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?

data sent received volumes

hi
as you can usually see sms volumes in and out or call durations called and received on standard mobile, can you view the current or total data volumes sent/received in the hd2...im sure my reasonable usage contract is going to be challenged this month having just got ny hd2 and cant stop playing with it...thanks

Try this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4980517&postcount=2
Edit:
The developer's website http://www.efficasoft.com/

thanks. ill give that a try

I had a reasonable usage data plan from o2 for 3 or 4 years now.
No problems there and I used all my HTC devices as internet dongle.
Boy do I abuse it however for me it is fair usage I use it fairly for my entertainment.

cool...i'll keep hammering my data usage then...resonably of course

do you keep your data connections open all the time...as im currently turning them off when im done via comms mgr? all my time/weather updates are set to manual

PTK100 said:
do you keep your data connections open all the time...as im currently turning them off when im done via comms mgr? all my time/weather updates are set to manual
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He no, can not be bothered. Auto logon to facebook, youtube, auto download for weather and internet time sync. QuickGPS is also set to download when needed.
All, except quickGPS, have one exception and that is if roaming do not do anything.
Their main problem is skype phone calls (not chat) and if you start downloading torrents or other big files.
As my previous job was mainly away from home for a week and back on weekend at those times I did even get some torrents going but only at night.

O2 are the best for "fair use" though. Most (NB not all!) of the others offer between 512MB and 1GB per month. O2 offer 3GB.
I do about 1-2GB a month, so that's perfect for me. Might start downloading Lost on my phone when it comes back on next month lol

johncmolyneux said:
O2 are the best for "fair use" though. Most (NB not all!) of the others offer between 512MB and 1GB per month. O2 offer 3GB.
I do about 1-2GB a month, so that's perfect for me. Might start downloading Lost on my phone when it comes back on next month lol
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There is no limit on o2?!
I have unlimited web bolt-on. Key word unlimited. However in small text there is a fare usage policy but I always ignore those as fair for one is not so far for other so you can argue that.

ruscik said:
There is no limit on o2?!
I have unlimited web bolt-on. Key word unlimited. However in small text there is a fare usage policy but I always ignore those as fair for one is not so far for other so you can argue that.
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Yeah, it's not unlimited. The fair usage policy is what stands. They basically say "it's unlimited if you don't go over a certain amount". You still have to be careful, but at 3gig, I don't think I'll be worrying about it much!

johncmolyneux said:
Yeah, it's not unlimited. The fair usage policy is what stands. They basically say "it's unlimited if you don't go over a certain amount". You still have to be careful, but at 3gig, I don't think I'll be worrying about it much!
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No word of 3gig so maybe we have not the same plan:
2.
Use of the O2 Web & Wi-Fi Bolt On is subject to an excessive usage policy as explained in point 3 below.
3.
The O2 Web & Wi-Fi Bolt On allows you unlimited use of O2 UK's Edge, GPRS, 3G and HSDPA networks, The Cloud's UK Wireless LAN network and the BT Openzone UK Wireless LAN network, for personal internet use and email. All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes.
You may not use your SIM Card in any device to allow the continuous streaming of any audio / video content, enable P2P or file sharing or use them in such a way that adversely impacts the service to other O2 customers. If O2 reasonably suspect you are not acting in accordance with this policy O2 reserves the right to impose further charges or disconnect your tariff at any time, having attempted to contact you first.

The fair usage policy is in a seperate document to the t&c for your contract. It mentions fair usage, but then it's up to you to go look for what that means!
We may have different contracts anyway. Who knows!

johncmolyneux said:
The fair usage policy is in a seperate document to the t&c for your contract. It mentions fair usage, but then it's up to you to go look for what that means!
We may have different contracts anyway. Who knows!
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Well if I do not have the same contract then cool if I do I have used over 3GB's in many months.

O2
Just had a quick check on O2 and their reasonable usage bolt-ons are:
Web - 200Mb
Web and Wifi - 3Gb

PTK100 said:
Just had a quick check on O2 and their reasonable usage bolt-ons are:
Web - 200Mb
Web and Wifi - 3Gb
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Well I must be on the hate, to kick out list

Hspa tethering and data cap's

So I know that t-mobile has a soft cap on data confirmed by the tech reps at t-mobile.
I probably shouldnt have admitted that I tether but I did. She said that tethering is not allowed so after 2gig data my speeds slow down while laptop connected.
As I understand They have no way of telling If I am tethering or so I thought.
So my question is this. Can they actually tell when you are tether or Is data data no matter what the destination.
Secondly Ive noticed while using Energy room and activating the wifi function It gives me the choice of t-mobile internet, t-mobile mms, and T-mobile data.
Can anyone give me info on the difference between internet and data options.
I also noticed that my internet connection does not work when t-mobile internet is selected.

On determining if phone is tethered or not:
Yes, it is very easy, from a wireless provider perspective, to determine if your phone has shared it's connection to another device. Each internet request includes a lot of information about the requesting device.
Potential Methods could include:
Provider uses certain ports for data, yet if you share a connection, good chance communication flow from comp will originate/request from differing ports
Most probable is reading the HTTP header information to determine user agent. A UA is almost like telling the server what type of program will be receiving the information. Different systems use different character sets, interpret code slightly differently, etc. If you tether, the header will easily show originating request is not from a phone.
Now this is not an exhaustive list, but just an example. What's important, is the effort associated with this activity. Depending upon what type of analysis is being done, the level of packet information being reviewed takes a certain amount of processing power, policies, procedures, metrics, false-positives, regulatory implications, etc. So, you have to look at a cost/benefit from carriers perspective. What could happen, is the carrier looks at the high-use customers, and selects them as their population for completing review. Then do either a systemic review, or ad-hoc scans of usage to determine probable tethering.
Basically, don't start downloading Gigs of data and your chances of being caught/reviewed will diminish significantly. Although, as more demand is being placed on data, and tethering increases it's ability to generate income, more incentive will exist for enhanced packet analysis. Plus this method is not 100% reliable, because this information is often incorrect, changed/disabled easily and not all data traffic is necessarily internet IE Port 80...Devices send lots of information out outside of your normal internet browsing.

Moschdog said:
Although, as more demand is being placed on data, and tethering increases it's ability to generate income, more incentive will exist for enhanced packet analysis.
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This part is key; even if someone doesn't get "caught" tethering by their carrier and charged for it now, the time is coming soon when it will become a separate income stream for every carrier...and therefore their methods to accurately identify its use will become far broader and more thorough. I give it a year, sooner if the infrastructure moschdog describes can be deployed quickly enough. I have no doubts the plans for that are much farther along than is publicly discussed.
mosch, excellent points and a great explanation all around, thank you

wow ,
didnt expect such a detailed explanation. I am always looking to increase my knowledge and I think you for taking the time to explain.
I dont download gigs of data, just a lot of energy rom's .Probably the biggest flag Is online gaming. Recrently I havent done that due to not having time.
I felt that they had been throttling my speed because I use tethering so much.
Right now its the only option I have for internet access. I couldnt see downloading gigs of data on this connection that its so slow.
This was my most recent speed test.
http://www.dslreports.com/im/89812094/6016.png
This is a rare speed. Usually I get below 500kb/s
I wonder if i have some settings Incorrect.

Is essentially packet sniffing to read the UA string LEGAL for a provider to do? Its one thing to look at destinations of packets and the ports that packets are arriving/leaving on. Its a completely separate matter to actually look at the packet's payload data because then you can accidentally stumble upon all kinds of other info. Google has already gotten themselves in some hot water for recording packet payload data on unencrypted WiFi access points while their google street view cars are out driving around.

T-Mobile just stopped my phone from tethering

got a text at 12:08am saying it may be shut off and then at 12:19am they did.
thanks T-Mobile for nothing i got this phone just for that reason (hd2 leo)

If your contract states tethering is allowed then point that out to them and demand they reinstate it.
Similarly if it doesn't mention it at all, or doesn't say they can withdraw unlisted services.
If it states it is not allowed then go sit on the naughty step you bad boy. Then call them and sign up for their tethering tarrif which other members in your position have mentioned.

I know I have unlimited with them and have tethered a good bit. I even had a rep say something to the effect " wow looks like you use your data plan !" and no other word was said. Usually when you get those texts it's because you haven't paid the bill.
Not saying you haven't payed it but you might want to make sure they see it as up to date. You may have exceeded your plans limit? You might want to check into that.

I have not checked my T&C, but am pretty sure that with T-Mobile in the UK, using your data connection for tethering is an extra cost and is thus not allowed on the normal data connction. I have a friend (what do you mean imaginary?) who uses their phone as their main connection to the internet for their computer for the last 4+ years and T-Mobile haven't written to her.

Curious, how can they stop tethering? This is a legit question from the technical side of things. I was under the impression that tethering is a local phone function which ports data to and from the attached computer. Other than your service provider noting data usage, how can they determine what you have attached to your phone?
Experienced XDA Guru's, please enlighten me!

are you sure that you are not past due?

GulDucat said:
Curious, how can they stop tethering? This is a legit question from the technical side of things. I was under the impression that tethering is a local phone function which ports data to and from the attached computer. Other than your service provider noting data usage, how can they determine what you have attached to your phone?
Experienced XDA Guru's, please enlighten me!
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Uhmm because when you are browsing the web you are sending information about what type of system you are using. If you are browsing with your phone the information being sent and requested is for a phone's OS or mobile web site. When you are tethering you are sending and requesting information for a PC. It's that simple.

OP here
My bill is up to date and paid, have yet to call and chew them out, but I got this phone just for that reason so it should be in my agreement (no contract just bought the phone outright)
but fyi when I try to tether with either the usb or wifi it comes up with a page on my browser(on my comp) of a t-mobile website saying that its no supported and to call for a the +$14.99

heres a pic of it

QazQaz3 said:
OP here
My bill is up to date and paid, have yet to call and chew them out, but I got this phone just for that reason so it should be in my agreement (no contract just bought the phone outright)
but fyi when I try to tether with either the usb or wifi it comes up with a page on my browser(on my comp) of a t-mobile website saying that its no supported and to call for a the +$14.99
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so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff

innovator8 said:
so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff
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does not matter what rom you use as they can analyze the data packets sent along from the phone via packet sniffing. As noted above your browers sends all sorts of information such as OS and browser in use
see more here
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/security/pki/psm/help_21/privacy_help.html#privacy_visit

innovator8 said:
so are you using a stock rom? I am very curious as to weather they are only picking up the usage data from stock roms or custom roms as well.
Thanks,
Jeff
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Click to collapse
yeah, stock but a few cabs on top (cookies and similar)
called T-Mobile and all they said was that they have "never" supported tethering but yet when asked then why was it on my phone when i bought it they quickly changed the subject.

2. Protective Measures
To provide a good experience for the majority of our customers and minimize capacity issues and degradation in network performance, we may take measures including temporarily reducing data throughput for a subset of customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth; if your total usage exceeds 5GB (amount is subject to change; please periodically check T-Mobile.com for updates) during a billing cycle, we may reduce your data speed for the remainder of that billing cycle. We may also suspend, terminate, or restrict your data session, Plan, or service if you use your Data Plan in a manner that interferes with other customers’ service, our ability to allocate network capacity among customers, or that otherwise may degrade service quality for other customers.
http://www.t-mobile.com/Templates/Popup.aspx?PAsset=Pln_Lst_DataPlan

Try changing the apn to internet2.voicestream.com
Some users from the vibrant section seem to get it working again

The internet2 apn does work, but is not as good as the epc apn in terms of quality. Speed is fine. I keep getting time outs and all my IM programs go haywire sometimes. wap apn is affected. Have not tried the internet3 apn (vpn)

I'm on Energy ROM and decided to try turning off my LAN and turn on USB Tethering from my HD2 just to see what would happen (TMOUS), working fine as usual, no problems and no errors. Streaming Jim Rome, checking my email, and posting this reply all tethered.
Maybe try flashing NRG and see what happens?

Maybe t-mobile did this manually maybe you kept tethering and passing 3gb led them to believe your tethering. I use alot of data on my phone and I only gotten close to 2.5gb max so maybe their checking people who are using more than certain amount of data to get them to pay for the tethering plan but who knows I'm just wondering.

[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
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.