Root Can tethering be detected?

basalt · Jan 21, 2013

So my contracts due up on my phone ( galaxy S ) and rather than upgrade I want an unlimited data package so I can tether my nexus to it. The two contenders are T mobile and 3. T have the best deal ( unlimited everything ) but apparently won't allow tethering.

Question is - can they actually catch you? I use Dolphin on my phone and it's always set to appear as a desktop, I use the same browser on the nexus ( and occasionally use Tor just to be awkward ).

I don't see how they can tell what device the data is being used for and if I can't be caught I'm quite happy to break the T&C.

Both devices are rooted.

RichSz · Jan 21, 2013

The quick answer is yes, it can be detected. A followup question is would it be detected?

The technology exists via deep packet inspection to know whether the data you use makes sense for the device that's using it. Tethering a PC to your phone is probably easy for the ISP to figure out. I assume tethering an Android tablet to an Android phone would be much more difficult to detect.

It's possible for a tether to be detected but will the ISP look closely enough to notice? I can't answer that. It's a risk you'll have to weigh.

basalt · Jan 21, 2013

thanks, I'm leaning a bit more to 3 now - it's also a slightly cheaper contract but no unlimited phone calls.

Highly entertaining argument with my current provider ( o2 ) who were getting very irate with my refusal to accept that I couldn't possibly use more than a gig a month, took 15 mins of debate to get a PAC out of them

Gomjaba · Jan 21, 2013

Go with 3 - the have no nonsense unlimited data contracts and in the `ONE Plan' - tethering is included.Because my 3G, or better HSPA+ coverage is much better than my broadband,I always tether or download stuff straight to the phone or tablet. Last few months I pulled easily 5-6GB each month and they don't even flinch.

El Presidente · Jan 21, 2013

I've a mate who doesn't have broadband, he just tethers using the 3 one plan. He claims to use 40GB (I suspect a little hyperbole) a month with streaming etc and they've never batted an eyelid.

I read in a thread a while back they'll start throttling at 80GB, but that's it.

Internaut · Jan 22, 2013

I'm currently testing a pre paid MiFi device with Three. Current impressions? Even at old fashioned 3G, their data network is nothing short of superb. On the couple of occasions I've been within dual channel HSPA+ coverage, it's been significantly more responsive than my home broadband (which gives approx 4-4.5 mbps - reliable enough for iPlayer and 720p Netflix).

Doubts? Well if you're not in coverage, you're not in coverage. If it's mostly for use in one place and the best the device indicates is 3G then you're not going to get better than that any time soon.

basalt · Jan 23, 2013

Cheers - I've ordered a 3 Sim, now my tethering will only be limited by phone battery life

n4zty · Jan 23, 2013

i would download user agent changer for chrome on your tablet that makes your carrier think your just using your phone alot. ive shared a similar tutorial on the metro pcs lg esteem thread in how to change user agent string on the browser since our carrier " metro pcs" just black list normal browser's strings to keep us from tethering to other devices to surf the web.

so first step get your phone's user agent string which u can easily do by go to this link on your phone's browser

http://whatsmyuseragent.com/

then use that string on your tablet's user agent changer if it allows custom ones to be added. mine looks like this:

Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.1.1; en-us; SCH-R530M Build/JRO03L)

ua picker free from market they also have a paid version not sure what features it has but worth the money.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...esult#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5hcHBvMi51YSJd

Demache · Jan 24, 2013

Android tablet traffic will most likely be near transparent. Traffic it generates would be near indistinguishable from an Android phone.

Tethering to an actual PC is a different story, as it produces TONS of traffic (web browser user agent is only one of them) that are dead giveaways. Download games from Steam? Tell me about how your doing that on Android. Don't forget Windows Update (which phones home a lot), various other PC services, etc.

My theory is, they will only start looking closely if you are a very heavy data user (I'm talking 10+ GB a month). And even then, as many people have proven, its unlikely you will get called out on it.

I think many carriers are just saying "to hell with it" and are just moving everyone from unlimited to tiered data (at least stateside). I guess their logic is if you are a heavy data user because you tether, they will force you to more expensive data plans.

Lefthand · Jan 24, 2013

I'm on T-Mobile (an old contract admittedly) and not only it allows me to tether I've never been charged or questioned. I only do it sporadically admittedly and set the N7 not to run background data when tethered.

n4zty · Jan 24, 2013

Demache said:
Android tablet traffic will most likely be near transparent. Traffic it generates would be near indistinguishable from an Android phone.

Tethering to an actual PC is a different story, as it produces TONS of traffic (web browser user agent is only one of them) that are dead giveaways. Download games from Steam? Tell me about how your doing that on Android. Don't forget Windows Update (which phones home a lot), various other PC services, etc.

My theory is, they will only start looking closely if you are a very heavy data user (I'm talking 10+ GB a month). And even then, as many people have proven, its unlikely you will get called out on it.

I think many carriers are just saying "to hell with it" and are just moving everyone from unlimited to tiered data (at least stateside). I guess their logic is if you are a heavy data user because you tether, they will force you to more expensive data plans.

I suppose your right but I believe every carrier is different for example im on metro pcs and have friends that download torrents using same phone same carrier snd same plan and they go for around 10-15 gb monthily if not more by tethering so our conclusion is our carrier dont monitor what we download but might throttle us if we use more than that in a month. Other carriers might be more nosey and try to monitor its customers to see what exactly they are downloading. But bottom line is if your going to tether try not to abuse it that way you dont give your carrier any excuse to mess with your service. When I do tether I just surf the web and watch youtube videos. Ive read users wanting to tether just to be able to playing online with their xbox 360 or ps3 and thats just pushing it if u ask me. I could never use my phone for that... just get a real broadband connection!

ChadShaft · Jan 24, 2013

I just downloaded FoxFi to my Note 2. When I activate the Wifi Hot spot the T-Mobile tethering icon pops up and tells me my phone is now tethering.

Does this mean T-Mobile can tell I'm tethering?

n4zty · Jan 24, 2013

ChadShaft said:
I just downloaded FoxFi to my Note 2. When I activate the Wifi Hot spot the T-Mobile tethering icon pops up and tells me my phone is now tethering.

Does this mean T-Mobile can tell I'm tethering?

Same thing with my phone's bloatware wifi tether. If I were you I would root your phone and find that note 2 t-mobile tether app and rename the .apk to .bak that will disable any of your t-mobile bloat ware.

Rxpert83 · Jan 24, 2013

Moved to ATR since its root related

Root Can tethering be detected?

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