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Tethering - what's the advantage?

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As a newbie to the Droid world, I'm sure my question is based on ignorance but here goes.

My limited understanding of tethering is this: If the Droid is connected the internet via WIFI, I can tether my laptop to it and use the same internet connection established by the Droid.

However, if there is no WIFI signal available for the Droid, (and even though it does have 3G cell service), laptop connection to the internet no longer works.

Here's what I dont get - if theres a WIFI signal already available for my Droid, that same WIFI signal would also be available for my laptop. So then, what's the point of tethering the laptop to tether the Droid??

Is there some other advantage or use for tethering??

Thanks in advance everyone
 
Tethering is the use of a mobile device with Internet access such as 3G cellular service to serve as an Internet gateway or access point for other devices. Other devices may connect to the gateway via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or by Universal Serial Bus (USB) cabling.
Tethering uses mobile applications or software depending on the mobile's operating system. A popular application is Joikuspot that works on Nokia(Symbian), Samsung and Windows Mobile phones.[1]
There are advantages and disadvantages to tethering.[2]
Data transfers over tethered mobile phones may violate the terms of use imposed by the mobile carrier or may even be subject to high fees.[citation needed] As cited in Sprint's Terms of Service, "Except with Phone-as-Modem plans, you may not use a phone (including a Bluetooth phone) as a modem in connection with a computer, PDA, or similar device. We reserve the right to deny or terminate service without notice for any misuse or any use that adversely affects network performance."[3] Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility currently offer tethering to their plans for a fee.
 
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You are thinking wrong. You dont connect to wifi on your phone, then connect your computer to the phone. You connect the phone to 3g, then connect the computer to your phone. If you are at home and have wifi, just connect the computer to that. Tethering is basically used for when you are not at home, and dont have a wifi connection anywhere.
 
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or for when you don't want or need wifi at home. I cancelled my home inet and save ~60 amonth because I have inet I can share with my computer at home.

THAT will get your service suspended, and your service cut off. Unless you're paying for the tethering monthly, on usage that heavy, you can, and will be busted.

After rooting, the tethering that comes with that isn't intended for a total at home replacement. It's for if you need or want internet on something on your laptop, PSP, netbook, computer, whatever, when there's no other alternative.



If every person tethering took on iDroid's idea, all carriers would look into locking out all their phones to prevent rooting, and would most likely introduce ridiculous tiered pricing for their plans, in come AT&T and Verizon.

Sprint offers unlimited data with their plans. Ye similar paying for it, but I also realize that it's mobile data. Sprint is a business. They must make more off their customers per year or month than they spend on the data used. I respect that, it's basic business. If I used something like 20 gigs a month, or some other ludicrous number like iDroid might be racking up, I'd be contributing to the downfall of sprint's decent pricing (compare fro there's either carriers for what you get). I use what I want and might need, and that's that.

Streaming music is fine on your phone. Torrenting music and movies... leave that to your ISP at home.
 
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THAT will get your service suspended, and your service cut off. Unless you're paying for the tethering monthly, on usage that heavy, you can, and will be busted.

After rooting, the tethering that comes with that isn't intended for a total at home replacement. It's for if you need or want internet on something on your laptop, PSP, netbook, computer, whatever, when there's no other alternative.



If every person tethering took on iDroid's idea, all carriers would look into locking out all their phones to prevent rooting, and would most likely introduce ridiculous tiered pricing for their plans, in come AT&T and Verizon.

Sprint offers unlimited data with their plans. Ye similar paying for it, but I also realize that it's mobile data. Sprint is a business. They must make more off their customers per year or month than they spend on the data used. I respect that, it's basic business. If I used something like 20 gigs a month, or some other ludicrous number like iDroid might be racking up, I'd be contributing to the downfall of sprint's decent pricing (compare fro there's either carriers for what you get). I use what I want and might need, and that's that.

Streaming music is fine on your phone. Torrenting music and movies... leave that to your ISP at home.

so do you actually have proof of this ever happening to someone? Has anyone actually ever been busted? Surely you wouldn't be spouting off hearsay as fact now would you? A thread claiming to have been suspended or cancelled.

I didn't think so. This has been a rumor as old as Droid itself. Bottom line, noone has ever been punished for it, despite the numerous scare tactics from people who think I'm ruining it for them.

I use what I want and need too... I pay for unlimited data.... If that happens to be on my phone, or on my computer is no concern of yours.

In fact, I am about 1/2 way finished with downloading Avatar AND playing wii.
 
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OP.. you have misunderstood the situation.

tethering is used when there is no wifi available. this is a solution to get internet connection for other devices through your cell phone.

example:
PC tethered to your Cell phone
Cell phone is connected to Internet via cell service.
 
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iDroid... how am I supposed to respond to that? You interjected your own question with an assumption, leaving me no space to respond any where. Also, google is your friend. Look up cases with this. People HAVE had their accounts flagged for using excessive data. You'll get either one of three things when they flag it. A phone call, an email, or a cease and desist letter. It does happen, and it can happen to you.
Also, if you continue to use LARGE amount of data (over something like 12gb+ per month), as I assume you are, it will happen to you.

I'm not, as you said...
...spouting off hearsay as fact...

I'm actually speaking off of what I've read.


Also, for your sake, I hope you're not torrenting a bluray 3D rip version. That alone is about 9gb or more. :rolleyes:

-edit-
Also, in very rare cases, your data connection will be terminated. The phone will read that it's only connected to 1x, leaving you to either ignore it, and pay for service you're not getting, or call and essentially get chewed out.
 
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so do you actually have proof of this ever happening to someone? Has anyone actually ever been busted? Surely you wouldn't be spouting off hearsay as fact now would you? A thread claiming to have been suspended or cancelled.

I use what I want and need too... I pay for unlimited data.... If that happens to be on my phone, or on my computer is no concern of yours.

I didn't think so. This has been a rumor as old as Droid itself. Bottom line, noone has ever been punished for it, despite the numerous scare tactics from people who think I'm ruining it for them.

In fact, I am about 1/2 way finished with downloading Avatar AND playing wii.

Then expect to get one of these.

SprintLetter_550x590.jpg


It does happen, and it will happen if you abuse any of their policies.

Sprint is pretty damn nice not to enforce(read: they can bust you for tethering 1kb worth of data, without paying them for it, legally.) the no tethering policy on your contract, but they will toss you out on your ass and make you use someone else.

As I've been a long time poster, in many, many forums regarding cellular/mobile service, I know what I'm talking about here. It isn't hearsay, it is fact. Period.

And Sprint will throttle you to the point of uselessness as well, which requires even less effort from them than that dear john letter.

EDIT: And a quick FYI, this has been going on ALOT longer than than Android has existed, or was even a gleam in someone's eye. Fact is, I've been tethering here longer than 99% of everyone here, before smartphones even came close to mainstream. Yeah, we did it on dumbphones. We did it before 3G. (And we STILL thought it was awesome.) So you might want to take this advice from someone who's been there, done that, and seen it already.
 
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False...

1. A PITA customer (making numerous complaints over and over) is not what we're talking about and is not the same as tethering.

I'm not arguing that companies don't cancel....but I assumed in a thread talking about teathering droids (which came out a year ago), and me asking for proof of a canceellation, that the proof posted would be for tethering and not for 2007. My bad for expecting you to be intellectually honest in this discussion.

So, I'll be clear....

Has any DROID owner, ever been cancelled or charged extra for tethering using pdanet, easytether, tether, barnacle, wireless wifi or any droid app that is not the wifi hotspot that you pay 20 /month for limited useage?

2. I tethered on a differnt dumb phone too....but this thread isn't about my E815. This is about droid phones.

Deliberate misinformation like you just did screams agenda. Like a man on a mission who thinks me tethering like I do affects your service. Argue that point all day... but saying you got cancelled in 2007 for too many complaints was not because of tethering
 
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iDroid... how am I supposed to respond to that? You interjected your own question with an assumption, leaving me no space to respond any where. Also, google is your friend. Look up cases with this. People HAVE had their accounts flagged for using excessive data. You'll get either one of three things when they flag it. A phone call, an email, or a cease and desist letter. It does happen, and it can happen to you.
Also, if you continue to use LARGE amount of data (over something like 12gb+ per month), as I assume you are, it will happen to you.

I'm not, as you said...


I'm actually speaking off of what I've read.


Also, for your sake, I hope you're not torrenting a bluray 3D rip version. That alone is about 9gb or more. :rolleyes:

-edit-
Also, in very rare cases, your data connection will be terminated. The phone will read that it's only connected to 1x, leaving you to either ignore it, and pay for service you're not getting, or call and essentially get chewed out.

Simply reading what iowa types is still heresay.... until I see a cancellation or extra charge letter for too much tethering....or more specifically, until YOU see a posted letter....it is heresay.

I have googled...and everything I ever find isn't droid specific. Bottom line...droid owners have never been cancelled for this. Proof from pre november 2009 doesn't apply to this thread.... I also believe if there was actually proof, you would have posted it to prove me wrong other than challenging me to find the proof YOU can't find.

The onus is on you.... you said it,... now back it up with proof
 
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as for the over use of data... in my limited understanding of the situation... I think it is BS!! correct me if I am wrong about my assumptions below.

dont all communication from all services go back to a major trunk (backbone) that is owned and supported by MCI or some other major network company. Cell phone towers are connect via this major network?

data and voice are carried through this backbone.
data on home internet and cell internet goes through this backbone.
so the backbone can handle both without issue.

so the only difference is for cell phones is the tower. Each tower only handles connection and data for the cell phones in it's range. It takes the data and voice in it's range and dumps it into the backbone.

so.. why does it matter how much data we use? it only affects the users on that particular tower.

if all that is true... then it is only an excuse to charge cell phone users more.. because it sounds like we are costing them more for more data use. I dont believe it is true!
 
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False...

1. A PITA customer (making numerous complaints over and over) is not what we're talking about and is not the same as tethering.

I'm not arguing that companies don't cancel....but I assumed in a thread talking about teathering droids (which came out a year ago), and me asking for proof of a canceellation, that the proof posted would be for tethering and not for 2007. My bad for expecting you to be intellectually honest in this discussion.

So, I'll be clear....

Has any DROID owner, ever been cancelled or charged extra for tethering using pdanet, easytether, tether, barnacle, wireless wifi or any droid app that is not the wifi hotspot that you pay 20 /month for limited useage?

2. I tethered on a differnt dumb phone too....but this thread isn't about my E815. This is about droid phones.

Deliberate misinformation like you just did screams agenda. Like a man on a mission who thinks me tethering like I do affects your service. Argue that point all day... but saying you got cancelled in 2007 for too many complaints was not because of tethering

FYI:

1.) It doesn't matter what kind of device you tether. Tethering anything without the appropriate plan breaches contract, and Sprint can legally take action, including overages, frees, and contract cancelation with etf in tow.

2.) Tethering has been around long before the DROID.

3.) Sprint does not carry any DROID. That is Verizon.

4.) That was just an example of one of Sprints letters. For reference, visit SprintUsers.com and ask that question there. Sprint can and will terminate your contract for tethering of any shape or form, and there's nothing you can do about it.


Here's the meat & potatoes of the situation. Unless your abusing tethering, there is a 99.9% chance Sprint won't do a thing to you. Ever. However, if you don't pay for the tethering plan, and red flags constantly hit the Sprint system (i.e. HEAVY USAGE), your account WILL be audited. It is then that Sprint keeps an eye on you. If your blatant abuse continues, or worsens, and it becomes to a point where they are no longer making a profit on you, or enough profit, they will let you go. Period.
 
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as for the over use of data... in my limited understanding of the situation... I think it is BS!! correct me if I am wrong about my assumptions below.

dont all communication from all services go back to a major trunk (backbone) that is owned and supported by MCI or some other major network company. Cell phone towers are connect via this major network?

data and voice are carried through this backbone.
data on home internet and cell internet goes through this backbone.
so the backbone can handle both without issue.

so the only difference is for cell phones is the tower. Each tower only handles connection and data for the cell phones in it's range. It takes the data and voice in it's range and dumps it into the backbone.

so.. why does it matter how much data we use? it only affects the users on that particular tower.

if all that is true... then it is only an excuse to charge cell phone users more.. because it sounds like we are costing them more for more data use. I dont believe it is true!

Excessive bandwidth usage will bog down a tower, and result in slower speeds for everyone else. (espeically 3G) So yes, it does affect everyone.
 
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well then your letter above is absolutely meaningless to this discussion since it has nothing to do with DROID. Funny thing is, that letter didn't even have anything to do with TETHERING. At what point in a thread in a droid forum about tethering, do you think that letter about Sprint and a PITA costumer applies? I couldn't give a rat's butt if AT&T cancels iPhones for tethering.... that STILL wouldn't apply to this discussion.

So Sprint, not even having a droid, doesn't apply whatsoever. Remember, I never said people NEVER get cancelled for various reasons.... I said DROID OWNERS haven't been cancelled for tethering. Very specific.

HAS ANY DROID OWNER BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TETHERING? If so, post proof.


it's a simple question and request, quit dodging, avoiding, swerving and distracting with topics that arent important to this discussion.
 
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Excessive bandwidth usage will bog down a tower, and result in slower speeds for everyone else. (espeically 3G) So yes, it does affect everyone.

only that particular tower.

and at that moment when you ask for data...

only if there are a bunch of users asking for data at the same time..

and normally you are in range of 2 - 3 towers.. so they you can bounce to a not busy tower.

so... i think it is and easy excuse to charge cell users more.
 
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Excessive bandwidth usage will bog down a tower, and result in slower speeds for everyone else. (espeically 3G) So yes, it does affect everyone.

I won't argue that at all... take that concern to another thread and I'll be MORE THAN HAPPY to engage you in that debate on being a valid reason for me or not.

But this thread is about tethering droids.... and since Sprint has no stake in this fight, posting that letter is dishonest to the debate.
 
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well then your letter above is absolutely meaningless to this discussion since it has nothing to do with DROID. Funny thing is, that letter didn't even have anything to do with TETHERING. At what point in a thread in a droid forum about tethering, do you think that letter about Sprint and a PITA costumer applies? I couldn't give a rat's butt if AT&T cancels iPhones for tethering.... that STILL wouldn't apply to this discussion.

So Sprint, not even having a droid, doesn't apply whatsoever. Remember, I never said people NEVER get cancelled for various reasons.... I said DROID OWNERS haven't been cancelled for tethering. Very specific.

HAS ANY DROID OWNER BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TETHERING? If so, post proof.


it's a simple question and request, quit dodging, avoiding, swerving and distracting with topics that arent important to this discussion.

I will post proof of a DROID being cancelled on Sprint for tethering.

Right after you prove a DROID exists on the Sprint network.
 
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only that particular tower.

and at that moment when you ask for data...

only if there are a bunch of users asking for data at the same time..

and normally you are in range of 2 - 3 towers.. so they you can bounce to a not busy tower.

so... i think it is and easy excuse to charge cell users more.

Actually due to the nature of CDMA technology, it would affect all of those towers. But I agree, some of that is price gouging, however, having a remote backhaul to the towers is quite the task versus landline service backhaul. (relatively speaking.)
 
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I will post proof of a DROID being cancelled on Sprint for tethering.

Right after you prove a DROID exists on the Sprint network.

what are you arguing about... I'm not saying they are....


I'm agreeing with you on that point.

here, I'll type it again....

HAS ANY DROID OWNER BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TETHERING? If so, post proof.

I"LL TAKE ANY NETWORK... HAS TO BE A DROID OWNER


if Sprint doesn't have a droid, then don't worry about it....


Hilarious how you keep avoiding the question because THERE IS NO PROOF AND YOU DON"T WANT TO ADMIT IT.
 
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what are you arguing about... I'm not saying they are....


I'm agreeing with you on that point.

here, I'll type it again....

HAS ANY DROID OWNER BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO TETHERING? If so, post proof.

I"LL TAKE ANY NETWORK... HAS TO BE A DROID OWNER


if Sprint doesn't have a droid, then don't worry about it....


Hilarious how you keep avoiding the question because THERE IS NO PROOF AND YOU DON"T WANT TO ADMIT IT.

why does it have to be a Motorola "droid"?

it can be any android phone..
it can be any smartphone..
ti can be any cell phone that tethers without paying for the service.


I would love to hear from any user of illegal tethering service that has gotten any response from their carrier. and what was the situation?
 
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