Tethering on Nexus 4 and tmo data plans

[SpatzST]

I spoke with a T-Mobile rep and he said that my current plan allows 5gb of 4G speeds and then unlimited 3g speed plus I am allowed to tether.

He said for $5 less I can get unlimited 4g speeds but am not allowed to tether.

If I have a Nexus 4, is there any way they can stop me or even know that I am tethering?

Also, I guess its important to ask, does TMO consider HSPA+ to be 4G?

 

[Crashdamage]

I spoke with a T-Mobile rep and he said that my current plan allows 5gb of 4G speeds and then unlimited 3g speed plus I am allowed to tether.

It's 5GB then unlimited *2G* speed.

He said for $5 less I can get unlimited 4g speeds but am not allowed to tether.

Correct.

If I have a Nexus 4, is there any way they can stop me or even know that I am tethering?

Yes.

Also...does TMO consider HSPA+ to be 4G?

They do and it IS fast, often faster than LTE.

 

[SpatzST]

Ah 2g. ok.

Oh I see, how do they know? I mean technically wouldn't it just show up as data from my phone?

 

[chrlswltrs]

Using the built in tethering on a Nexus S always worked for me just fine. I just tested it on my Nexus 4 and the built in option works fine and I don't have the extra $5 package.

 

[zachavm]

It's 5GB then unlimited *2G* speed.


Correct.


Yes.


They do and it IS fast, often faster than LTE.

Crashdamage, please explain further. I've used tethering and never had issues on my Galaxy Nexus.

 

[Crashdamage]

Crashdamage, please explain further. I've used tethering and never had issues on my Galaxy Nexus.

Browser ID, total data usage, other methods. If they really want to know, they can. Whether or not they bother to detect and enforce tethering bans or limits depends on the level of abuse and the carrier's attitude. T-Mobile is apparently fairly tolerant but has their limits. VZW will send Black OPS after you.

 

[thebryceee]

VZW will send Black OPS after you.

Haha

 

[zachavm]

Browser ID, total data usage, other methods. If they really want to know, they can. Whether or not they bother to detect and enforce tethering bans or limits depends on the level of abuse and the carrier's attitude. T-Mobile is apparently fairly tolerant but has their limits. VZW will send Black OPS after you.

Ah, yes. I misinterpreted your point. You were saying they could. To that I definitely agree. If you are using lots of data (probably something like over 10 gigs in a month) I would bet you'll get looked into. I've got a 2GB plan and rarely go over. I do tether, but only once every few months. Like layovers in the Airport.

 

[SpatzST]

ohok. I figured it was something like that.

I don't tether very often, just really for my nexus 7 tablet when im out, so I think its safe to do it then.

 

[Citizen Coyote]

As long as you don't abuse it (stream videos, use peer networks, play MMOs) or use it excessively (such as your main internet access), you should be able to fly under the radar. Yes, they can tell if they bother to look, so don't give them a reason to look.

 

[kevlarian]

Yes. Don't give them a reason to find you. They found me and blocked my tethering while I was on a train. I had the completely unlimited plan. But now they know me. I had to downgrade to the 5gb plan with free tethering. Boo.

 

[OhSeven]

I haven't really used tethering except to see that it works. Today I noticed that webpages redirect to a T Mobile page offering their tethering service. This is on the $30 plan with 5GB data

edit: but the fix seems as easy as a user agent switcher extension

edit2: because most user agents that work make a mobile page display, I looked for a UA string that works while providing the desktop site. Someone mentioned Linux Mint working with hotspot and this is the first one I found on google. It works!


Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.0.9) Gecko/2009042113 Linux Mint/6 (Felicia) Firefox/3.0.9

 

[chong67]

User agent switcher extension?