Thinking about getting G1. I need an unlimited data plan that I can tether

[1wired1]

to my laptop and home computer. I have been reading here a little and searching Google. I read that after you use 1gb of 3g tmobile slows you down to edge speed. Is that true?

I am currently with att, but their data plan is only 5gb. I need the data plan for my home internet. I live in the sticks and only dial-up and satellite are available.

My plan is to cancel att and sign up for tmob, get two G1's (one for me, one for my wife) then we can both tether to our laptops and desktop when needed. Does this make sense or is there a better option?

Thanks for any advice/ help. Having trouble figuring out the best option.

-1w1

 

[Cryptic79]

If you live in the sticks, do you even get 3G? I would make sure that it's available.

 

[1wired1]

It was available with att. tmob rep just said it's not in my area yet, but will be soon.

Not sure what to do, feeling stuck right now with no internet at home.

 

[punkzanyj]

It was available with att. tmob rep just said it's not in my area yet, but will be soon.

Not sure what to do, feeling stuck right now with no internet at home.

"Soon" is so very vague, you may get these expensive phones and not be able to use them for what you want.

If Verizon or Sprint is in your area, you might do better getting a laptop card. I've used both of theirs before and they are very simple. It's only about 70 bucks a month per card, and you don't have to deal with any tethering software.

 

[1wired1]

Neither Verizon nor Sprint offer unlimited data anymore. Only Tmobile is left. I've considered just getting the tmob unlimited data card and keeping my att phone service. Only thing is that for the same price or less. I can have internet on the G1 phones and then tether at home. Upfront phone cost would be the only extra cost.

 

[punkzanyj]

Neither Verizon nor Sprint offer unlimited data anymore. Only Tmobile is left. I've considered just getting the tmob unlimited data card and keeping my att phone service. Only thing is that for the same price or less. I can have internet on the G1 phones and then tether at home. Upfront phone cost would be the only extra cost.

True, but tethering is in a gray area on the G1. It's entirely possible that use of the tethering apps that are out there may violate the service agreement with T-Mobile, or at the very least they could very well throttle you down to edge speeds if you're using too much data.

You could end up having to move to Sprint or Verizon anyway if T-Mobile feels like dumping you over your data usage.

 

[1wired1]

Damn I wish Comcast would hurry and run a line to my house.

I think I'm going to get a data aircard and plan tonight. Seems like the simplest solution. I would like to have a phone with data, but I don't think it's worth the hassle at this point. Plus I don't really need a phone with data, just would have been nice for the same monthly cost.

 

[wildneg]

Well, yell at me if I am wrong, but isn't Edge something like 256kbps? I mean even tethering at the Edge speed on your G1 (Which is possible right?), will be better then dialup. It will be unlimited and always on. I think it would still be a win/win situation. Just my two cents...

- Kevin

 

[Filament]

Throttling occurs once you use more than 10GB of data transfer in one month, not 1GB.

 

[jaymzz]

True, but tethering is in a gray area on the G1. It's entirely possible that use of the tethering apps that are out there may violate the service agreement with T-Mobile, or at the very least they could very well throttle you down to edge speeds if you're using too much data.

T-mobile assured me - over multiple calls and a store visit - that tethering is *not* a violation of thier terms of use.

The bigger problem is there seems currently to be no easy way to tether the stock phone! (dev phones or rooted phones it seems may be possible)