holy wall of text .... my eyes hurt

That's my point.....I am paying for the tethering....but even just doing computer updates should not be putting me(my max was 45GB one month). Right now I am at 12GB and have 12 days to go. I did just download Google's new beta Music App...but, I mean, they put all of these apps.....Netflix, Blockbuster, actually on the phone to use. Then, you can stream Pandora, I do use Weather Bug Premium and have that set to update every 15 minutes since we are in the Tornado range so I think that uses a lot of data on my EVO. But, other than that, not much else. Like this month, I haven't even downloaded any new Roms....since I have an EVO 3D at The Shack that I am supposed to pick up......Sprint said they would buy back my EVO for $150.00.....but because I bought so many accessories......it would be best to list it on Craigslist! I mean, I have the HDMI to watch movies on my TV.....that never worked because I could never download a movie as it would just time out....That is/was half the problem and I told Sprint that I think that most of the usage is because I try to download something....it gets up to 98% and then errors out....so I have to start all over.....this happened all the time....so I still can't see how the data usage ever got that high......I basically have one lap top that I use and my EVO.....but no movie downloads....no Peer to Peer type of stuff.....just roms from XDA....and that was like at the most maybe 4 or 5 in one month....and navigation for my car......and I was paying the extra $30.00 so that I could utilize the "up to 8 devices" that the EVO allows to be connected. I had three....so, enough justification on my side as I was no doing anything illegal....other than rooting and putting on another rom.....but paying for the Hot Spot....but the scary part was that they know and could tell right away that it is now or EVER has been rooted and what version. It is pretty eye opening for me as most people always said that they could do this but wouldn't or wouldn't take the time...but with new advances....we are all being tracked one way or another and for them to know all of my business and what sites I am visiting is scary....and how they can put blocks on say this site because they saw I was downloading roms(which is not acceptable in their minds) to change Sprint's software version....against their terms and services agreement........and if I had any way of not having to use Sprint as my only means of Internet connection.....I would.......but it is just not available.....thus...the reason I chose the EVO for the Unlimited 3G or 4G......I even mentioned that Dan Hesse keeps making that distinction in his ads.......so take it for what you want.....just don't want anyone else to lose their service.....but, you have no control.....they said they look....and see what version is on your phone, what sites you are visiting...and then send you a letter. From what I was told, many, many letters have and will be going out.....and they had received many calls from people like myself......but, basically, without saying that exactly, but they really don't care if you have been an on-time paying customer for 20 years......

if its unlimited.
how can using it be abuse?

dsf3g said:
Agree about the 45GB part. That's probably why you were flagged and dropped. I doubt Sprint would give a rats ass about someone who's rooted but only using a few hundred MB of data each month.
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The problem is, say, because my USB port was not holding a charge or charging, even when you think that you have Unrooted your phone....and take it in for service.....they are starting to use that as a reason to not allow you to use your insurance to have it fixed because their software shows that it is now or was in the past rooted...thus violating Sprint's terms and conditions.....so that was my point...it is just a heads up that they do know......even when running a RUU to completely wipe your phone....it is the pinging that that do to your phone that goes back to their servers that tell them....and they will/can use that against you when you need a repair service......

I think basically what you have proved is that "unlimited data" doesn't actually mean "unlimimted data" even if you're paying for the hotspot feature.
Right now you're on track to use about 20GB of data in one month. It sounds like this isn't really an aberration either, given that your data usage has spiked as high as 45GB.
I don't doubt that Sprint can tell a lot about your phone's history by examining your current build and update history. But I don't think a typical user has much to worry about (yet) based on what you've told us... not unless they, too, are using tens of GB of data per month.

1Brite1 said:
The problem is, say, because my USB port was not holding a charge or charging, even when you think that you have Unrooted your phone....and take it in for service.....they are starting to use that as a reason to not allow you to use your insurance to have it fixed because their software shows that it is now or was in the past rooted...thus violating Sprint's terms and conditions.....so that was my point...it is just a heads up that they do know......even when running a RUU to completely wipe your phone....it is the pinging that that do to your phone that goes back to their servers that tell them....and they will/can use that against you when you need a repair service......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't carry the insurance on my EVO or my Nook Color for that reason: rooting violates your warranty. Why pay these companies for an insurance policy if you intend to do something with the device that will invalidate that warranty? Sure, maybe you can cover you tracks well enough that they'll never know when you bring it in for warranty service... but maybe not.

Agfadoc said:
Are you the reason my speeds are so slow?
That's excessive bro. Since you had been paying for the hotspot, then I would argue the case, but it appears from the outside that you may have abused the system and got caught.
Adapt and overcome...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my point though....listing what I have listed above....what in the world would it ever cause it to use that type of usage.....I mean.....when I first got my EVO and didn't know anything about rooting.....it was like 43GB the first month.....it just doesn't make any sense and it has all been reported.....by ME....to Sprint in the past why is my data usage so high.....they never mentioned anything....like...it could be this or that.....nothing......so, I just never worried about it because I thought it as a glitch in their system or something......I told my friends and they were like "Whoa"....that is a lot but they couldn't figure out how in the heck it could even download that much in a month.....mostly....it is around 9-15GB a month....45GB was the most.....but still......where is the 9-15GB coming from.....movies would be the most obvious...but I can't/don't stream or download any movies....so I am just perplexed, actually.....especially since I was the one many months ago that brought it to their attention.....but I would always get the "Don't worry...you have the EVO where everything is unlimited" story.......NOT!

Quick question: Are you using encryption? if not, it could be that other people are connecting to your Evo and gobbling up your data.
Note: I don't now much about the built-in hotspot feature, so I don't know if it requres encryption or not.

dsf3g said:
Quick question: Are you using encryption? if not, it could be that other people are connecting to your Evo and gobbling up your data.
Note: I don't now much about the built-in hotspot feature, so I don't know if it requres encryption or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do......or did.....and not sure if anyone knows....but, if you get this letter....does this mean you may never have another Sprint account? I forgot to ask that part when I was talking to the REP. She said that she was just telling everyone that kept calling that Sprint must be paying an arm and a let for 3G service.....so when the data is high or if your phone calls are roaming....it costs Sprint a lot of money.....So.....wondering as I heard before that only 4G is truly unlimited......if that is really true.....

I'm am at t
2,636,454 kb right now with 13 days left in the billing cycle. Does that equal 2 gb? (if its not on a tape measure,i can't figure it out...lol)
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

If Sprint is cancelling service due to modifications on your device, and I'm going to research the exact court case, number, etc and keep it handy, then they are violating the court ruling from last year that allows the end user to modify their device, as long as it's owned, not leased or rented, in anyway they see fit.
Warranty adherence is up to the end user, not the service provider. no one can FORCE you to adhere to a warranty on anything you own. Anything. They can only advise the potential for voiding a warranty.
As for your data usage. 45 gigs is an insane amount of data.
I understand though, that if you pay 30 bucks a month for tethering, which is basically what it costs for AT&T DSL's lowest priced package, then they should have no say in how you use it, unless it's for illegal means.

1 Gigabyte = 1,048,576 Kilobytes
1 Gigabyte = 1,024 Megabytes
1 Megabyte = 1,024 Kilobytes
So, yeah....you are using about 2.6GB

So maybe 5 gig by the end of the month between 2 evo's. Not so bad....
Thanks.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

How can you determine the amount of data you've used thus far in a month? Do you have to install a separate app, or is there an option built-in.

ATT doesn't like it when you illegally tether

Received this text message today, promptly called and complained and had it switched back. Thought you guys would enjoy this.
I like the flex of muscle by att, can't wait for sprint to have service in my area.

Couldn't you just cancel your contract since they changed it without your permission?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

Yes. There is nothing about tethering in the 2 year agreement. I work in a cell phone store and ive read the agreement with no tethering rules
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

They claim that they sent me a message back in September but i don't ever recall getting it. And what do you mean cancel my contract, why would I do that, to get a cheaper phone? Haha
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium

.
Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.

how do they detect this?

exileinoblivion7 said:
Received this text message today, promptly called and complained and had it switched back. Thought you guys would enjoy this.
I like the flex of muscle by att, can't wait for sprint to have service in my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly.
They are violating your privacy as a user.
Secondly.
If the said terms have been put into place after you have bought and signed for the device 'without you agreeing to it initially', then legally you have the right to sue them.
You can easily argue that AT&T is taking advantage of the idea.

OmegaRED^ said:
Firstly.
They are violating your privacy as a user.
Secondly.
If the said terms have been put into place after you have bought and signed for the device 'without you agreeing to it initially', then legally you have the right to sue them.
You can easily argue that AT&T is taking advantage of the idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The woman I spoke with on the phone said that back in September they sent me a similar text saying that if I continue to tether then I agree to it. I don't think I ever got that message but i flash roms so much that I could've missed it
This really brings to light just what a scummy company att really is. If there is anything I can do to retaliate it would be awesome if someone could send me a PM with some details as what i can do.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium

donsh00tmesanta said:
how do they detect this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they detect it because tethering uses a special APN which is detectable by att.
I've also read(and immot sure how this works so dontquote me onit) but when att sends a signal out it has what's called a TTL number. This increases by a value of 1 everytime its passed down so the return number they get is higher than it should be.
Don't really know how it works but isaw those methods somewhere so thought I'd let you know
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium

Thing is, if your on unlimited, there's NOTHING in your contract that says your allowed to tether on unlimited, and that's how they get you.
No way to sue, they state that your not allowed to tether, and will change your plan if you do, so they're completely in the right.
Remember this... we only get as much rights as the carriers allow us to have.

and the other side of the coin is......is there anything in there to not allow tethering?

I got the message. A 12 year veteran of AT&T. Broke my contract for free and switched to Verizon.
Done like a boss.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC

Can't the method AT&T uses to detect tethering be bi-passed by rooting and removing their tethering app...?

Another way the know your tethering is when you use several IPs at the same time, like you tether, connections include game servers, youtube, etc. And it's kinof hard to explain how you were able to watch netflix movies, youtube videos, play games at the same time.

StraightTalk for the Network unlocked Bravo user

Hey all. I just found (but has probably been out for awhile) a new thing that StraightTalk and the sister companies are doing. They are now offering GSM based SIM Cards for any AT&T and T-Mobile (and some sprint i believe) networked unlocked phones. Link at bottom for StraightTalk Sim card. They have both the full size card and the micro sim too. (For the iPhone 4s guys) I ordered a sim card last week and will hopefully get it on Thursday (7/12/12). I'll post later how it is and all. If anyone else has or had or will do this too post away how it worked out for you. StraightTalk and Net10 are both offering the SIM card for only $14.99 right now and charge you for shipping SOMETIMES. I was able to get just in under the limit that they were offering Free shipping on all orders $14.99 and over. Good for people that want a new Cheap phone service but want to keep their GSM based phone or cannot afford a new phone.
Net10
StraightTalk

Excelent, awsome offert. But I will not enjoy it because I dont use Tmo or At&t.

@josuearisty: The SIM Cards can be used in any unlocked AT&T or TMO phone, ex. our Bravos. That's what I was talking about.
The SIM cards really work in about any unlocked GSM phone that works on 800mhz and 1900mhz bands.

Working......
Well my Sim chip came in yesterday, put it in my phone, went online and switched my equipment on www.straighttalksim.com. Well all was well yesterday after about 5min of easy work. Old phone turned off new one on. Ok. No data, no text's? huh? Oh ya! Switch the APN settings. Got the little red card that came with the chip and had the settings I needed. Cool I thought to myself. Punch in the settings, reboot, enjoy! Works! Cool. Make a test call, hmm. There's a ring, yea. Connects, yea. Can you hear me? Good. Everything works. Awesome. So I use it all day yesterday and what happens? You guessed it, battery dies. Ok fine, charge it. Charged overnight. Wake up. Checked my emails, didn't notice I was connected to my home wifi, was out side, sent off a text, it sent, I thought, waited, hmm, must still be asleep. Oh well. Took my son to school. Cool. Check my phone at school, no messages. Strange, I usually have something by now, it's been an hour. Make a call, "Were sorry but you have reached your service end date. To contune please add another airtime card or......" WTF!! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY 20 MORE DAYS LEFT! I JUST BOUGHT A DAMN CARD! Drive home PISSED. Called StraightTalk off the wifes phone. "Please hold for the next available customer service rep." ok shouldnt be that long "your expected wait time is TEN MINUTES", pause for information to sink in. WHAT!? Whatever. Then they answered. "How can we help you today Mister Jones?" You cut off my service, "Oh i'm sorry about that, let me transfer you to someone who can help you, may I do that now?" yes "Ok thank you and thank you for being......... yada yada" ok so next guy comes on "Hello how may I help you?" You cut my phone service off "Oh i'm sorry for that let's take a look at your account." So he does and then asks when did I start and when did I last buy a card and such and then he says please hold so I can look at the account. Well his hold I guess is just not talking, not the button. Well after about 6 min of just hearing him breathing he says "Ok mister Jones i've replaced 11 days of service for you, will there be anything else I can do for you today?" Umm you did what? "I've put the remaining days back onto your account that we're supposed to have transferred but didn't" Oh ok thank you that will be all for today. " I thank you Mister Jones for being a part..." CLICK! I really don't like talking to customer service people that much. So,, I've been having a fairly good experience except for the time I had no service.
Rating is interesting for this one. 7 out of ten for service (or having service), I guess 5 out of ten for the customer service people, and everything else is fine so far.

Your sig shows you running CM7? Mine or Quarx's? Need to know if I need to update the apns since Strait Talk is supposed to be there by default now.

No I use an old quarx one. If you need to know any apn let me know and I can find it for you. Most of the time I've seen that the apn settings are somewhere on the sim card and the phone saves them.
Sent from my MB520 using xda app-developers app

Junkyardjames87 said:
No I use an old quarx one. If you need to know any apn let me know and I can find it for you. Most of the time I've seen that the apn settings are somewhere on the sim card and the phone saves them.
Sent from my MB520 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't. Straight Talk's Apn comes with CM9 by default and I can get it from there. Just checked my APNs with my CM7 and I need to add that one in....Is they're unlimited data "AT&T\Verizon 2Gb Unlimited" or "Sprint Unlimited"? I'm thinking of going to Straight Talk and dropping off my parent's AT&T Family Plan.
//I still think AT&T & Verizon should be taken to court for offering unlimited data in big letters on the ads while its really only 2gb of data -- hardly unlimited, small, unreadable, quick changing terms you can barley read at the bottom of a 48" 1080p screen shouldn't count; I wouldn't complain if the cap was at 50gb+, but you can barley watch a few youtube videos with 2gb. I can easily burn 1+ gigs a day just with rom development (repo syncing, up\downloading roms, mods, syncing\installing apps after a flash); factor in streaming music, social integration apps, YouTube, email, web browsing, navigation, push ads....I can go on, but ya'll get the point of the rant.

I don't have the capped data I have the unlimited one. I don't know if they do like T-Mobile and roll your speed back after a few gigs or not. Alot of mixed information is online so until I use it I don't really know.
Short version. I have unlimited data.
Sent from my MB520 using xda app-developers app

Junkyardjames87 said:
I don't have the capped data I have the unlimited one. I don't know if they do like T-Mobile and roll your speed back after a few gigs or not. Alot of mixed information is online so until I use it I don't really know.
Short version. I have unlimited data.
Sent from my MB520 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a friend who has it, and from what I understood from him, its unlimited until you run out of minutes. Not sure if they throttle it or not, but I can deal with throttled internet....its being charged $20 for every 2GB that bothers me more than anything. He's only had it for less than a month as well and isn't a geek or tech savvy.
Makes me wonder if there's some way to use a VOIP service for calls with Straight Talk so you'd never go over the minutes and lose internet...

skeevy420 said:
I have a friend who has it, and from what I understood from him, its unlimited until you run out of minutes. Not sure if they throttle it or not, but I can deal with throttled internet....its being charged $20 for every 2GB that bothers me more than anything. He's only had it for less than a month as well and isn't a geek or tech savvy.
Makes me wonder if there's some way to use a VOIP service for calls with Straight Talk so you'd never go over the minutes and lose internet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't looked around all that much but there are several voip options in the google store. I don't remember but I think you can use skype to call other skype users voip. I just pay the $45 a month and have unlimited everything for 30 days. I don't care about min or texts or data usage. I am watching how much data I'm using to see if they throttle me or cut me off. In the terms of service they do say to not tether or data but I am anyway. Netflix and youtube are also taboo to them as well but what do we care? I'? tethering to my laptop to watch netflix and youtube with open garden. I'm using the non-root open garden just to try it out and even though there is a very lax set of settings it works as it should. Only downside to the non-root app it that you have to have bluetooth on the receiving computer or device. Mines built-in on my laptop but not my wifes. As well the app doesn't work on her HTC rhyme.

Junkyardjames87 said:
I haven't looked around all that much but there are several voip options in the google store. I don't remember but I think you can use skype to call other skype users voip. I just pay the $45 a month and have unlimited everything for 30 days. I don't care about min or texts or data usage. I am watching how much data I'm using to see if they throttle me or cut me off. In the terms of service they do say to not tether or data but I am anyway. Netflix and youtube are also taboo to them as well but what do we care? I'? tethering to my laptop to watch netflix and youtube with open garden. I'm using the non-root open garden just to try it out and even though there is a very lax set of settings it works as it should. Only downside to the non-root app it that you have to have bluetooth on the receiving computer or device. Mines built-in on my laptop but not my wifes. As well the app doesn't work on her HTC rhyme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My buddy does it by the minutes, didn't know they had an unlimited service for $45 -- that's not bad at all -- which is why I thought the voip option was an idea to get around that, but I'd rather pay $45 for the unlimited anyways since its cheaper then AT&T's (un)limited plan.

Junkyardjames87 said:
I haven't looked around all that much but there are several voip options in the google store. I don't remember but I think you can use skype to call other skype users voip. I just pay the $45 a month and have unlimited everything for 30 days. I don't care about min or texts or data usage. I am watching how much data I'm using to see if they throttle me or cut me off. In the terms of service they do say to not tether or data but I am anyway. Netflix and youtube are also taboo to them as well but what do we care? I'? tethering to my laptop to watch netflix and youtube with open garden. I'm using the non-root open garden just to try it out and even though there is a very lax set of settings it works as it should. Only downside to the non-root app it that you have to have bluetooth on the receiving computer or device. Mines built-in on my laptop but not my wifes. As well the app doesn't work on her HTC rhyme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did straight talk cut you off for watching Netflix ? I called their customer service about netflix, and couldn't get a straight answer about whether or not they allowed it. (no pun intended)