I do not mind the pricing of the phone. The only pricing I cannot seem to comprehend is the $45 dollar data plan that is required.
The plan is 2GB, same as AT&T's $25 dollar plan... Even the iPhone gets this same plan.
Why jack up the price on the ATRIX?
Pretty sure that's only if you pick up tethering.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Is it possible to buy this phone off-contract?
If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)
eatkabab said:
If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know for sure but I would think so.
PersonOfKnownOrigin said:
Pretty sure that's only if you pick up tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
If you are getting the $45 data plan price from a certain article on theandroidblog.com - it is either a typo, or the writer just didn't know what he/she was talking about.
The official press release/article with the ATT exec stated in the applicable terms that a minimum data plan of $15 is required.
Think about it. I don't know anyone that would pay $45 for 2gb of data.
RacecarBMW said:
Is it possible to buy this phone off-contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple of places already are advertising $599 without contract, so apparently it will be available just like every other phone.
eatkabab said:
If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T is coding the Webtop app to require a tethering plan to use it on the AT&T network.
If you are ignoring the docks / Webtop use, you can ignore the tethering and keep your current plan.
Rastor said:
AT&T is coding the Webtop app to require a tethering plan to use it on the AT&T network.
If you are ignoring the docks / Webtop use, you can ignore the tethering and keep your current plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is all conjecture. I haven't seen anything that claims this on any news/blog/rumor site anywhere except people making weird claims on the forums.
The $45 tethering plan will get you an additional 2GB of data come February 13th for a total of 4GB.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Ok, so the article on The Android Blog was mistyped. That is a relief. a 45 dollar plan would deter anyone from the phone. $25 is better... if only I could keep my nonsmartphone Unlimited plan for $10. :/
Squeak22 said:
This is all conjecture. I haven't seen anything that claims this on any news/blog/rumor site anywhere except people making weird claims on the forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to search a little harder. There are a lot of news sites reporting the pricing. Click HERE for one of them.
Under the section titled "Motorola ATRIX™ 4G" you find this sentence in the third paragraph "The first combines ATRIX 4G and the Motorola Laptop Dock for a promotional price of $499.99 after a two-year service contract and $100 mail-in-rebate after subscription to Data Pro smartphone data plan and tethering add on.". This indicates that to get the package deal you have to sign up for the Data Pro plan which is $25 and the tethering add on which is an additional $20.
If you go down to the quotes section under #3 you see this "Laptop Dock - Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.
". #4 of the same section is indicating that tethered devices require the DataPro Tethering Plan (which at&t could also call using the HD dock tethering).
So all in all, if you're buying the phone by itself, you don't need to change your data plan if you currently have a smartphone data plan. If you are buying one of the docks, be cautious, as they will more than likely require you to change it.
Now here is my speculation on why at&t stated this pricing to news groups and not on their website. They are hoping that the pricing of the atrix will convince a large majority of the people that were excited about it to change their mind and purchase the inspire 4g that comes out next week. They will then release a statement on their website with "revised pricing". Again, my speculation.
Mike, that's still your interpretation of it all. I hear where you're coming from, but it isn't final yet.
ATT told me, both on their Facebook page and from a PR contact, that the HD dock doesn't require the tethering plan. I'm awaiting more detail before I do a more thorough write up on it.
Your last argument about changing pricing purposefully doesn't make much business sense. No one likes to operate in a manner in which they appear to be inept. Do they do it? Sure. Purposefully? I highly doubt it.
Sent from my Sexy Nexy, courtesy of the fine developers of Tapatalk
It doesn't require the tethering plan if you stay in Wifi mode when you're docked. Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.
Rastor said:
It doesn't require the tethering plan if you stay in Wifi mode when you're docked. Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, that comment is preceded by "3 - Laptop Dock". When asked specifically about tethering and the HD dock (that also uses webtop and firefox), AT&T has said tethering is not required. I have inquired as to the reasoning behind this, and what it all really means. They have yet to respond with anything more than "we'll get back to you as soon as we can".
Related
Has anyone tried changing there phone online using a different esn to a previous phone, then dropping the pda package? Im curious as this may be a cheap way for me to get a spare "Free" 9/month Droid Eris to test on.
Won't Work.
FireSokar said:
Has anyone tried changing there phone online using a different esn to a previous phone, then dropping the pda package? Im curious as this may be a cheap way for me to get a spare "Free" 9/month Droid Eris to test on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it will not work because Verizon automatically adds either the 29.99 Data package or the 44.99 data plan. My wife works at Verizon and she can't even change the feature because it overrides it.
What the $45 data plan? I thought the $30 one was the unlimited one? No?
Im talking about a non pda phone, im simply wanting to register it to a basic phone then drop that package from that phone only. If its not a pda phone on there I dont see how verizon can force it to have the package.
Just for clarification im wanting to start off with two eris phones, change swap ESN's to a non pda phone. Then use my Eris no longer with service as wifi only / dismantle for testing purps.
FireSokar said:
Im talking about a non pda phone, im simply wanting to register it to a basic phone then drop that package from that phone only. If its not a pda phone on there I dont see how verizon can force it to have the package.
Just for clarification im wanting to start off with two eris phones, change swap ESN's to a non pda phone. Then use my Eris no longer with service as wifi only / dismantle for testing purps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can do that and it will drop the email and web package not a problem
laxattack said:
yes you can do that and it will drop the email and web package not a problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I recall however, there was a stipulation I read on one of the boards, that you could be subject to a cancelation fee. I don't know how correct it is, or if it is acctually enforced. I seem to remember them instituting this to prevent this exact thing from happening, people get the Buy one Get one then sell the phone.
Like I said I am only realying information I read a few days ago, not sure what it was.
tbaker077 said:
What the $45 data plan? I thought the $30 one was the unlimited one? No?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've talked to a rep about this and the way I understand it, if you have a personal account, unlimited is $30, if you're on a corporate account, the same plan is $45.
$29.99 plan is unlimited ON the device. $45 plan also allows tethering of the device to your computer.
compnird said:
$29.99 plan is unlimited ON the device. $45 plan also allows tethering of the device to your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong!
$29.99 email and web is unlimited email and web for basic access.
$44.99 is for unlimted email and web with access to corporate email (ie. exchange server, or blackberry enterprise server for blackberrys)
tethering for $29.99 plan is $30.00
and tethering for $44.99 plan is $15.00
Trying to get around the system is not a good idea. It can be quite costly.
FireSokar said:
Has anyone tried changing there phone online using a different esn to a previous phone, then dropping the pda package? Im curious as this may be a cheap way for me to get a spare "Free" 9/month Droid Eris to test on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll work, I work for Verizon and have done this for many people that just want to get the free Eris on an add a line. Activate your old phone on the line the Eris is on and the data plan will fall off automatically. The system will not allow a 30 dollar web and email plan to attach to a non smart phone. You may have trouble doing this online due to the feature change, but I suggest that you try online first due to stores and customer service frowning on this action as it results in a revenue loss to the company. They also just gave you a free phone for nothing so they will give you a hard time.
If you don't have your old phone PM me and there is another way it can be done.
laxattack said:
wrong!
$29.99 email and web is unlimited email and web for basic access.
$44.99 is for unlimted email and web with access to corporate email (ie. exchange server, or blackberry enterprise server for blackberrys)
tethering for $29.99 plan is $30.00
and tethering for $44.99 plan is $15.00
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost right:
$29.99 email and web is unlimited email and web. Exchange and BIS (on Blackberry - Blackberry Internet (Consumer Mail) Server) is available on phones that are natively capable -Android, Palm OS, Web OS Window Mobile and Blackberry for consumer email.
$44.99 is for unlimited email and web with access to BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) and/or Verizon's Wireless Sync program (If available for your device; WinMobile, not android). VzW's sync program is a bit useless and/or unavailable for most devices though. And the 44.99 plan is USELESS for an Android device.
For more information about wireless Sync: http://www.wsync.com/
Tethering for $29.99 plan is an additional $30.00 and not currently possible for Android
and tethering for $44.99 plan is $15.00 and not currently possible for Android
So, in closing the 44.99 plan is useless unless you have to connect to BES or NEED the Wireless Sync for Smartphones... which 99% of the population will not.
It really depends on the location you get the phone at. For example, I worked for an indirect agent that required an "equipment agreement", basically stating that if you either cancelled service, or stopped using the handset you bought within the first 6 months of service, you were required to return it, but the store I worked at after that did nothing like that. Pretty much, people can get whatever phone they want and do whatever they want with it, but like I said, that is store specific. I would recommend asking your local store what their policies are on it before you actually purchase anything.
Orrrr you could just use an eris on page plus celluar, which leases verizon service. Not against either companies rules and web sites like kitty wireless will take care of the all the activation and setup and b$ like that. This is what i did, i mainly use the data on wifi, and only turn it on for navigation or a quick web search, as i get 50 mb with my 30 dollar 1200 talk/1200 text prepaid plan.
FireSokar said:
Has anyone tried changing there phone online using a different esn to a previous phone, then dropping the pda package? Im curious as this may be a cheap way for me to get a spare "Free" 9/month Droid Eris to test on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be a silly felony. I prefer to save my felonies for something far more worthwhile.
jcase said:
That would be a silly felony. I prefer to save my felonies for something far more worthwhile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHy is that a felony? He wants to take the eris off a line, put a non smartphone on the line and drop the data package. I did essentially the same thing when I added a line to get my eris. Took the eris off the new line, put it on my existing line, and put a non smartphone on the new line. Dropped the data off the new line. VZW customer service helped me do this.
Renocat said:
WHy is that a felony? He wants to take the eris off a line, put a non smartphone on the line and drop the data package. I did essentially the same thing when I added a line to get my eris. Took the eris off the new line, put it on my existing line, and put a non smartphone on the new line. Dropped the data off the new line. VZW customer service helped me do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read it the same way jcase did, not sure if thats what the op meant but it sounded like he wanted to flash an esn to his eris that belongs to a dumbphone. Cloning cell phones is illegal in the U.S.
there...
FireSokar said:
Just for clarification im wanting to start off with two eris phones, change swap ESN's to a non pda phone. Then use my Eris no longer with service as wifi only / dismantle for testing purps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He only wants an Eris to test on... so he's not swapping esn's... he's downgrading one plan in a sense so one Eris can be used to test, USING WIFI only and not 3G
It's sort of what I do, using a G1 and a pre-paid SIM card from t-mobile for testing.. I only use WiFi connected to my home network on this device.
I have a question regarding this topic, i have verizon and im going to be filling BK chp7 in the next month or so, i have 2 droid eris phones and i think i want to sell them. Since i am going to be putting my verizon bill on my BK i dont think they will release my ESN, should i go to Pageplus now or can i too get the service going with them as im going to do a pay as you go type of service. I also found a service online that says they can unlock my phone would this allow me to take the droids else where or even sell them without the new owners having issues getting them up and running?
Heres the link i found for the unlock code, does this stuff work and will it get my phone to be able to sell it or use it without verizon releasing the esn. Forgive me as im new to this whole esn thing.
Its htc unlocker is the website.
FireSokar said:
Im talking about a non pda phone, im simply wanting to register it to a basic phone then drop that package from that phone only. If its not a pda phone on there I dont see how verizon can force it to have the package.
Just for clarification im wanting to start off with two eris phones, change swap ESN's to a non pda phone. Then use my Eris no longer with service as wifi only / dismantle for testing purps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically you want to commit a felony?
I have a 5-6 year old media net unlimited plan $20 from AT&T which I got when I was using a Motorola MPX220. After that phone I used unlocked smartphones (tilt - UK version and tilt2 - Australian version).
Is there any way to keep this plan after buying this phone? Can I be grandfathered in or is that only possible with the $30 data plans?
no more media net
you WILL get switched to a $25 plan
fincan said:
I have a 5-6 year old media net unlimited plan $20 from AT&T which I got when I was using a Motorola MPX220. After that phone I used unlocked smartphones (tilt - UK version and tilt2 - Australian version).
Is there any way to keep this plan after buying this phone? Can I be grandfathered in or is that only possible with the $30 data plans?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy the phone with no commitment and you can use it.
lsxrx7 said:
no more media net
you WILL get switched to a $25 plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What plan is the $25 plan?
harolds said:
Buy the phone with no commitment and you can use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I did. I have the same plan, if I get a contract I lose my unlimited plan.
No its possible. ATT will recognize your imei number and bump you to a data plan. You have to buy a phone that is not in ATT system such as bell version of atrix. Other wise no chance.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
okay so between James62370 and sl8125, one of you is spreading FUD.
it seems like for one person it works but according to another, it wouldnt. whats up with that?
i have a $10 unlimited data plan for messaging phones that i am currently using with a no commitment TILT2 and the phone prior to that was an iphone 2g.
so James62370, it works? if you buy the phone no commitment?
You wil get switched to a smartphone data plan if you use a smartphone they recognise the imei number of.
edgeicator said:
You wil get switched to a smartphone data plan if you use a smartphone they recognise the imei number of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I said. Anyways even some n1 user have been switched over. I am just one of those lucky one.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Ok ... here is how you can see if you can keep your old plan:
Check the features you have on your line ... If you have a feature called "Smartphone Exclusion" then no matter what ... AT&T wont be able to put the required data plans on you line automatically (the $15 or $25 / month)
If you have unlimited texting for the family as well ... then by providing a non-smartphone IMEI for your line you can get unlimited internet for $10/month.
hgn842001 said:
Ok ... here is how you can see if you can keep your old plan:
Check the features you have on your line ... If you have a feature called "Smartphone Exclusion" then no matter what ... AT&T wont be able to put the required data plans on you line automatically (the $15 or $25 / month)
If you have unlimited texting for the family as well ... then by providing a non-smartphone IMEI for your line you can get unlimited internet for $10/month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this as well. I spoke to an AT&T rep last night and he explained to me that all of my phones have "Data Exclusion", and that even if I bought the Atrix at the 2-year contract price from AT&T's website, it would not be able to apply a smartphone data plan to my account. I have the Media Net plan on one number with the Tilt 2, and no data on line 2, and I bought the Aria for line 2 and they did not apply any data to it.
He did warn me that if I made any changes to the data features on any phone I MIGHT lose the data exclusion, and that if I bought a phone from an AT&T store the rep might screw up and add the data, since Data Exclusion is such a rare feature, but that if I bought online the system would just leave me alone.
Now I just need to know if "4G" data works on the old Media Net plans.
blognc said:
Now I just need to know if "4G" data works on the old Media Net plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres no real 4g anyways
just use the standard APN that was posted here for "unlimited tethering"
Since I have been on the phone with ATT for the last 3 days it has been one thing after another..first data issues coming from the iPhone they switched me over to a 2GB cap called them up they "fixed it" (basically added the smartphone pack. Yesterday got a few calls at work I let them go to VM...so i thought. Somehow my VM got messed up had to call about that. This morning I didn't get one text from anyone found a bit odd since me and the wife text a lot during work when we can. Checked online I had no text plan??? WTF!?? Called them up and guess what I had an older 1500 text plan they don't offer that so i cant get it...really?? come on ATT I just bought a phone no contract nothing should have changed.
So as of now everything seems ok, still working have a case open for my text plan and have gotten some credit back for the data stuff. But really i should have never gone through this whole mess when all I did was buy a phone out right and put my old sim in it.
sl8125 said:
No its possible. ATT will recognize your imei number and bump you to a data plan. You have to buy a phone that is not in ATT system such as bell version of atrix. Other wise no chance.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T recognizes the IMEI on all of their iphones. When I put my sim into my friends iphone, it asked me to update my data plan. Obviously, I did not...
It works on the Atrix, though I don't doubt if AT&T knew which phone I had, they would probably want me to upgrade. I asked a rep many years ago, they said I have some sort of legacy feature grandfathered in, but if I make any type of changes to my plan, I would lose it. I cannot remember what they call it. Thus I cannot purchase a phone with an AT&T contract. Pretty lame, but that has been my experience and what I have been told. Not all reps know what they are talking about.
I'm not here to argue with anyone. I know which plan I have, and I know I have an Atrix. All I did was take my sim from my old phone out and put it into my new Atrix and it works without complaining for me to upgrade my data plan.
However, I am not impress with the HSUPA speeds, and it seems everyone has the same issue whether they are on a $30 unlimited plan, or $20 medianet bundle.
I hope this helps, good luck guys!
Well, I don't see anything called "Smartphone Exclusion" in either of my lines (this is a 2 line family plan, only my phone has the medianet unlimited).
I guess I'll need to wait and buy a Bell Canada version of the phone?
If you are checking it online, it doesn't show as a regular feature. There is a link that shows "other features" ... or just call them up and ask if you have it.
I did upgrade one of my lines, they added $15 in the store. I just called them and got that off of the line, luckily the smart phone exclusion did not go away!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
The smartphone exclusion feature only covers you for your current device. If you put your SIM into a phone that Att recognizes as a valid smartphone that is different than the one you currently have on file, your grandfather status is gone and you get a smartphone data plan. Happened to a few people I know. No commitment pricing has nothing to do with it, since its in the Att terms of service, I think. If you are getting grandfather status back, the sales people are likely making exceptions.
i dont know but Mine too is media net plan since touch pro 2, nexus one, captivate and atrix.
My co-worker complained to AT&T and they grandfathered him into the unlimed data plan.
Gervin said:
My co-worker complained to AT&T and they grandfathered him into the unlimed data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did he buy the phone subsidized or off the contract? And can you learn if he complained after he got the phone and AT&T automatically switched him to the limited plan?
Thanks in advance
Okay so I am running the latest CM7 on my Thunderbolt. I am interested in taking advantage of the official tethering abilty detailed on Droid-life. (it wouldn't let me post the link).. Basically it's 30 extra bucks a month for unlimited 4g tethering (for those of us currently "grandfathered" into unlimited 4g)
Yes, I am okay with paying for this service. Has anyone successfully added this feature and used it in conjunction with CM7? Thanks in advance for any help!
If you were on Synergy you wouldn't need the official ass raping by Verizon hotspot app....
As for every other rom, you have Wireless Tether.
Why pay for double unlimited ability?
Sent from Synergized Thunderbolt via the XDA Premium App
CanesDrew said:
If you were on Synergy you wouldn't need the official ass raping by Verizon hotspot app....
As for every other rom, you have Wireless Tether.
Why pay for double unlimited ability?
Sent from Synergized Thunderbolt via the XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your rom is not special. He uses CM7 and it has tether built it. It had it long before the thunderbolt and long before your ROM existed. Please don't post off topic stuff to talk up your ROM. This isn't the place to do it.
Anyways, he wants to pay for it and use it legitimately. That's his choice.
To the OP, have you tried grabbing it out of a ROM that has it and installing it on your phone? I can't say if it will work, but it's worth a try.
paying for tethering is like paying for two orders of all-you-can-eat pancakes at Dennys. does not compute.
gohamstergo said:
paying for tethering is like paying for two orders of all-you-can-eat pancakes at Dennys. does not compute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree but in this case, but you get these jackasses running p2p off their cellphones just to prove their wireless connection is unlimited, that will just piss the carriers and turn off the fun for all of us.
gohamstergo said:
paying for tethering is like paying for two orders of all-you-can-eat pancakes at Dennys. does not compute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That made me LOL +1 sir
Towelie420 said:
Okay so I am running the latest CM7 on my Thunderbolt. I am interested in taking advantage of the official tethering abilty detailed on Droid-life. (it wouldn't let me post the link).. Basically it's 30 extra bucks a month for unlimited 4g tethering (for those of us currently "grandfathered" into unlimited 4g)
Yes, I am okay with paying for this service. Has anyone successfully added this feature and used it in conjunction with CM7? Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure, it seems all verizon apps don't work without sense being built into the rom. If you want to officially tether you might to try out a sense ROM.
So far all the unofficial tether apps I have used do not work over 4g, they give me 3g speeds.
the one on the newest CM7 gave me better then 3g speeds when I had it tethered. But even then it still doesn't make sense to pay for the teather when we have a free version even if it is a little slower you're paying $30 a month for the data then another 30 for the teather? Sounds foolish.
Paying for Hotspot while running CM7 is like... the weirdest thing I've ever heard. You paid for the phone, it has that ability, you turn it on. Why pay again for something you can do for free. It's not like your data plan doesn't already cover what you're paying for AGAIN.
Not paying for data twice. Pay data once, tether fee is for integrity.
pl4tinum514 said:
Paying for Hotspot while running CM7 is like... the weirdest thing I've ever heard. You paid for the phone, it has that ability, you turn it on. Why pay again for something you can do for free. It's not like your data plan doesn't already cover what you're paying for AGAIN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shame on someone following the contract they agreed to...
Think about if for a second, all the freeloaders in this thread. The all you can eat pancakes at Denny's analogy is a bad one and does not compute here. Since you can tether multiple devices at the same time with Hotspot, your Denny's analogy is more like you trying to pay for one all you can eat while feeding up to 8 people. I'd like to see a single Denny's or any other all you can eat venue of your choice willing to do that. Why should Verizon?
I'm really trying to be nice here, but all you moochers could well ruin it for all the rest of us. If you want the service, pay the friggin tether fee.
shaddix2 said:
Not paying for data twice. Pay data once, tether fee is for integrity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to pay for "integrity" you should probably know a little bit more about what you're going to piss your money away on first.
LTE through big red follows block c provisioning from the FCC. That tethering is your right, and it is supposed to be free according to the people who regulate it (assuming you're on 4g)
If you're not using your 4g connection, feel free to give big red your $30/month for subpar 3g speeds on a network congested with iphone kiddies swapping pics of their budding chests and whatever else kids under 18 do with phones these days.
If big red had an hspa+ 3g with 4mbit connections it might be worth paying for.
I for one won't be paying for either my 3g or my 4g, one for the principal and the other because it's not even worth my effort to attempt a connection.
Ok here's my scenario...I have the grandfathered unlimited data plan from At&t and I made a point of them making a note in my account before I purchased the SGS2. I rooted my phone and installed Cognition soon after. I attempted to tether before I rooted etc because the option was present while on stock, but of course a pop up appeared saying that I need to change my plan blah blah blah. Once rooted, I didn't tether because I really haven't had the need to yet...because I have wifi in my home. I will admit that I do consume a lot of data...particularly streaming and downloading content (such as roms etc directly to my device)...but that's the point of 4G unlimited data, correct? And even then a lot of the time I'm connected to wifi at home. The only thing I did differently was tried some APN settings that I seen on Android Central which were supposedly giving other SGSII users better download and upload speeds by connecting to the "backhaul". It was actually worse. So I receive an email saying that if they catch me tethering again, they will change my data plan on their own. So my question is, since I haven't actually tethered, could my actual data usage triggered the message...or since I attempted to tether...or or the APN changing...and how could I prevent them from changing it?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 2 using the mind reader app...
Ill tell you what, if you edit this into at least 3 readable paragraphs, I promise to give you a decent response.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
I think a phone call to att should solve your issue. If they did put you on a tethering plan, they can undo it. But, you may need to get a supervisor if the unlimited plan has been removed.
From what I understand you get warned at least once before they make any changes.
Also, story perfectly understandable to me as is.
Sent from my SGS II
quarlow said:
I think a phone call to att should solve your issue. If they did put you on a tethering plan, they can undo it. But, you may need to get a supervisor if the unlimited plan has been removed.
From what I understand you get warned at least once before they make any changes.
Also, story perfectly understandable to me as is.
Sent from my SGS II
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See how your post had 3 easily readable paragraphs and sentences? That's what I was referring to. His wall of text hurts my brain. Maybe its because I'm reading from the app.
But then again I wouldn't expect you to understand much of anything judging by the majority of your posts on this site.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
seh6183 said:
See how your post had 3 easily readable paragraphs and sentences? That's what I was referring to. His wall of text hurts my brain. Maybe its because I'm reading from the app.
But then again I wouldn't expect you to understand much of anything judging by the majority of your posts on this site.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
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Wow ... you really are living up to the nickname you had in the Atrix forum. What was it again, "third rate troll"?
Sent from my SGS II
quarlow said:
Wow ... you really are living up to the nickname you had in the Atrix forum. What was it again, "third rate troll"?
Sent from my SGS II
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I'm not hijacking this guys thread anymore than we already have. If you want to argue with me (and be destroyed in every imaginable way) then go ahead and shoot me a pm.
To answer the original posters questions. Att can only send you warnings about tethering if they catch on. You can do things that wont raise any flags on their end such as using less data for less lengths of time.
A better alternanative would be to mask your device id. I'm not aware of any apps that can do it on Android but PDA net can do it for Apple. Maybe someone else can Chime in on an app.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
If you do tether, it was claimed in the Captivate forum that att sniff out the browser agent for Internet Explorer, so to avoid detection to use Google Chrome, or another browser.
But, if you haven't actually tethered I would start with a call to att customer service. If they flagged your account, you should be able to sort it out over the phone.
Sent from my SGS II
If tethering, either by device or plan feature, was specifically included in the plan you were grandfathered from you should be fine. If it wasn't specifically called out as included they'll charge you for the add-on. You can't grandfather something that didn't exist. In other words, if "unlimited data" didn't specifically apply to tethering and tethering as a feature was introduced afterward you'll have to pay for it.
OP, are you using the stock GSII browser? If not, that could be the culprit. As stated above, they're basing it off the browser agent. Call and say you're using a market browser with Mozilla as browser agent. That should help your case later if they end up jerking you around.
bigblue95z said:
As stated above, they're basing it off the browser agent.
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They use heuristics to sniff packet data for suspect traffic. While it's not 100%accurate, they hold the cards and it's up to you to prove your innocence.
No one knows what the new heuristics are - but something in your post-root non-tethering data usage probably set off a false positive.
Apparently a few others have had false positives and no one knows the true triggers. Good chance that mangling your browser useragent is one of them.
Call them and complain that you received a nastygram despite not attempting to tether after the app blocked it.
I have been using unlimited data for a few years. I tethered with my iphone. Used MyWi, and then PDAnet. I was contacted by them concerning my 'illegal' use of tethering.
A few weeks ago, I switched from the Iphone to the GSII. Rooted it, and almost IMMEDIATELY got a text message saying that tethering has been added to my contract and that I lost my unlimited data.
Am I screwed here? I don't think tethering existed when I signed my original contract with unlimited data.... Can I get this back?
I do apologize if anyone felt my OP was lengthy, but I was at work and I just wanted to cover all sides of the situation just in case I couldn't respond at the time.
I use the stock browser on Cognition to surf and stream to my video player, and Opera Mobile when downloading from Filesonic, etc.
I was mainly trying to get and idea of what might becausing the flag so I would know which route to go when I do call into ATT. I don't want to receive a bill in a month or so and have to battle them then. The tethering plan wasn't included in the grandfathered Unlimited data plan, but I actually did "abuse" it for a while with my Captivate before I got my DSL installed in my new apartment.
I was just thinking that this could have possibly been some sort of scare tactic on behalf of AT&T because of my current data usage, and it was a preemptive action to contain the abuse of their already spotty 4G network.
Also, I wanted myself and any others who have had this experience to control and prevent future occurrences.
I have a friend that works for Verizon wireless and he told me that he received information from a tech that when you call into the tech support, they can get some of the details of your current rom...and conclude whether or not you are rooted, etc...how true this is idk...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 2 using the mind reader app...
Original email (just in case)
Dear xxx xxx,
We've noticed your service plan may need updating.
Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones– a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T's mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan. If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com , or call us at 866-975-0005, Monday -Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. CT, or Saturday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT, to sign up for the DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering plan or the DataPro Enterprise 4GB for Smartphone Tethering plan.
If we don't hear from you, we'll plan to automatically enroll you into one of the above DataPro 4GB plans in an upcoming bill cycle. The specific plan selected for you will depend on your current smartphone data plan; if you are currently subscribed to another Enterprise data plan, you will automatically be enrolled in the DataPro Enterprise 4GB for Smartphone Tethering Plan so that you can continue to access corporate email and applications. Your new DataPro 4GB plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.
If you discontinue tethering by the end of this month, no changes to your current plan will be required.
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Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 2 using the mind reader app...
jgotti107 said:
Original email (just in case)
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 2 using the mind reader app...
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Wow. Is tethering only available as part of a specific DataPro package? If it's not available as a stand-alone option this is a really nasty and back-handed way to get people off grandfathered unlimited packages. That or to greatly reduce the network burden of tethering.
BarryH_GEG said:
Wow. Is tethering only available as part of a specific DataPro package? If it's not available as a stand-alone option this is a really nasty and back-handed way to get people off grandfathered unlimited packages. That or to greatly reduce the network burden of tethering.
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I would say: both.
Sent from my SGS II
BarryH_GEG said:
Wow. Is tethering only available as part of a specific DataPro package? If it's not available as a stand-alone option this is a really nasty and back-handed way to get people off grandfathered unlimited packages. That or to greatly reduce the network burden of tethering.
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Exactly my point...the phone only came on the 2nd...there's no way I could've hit a data cap like that on my own to raise a flag in a mere 2 weeks...I don't have that kind of porn habit lol...not sure if it was something in the software...quite possible that it is something in the useragent of the browser...
But it feels like I'm getting bullied here...just want something concrete to fire back with.
EDIT: Came home from work and loaded up my laptop...remembered that in a drunken stupor I was up debating between a Slingbox adapter or a Logictech Revue...and I remember that I said eff it so I downloaded the Gmote and Unified Remote apps to connect to the server in my house via wifi and use my phone to control my media and browser through my TV. Could that have triggered the email? That was at approx 12-1am last night and I recieved the email on my way to work at 9:20 this morn
I just got that same email from them this morning.
I'm a little confused as to what their plan of action is. Do they plan to add a tethering plan at the end of the month w/out our consent if we don't contact them, or will everything stay the same if we stop tethering?
"If we don't hear from you, we'll plan to automatically enroll you into one of the above DataPro 4GB plans in an upcoming bill cycle."
but then towards the end of the email, they state:
"If you discontinue tethering by the end of this month, no changes to your current plan will be required."
Should i contact them or will i be fine if i stop tethering?
Sounds to me if you don't contact them you going to get enrolled
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
I've seen a lot of these threads around different forums with plenty of people stating that they got the email, but not many of them following up whether or not their plans actually got changed or not.
Wondering how many people actually got their data plans changed or if the email is more of a warning/scare tactic.
Hi guys just wanted to let you know I found a way to get a working free mobile hotspot from Big Red using the same method as the Bionic's (thanx to who ever found this). Anyway I made a quick video for the the Razr. As for those wondering about Big Red watching you, I used 43 gb last month and 32 gb so far this month Also here's an article from XDA about throttling legalities on 4g networks. Can't say for sure, I'm no lawyer but it looks legit.
Worked perfectly. Thanks!
Your account can be flagged, and Verizon can either sue you for illegally using (read: stealing) their services, throttle you permanently, or just be nice and just tack on the tethering price to your monthly bill without telling you.
This is illegal, don't do it.
looks like you copied zedomax post man...
i am 1addictsad78 and i just found a way to resolve to endless loop by changing the MTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdTOOfogAaU
So, we should stay away from this procedure???
[TSON] said:
Your account can be flagged, and Verizon can either sue you for illegally using (read: stealing) their services, throttle you permanently, or just be nice and just tack on the tethering price to your monthly bill without telling you.
This is illegal, don't do it.
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This is NOT illegal, in my mind, if you have payed for a certain amount of data. You are not stealing their services because hot spotting is NOT their service. It is a a feature built into your phone that they blocked so they could charge you extra. Period. Even if this was illegal, you can always root and install a tethering app. At that point, I'd like to see them explain why this is still a service provided by then.
[TSON] said:
Your account can be flagged, and Verizon can either sue you for illegally using (read: stealing) their services, throttle you permanently, or just be nice and just tack on the tethering price to your monthly bill without telling you.
This is illegal, don't do it.
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You are probably correct. I changed the setting back after testing because I don't need any legal issues (or an increase in my bill), but for people who don't care or think they won't get caught, the procedure at least appears sound...
i have a massive data when i started using the thunderbolt with open garden tether. I'm a netflix guy and use as a modem to my apartment for over 6months and never get flagged. now i have the droid razr doing this Verizon hotspot too.
grandfathered rules!
It's not a matter of legality. It's not illegal.
It's a matter of ethics. Are you willing to break the Terms of Service that you signed agreement with when you bought the service? And are you willing to deal with Verizon's reaction when they find out? If they add a tether charge to your account, you earned it.
@ x2breakoffate, you have paid for unlimited phone data. You have not paid for ANY tether data. They sold it to you with the data blocked. If you didn't like that you should not have bought a phone that was crippled.
What you offered is a lame attempt to make yourself feel better, not a justification.
If any of you would read the full post and the associated links, you would know about the Block C provision. I've used it for a couple months on the Bionic and had no problems.
@ ad78.....I'm sorry it wasn't clearly stated that this was not my own work and I copied it from the Bionic
jkoldha said:
Hi guys just wanted to let you know I found a way to get a working free mobile hotspot from Big Red using the same method as the Bionic's (thanx to who ever found this).
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@ everyone else: Stated I am no lawyer but I can say for those like me on the UNLIMITED DATA PLAN, yes I think it's BS that they lock down the devices and limit tethering to a usb. As posted earlier http://goo.gl/cL3L1 it is illegal under Block C to limit or throttle 4g devices.
You can throttle Block C devices for reasonable network management reasons (you using a 100 GB of data per month and therefore causing data congestion is one of those reasons).
And yes, it is illegal to use a paid service without paying for it.
I could tap into DirectTV's cable service and use it for free somehow, or get channels that I'm not paying for...is it simply a moral dilemma because they lock it down "simply because they want to charge me money" for them?
Terms of use aren't just a wall of text there because they want to put it there, it's a legally binding document that you AGREED to (which is the equivalent of signing). They CAN sue you for "pirating" their officially branded tethering service on their network. That's what you're doing. You're disabling the check in THEIR software to make sure you have the tethering plan, and you're using THEIR officially branded service, through THEM, without paying THEM. That is illegal.
The only difference between this and pirating a version of Microsoft Office and disabling the serial check is the fact that it's more easily monitored since all of the stolen data you're sending is going through their servers, possibly with something attached that tells Verizon that you're tethering.
Santoro said:
you have paid for unlimited phone data. You have not paid for ANY tether data.
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There is no difference to phone data and tether data.
It's all just information sent by the TCP-IP protocol.
It is like buying a book, but you are only allowed to read it outside because you have not payed for the ability to read it by artificial light.
Its still stealing bottom line. If you can afford a smartphone you should be able to afford internet at home or just pay extra for a tethering plan.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA App
But in order for this to not count towards you're data is if you're on the grandfather plan and rooted right? Cuz if ur on a 4gb plan then you're data would count correct?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
With a net income of over 3 billion, I don't think it hurts them that much from the very few root user users and even fewer heavy 4g users.
tgeigel said:
But in order for this to not count towards you're data is if you're on the grandfather plan and rooted right? Cuz if ur on a 4gb plan then you're data would count correct?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
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Not sure what you mean. Basically I was grandfathered in on 3g unlimited so I fell into the unlimited 4g plan. Yes you have to be rooted to use this.
jkoldha said:
Not sure what you mean. Basically I was grandfathered in on 3g unlimited so I fell into the unlimited 4g plan. Yes you have to be rooted to use this.
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Yea I meant the unlimited data plan. That's the only way you can use the tether hack because if your not on the unlimited data then if you use this hack you're data will count right?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
or you could just download the latest android wifi tether app from google. it works perfectly.
pajn said:
There is no difference to phone data and tether data.
It's all just information sent by the TCP-IP protocol.
It is like buying a book, but you are only allowed to read it outside because you have not payed for the ability to read it by artificial light.
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No, it's like buying basic cable and expecting to get all of the channels. It's all just data sent by the cable line after all!!!
jkoldha said:
With a net income of over 3 billion, I don't think it hurts them that much from the very few root user users and even fewer heavy 4g users.
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Right, let's just all steal food from Walmart, it's a multi-billion dollar retail chain, it won't hurt much.
Honestly, if you're going to tether, at least use a 3rd party app. Using their software to steal free service is like peeing on a cop car and expecting to get away with it.
[TSON] said:
No, it's like buying basic cable and expecting to get all of the channels. It's all just data sent by the cable line after all!!!
Right, let's just all steal food from Walmart, it's a multi-billion dollar retail chain, it won't hurt much.
Honestly, if you're going to tether, at least use a 3rd party app. Using their software to steal free service is like peeing on a cop car and expecting to get away with it.
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Ok but if you use a 3rd party app to tether its still using your data allowence right?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk