Well-Known Fact - Wireless Hotspot on the Optimus V

[WinCamXP]

Yes, VM blocks out the Wireless Hotspot/Tethering feature...IN THE SETTINGS ONLY. So this means if you download Quick Settings app or something else involving tethering, you can still use it and take advantage of your unlimited Internet. This means no annoying siblings taking your phone away to watch videos on YouTube they probably shouldn't be watching, instead they use their outdated 2nd gen iPod Touch and connect to your hotspot!

(I'm getting this phone soon, I'm looking forward to doing this with my sister. We have a power inverter so my battery life isn't a problem.)

Yes, many people know this already, I learned this somewhere else (forget where), but it's still handy to know. Cheapo unlimited 3G plus free tethering is AWESOME!

EDIT:

Note this is against the Terms of Service, and if too many people abuse it they may disable unlimited data or completely strip the feature from the phone, among other reasons (see other posts for details). So please, PLEASE, PLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE do not abuse this.

 

[koopakid08]

Yes that is common knowledge. just know that if you use more than 5 or 6 GB of data your speed will get throttled but I doubt you would ever hit that unless you stream netflix over 3g.

 

[droidborg]

Just a word of caution ..... It violates terms of service to tether.

 

[Petrah]

Yes, VM blocks out the Wireless Hotspot/Tethering feature

Very common knowledge.

As the previous poster states, by using that exploit it violates your terms of service agreement with VM. You're supposed to pay for this feature.

 

[greg4android]

Just wait . . . The more and more people abuse the "unlimited data" part of this plan . . . .(and abusing the "hotspot" feature)....the closer and closer it comes to being capped.

If you aren't familiar with the recent incident and change of terms/service with the Broadband2Go device, then read over at dslreports.com

People abused the &@#* out of the $40 unlimited USB broadband device...Virgin Mobile said "no more". Changed to 2.5/5GB plans, plan went up to $50. (believe there was some grandfather clause in there somewhere if you already had one....not sure if its capped or not).

The bottom line . . .the more data you suck up with the hotspot and streaming video, the more strain on the network.......Eventually they'll STRIP the hotspot feature OUT of the phone (just like SPRINT did with the Optimus S)....and the data hogs will end up making the "unlimited" a capped plan just like the Broadband2Go plans.
Or maybe create a bogus ad like T-Mobile - - Unlimited Data (2GB at FULL SPEED, 256kbps rest of the month).....

the word UNLIMITED should not exist in smartphone/cellphone plan terminology!

 

[Kelmar]

Closed for cleaning

Thread reopened and multiple posts (and replies) have been deleted.

As a reminder to all, please refrain from name calling and fighting. It really is useless to argue with a stranger on the internet. It doesn't make you look cool and it WILL get you banned.


To those who were and have been helpful, thank you!

Some legitimate responses were deleted as they were replying to posts that were less than cordial. If your post was included in one of these, do not take offense.

Feel free to PM me if any questions!

 

[MacFett]

The broadband2go is NOT capped, it is throttled. Big difference there. If it was capped once you hit the cap you'd get no more data. You still have data transfer after the cap, it is just much slower. So it is still unlimited, just not 3g speed. Which I have not seen the 3g advertised as unlimited, just the unlimited data.

 

[WinCamXP]

Okay, I understand. I'll keep myself from hotspotting, my mom will just have to deal with my sister using her phone. I need to keep this darn unlimited data, I need my YouTube!

But if you people want to risk it despite all of these things people said, go ahead.

 

[koopakid08]

Just wait . . . The more and more people abuse the "unlimited data" part of this plan . . . .(and abusing the "hotspot" feature)....the closer and closer it comes to being capped.

If you aren't familiar with the recent incident and change of terms/service with the Broadband2Go device, then read over at dslreports.com

People abused the &@#* out of the $40 unlimited USB broadband device...Virgin Mobile said "no more". Changed to 2.5/5GB plans, plan went up to $50. (believe there was some grandfather clause in there somewhere if you already had one....not sure if its capped or not).

The bottom line . . .the more data you suck up with the hotspot and streaming video, the more strain on the network.......Eventually they'll STRIP the hotspot feature OUT of the phone (just like SPRINT did with the Optimus S)....and the data hogs will end up making the "unlimited" a capped plan just like the Broadband2Go plans.
Or maybe create a bogus ad like T-Mobile - - Unlimited Data (2GB at FULL SPEED, 256kbps rest of the month).....

the word UNLIMITED should not exist in smartphone/cellphone plan terminology!

You do get throttled after about 5GB of data use. I use the hotspot for my ipod but I don't stream any videos or crap. If your not going to abuse it go ahead. They just blocked it so that people dont use get rid of their internet because they can use their phone.

 

[AndyOpie150]

PdaNet is an app on the market and on the web. download it both on your computer and your "V". once installed go into the settings on the one in your computer. PdaNet has a feature that will HIDE said tethering activity.

 

[StanO360]

I would not get this phone for this purpose. Every time I used it, it's fine, until I try to download something, goes for about 2 minutes and slows to an absolute crawl.

Works for short little browsing sessions only.

 

[greg4android]

My point was that VM will eventually do this to the Optimus V.

Broadband2Go was a huge success (with major data issues on launch).
People went ga-ga with data usage. VM/Sprint said "enough.....

Even Millenicom's "unlimited" broadband using Sprint is "limited" now.

The broadband2go is NOT capped, it is throttled. Big difference there. If it was capped once you hit the cap you'd get no more data. You still have data transfer after the cap, it is just much slower. So it is still unlimited, just not 3g speed. Which I have not seen the 3g advertised as unlimited, just the unlimited data.

 

[greg4android]

My second point . . .

Sprint/VM are aware people are using the hotspot. If they really care is probably based off your "data usage" when exploiting it.

They will eventually just "FORCE" an OTA upgrade with a new firmware that will disable the feature, period (just like they did with the Optimus S).

Early OTA's had the option of "ignoring" them in the notification bar, where as later ones were "forced", and your phone rebooted automatically (most likely the ones who were aggressively abusing it).

 

[WC Jerome]

Let me get this straight. If you get the MiFi device from VM, you will have another monthly plan, in addition to your regular monthly plan for your phone? I just wanna make sure I'm understanding this right.

 

[greg4android]

The mi-fi is an internet device (mobile broadband). It can serve as a internet "hotspot" as its primary function for several devices. With its on plan (VM recently shook this up.. What is it $40-50 for 5GB/ or 2.5GB)???


the Optimus V is a smartphone. its primary function is a phone. It does have internet capability, but isn't meant to be shared with other devices.
yep, it requires its own plan.

So, do you want an internet sharing device or a phone?

Let me get this straight. If you get the MiFi device from VM, you will have another monthly plan, in addition to your regular monthly plan for your phone? I just wanna make sure I'm understanding this right.

 

[bac22]

Just wait . . . The more and more people abuse the "unlimited data" part of this plan . . . .(and abusing the "hotspot" feature)....the closer and closer it comes to being capped.

You can say this until you're blue in the face, but few people will listen to it, bandwidth hogs will always exist while the term "unlimited" is continually thrown around.

Sprint actually needs to look at this from a different point of view; mobile services will continue to grow and use of wireless infrastructures will continue to rise. As a wireless network engineer myself, looking at ways to improve the infrastructure to provide users with the services they need is important.

 

[greg4android]

Why don't you write Dan Hesse and see if that does any good.....

dan@sprint.com

Good luck!

You can say this until you're blue in the face, but few people will listen to it, bandwidth hogs will always exist while the term "unlimited" is continually thrown around.

Sprint actually needs to look at this from a different point of view; mobile services will continue to grow and use of wireless infrastructures will continue to rise. As a wireless network engineer myself, looking at ways to improve the infrastructure to provide users with the services they need is important.

 

[bac22]

Why don't you write Dan Hesse and see if that does any good.....

dan@sprint.com

Good luck!

My post was more rhetorical in nature...I'm in the industry and know the players already .

 

[greg4android]

Really? Mobile services are more popular today? Wireless usage is growing?

WOW! who would have ever thought....

Sprint actually needs to look at this from a different point of view; mobile services will continue to grow and use of wireless infrastructures will continue to rise.

 

[bac22]

last time i checked

 

[ScottColbert]

You do get throttled after about 5GB of data use. I use the hotspot for my ipod but I don't stream any videos or crap. If your not going to abuse it go ahead. They just blocked it so that people dont use get rid of their internet because they can use their phone.

While they do say in regards to BB2Go I've gone over anywhere from 1-2 gigs with no throttling.