carriers cracking down on phone tethering

[Beefpunch]

Apparently phone companies are trying to stop people from tethering their computers to their phones Internet (which could explain my tethering problems ) unless people pay the company an extra $20 to $30 a month for the use their tethering service kinda like double dipping. I find this to be an outrage because this is one of the biggest reasons why I own a droid.
Carriers crack down on unauthorized cell phone tethering - CNN.com

 

[Mayhem]

Yep, old news... and there are multiple ways around it. I use Wifi Tether for Root to tether my tablet and Barnacle for those rare times when I need to use my laptop away from home.

 

[lunatic59]

Like it or not, requiring a separate plan to tether is part of the service agreement and using one of the various methods to bypass the restrictions is a violation of that agreement. So disagree with the policy all you like, but until it's ruled that it is an unenforceable policy in the legal system, you do so at your own risk and must accept the consequences if caught.

As Mayhem said, it's old news. Personally I think the PR offices of the carriers put out this "story" every few months to keep the fear of dog in those still teetering on the fence since they know how easy it is to do and difficult to enforce.

 

[Mayhem]

Actually, the article the OP linked to was from 2011. Have there been any new news articles about this? I honestly don't know, especially if they were released in the last week or so.

 

[SiempreTuna]

My view: the networks have completely changed their tack and are phasing out unlimited plans as rapidly as they can so that people that rack up a ton of data on a limited plan will end up paying through the nose for it.

In fact, I reckon you can look forward to them pushing the idea of tethering your laptop precisely because it will be a nice little earner for them :deal:

 

[Beefpunch]

Well the thing is just recently when I tether its been refusing to connect my computer to the Internet through my phone. Is it possible they actually started doing something about it?

 

[SiempreTuna]

I assume you still have unlimited data ..

As discussed above, there are threads on here that discuss ways around this, but there could well be legal implications.

 

[saptech]

Tethering and hotspot are the same? Is it okay to do it with a computer if you pay for it or it's included with your plan?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Vzw including it with SEP. I should be able to tether my phone with my computer, correct?

 

[Mayhem]

Well the thing is just recently when I tether its been refusing to connect my computer to the Internet through my phone. Is it possible they actually started doing something about it?

Yep. But there are multiple programs that will allow you to still tether. What I listed in my 1st response is what works for me. But I don't tether often and when I do, it's usually just my Android tablet and only for an hour or two a week max.

 

[jhawkkw]

Tethering and hotspot are the same? Is it okay to do it with a computer if you pay for it or it's included with your plan?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Vzw including it with SEP. I should be able to tether my phone with my computer, correct?

Correct. The FCC has stated that Verizon cannot restrict tethering on limited data plans and that you can use Verizon's service or any app to accomplish this. However, this doesn't hold true for those on the old data plans and they have to add the tethering plan.

 

[Rxpert83]

One of the few things in wireless that makes sense over here :thumbup:

FCC to vzw customers:
If you're paying for a bucket of data, you can use that data however you wish.

If you're paying for unlimited data, Verizon has the right to charge extra for sharing that unlimited data with other devices.

 

[Beefpunch]

I've been using foxfi

 

[AntimonyER]

I've been using foxfi

Well it seems Verizon has fixed the exploit that Foxfi was using to get free hotspot as of today. So the app no longer works on any Verizon phone.

 

[fazoom]

Well it seems Verizon has fixed the exploit that Foxfi was using to get free hotspot as of today. So the app no longer works on any Verizon phone.

Suddenly our phones won't connect via wifi. man that stinks. Really REALLY stinks. Hope it's temporary. Worked this morning and stopped working this afternoon.

 

[Brynk]

seems problem is gone and foxfi is connecting again

 

[fazoom]

seems problem is gone and foxfi is connecting again

Ya... that was weird. Like they were testing something..

 

[funkylogik]

If my carrier EVER blocks my tethering ill simply take the sim out and put another one in :beer:

 

[UncleMike]

If my carrier EVER blocks my tethering ill simply take the sim out and put another one in :beer:

Easy for you to say... not living in the US and all, where most people pay through the nose for bloatware-laden, carrier-locked devices with standard features removed or crippled. I'll do what I like with my GSM Galaxy Nexus, and if that means changing to another MVNO, then so be it. :beer: - right back at you!