Database Users

AT&T Gunning for Tethering Users

Please respond here if you are using the portable wifi feature of your nexus one and getting any SMS or e-mail notification from AT&T that they want you to pay for tethering.
I hear stories about people who get the "unlimited" data plan and then straight up abuse it (by providing internet for their entire household), which is probably why this is happening.
150+GB a month is what I consider abuse btw.

I don't see why you should pay for tethering. I think its just another way for them to make more money. Maybe for some people they don't wanna pay to have a separate internet source when they can use their phones as their internet source. I don't tether since atm I don't have unlimited data lol.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App

Should be free and only pay for data...just another reason why I left at$t years ago!

I have T-Mobile and as of right now my "unlimited" is still unlimited but once you exceed 5GB for the month is DRAMATICALLY slows down.
I just moved in to a new place with my wife and son and I'm trying to cut down on extra bills (I'm the only working parent right now) so I don't have internet, I just tether off my phone.
I just exceeded 5GB for the first time ever and its horrible. I'm moving so slow, on my phone that is, its unreal.

uoY_redruM said:
I have T-Mobile and as of right now my "unlimited" is still unlimited but once you exceed 5GB for the month is DRAMATICALLY slows down.
I just moved in to a new place with my wife and son and I'm trying to cut down on extra bills (I'm the only working parent right now) so I don't have internet, I just tether off my phone.
I just exceeded 5GB for the first time ever and its horrible. I'm moving so slow, on my phone that is, its unreal.
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That is a bummer and I'm in simular boat...
Check this work around info for some possible help:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=863923

The only people getting flagged are iPhone accounts that are extreme abusers.
If you are abusing the service that much, then you should be paying for the higher package IMO.
I tether on my unlimited plan and have never had a problem, but I also don't abuse it. I barely break 1gb a month.

GldRush98 said:
The only people getting flagged are iPhone accounts that are extreme abusers.
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Because iOS's silly separate tethering config makes it easy to know exactly how much it's getting used. Not so simple on phones that route tethered data through the normal APN.

Yeah, I use tethering on my N1 on AT&T everyday and I haven't gotten anything from them yet. I don't abuse it, but where my house is, sort of in the woods (in Pennsylvania) where I can't get anything better than dial-up, so I use it just for basic email, Facebook, etc.

3UK now offer "all you can eat" data on Pay as you go. i plan to swap my T-Mobile SIM to my old 3 after this contract is up, i really hope the plan is still available then as i can see this being abused from day one!!

I tether my tablet to my phone almost daily, but it's pretty small usage. I am only using 300-400 megs a month on 3G now since AT&T took my unlimited away when they screwed with my account a while back. I mostly update or do stuff on wifi at home.

machina77 said:
3UK now offer "all you can eat" data on Pay as you go. i plan to swap my T-Mobile SIM to my old 3 after this contract is up, i really hope the plan is still available then as i can see this being abused from day one!!
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They don't allow tethering on PAYG. Same as Giffgaff, unlimited data without FUP, but no tethering.

I got a similar message from Cincinnati Bell Wireless, but they have not charged me. I don't really use tethering all that much.

Rusty! said:
They don't allow tethering on PAYG. Same as Giffgaff, unlimited data without FUP, but no tethering.
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Ah! cheers for that info

Doesn't mean they'll ever notice you doing it, of course

XDA is no longer worth my time.

What I am having trouble understanding is what evidence is at&t Mobility using to determine if one is tethering or not.
They have a few choices, but as far as I can tell, none of them are perfect and all will have false positives.
Dan

The ethics of tethering on a non-tethering contract

A different thread (Here) degraded into an angry, but compelling discussion of tethering ethics.
Since the other thread was so lively, but off of original topic, I figured this would be a better, less phone specific, location.

This guy burned through 105G of data in a billing cycle.
Wow.

Twiddler said:
This guy burned through 105G of data in a billing cycle.
Wow.
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I don't care if people tether provided they keep it at a reasonable rate. I think the T-Mo 5 GB limit is plenty for tethering and I don't care if they throttle past that point. 105GB is completely and utterly retarded and I wouldn't hesitate to say that he was probably downloading illegal files while tethering.

You're using AT&T and you're concerned about ethics LOL. They're screwing you every chance they get. If you get the chance to return the favor, be my guest.
The only crisis of conscience I might have is degrading the user experience of someone else on that same antenna.

The 'I don't give an F' users eventually bring the issue to a head; they push the limits and draw the attention of the carriers.
On the positive end, this (kind of) spurs bandwidth and rollout plans.
On a negative end, this hurries security and monitoring development that closes off these avenues.
There's no reasoning with 'power' users though; they'll take anything that's not nailed down. We all just have to live with it.

Turducken said:
You're using AT&T and you're concerned about ethics LOL. They're screwing you every chance they get. If you get the chance to return the favor, be my guest.
The only crisis of conscience I might have is degrading the user experience of someone else on that same antenna.
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I've never had any issue with AT&T, but I have had issues with T-Mobile. It's funny that a provider can be so cheap (T-Mobile), yet can't seem to get any subscribers... wonder why? :C
Could it be their poor service/coverage? Probably.
I used to tether a while back, but I got a letter from AT&T telling me if I continued I'd lose my unlimited data and be automatically enrolled in their 4GB for $45 tethering plan. I since stopped, and bought myself a 5GB "4G" data connect card @ $50 per month ($10 for every GB over). Seemed like a reasonable deal.
If you're gonna tether, good luck, you will get caught eventually. c:

MikiOCN said:
I've never had any issue with AT&T, but I have had issues with T-Mobile. It's funny that a provider can be so cheap (T-Mobile), yet can't seem to get any subscribers... wonder why? :C
Could it be their poor service/coverage? Probably.
I used to tether a while back, but I got a letter from AT&T telling me if I continued I'd lose my unlimited data and be automatically enrolled in their 4GB for $45 tethering plan. I since stopped, and bought myself a 5GB "4G" data connect card @ $50 per month ($10 for every GB over). Seemed like a reasonable deal.
If you're gonna tether, good luck, you will get caught eventually. c:
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So instead of using something you were already paying for, you now are paying for another monthly charge to continue doing what you were already doing before? Yep, definitely. Sounds like you've never had an issue with AT&T. At least not one that you want to admit.
But in all honesty, it cripples the system when people are overusing. Then again, we should be getting what we pay for. And considering the unreasonable rates carriers provide compared to elsewhere in the world... f*** them.

I honestly don't tether that much these days. I only use it when the internet is down and at best, I use about 200MB worth of data from tethering. Haven't been caught and I am pretty sure T-Mobile doesn't care enough to send me a warning about tethering on a non-tethering contract.
With that being said, I did hit my 5GB limit. Twice. Without the use of tethering. Throttled speed is honestly not that bad, I can still do some stuff.

upichie said:
So instead of using something you were already paying for, you now are paying for another monthly charge to continue doing what you were already doing before? Yep, definitely. Sounds like you've never had an issue with AT&T. At least not one that you want to admit.
But in all honesty, it cripples the system when people are overusing. Then again, we should be getting what we pay for. And considering the unreasonable rates carriers provide compared to elsewhere in the world... f*** them.
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When you say unreasonable rates VZW certainly comes to mind
I don't tether but really don't see the problem with it. As someone else stated when it comes to 'power users' they are out there and we all have to deal with it no matter what the service you use, ie DSL/CABLE/SAT etc.
What about the 'ethics' of locking bootloaders and loading my phone full of bloatware? ROFL...

I don't think its unethical to use your data the way you want to use it. You are paying for the data. I think caps, for the price of unlimited home broadband (and not achieving close to the same speeds as those of home broadband) is unethical.

If my contract says unlimited data, I see nothing unethical about it. It is my data to use when and how I want to. The only thing unethical is the fact that I pay $160 a month for 2 lines.

Whats the difference between using 2GB of data on your phone compared to using 2GB of data when you've got a laptop tethered to it? You should just be able to pay for data and thats that. No paying extra if you want to tether.
It is abusing it if you have unlimited data and rinse it all since it's never really unlimited. Maybe they should say how much data you're ACTUALLY allowed to use.

people should stop using 3G/4G as a replacement for home internet, sigh...

I am about to go a little off topic.
I think it is the fault of the carriers themselves. Earlier it was allowed for me tether as much as I wanted. I had an unlimited data plan (A real one).
Now I am limited to 2 gb (or not yet, only when I renew my contract) This is not caused by power users but because of wrongly anticipated investments. They need to get back their investment of economically aged techniques.
Also I am forced to buy more calling minutes and text when I want more data.
I think, especially compared to earlier, that giving us this little data for a ridiculously high price is unethical. 10 gb should be more fair. I mean they tell us to watch youtube on my phone at home. Why would I do that when I have a laptop or maybe later even a tablet?
Its not really unethical to download 105 gb unless you are downloading illegal stuff and causing others unable to use mobile data.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

Closed
No double threads, instead use the report button so we can act on the original thread
Twiddler said:
A different thread (Here) degraded into an angry, but compelling discussion of tethering ethics.
Since the other thread was so lively, but off of original topic, I figured this would be a better, less phone specific, location.
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Click to collapse

Ekamsaral said:
I am about to go a little off topic.
I think it is the fault of the carriers themselves. Earlier it was allowed for me tether as much as I wanted. I had an unlimited data plan (A real one).
Now I am limited to 2 gb (or not yet, only when I renew my contract) This is not caused by power users but because of wrongly anticipated investments. They need to get back their investment of economically aged techniques.
Also I am forced to buy more calling minutes and text when I want more data.
I think, especially compared to earlier, that giving us this little data for a ridiculously high price is unethical. 10 gb should be more fair. I mean they tell us to watch youtube on my phone at home. Why would I do that when I have a laptop or maybe later even a tablet?
Its not really unethical to download 105 gb unless you are downloading illegal stuff and causing others unable to use mobile data.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
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Well, people would tether because why bother having two Internet es, one at your home and one in your pocket? Sounds easier to have it all on your phone as you can tether to your other devices. Also, some people don't have tablets or aptops, etc. To even use, so they use whatever they can but I mean this is unlikely since they can afford such an Internet service on their device.
Also, it's the isp fault of their network can't support thousands or millions of users using their network, they should get better networks, etc since you're paying for the service. For the ones who download like several gigabytes of stuff, why not? It's the Internet and they paid for it. Watching a million videos, movies, watching live tv, etc. Why don't they leech off starbucks? Because they are paying for an "unlimited" service.
For the throttling, I find it stupid, or good. Stupid because unlimited users shouldn't be doing because they use a lot, it's a service they paid for. Well, how much they throttle anyways? But it's good because at the end of the month, that's when team network is the fastest, if the heavy users get throttled.
Either way, I think throttling is stupid and bad for user who paid for unlimited Internet,.
---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:37 PM ----------
AllGamer said:
people should stop using 3G/4G as a replacement for home internet, sigh...
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Why not? Although home Internet is faster, why pay for home when you have unlimited 3g/4g?

Im on sprint, so we have unlimited data in our contracts. I think its my right to use it in any way i like just like i do at home with fios. i can plug in any device i want into my router. I could give my dog her own videophone and verizon wont care. Cell carriers should be the same, they should treat it as a just a connection, thats it. we would all be happier.

I was on AT&T. Got the tethering notice and decided no more with them. I switched to Verizon.
When I tether, I really don't use that much data than I would on my phone. I average around 6.5GB a month on my phone usual data. From there, I would venture to say 2GB of data is tethering and when it's done, it's usually not even their peak network times. I don't think it's unethical because data is data. A byte is a byte whether it originated on the phone or the other device. The company has the capability, they just want more money for it.
Really, it boils down to moderation. If everyone tethered, but did it moderately, we could all enjoy it. But for the 105GB guy, he ruins it for all of us.

xplus93 said:
Im on sprint, so we have unlimited data in our contracts. I think its my right to use it in any way i like just like i do at home with fios. i can plug in any device i want into my router. I could give my dog her own videophone and verizon wont care. Cell carriers should be the same, they should treat it as a just a connection, thats it. we would all be happier.
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I agree.
As our devices become capable of higher volumes of data in a billing period, AT&T markets faster speeds (translation: greater volume in less time), more apps (translation: more downloads, more apps pulling data), we are expected not to use greater volumes of data if we have an unlimited contract.
As for people who say that power users cause network bottlenecks, I would like to see data to prove this allegation. I haven't seen any information to support this allegation. I believe that AT&T's network problems, including cell towers that lose internet, are a much bigger problem.

Power users don't cause the bottleneck. There's so few who actually use over a fairly small amount of data that it's ridiculous for the carriers to say that power users are the cause of network congestion and general slowness, which prompt data caps and other unpleasantness.
The actual issue is similar to Comcast's handling of torrenters. The whole Sandvine debacle wasn't caused because so many people were torrenting that the network couldn't handle it. The cause was simple greed and laziness--the provider sold more bandwidth than they actually possessed. The same is true for the mobile networks, as well. These guys know that "unlimited" is the magic word to sell data plans, but they don't want to spend the money necessary to expand network infrastructure to actually handle unlimited data access from thousands upon thousands of subscribers. So they blame it on the handful of folks who actually make use of the whole unlimited part, and throttle or cap bandwidth.
If they had been honest to begin with, we probably wouldn't be so torqued about it all.
I'm on T-Mobile and I tether fairly often, but not to excess, mostly because I have a 2GB cap and I'm almost always in a place where I can get wifi. The tethering is there for those 1% of times when there's no 802.11 nearby and I need to get my laptop online for whatever reason.
I pay for my bandwidth, I ought to be able to use it however I please. T-Mobile doesn't seem to mind whether my bits are pulled down through my Nexus S or my laptop.
Now if I could only figure out how to stop their proxies from compressing JPEGs...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Heads up to HTC EVO 4G Wifi Tether people with sprint

I am friendishly warning you to NOT USE IT. It will void your contract and they will drop you. If you didnt know this before hand, you may want to stop. I love wifi tether but sadly it will end up getting me droped =/ Its in the sprint contract terms and what not

Thanks, were you dropped?

Nah. Just as a noob would, im new to all this root stuff, so i looked up if its illegal or not and it is with some companys. Especially sprint.. they can tell if your using wifi tether without paying their $30 a month for wifi. They'l drop you first off lol

ReapersDeath said:
Nah. Just as a noob would, im new to all this root stuff, so i looked up if its illegal or not and it is with some companys. Especially sprint.. they can tell if your using wifi tether without paying their $30 a month for wifi. They'l drop you first off lol
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It's NOT illegal. Yes, it voids your contract, but as most people will tell you, you have unlimited data, they can't tell you how to use it.
And FYI, sprint can NOT tell if you are using wifi tether or not. To them, it just looks like regular data being used on the phone.

sitlet said:
It's NOT illegal. Yes, it voids your contract, but as most people will tell you, you have unlimited data, they can't tell you how to use it.
And FYI, sprint can NOT tell if you are using wifi tether or not. To them, it just looks like regular data being used on the phone.
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Bingo! Data is data no matter which way you look at it. You can lift its skirt or drop its pants, it all looks the same.
Sent from my EVO

Hmm ok. misread some info.. But you have to think.. they can notice.. When you go from suttle data usage to some rapid burning usage its sort of obvious

Yes that is correct. If your a constant 1gb user every month for like a year then jump to 10gb's they'll question that. Just don't go throwing up red flags and you'll be fine. There's been threads on here with ppl being dropped only cause in their words 'I'm gonna stick it to sprint' and they go and use 20+ gb's. And you wonder why sprint sends out the we're letting you go letter
Sent from my EVO

ReapersDeath said:
Hmm ok. misread some info.. But you have to think.. they can notice.. When you go from suttle data usage to some rapid burning usage its sort of obvious
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As long as you don't abuse the tethering and rack up 10s of GBs of data consistently, Sprint could care less right now about whether or not people who choose to stick with them are tethering for free, as Sprint continues to lose customers.
Sprint is more concerned right now with how much data is going over the air than how people are sending it, because too much data over the air slows service to everyone.
There have been more people who have had their contracts cancelled who were paying the $30 dollars per month, but racking up enormous amounts of data (more than 10GB consistently) than people who do not pay the $30 dollars, but use tether more sparingly. In fact, there are many users right here on this site who have tethered for a long time, who Sprint has never done or said anything to.

I was about to say,i've been using my tether for over 6 months and i've never been repremanded for it,from sprint.

tethering is to risky imo.. sprint is unpredictable

Speeding is illegal too, doesn't mean I won't do it on the way home. I figure Sprint told me, that my phone would connect to their advanced 4G network, as they would eventually cover most areas with it and yet now my phone will never be usable on their 4G if they get disgruntled about my tether then they let me go to VZW
Sent from my Synergized Evo with aggressive Freedom using the XDA app

ReapersDeath said:
tethering is to risky imo.. sprint is unpredictable
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If you read the terms and conditions, racking up enormous amounts of data (whether you are paying for tethering or not), as well as tethering for free are both violations of your contract. However, Sprint will cancel your service quicker for the excess data usage (even if you are paying the $30 per month), than they will over free tethering, because too much over the air usage slows down service to everyone, which is one of the biggest complaints about Sprint (Service being too slow).

Well they probably would drop you if you had like 50gigs+ every month and the only way you could do that is downloading major porn or like downloading world of warcraft 3 or 4 times lol

I've been tethering since we had what seemed like a 20 step rooting sequence using adb commands. In other words ancient history in terms of the Evo. They've never given any indication of caring, but I only tether when I need to. I've downloaded torrent sized files, but never very often. I probably use more data flashing roms from my dropbox than I ever have by tethering.

I wonder if the can supposedly glean this info from CIQ. They do take user stats and most likely apps stats.

I use about 12 gigs monthly since 06. No hitch

I personally don't use the tethering all that much. I find that it decreases my battery life by like 726237x. And I don't know about you guys, but I don't bring my phone charger with me everywhere. So.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

Doesn't matter. I can't even use Wifi tethering.
My 3G speed is honestly making me think about switching to VZW, even though I wont get unlimited data. I can literally only pull 24 kB/s down (yes, 193 kbps - TERRIBLE) during the day. At night (1am+) I can pull about 1000 kbps.
I used to be able to get way better speeds, but over the last month or two it has literally come to a crawl. I only use Wifi on my evo now, i can barely use the market on 3g. I attribute this to the recent S2 and iPhone 4s. It's probably also related to my area, Southern Cali. Very populated and probably too much traffic (no 4g either... stupid.)

try boosting your 3g. theres a thread somewhere to do it.. it like calibrates your 3g to the best it can do

Tried searching around, no such luck for this thread. All I've come across is a some other users getting speeds just as bad as me.
Can't believe I'm paying the $10 dollar data fee per month, I could probably get a better connection from dialup.

[GT-N7000] AT&T throttling madness!

I had another long conversation with AT&T today after having barely any data service for the past week even though I have the "unlimited" data plan. My billing cycle started 2/17 and they started to throttle me on 2/18 because I was in the top 5% of users.
AT&T claims I have used close to 6GB worth of data in the last 6 days, 3 days of which I was in an area with no service! My service won't be restored to normal until 3/17!!! She told me I should consider moving to another plan and thats after I accused them of trying to force people off their grand fathered unlimited plans, which she denied.
And their claim that I have service but that it's just slower is a load of bs. With a modern phone a certain amount of bandwidth is required and apparently I'm getting so little I can't access anything for hours at a time. The fact that I use my phone for work makes this completely unacceptable.

Install a traffic monitor to prove their lies. I pity you guys that have to put up with US operator madness.
Sent from my superior GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Is there a traffic monitor you recommend?

Onavo seems pretty good.. I don't use much data so I can't say how good long term it is.. It also lets you stop apps from accessing mobile data, and make them wifi only per individual app.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Maybe its my area but I've never had my data service discontinued for X number of days. I have however received several letters from att stating my plan needs an upgrade (move from unlimited to their limited plans. upgrade my Arse) I actually had a rep tell me, it would be faster! lol.
I am grandfathered in on the unlimited data plan. and I generally use 10gb a month. The most I have ever used, in recent memory was 30gb. I got a tether notice once, called them to have them prove it (since i wasn't tethering). I never heard a response back.
I am a civilian contractor for the marines. When we go out on a training op, I bring my phone, a solar battery pack, and we watch Netflix, and a lot of it. lol.

songokussm: They tried the "honey" with their "upgrade to our faster plan" spiel. Now they are using the stick. They will now proceed to jerk you around until you either give in or quit them. Nice eh?

Moderator------Please note my phone is NOT AT&T I717. It's the unlocked version I purchase several months ago. Please move the post back to the correct forum. Thank you.

Maybe its my area but I've never had my data service discontinued for X number of days.
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They are not stopping my data service but they are making it so slow it rarely works.

Perhaps if you are heavy user you get on the **** list and they will may your service terrible. After all, they don't need or want you if you are a heavy user.
They would probably pay you to leave their service.
The only way to fight this would be to switch service.
I suggest you go to Verizon (until they kick you off)

amv13 said:
They are not stopping my data service but they are making it so slow it rarely works.
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There are some ways to get your speeds back, you should search these forums.

amv13 said:
Moderator------Please note my phone is NOT AT&T I717. It's the unlocked version I purchase several months ago. Please move the post back to the correct forum. Thank you.
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I would imagine he moved it because it's about AT&T service with the note.

amv13 said:
I had another long conversation with AT&T today after having barely any data service for the past week even though I have the "unlimited" data plan. My billing cycle started 2/17 and they started to throttle me on 2/18 because I was in the top 5% of users.
AT&T claims I have used close to 6GB worth of data in the last 6 days, 3 days of which I was in an area with no service! My service won't be restored to normal until 3/17!!! She told me I should consider moving to another plan and thats after I accused them of trying to force people off their grand fathered unlimited plans, which she denied.
And their claim that I have service but that it's just slower is a load of bs. With a modern phone a certain amount of bandwidth is required and apparently I'm getting so little I can't access anything for hours at a time. The fact that I use my phone for work makes this completely unacceptable.
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Those CSR's are probably trained to lie to customers calling in to complain about the throttling that applies to the unlimited. Unfortunately, the way they talk makes that rather obvious.
Besides, the corporate clearly wants to force as many people as possible onto tiered data...thinking the insanely heavy data users will go over their limit multiple times each month...to milk more money from them.

Dont give in, unlimited people, Dont give in......

Believe me I'm NOT giving in. I have a feeling AT&T is going to be feeling more heat on this issue.
I would consider going to Verizon for a number of reasons, including their service in my area is much better, but that would mean giving up the Note. Something I'm not prepared to do.

amv13 said:
Believe me I'm NOT giving in. I have a feeling AT&T is going to be feeling more heat on this issue.
I would consider going to Verizon for a number of reasons, including their service in my area is much better, but that would mean giving up the Note. Something I'm not prepared to do.
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I feel the same as well, doesnt make sense to throtlle unlimited people at 2gb but 3gb plan people dont get throttled at 2gb and essentially we are paying the same thing and for more.
#LAWSUITS #CREDIT #LAWSUITS #

you should prbly pm the mod

Can't you get around this by creating the new access point with the settings I saw elsewhere in this forum? Seems like that was working for other people.

Apn change works sometimes...
I just kept calling and complaining and now unthrottled...at least for the time being
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

I downloaded Radioopt Traffic monitor earlier today and so far I've used 1GB today, almost all email! 430mb via wireless and 365mb via AT&T Data.
I have numerous email accounts but only two were set for frequent updates, one at every 5 minutes, one at every 30 minutes. I've adjusted them all to see if my usage goes down.

Att looses in data throttling case!
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/24/iphone_user_successfully_sues_att_over_3g_throttling.html

Mobile Hotspot free to Unlimited Data Plans

I just got off the phone with a Verizon representative about adding the hotspot to my unlimited plan. Now yes I'm rooted and already had access to the hotspot, but I'm fixing to go on a trip where I would probably use enough data through it to get noticed. The woman I spoke to asked if I wanted to add a line and use the jetpack or just use the hotspot and let it use my data. Well obviously with a unlimited plan I wanted the latter. I asked two times during the call if this would change my plan and or cost extra and was told no. So I guess I will find out at the end of the month.
Now it was my understanding that the data share plans had the hotspot already but I was unaware of the old unlimited plans having this and Verizon not charging the extra $30. As I said I will find out at the end of this cycle if my plan goes up $30 or not but I though I would put it out there to the others who still have there unlimited plan.

This makes me nervous. I hope you are safe and they don't try any funny business.
I no longer talk to Verizon if possible. They almost had a heart attack last time I was in there. I then realized having over 30GB per month is not normal. So over 59GB this month would be even more crazy.... If that was true... Because I am not really saying that is me..... Just saying....
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Well they don't have a plan to accommodate my usage. Last month was around 25 gig and so far this cycle I'm at 11 gig. I was ready to pay the $30 so I'll buy have to see what happens. I haven't received a email saying anything has changed so "fingers crossed".

When I upgraded from my Droid X (3G) to a Droid Razr Maxx (4G) the VZW store rep told me that because I have unlimited data, I could add hotspot too, and said it would cost more (don't remember what it was), but it would also be unlimited. I didn't do it, because I didn't need it, and if I did, I could probably root and get it.
I've never had a major need for it, but will be interested to see what happens with this. I seem to remember reading stuff about the FCC ruling that customers should be allowed by the carriers to use their data any way they wish, whether on their phone or tethered (wired or wireless) to other devices as they choose. But there was some strange wording that meant it only applied to people on non-unlimited plans, so Verizon never honored it.
I bought my Moto X outright to keep my unlimited data, and rarely use more than 2-3GB anymore. I used 10-12/mo when I didn't have internet at home for a while watching lots of stuff on Netflix and listening to Pandora a lot.
Keep us posted...

In the past I had the hotspot on my account because where I lived there was no internet but there was cell service then when I was able to get internet I canced it. I would think that it would still show that it had been on my account in the past but who knows. There is a possibility that she didn't know what she was talking about because at one time she said that there wasn't a option for a hotspot in my phone settings. I told here there was and the app was on my phone. Then she saw it. So there are some questions in my head and I will keep a close eye on it and come back with what I find.

My fingers are crossed for you. If that girl was clueless and the change forces you off unlimited there is practically no chance you will get it back unless you know the right someone on the inside. I don't see any way Verizon would allow a user with unlimited data to tether at no extra charge... especially when you consider unlimited data was explicitly disallowed from tethering when then FCC dropped the hammer on their use of band 7.
What if I have an old Verizon unlimited data plan? Can I download an app and avoid the $20 tethering fee too?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Verizon says that customers under the unlimited plan are required by the company's terms of service to pay an additional fee to tether their device.
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-http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57...ns-fcc-tethering-settlement-means-to-you-faq/
I tether off my unlimited here and there but don't make a habit of it... plus I rarely go over three gigs of usage so whenever I hear all these 30, 40, 50+ gig users brought up I think I have very little to worry about for the foreseeable future. I've heard any changes to the account will force you onto a tiered plan so I only talk to Verizon when absolutely necessary, and only in a store, on the off chance that just having them look at my account would constitute a change.

kbluhm said:
My fingers are crossed for you. If that girl was clueless and the change forces you off unlimited there is practically no chance you will get it back unless you know the right someone on the inside.
I tether off my unlimited as well but I rarely go over three gigs of usage so whenever I hear all these 30, 40, 50+ gig users brought up I think I have very little to worry about for the foreseeable future. I've heard any changes to the account will force you onto a tiered plan so I only talk to Verizon when absolutely necessary, and only in a store, on the off chance that just having them look at my account would constitute a change.
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I agree that I am very wary about any potential changes to my account. When I brought my Moto X in to activate it (bought it from Moto directly, off contract), I asked to speak to the manager and made it very clear that I ONLY wanted to activate the phone if I would absolutely NOT lose unlimited data. He chuckled and told me that they get a lot of people who are super paranoid about it, and there are always shady employees who want to upsell on stuff so they will tell you that you can get XYZ new feature for only $5 more per month, but not tell you that making that change will also take you off of unlimited data. I told him that was EXACTLY what I wanted to avoid and he again chuckled and said I wouldn't lose unlimited, then proceeded to upgrade my device, and then exited out of the computer program and pulled up my account a second time to show me it was still in there as unlimited.
My girlfriend used to work at Radioshack and there were people there (including managers) that did those shady "upgrades" all the time just to get more commission. People at authorized phone stores do that stuff too. Never deal with those people.

I have checked my online account twice today and its still showing unlimited. And she said it would not change or make me lose the unlimited. I did let her know that I didn't want to lose that.

I remember when I had an unlimited data plan and got a new cell + new "subscription" that meant that it wasn't unlimited anymore, lol.
Anyway, I forgot all about it and downloaded a few movies during that weekend.
The following monday they blocked all outgoing calls from my phone and directed me to their customer service (I was furious because i didn't know why) and told me that my subscription fee was around 2600usd (one MB was like 3usd at that time when you reached your limit).
I totally **** my pants and told them the story (acted kind of dumb, pretended to be technically handicapped) and they erased the whole amount.:laugh:
I'm still faithful to that carrier

canezila said:
This makes me nervous. I hope you are safe and they don't try any funny business.
I no longer talk to Verizon if possible. They almost had a heart attack last time I was in there. I then realized having over 30GB per month is not normal. So over 59GB this month would be even more crazy.... If that was true... Because I am not really saying that is me..... Just saying....
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You can relax sir I use the least 40 gigs per month and Verizon is very well aware of this any **** to do with anything about it other than they think its quite funny
Moto X

ghostt021 said:
You can relax sir I use the least 40 gigs per month and Verizon is very well aware of this any **** to do with anything about it other than they think its quite funny
Moto X
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This. I routinely use between 80GB & 200GB a month and no problems as of yet. The last time I was in a Verizon store the guy asked me what the heck I was doing, I told him I watch a lot of Netflix. (Which isn't a lie, my last phone had HDMI out and I would Stream Netflix/GPM&TV/HBOGO/HULU through my phone) What I DIDN'T tell him was that about 20-30 of those gigs were through hotspot to other devices.

Yea that doesn't sound right. Where I work there is no "unlimited hotspot" option at all. If anything you'll probably see the 5 GB hotspot option for $50
Sent from my Lumia 928

Ok I got my bill the other day and there is no extra charge for the hotspot. So I figured that I would go ahead and update to 4.4.2 and when I tried to turn on the hotspot I got the familiar sign that I needed to contact verizon. But after rerooting and unlocking the wifi tether it worked. So obviously the rep that I talked with just didnt know what she was talking about and figured that it was on my plan or something as she didnt activate the hotspot. So scratch the free hotspot on unlimited plans.

I just updated my two computers at work and have to teather them. I also have an enormous music library because I am an elementary school music teacher and occasional DJ. This month I am at 109+ GB. I need to add my fiancée to my family plan by creating a data plan on her current number (not my unlimited plan) and just worry they might pull something. Maybe I should wait until the 13th when billing cycle resets current usage?
Also, my old phone (the one she will use) is x912 Droid RAZR Maxx. Will putting my old sim card that is used with that phone be able to get switched to her info? Just curious because I would rather hear information on this thread then at the Verizon store. Thanks!
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canezila said:
I just updated my two computers at work and have to teather them. I also have an enormous music library because I am an elementary school music teacher and occasional DJ. This month I am at 109+ GB. I need to add my fiancée to my family plan by creating a data plan on her current number (not my unlimited plan) and just worry they might pull something. Maybe I should wait until the 13th when billing cycle resets current usage?
Also, my old phone (the one she will use) is x912 Droid RAZR Maxx. Will putting my old sim card that is used with that phone be able to get switched to her info? Just curious because I would rather hear information on this thread then at the Verizon store. Thanks!
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I think you should be able to add her to your family plan for an extra 10 bucks a month plus the data plan. She will only be able to get a capped plan, but I'm sure you know this already. Even still she should be able to get 2gb for 30 bucks I think. They will probably try and get you to switch to their Share Everything plan.
As far as the Sim card is concerned, just trash it. They will give her a new one for the RAZR and assign it to her account. They're free anyways.
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