[Rant] T-mobile: Stop double charging us. - Networking

This is a bit of a rant for T-mobile about their hotspot charges. It is unbelievable that such an originally "for the man" kind of company would jump on this bandwagon. I dont care if other carriers are charging for hotspot use, its not fair for them to do it and it is not fair for you either. I have been with T-mobile since the Voicestream days of Jamie Lee Curtis. I had the 3000min plan for many years and rarely used half that most of the time; I just wanted it in case I needed it. This is not the same case with Hotspot. I will not pay an additional charge to use something I already pay for, in a different way. I am not causing any additional network traffic by using a Laptop, than I would on my phone. If anything, I may be enticed to upgrade my data plan because I would be using much more data with the addition of my Laptop.
This type of behavior severely annoys us loyal customers who have stuck with you from the beginning. I hope you will feel the pressure when Verizon launches their new plans on 6-28-12 that INCLUDES FREE hotspot. It may be more expensive, but after all the additional charges are added on a T-mobile plan, it comes down to how much more are you willing to pay for better network coverage.
In closing, I love you T-mobile, we have had many good years with many FREE phones(I love my FREE S2), but, dont make me file for a divorce. /rant
I am well aware of how to get around this. So, if we can, why charge for it? Please feel free to add to this, trolls and all, post it up!

There's a plethora of tethering apps that are un detectable so you don't get charged. especially when you freeze tethering manager..
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

JPOKeefe said:
There's a plethora of tethering apps that are un detectable so you don't get charged. especially when you freeze tethering manager..
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is the best one?
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suaverc118 said:
Which is the best one?
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Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode.android.wifi.tether
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

JPOKeefe said:
There's a plethora of tethering apps that are un detectable so you don't get charged. especially when you freeze tethering manager..
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think any of the apps are undetectable. Besides the native hotspot manager which directly prevents it, T-Mobile is detecting tethering by checking user agents of browser requests, and I haven't seen any of the apps add hiding the user agent to avoid this.

manekineko said:
I don't think any of the apps are undetectable. Besides the native hotspot manager which directly prevents it, T-Mobile is detecting tethering by checking user agents of browser requests, and I haven't seen any of the apps add hiding the user agent to avoid this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant you change the user agent on most browsers?

SevenSe7enSeven said:
cant you change the user agent on most browsers?
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I find it interesting that I can use Dolphin browser in desktop mode, and there is no problem. Maybe because its dolphin? Also, I dont have a problem tethering on my S2 with Digital.Warefare 2.7 while using a laptop on Chrome. Seems ICS has some changes on the S2 because there are people reporting eventually being directed to the Tmo signup site after tethering for a bit.

You forgot to whine about charging for SMS. :silly:

luftrofl said:
You forgot to whine about charging for SMS. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who gets charged for SMS?

You get free texting from t-mobile?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA

icky2g said:
Who gets charged for SMS?
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Click to collapse
More than those who get charged for tethering, but way to miss the point. :silly:
Carriers have a history of charging for anything that they can. The fact that you're so mad about it *now* is hilarious.
It's very easy to get around, so stop whining about it.

Related

cutting off tethering?

so ive been tethering for like two months with no issue via my rooted glacier.
just got a text from tmobile..
889: Free T-Mobile Msg: Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi sharing access may be blocked unless you add a Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing plan available at my.t-mobile.com
should i be worried? can they really cancel it on a rooted phone? what gives.
well they blocked it now.
its just normal web browsing which is odd.
AIM still works, and i can still browse via tor. or manually putting an s to make it https. but that isnt practical for browsing.
any ideas? different browser perhaps? i wonder how they are determining that i am tethering.
ugh, any ideas would be appreciated..how annoying.
I talked to my brother and he said its probably my user agent. So I'm going to get the ref control add on and change it so its sending what my phone sends and see if that works. Ill let y'all know how it works.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Keep us posted of the user agent change, I'd be curious to know this myself. Data packets should be entirely agnostic to their network unless are they doing deep packet inspection or specifically monitoring non-port 80 traffic, or port 80 traffic with different user agent strings.
Any luck with your attempts?
I Posted this back in Nov. tether workaround
Mrdaviso said:
I Posted this back in Nov. tether workaround
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been tethering my myt4g with my streak 7 and havent gotten any message like this.. If I do get it though how would your workaround method work on another android device?
Isn't free tethering still available if you use the android-wifi-tether app? or the one built into CM? I heard you only get charged if you use the stock wifi tethering app
No worries for you, its only looking for desktop user agent strings to block. At home I hotspot to my mt3g from my mt4g and then tether the 3g to the desktop. Its never got a warning yet. Can you believe Sprint might be buying T-mobile out? I'll be canceling that service, again.
graffixnyc said:
I've been tethering my myt4g with my streak 7 and havent gotten any message like this.. If I do get it though how would your workaround method work on another android device?
Isn't free tethering still available if you use the android-wifi-tether app? or the one built into CM? I heard you only get charged if you use the stock wifi tethering app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Mrdaviso said:
No worries for you, its only looking for desktop user agent strings to block. At home I hotspot to my mt3g from my mt4g and then tether the 3g to the desktop. Its never got a warning yet. Can you believe Sprint might be buying T-mobile out? I'll be canceling that service, again.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The good thing is if this plans out correctly those of us with T-Mobile will be able to exit the contract w/o a ETF. I hate the fact of having to use ATT or BigRed.... Wait a tick. Cincinnati Bell uses the same frequencies @ T-Mobile where i live. So i could use them and keep my phone....
Lmfao, this was the ONLY way SPRINT could get some of their old customers back. Bad part is they are going to lose more than ever. And ruin another company..... run off even more customers and then sue them for cancellation fees. Lmfao all to pay for some dumbass races and yes I think Sprint ruined Nascar too.
Sorry that's my rant....
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Mrdaviso said:
Lmfao, this was the ONLY way SPRINT could get some of their old customers back. Bad part is they are going to lose more than ever. And ruin another company..... run off even more customers and then sue them for cancellation fees. Lmfao all to pay for some dumbass races and yes I think Sprint ruined Nascar too.
Sorry that's my rant....
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[thread jack]
NASCAR Being runied has nothing to do with Sprint i was blown to kingdom come before Sprint touched them IMHO.
[/thread jack]
It was on a downward spiral no doubt, but Sprint wanted it like Indy. Now there is no competition in the sport I liked it more when they used STOCK cars.... I grew up racing and the sprint cup is a disgrace.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
I can tether too. I never get a message, but I don't ever use the stock app. Seems like a bad idea.
Mrdaviso said:
It was on a downward spiral no doubt, but Sprint wanted it like Indy. Now there is no competition in the sport I liked it more when they used STOCK cars.... I grew up racing and the sprint cup is a disgrace.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally i followed LeMans racing. I followed NASCAR back in the day when i was younger, but heck i'm only 28. I like the various class of cars in LeMans, it brings a new dynamic to racing. I might have car that can do 30-40MPH faster than the next guy but it cannot pass him, it doesn't do any good. I also like grass root dirt tracks, those are a blast to go watch.
Mrdaviso said:
Lmfao, this was the ONLY way SPRINT could get some of their old customers back. Bad part is they are going to lose more than ever. And ruin another company..... run off even more customers and then sue them for cancellation fees. Lmfao all to pay for some dumbass races and yes I think Sprint ruined Nascar too.
Sorry that's my rant....
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do we know anything would actually change for us?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
I know I'm an ex-sprint customer already...... I know what they treated me like and I will not stay.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Man I actually like sprint just because of thier anti throttling policies I just got a new computer in January and I've probably downloaded about 25gigs worth of torrents in the past two months using wireless tether and they haven't said a thing to me I had a mytouch before but I only had 2g were I live so I switched to sprint and got a hero and never looked Back and my bill is only about ten$ more.
Ps no I don't have a Droid x I installed a tweaked build that makes it think it's a Droid x lol
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20010423-85.html
http://www.investmentu.com/2011/March/sprint-and-tmobile-telecom-merger.html
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/03/my-t...rgeracquisitionbuyoutsalepurchasetransaction/
Just a few with info on it. (Sorry mods, not to be off topic) I suppose just wait it out and see what happens.
To the OP: Did you find anything further?
Use the Wireless Tether app instead of the stock app. You shouldn't get any warnings/messages. I have 3 different Android phones I use (I switch SIM cards out whenever the phone I'm using currently bores me) and I haven't gotten any warnings/messages yet and I tether to my computer everyday.

Verizon and AT&T block wifi tethering from market.

I thought we'd all get a nice lol out of this ;-)
http://m.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-news...coming-and-now-they-are-here/2243?tag=nl.e539
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Sprint ftw
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
lynyrd65 said:
Sprint ftw
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed.. more reasons to be on sprint..
Agreed, what's funny though is they can still get the apk online. But I suppose its a small step in their intentions
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
treyxazn said:
Agreed, what's funny though is they can still get the apk online. But I suppose its a small step in their intentions
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah.. pretty sure that anyone that knows how to root to get tether to work knows where to find the apk.
But according to the article the carriers can differ the use of their own tethering services and the use of tethering that Google wanted to be allowed in Android, basically even if it isn't on the market it's less people using the tethering and makes it easier to pinpoint and cut people off.
A) Sprint will likely follow suit
B) I didn't even know it was available in the market lol.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
AproSamurai said:
But according to the article the carriers can differ the use of their own tethering services and the use of tethering that Google wanted to be allowed in Android, basically even if it isn't on the market it's less people using the tethering and makes it easier to pinpoint and cut people off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I wonder how they would go about doing so, and am curious if they are able to if we have removed carrierIQ?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Kcarpenter said:
A) Sprint will likely follow suit
B) I didn't even know it was available in the market lol.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint's the only company that hasn't followed in the major two's footsteps so far.
First being encrypted locked boot-loaders. Not one phone has been so encrypted that it's impenetrable. Then second being this. I think Sprint's taking the route of T-Mobile and going to support AOSP to the fullest. Of course, it's wishful thinking but on the other hand, it does appear to be the case...for now.
I would lie to know the source of info in that article stating that they can tell when you are tethering. I don't believe that is true. Data should be data. There was another article out and this was not stated, just the block. That is achieved by the market lkooking for the carrier's signature and not showing certain apps, like Verizon's NFL app to Sprint or At&T.
Sorry for the newbie question, but does anyone know how to remove the carrier IQ? It seems that if that is not there then one cannot be detected tethering.
I am a new EPIC user and rooted my phone using the oneclick method and RFS filesystem. Basically rooted just for tethering my tablets to my phone for occassional net access. So how do I go removing sprint's IQ? TIA!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
imjimmy said:
Sorry for the newbie question, but does anyone know how to remove the carrier IQ? It seems that if that is not there then one cannot be detected tethering.
I am a new EPIC user and rooted my phone using the oneclick method and RFS filesystem. Basically rooted just for tethering my tablets to my phone for occassional net access. So how do I go removing sprint's IQ? TIA!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Put on a ROM that has it removed. Read OPs in development ROMs
I had to post here.
I noticed this, and when I went on the website to install it, it said I couldn't "Carrier blocks the install."
I go on my phone, fire up the market, and it lets me install it from there.
So apparently, T-Mo just wants me to download it from my phone, not from their website.
Whatever, I didn't even know that there was a website for the market till like a week ago. xD
Currently, putting a rom on is the only way to remove it.
There its also the factor of how much data is used - generally, a tethered device like a computer or game console would use more data than the phone by itself. If Sprint sees an unusual amount of data being downloaded, they might be able to consider that proof enough (just speculation, I'm not an expert but it is plausible)
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
i think sprint cares just a little less because their data plans are truly unlimited. my phone is my only source of internet. i use it to download movies and games and everything else. i use about 9-30Gb of data a month. and 've been doing it for over a year. no one has terminated my contract or throttled my data speeds or anything. they put up with it as long as i pay my bill.
Kcarpenter said:
B) I didn't even know it was available in the market lol.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use a search engine to find something about app and planet on the net to find an 'alternative market' for things like this 'pulled and/or blocked' wifi tethering app
Lol shame on u, shaaaammee on u lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
heathmcabee said:
Lol shame on u, shaaaammee on u lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<looks around> What ??? It's a 'suggestion'
(contribution to the Android Community I say )
I use so much data and tethering is a small amount. I wonder if they track based on browser?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

Sprint tethering

Being that there is so many movie apps like Netflix and HBO go, can sprint tell if your tethering . Is the data usage the same if I was watching Netflix on my phone vs tethering Netflix to my ipad?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
4G is unlimited so it doesnt matter. for 3G, so long as your arent going too crazy over the 5GB CONSTANTLY it shouldnt be much of an issue.
dw3bb10 said:
4G is unlimited so it doesnt matter. for 3G, so long as your arent going too crazy over the 5GB CONSTANTLY it shouldnt be much of an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All data is unlimited except when roaming.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Rem3Dy said:
All data is unlimited except when roaming.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
no 5gb cap
since when has 3g been unlimited
kaoss_11 said:
since when has 3g been unlimited
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forever! Its only limited with data only plans (Tabs, USB modems, etc.)
Sent from my HTC Eva 4G using Tapatalk
OP, I've tried to get a straight answer to the same question before with no luck.... The question isn't whether data is unlimited or not (it is, on both 3g and 4g, we all know that), it's whether Sprint can tell a difference in the type of data the Netflix app uses on the phone vs. tethering Netflix on a computer.
I honestly don't know the answer, but my hunch is that they CAN tell the difference, but they haven't busted anybody on it yet. I'm sure navigating the Netflix website on your computer looks different than using the app on your phone because the Netflix app doesn't load all the same things as the website.
I think the crux of the question is whether Sprint can tell the difference between loading an identical website on the phone's browser vs. on a tethered computer.
Does anybody actually know?
Edit: Noticed that you were specifically asking about tethering to an iPad. I think there is probably a difference in the user agent, but the data itself probably looks the same.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Well, I think the issue to be considered is, is tethering allowed at all under our TOS (I honestly can't remember)? Because I'm not sure, but I believe you are allowed to USB tether your evo; they just don't want you to use it as a wireless hotspot unless you pay the extra $30. So, can they tell if you're watching something on your Evo, or tethering to another device, possibly...but can they tell if you're watching on another device that's tethered via USB or wireless? I would think not. But I don't know, just trying to give some food for thought.
Being a sprint Rep in business care... on our end we cant see anything like this. To us, data is data. The only thing we differentiate with is on or off network (roaming)
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Your TOS does not allow any type of tether unless you pay for the tethering plan, wired and wireless.
Just as a suggestion, don't use your tether to download illegal content. If caught, double whammy, violating TOS and copyright laws.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G. EVOke - v.- summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic.
Only difference they're going to see is if you're roaming/not roaming.
jagxj220 said:
Your TOS does not allow any type of tether unless you pay for the tethering plan, wired and wireless.
Just as a suggestion, don't use your tether to download illegal content. If caught, double whammy, violating TOS and copyright laws.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G. EVOke - v.- summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this
10 char

At&t is restricting on LTE

Hi I had a smartphone personal unlimited that it had no restrictions to any sites. Now when I got the skyrocket they switch me to LTE 4G Restricted plan.
And now it restricts me lots of sites and even on the market some apps.
I return the phone because of this crap and after 8 years with at&t I canceled my service.
Check your account plan see if they change anything and check sites on the web like streaming sites.
It doesn't let me stream like from justintv on lte but when I switch to wifi I have no problem.
dont switch to any LTE phones.
wow ---- messed up for ATT to do that.. but im not surprised
Sounds like normal Att procedure to me.
Yes, just like before there was LTE, smartphone personal is just that, if you wanted access to corporate or secure access, you needed to subscribe to a $45 enterprise unlimited data plan....smh, research your facts a bit more before posting needless flaming...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
^second post^
justintv is a corporate site? Haha.
Net Neutrality comes to mind..
This kind of nickel and dime non sense is what made me leave AT&T after 9 years as well. They forced tiered data, fine. If your data total is already capped, what sites you access should be none of their business.
Vote with your wallets. Kudos.
Go to galaxy s 2 at&t forum there are lot's of sites and even in the market app's blocked.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
That's a bunch of ole bull sh*t!
When life sucks I just enjoy the head
samomamo said:
Go to galaxy s 2 at&t forum there are lot's of sites and even in the market app's blocked.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit* Nevemind my original comment. I figured out what you were trying to say...
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium

Tethering

I received a letter from Sprint yesterday regarding my tethering usage haha. Anyways, they warned if I continue to do it I will be dropped. My question is do all the 3rd party tethering apps (I use the hot spot hack) show my usage as tethering as well?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
How much were you using?
Tell em if they do you want an etf!! Lol
Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
joe.stay said:
How much were you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This month I'm at 6gb, 4 being tethering.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
bignick1215 said:
Tell em if they do you want an etf!! Lol
Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they drop me my S4 is given a "bad esn" right? I wonder if I pay an eft if they drop me. I don't care too much anymore as with my career change I get NO service where I go. Ha, I barely get service in normal locations. I've only seen lte in places you wouldn't expect it. I still want the Nexus 5 and will probably do straight talk or that T-mo prepay.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
evo-t said:
This month I'm at 6gb, 4 being tethering.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much were you using before this month?
joe.stay said:
How much were you using before this month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never really pay attention, normally around 8GB or more.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Which build number are you on? When you are logged in to your account online, does it have a separate section that says tethering? Or is it all under the data section? Was it 4g or 3g tethering? wimax or lte?
joe.stay said:
Which build number are you on? When you are logged in to your account online, does it have a separate section that says tethering? Or is it all under the data section? Was it 4g or 3g tethering? wimax or lte?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mk2, stock. It's under settings/connections/data usage. What's 4G? Hahaha! Or this lte?? Sounds made up ? it was 3g tethering. I just tether my laptop and watch Netflix and do a lil bill paying and such. Maybe with MK2 and the knox plague sprint has a lil spy ware in there? They've never messed with me before and I've had 11gb+ of data usage before..
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Well, you got caught! You were shoplifting from Sprint and they caught you. Either stop stealing or get cut off. It amazes me sometimes that people are surprised when they get caught. 8GB+ a month on 3G, its obvious that you are tethering. Do I tether, hell yes! But if Sprint caught me, I would stop tethering or pay for the service. With their new lifetime data plans they include 5gb of tethering in one of their plans for cheaper than any other provider. They caught you because of the desktop Netflix sever you were connected to opposed to the mobile Netflix server.
It's kind of funny how xda comes down hard on people that post links to warez or movie/music bootleg sites but they turn a blind eye to stealing from Sprint with hacked tethering. Anyway, good luck with Sprint and keeping your account.
cruise350 said:
Well, you got caught! You were shoplifting from Sprint and they caught you. Either stop stealing or get cut off. It amazes me sometimes that people are surprised when they get caught. 8GB+ a month on 3G, its obvious that you are tethering. Do I tether, hell yes! But if Sprint caught me, I would stop tethering or pay for the service. With their new lifetime data plans they include 5gb of tethering in one of their plans for cheaper than any other provider. They caught you because of the desktop Netflix sever you were connected to opposed to the mobile Netflix server.
It's kind of funny how xda comes down hard on people that post links to warez or movie/music bootleg sites but they turn a blind eye to stealing from Sprint with hacked tethering. Anyway, good luck with Sprint and keeping your account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, although I am pretty aware I was caught. I have used mass amounts of data before without tethering. Keeping Sprint won't be a problem as I haven't been tethering. I am not surprised at getting caught, it isn't like I'm crying about the audacity of this company telling me how I can/can't use my unlimited data. I was only asking if anyone knew if a 3rd party app shows the usage as data or tethering still. I will look into this plan you mentioned though.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

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