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Hey there,
Looking to understand my rate plan and whether its a good deal or whether I should be in the market for something better.
I signed up with AT&T about two years ago for my first smartphone (EPIX) and got a plan so I could pick up MS Exchange mail.
I explicitly got the plan that did not include "texting" since I'm a data only kinda guy.
Here is the info from my online account description:
Smartphone Bundle without Messaging
- PDA Enterprise for Good
- Price $45.00
- Text N/A
- Data unlimited
I recently bought an unlocked Nexus S i9020A which seems to work great on the old SIM card and works dandy with voice and 3G data service.
Most recent usage for the account online says:
Additional Data Purchased Usage:
Data
GPRS WAP UNLTD DOM - GM51/GMD2
63.2 MB of Unlimited
So what I was hoping is for some help interpreting the abbreviations, and plan limits (if any).
My contract has expired so I assume I'll maintain the same rate plan unless I change it or sign up for a new one.
Also is the "tethering" option a fee for using their tethering application, or for the privilege of using my phone as a hot spot period.
I know that's a lot to ask, but if anyone has any ideas or experience in these matters please lt me know.
Thanks
Updating my own post
Data
GPRS WAP UNLTD DOM - GM51/GMD2
GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
[3G HSDPA/HSUPA 850 1900 Mhz 7.2/5.76 Mbps]
WAP - Wireless Application Protocol (service)
UNLTD - Unlimited
DOM - Domestic
GM51 - Good Mobile client 5.1 (guess)
GMD2 - Good Mobile domino 2 (guess)
I suspect the extra (GM51/GMD2) codes are for software I was never given or told about to interact with some kind of Mobile device proxy server for a Business LAN.
Kinda upsets me.
However the "unlimited" data plan is still of interest to me.
What answer are you exactly looking for?
I was looking for information about the billing codes.
And opinions as to whether this plan is average, or something I should consider leaving.
Beyond that I was curious about tethering.
Originally my question was posted to the general section and it was moved to the Network section by moderator.
I believe I found some of the answers, but not all, so I was sharing the information.
If this is inappropriate please feel free to close or dispose of the thread in any suitable way.
Thanks for the reply.
. and I hope I don't come off defensive, I'm really new to this forum. So the accepted conventions and practices here are new to me.
- jwillis
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.
I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".
ryan4888 said:
I am unsure if this is the correct area to post this question as i am new to xda...
I am a Sprint user with a Nexus 5. I rooted it in order to enable my wifi hotspot on my phone.
Now i know that Sprint could theoretically check logs and see what type of traffic is going to my line, and see that it is not just mobile data, but instead data going to my desktop. But my question is, do they have any automatic checks in place, to automatically bill me or send warning letters... anything like that? Have any of you done this and encountered any issues? I guess what i'm asking is if Sprint cares?
I did a few Google searches and found similar questions but none that were recent. I know that in 2014 the FCC and other parties starting cracking down on carriers because they were cutting users short on their "unlimited plans".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.
reb1995 said:
I have been using my Sprint Galaxy S4 as a wifi hotspot for 18 months. Haven't had any issues however I've never gone over maybe 8GB or so per month.
Not exactly an answer to your question but just my experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read i think you'll be fine as long as you aren't roaming. If you're roaming it throws a lot of red flags for the carrier to start looking into logs and whatnot. And obviously don't exceed your data limit if you're not an unlimited customer.
I never heard of anyone getting "caught" for tethering so you should be safe. Even if they do detect you, they'll probably send a warning letter theyll never bill you.
No, Traffic is traffic, if you send a lot of data they might complain for example p2p, excessive downloading on an unlimited data plan, If your phone is running stock the tethering capability is spoiled and bloated with useless software that checks with your carrier and let the servers now you activated tethering, that's why you should tether with a different app besides the stock one, also it's better that you use a custom rom or root the stock one and unbloat the phone's software.
They could know as you phone most likly has 2 APN one is Provide LTE and LTE Tethering
I have deleted LTE tethering ( I have 6 GB tethering anyways included )
It depended on how you report traffic, but in general they can only analyze your data usage and profile you accordingly. If you turn your phone in to a wifi hotspot or use P2P through your LTE connection it is going to be very obvious that your making NAT based request or running applications that people do not normally run directly on the phone, but if you stick to web traffic and IMs your not likely to be noticed let alone trigger any alarms. People run Netflix and Pandora almost 24/7 over there phones now so its not even a matter of total consumption as the type of it.
So, i hope this is an appropriate forum...
I have an att sim for a unlimited plan (tie in to DTV).
Of course they do not allow tethering (usb or hotspot). Now i was not using that particular number so i popped the sim into a Samsung Galaxy (sgh I897).
This is a 3g phone.
I, on a whim, turned on the mobile Hotspot (settings, wifi, mobile ap).
I have been using it for a week to get network on a windows 7 desktop pc.
Email, google docs, watching youtube, editing websites, watching The CW, watching Syfy.
No complaint from at&t.
I wonder if it is because the phone is old and reports in a way that is no longer monitored or maybe because it is 3g and they are not so concerned about that spectrum...
Do you all think it is a matter of time till they figure it out or did I find a loophole?
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
You found a loophole there is no way they will be able to see what you used your data on, that would break there privacy policy.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
I tethered like this for years ... probably 10 years or so.
I only got a letter from AT&T this month.
I am wondering whether it has something to do with my new phone/new version of android (HTC One M9 running AOSP Candysix).
I always just tethered with the built in Bluetooth tethering.
As far as I can tell there are only two ways for them to tell:
1. Read the data, specifically headers, which would tell that the traffic is coming from a PC; this should/would be solvable by using a VPN
2. The OS passes on some kind of flag to the carrier. I read that old versions of android would use a separate APN/virtual device for tethering but I can't find this info on my phone (IP rules show, etc.)
any help would be greatly appreciated.
I've been a grandfathered in unlimited data user of VZ for about 7 years.
I've used rooted phones for quite some time to unlock the tethering ability of my smartphones on VZ's network.
I'm curious how this feature actually functions. VZ's new "Unlimited" plans reduce tethering speeds from 4G to 3G after 10gbs are used.
Without spelling it out, my main question is whether or not using a rooted phones' tethering provision feature will simulate normal cell usage.
In other words, does Big Red see both tethering through the phone's native wifi-tethering app (with the provision enabled) the same as normal cell usage or does can their system determine the difference.
Thanks,
Anybody have any insights?
I am also curious about his! I am on the grandfathered unlimited plan also, but would change over to the new plan if I could get more than 10 gig on my hotspot. I live in a rural area and most of my internet use at home is on my hotspot.
I currently use Foxfi on my S7 and it works fine. I had it rooted with native hotspot, it worked OK but the phone performance sucks.
I also hear that Foxfi will not work with Nougat either so there are two reasons I need to bypass this 10g hotspot conundrum.
Somebody ???
I feel like I should have put this thread in a more general location, Moderators - can you help me?
It's not really tied to the S7 - it's a more general rooted question.
Thanks,
Anybody?
I would like to know as well
I'm also waiting for a rooted version of nougat with tethering unlocked...
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Like this:
echo "net.tethering.noprovisioning=true" >> /system/build.prop
---------- Post added at 12:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:08 AM ----------
bart77 said:
I am also curious about his! I am on the grandfathered unlimited plan also, but would change over to the new plan if I could get more than 10 gig on my hotspot. I live in a rural area and most of my internet use at home is on my hotspot.
I currently use Foxfi on my S7 and it works fine. I had it rooted with native hotspot, it worked OK but the phone performance sucks.
I also hear that Foxfi will not work with Nougat either so there are two reasons I need to bypass this 10g hotspot conundrum.
Somebody ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This wont let you have more than 10gb, this is a limit on the server side, nothing you do will change that.
I'm on the grandfathered UDP and don't have hotspot activated on my account. With that I was using hotspot via FoxFi and when I checked my Verizon account it showed up as normal data usage and not hotspot. I connected my smart TV to my hotspot to stream Netflix and it showed up as me using lots of GB's to watch videos. That's all it showed. I'm not sure how you're on the grandfathered UDP and only get 10GB per month for hotspot if you're using FoxFi though, unless you were talking about moving to the new plan, and if that's the case then you would do the work around of removing the SIM card (posted somewhere on these forums) or flash the U firmware and it shouldn't show up on your account as hotspot if the phone doesn't search for subscriber information or is unsuccessful in searching for said info.
d33dvb said:
Like this:
echo "net.tethering.noprovisioning=true" >> /system/build.prop
---------- Post added at 12:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:08 AM ----------
This wont let you have more than 10gb, this is a limit on the server side, nothing you do will change that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does that string of code actually do and how is it seen by VZ? The 10gb limit is not a cap - it's just a boundary where they're supposed to throttle your 4g speeds to 3g. I'm just wondering what triggers them noticing that. I'm curious how unlocking the native tethering feature on a rooted phone allows grandfathered unlimited plans the ability to use this feature when it's normally blocked.
Does it cover up the fact that the hotspot is even turned on so it changes all tethered data to be seen by VZ as normal cell data (not tethered data)? Or does it just unlock the tethering feature and gives you the ability to use the feature and VZ still knows the difference?
Outbreak444 said:
I'm on the grandfathered UDP and don't have hotspot activated on my account. With that I was using hotspot via FoxFi and when I checked my Verizon account it showed up as normal data usage and not hotspot. I connected my smart TV to my hotspot to stream Netflix and it showed up as me using lots of GB's to watch videos. That's all it showed. I'm not sure how you're on the grandfathered UDP and only get 10GB per month for hotspot if you're using FoxFi though, unless you were talking about moving to the new plan, and if that's the case then you would do the work around of removing the SIM card (posted somewhere on these forums) or flash the U firmware and it shouldn't show up on your account as hotspot if the phone doesn't search for subscriber information or is unsuccessful in searching for said info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Outbreak is right - there is no 10gb limit with the grandfathered plans. I believe Bart is talking about converting from the old plan to the new plan (like I am) if we can get around the possible downgrade in speeds that's supposed to occur at 10gb.
You mentioned 2 possible work-arounds, but one involves pulling the SIM. Could you provide a link for either of the methods? However, from what I know of VZ is that a SIM is required for the phone to work.
Thanks - keep the suggestions coming.
brettdacosta said:
You mentioned 2 possible work-arounds, but one involves pulling the SIM. Could you provide a link for either of the methods? However, from what I know of VZ is that a SIM is required for the phone to work.
Thanks - keep the suggestions coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the link to the SIM removal method, seems to be a hit or miss though and states it's for nougat but I think it would work on marshmallow as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-s7-edge/help/tethering-nougat-t3568501/page2
Or you can flash the U firmware for the US. It should just unlock tethering completely without actually searching for subscriber information. I don't have the link but it's easily found on the forums. Just know that the U firmware doesn't have nougat at this time.
Outbreak444 said:
It should just unlock tethering completely without actually searching for subscriber information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Outbreak.
How does it actually work/function though? Will VZ still be able to distinguish between data used by my cell and data transfered to another device via the phone's native hotspot feature?
That's the whole point of this thread, but I can't seem to get any real answers (or even speculations for that matter)
brettdacosta said:
Thanks, Outbreak.
How does it actually work/function though? Will VZ still be able to distinguish between data used by my cell and data transfered to another device via the phone's native hotspot feature?
That's the whole point of this thread, but I can't seem to get any real answers (or even speculations for that matter)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I checked my account it showed 0.0 GB of hotspot used and about 100 GB's of standard data. They didn't see at all that I was using my hotspot, only excessive amount of data usage. I wouldn't sweat it unless you're going to end up using like 300 GB's. I even bought the S7 AFTER having that much used and the reps looked amazed but couldn't see how I used as much as I had. I wish I could pull up what My Verizon showed to prove it to you but it only shows the last two months worth of data and I haven't used tethering recently.
Outbreak444 said:
When I checked my account it showed 0.0 GB of hotspot used and about 100 GB's of standard data. They didn't see at all that I was using my hotspot, only excessive amount of data usage. I wouldn't sweat it unless you're going to end up using like 300 GB's. I even bought the S7 AFTER having that much used and the reps looked amazed but couldn't see how I used as much as I had. I wish I could pull up what My Verizon showed to prove it to you but it only shows the last two months worth of data and I haven't used tethering recently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info.
- So when you used 100GB of standard data, that was all through your hotspot?
- Which VZ plan are you on?
- What's your current phone setup (aka - what method did you use for bypassing the tethering restriction)?
- Where do you find a breakdown of your hotspot data to standard data (is it on your online account)?
- Since you obviously went over the 22GB, did you notice any slowdowns (like they say they reserve the right to implement)
- What type of area are you in (rural - not a lot of cell tower access / high trafficked area - for the purpose of the last question)?
Thanks for all the great info. I know that was a lot of questions, but I think if you are able to answering all of those, I should have about all I need.
Thanks again.
P.S. - it's my only internet at the house, so I can't afford it slowing me down if I'm at the house wanting to stream a movie or something after 10gb - that's why I'm concerned - just felt I needed to clarify.
brettdacosta said:
Great info.
- So when you used 100GB of standard data, that was all through your hotspot?
- Which VZ plan are you on?
- What's your current phone setup (aka - what method did you use for bypassing the tethering restriction)?
- Where do you find a breakdown of your hotspot data to standard data (is it on your online account)?
Thanks for all the great info. I know that was a lot of questions, but I think if you are able to answering all of those, I should have about all I need.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 100% of my data usage was hotspot but a good 90% or more was.
I have the grandfathered UDP from Verizon
At the time I was using my rooted S5 with tethering unlocked through xposed, now I have the S7 with FoxFi
Just log into your Verizon account online and it should have a breakdown. Most of my data showed up under the video category, which was correct because I was tethering my hotspot to my smart TV for streaming Netflix. So it can see what I'm doing, just not how, I believe.
Outbreak444 said:
Not 100% of my data usage was hotspot but a good 90% or more was.
I have the grandfathered UDP from Verizon
At the time I was using my rooted S5 with tethering unlocked through xposed, now I have the S7 with FoxFi
Just log into your Verizon account online and it should have a breakdown. Most of my data showed up under the video category, which was correct because I was tethering my hotspot to my smart TV for streaming Netflix. So it can see what I'm doing, just not how, I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you see the breakdown by standard usage and tethering?
I'm still on the grandfathered UDP too, and use tethering all the time, but here is all I see when I log on (no breakdown)...
brettdacosta said:
Where do you see the breakdown by standard usage and tethering?
I'm still on the grandfathered UDP too, and use tethering all the time, but here is all I see when I log on (no breakdown)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Used to show up there. Here's a link from Verizon with a screenshot
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/mobile-hotspot-faqs/
That's good information.
So why do you use the foxfi app and not the native tethering feature? Because you're on nougat?
Do you think that being rooted and using the XPosed app is what prevents them from seeing it - or the fact that I'm on the grandfathered UDP and their system isn't capable of actually reporting that piece of information (since it's a feature that's technically locked) - and if I go the new plan that "unlocks" the tethering, they'll then be able to tell the difference and their system will be able to display it since it's aware of what's actually happening?
brettdacosta said:
That's good information.
So why do you use the foxfi app and not the native tethering feature? Because you're on nougat?
Do you think that being rooted and using the XPosed app is what prevents them from seeing it - or the fact that I'm on the grandfathered UDP and their system isn't capable of actually reporting that piece of information (since it's a feature that's technically locked) - and if I go the new plan that "unlocks" the tethering, they'll then be able to tell the difference and their system will be able to display it since it's aware of what's actually happening?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't rooted my S7 or flashed the U firmware yet. I want to wait until nougat is released for the U firmware before I do that.
Hotspot is built into the phone already. I believe that if it doesn't search for subscriber information that the phone will just enable the connections and all your phone provider can see is that you're using data, but they can't see how. This is my opinion, maybe someone else could enlighten us on the specifics. But I can say that being rooted, using Xposed, or being on the grandfathered plan has nothing to do with it other than removing the check for subscriber information, basically what one user posted earlier in this post.
The back does not come off of a S7 so there is no SIM card. I also depend on FoxFi i
brettdacosta said:
What does that string of code actually do and how is it seen by VZ? The 10gb limit is not a cap - it's just a boundary where they're supposed to throttle your 4g speeds to 3g. I'm just wondering what triggers them noticing that. I'm curious how unlocking the native tethering feature on a rooted phone allows grandfathered unlimited plans the ability to use this feature when it's normally blocked.
Does it cover up the fact that the hotspot is even turned on so it changes all tethered data to be seen by VZ as normal cell data (not tethered data)? Or does it just unlock the tethering feature and gives you the ability to use the feature and VZ still knows the difference?
Outbreak is right - there is no 10gb limit with the grandfathered plans. I believe Bart is talking about converting from the old plan to the new plan (like I am) if we can get around the possible downgrade in speeds that's supposed to occur at 10gb.
You mentioned 2 possible work-arounds, but one involves pulling the SIM. Could you provide a link for either of the methods? However, from what I know of VZ is that a SIM is required for the phone to work.
Thanks - keep the suggestions coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The back does not come off of a S7 so there is no SIM card. I also depend on FoxFi in the work I do (teaching) and it did a fabulous job.