Help Can someone please explain to me if tethering is free and legal?

[whitenoiz]

Can someone please explain to me if tethering is free and legal?

Why do some sites say Verizon will charge extra? Will they? Do they?

So can you do it free and legally? How do you do it?

I'm scared.



Thanks.

(and yes I have seen the [How to] Tether Natively thread...)

 

[woop]

Yes it is legal, however, VZW expects you to pay for their premium business/corporate data package plan instead of the normal unlimited data plan. The former is 45 dollars, whereas the latter is 30 dollars. The former includes you being able to tether, whereas the latter, you are not supposed to.

That being said, as long as VZW doesn't find out you are tethering with their cheaper plan, you will be fine. There are numerous people who tether and actually go over the 5GB tethering cap, without any problems.

 

[whitenoiz]

Yes it is legal, however, VZW expects you to pay for their premium business/corporate data package plan instead of the normal unlimited data plan. The former is 45 dollars, whereas the latter is 30 dollars. The former includes you being able to tether, whereas the latter, you are not supposed to.

That being said, as long as VZW doesn't find out you are tethering with their cheaper plan, you will be fine. There are numerous people who tether and actually go over the 5GB tethering cap, without any problems.

How do you personally do it?
Apps like PDAnet or the method mentioned in the [How to] Tether Natively thread? Or just choose "Mobile Broadband Connect" when connected to USB?

(Anyone can answer)

 

[woop]

PDAnet. I think Mobile Broadband Connect would be the "legit" way to do it if you were paying the extra monthly cost. Since I am not, I'm using the app.

 

[whitenoiz]

PDAnet. I think Mobile Broadband Connect would be the "legit" way to do it if you were paying the extra monthly cost. Since I am not, I'm using the app.

I see, I see. What do you think about the method in the HOW TO thread?

 

[woop]

I see, I see. What do you think about the method in the HOW TO thread?

I have not read that thread, however, I can personally vouch (as well as MANY others) for PDAnet. Its a great app if you decide you want to tether.

 

[Sodequis]

Not an issue of legality. Theoretically you could be charged for it... Theoretically you could break your contract with your carrier. None of which means you are breaking a law, given you are prepared to pay any charges that may come with it.

I have vzw... easily use near 5gigs a month with pdanet and easytether. No issues.

 

[rafer]

What's the difference between the free pdanet app and the one that costs something?

 

[Phydeaux]

The free version doesn't allow you to access https URL's, so many pages that require transfer of personal information will not work.

 

[necosino]

I see, I see. What do you think about the method in the HOW TO thread?

Use this method. It's simple, takes 2 minutes, no 3rd party applications, and is 100% free without any HTTPS filtering.

 

[Mark_Venture]

Can someone please explain to me if tethering is free and legal?

Why do some sites say Verizon will charge extra? Will they? Do they?

So can you do it free and legally? How do you do it?

I'm scared.



Thanks.

(and yes I have seen the [How to] Tether Natively thread...)

Two long running debates for Verizon users... "Is it ok to tether or not?" and "Is the data plan unlimited or does it have a 5gig cap?"

Read the fine print on the TOS for the Unlimited Email and Web for Smart Phone and Blackberry plains. There is no cap listed or even implied. However, it DOES specifically forbid tethering (using your phone as a modem)... from -> Terms & Conditions

Unlimited Smartphone and BlackBerry Plans and Features
These WirelessEmail plans and features cannot be used: (1) for access to the Internet, intranets or other data networks except as the device

 

[Mefesto44]

Where is the "How-To" thread on wireless tethering? I've looked all over the forums and have been unable to find it.

Thanks!

 

[woop]

Where is the "How-To" thread on wireless tethering? I've looked all over the forums and have been unable to find it.

Thanks!

Here you go.

http://androidforums.com/tips-tricks-incredible/74400-howto-tether-natively.html

 

[poland626]

If I have one of those USB sticks that connects to cell towers and is used for laptops, can I use tethering? I mean, is that the same thing? We do pay for it and all.....

 

[jakeh0]

why exactly does it cost more to tether? seems to be arbitrary BS to me

 

[Crashumbc]

If I have one of those USB sticks that connects to cell towers and is used for laptops, can I use tethering? I mean, is that the same thing? We do pay for it and all.....

Is that and your phone on the same account? If so, My guess is it would be ok, BUT if you want to be "legit"(in accordance with the TOS), I would double check with VZW.

 

[Crashumbc]

why exactly does it cost more to tether? seems to be arbitrary BS to me

Because Verizon (and rightly so) Expects someone using a laptop/computer/etc to generally use MUCH more data and bandwidth then what most people are going to do on their phone.

Part of the problem is the abuser's, the guy who's trying to use bit torrent to download 2-3 HD movies at 10-15 GBs each a week over his connection...

 

[flintoid]

If you are ok taking that risk, then do what you want...

It's good to see the man that has provided me with countless years of Razr, envy2, and lgchoc tips, tricks, and root edits join an android forum that I just hopped on for info.

You are legendary in my book. And yeah, I do remember the EVDO tethering "caught red handed" stories posted on howardforums.

It's not exactly a game that you can play with any sort of science that will keep you from getting caught. Most people that got busted were seriously throttling the wireless network, like hooking up their xbox to it for live, or torrenting movies, etc. Generally using the connection for their primary internet connection.

But some weren't. Some used it periodically or "leisurely" and still got bones. It's definitely a YMMV service.

 

[fahrer4184]

Something else for everyone to think about in general...

Free WiFi is almost everywhere now. I'm on free WiFi at Borders right now, I'm pretty sure the McDonald's up the street has free WiFi, and I know the library just a couple miles away has free WiFi.

If you can't think of anywhere in your area, try these sites which will list all the free (and paid) WiFi spots in your area: GWiFi, JIWire, and WiFi Free Spot.

A coworker suggested EasyTether to me yesterday, and I searched here to see if there was any catch behind it.

In truth, there's so much free WiFi around (at least here in Orlando) that I don't feel the need to either pay for tethering or even do it through a hack or third-party app, regardless of the legal or ethical issues.

So, IMO, this is a third option to consider.