Posted to FCC.gov
http://www.fcc.gov/document/verizon-wireless-pay-125-million-settle-investigation
VERIZON WIRELESS TO PAY $1.25 MILLION TO SETTLE INVESTIGATION
INTO BLOCKING OF CONSUMERS’ ACCESS TO CERTAIN MOBILE BROADBAND
Today the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a $1.25 million consent decree with Verizon Wireless that resolves an investigation into whether the company had fully complied with the FCC’s “C Block rules,” requiring licensees of C Block spectrum to allow customers to freely use the devices and applications of their choosing.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “Today’s action demonstrates that compliance with FCC obligations is not optional. The open device and application obligations were core conditions when Verizon purchased the C-block spectrum. The massive innovation and investment fueled by the Internet have been driven by consumer choice in both devices and applications. The steps taken today will not only protect consumer choice, but defend certainty for innovators to continue to deliver new services and
apps without fear of being blocked.”
Verizon Wireless offers customers its 4G LTE service on C Block spectrum. Verizon Wireless bid at auction to acquire that spectrum, understanding that it was accompanied by open device and application obligations. Specifically, licensees offering service on C Block spectrum “shall not deny, limit, or restrict
the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee’s C Block network,” subject to narrow exceptions.
P. Michele Ellison, Enforcement Bureau Chief, said, “This case was the first of its kind in enforcing the pro-consumer open access obligations of the C Block rules. It underscores the agency’s commitment to guarantee consumers the benefits of an open wireless broadband platform by providing greater consumer choice and fostering innovation.”
The Bureau launched an investigation after reports suggested that Verizon Wireless had successfully requested that a major application store operator block Verizon’s customers from accessing tethering applications from its online market. (“Tethering” is using a wireless phone as a modem to obtain Internet
access for another device, such as a laptop computer or tablet.)
The Commission also received an informal complaint alleging that Verizon Wireless had violated the FCC’s C Block rules by making such a request. At that time, Verizon Wireless’s terms of service required all customers who wanted to use their phones for tethering to subscribe to the company’s Mobile Broadband Connect service, at an additional charge. In response, Verizon Wireless stated that the additional fee reflected the fact that customers who tether laptops or other devices have the capability to use more data capacity than others. At the time of that response, however, Verizon Wireless required not only unlimited data plan customers, but also customers who paid for data on a usage basis, to pay the additional fee. Verizon Wireless asserted that third-party tethering applications could enable its customers to tether without paying an additional fee.
In addition, the company recently revised its service offerings such that consumers on usage-based
pricing plans may tether, using any application, without paying an additional fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So those of us on unlimited are not affected by this change. Looks like if you're unlimited (like myself), you either fork up the monthly tethering fee, or root/use 3rd party app.
krelvinaz said:
Posted to FCC.gov
http://www.fcc.gov/document/verizon-wireless-pay-125-million-settle-investigation
VERIZON WIRELESS TO PAY $1.25 MILLION TO SETTLE INVESTIGATION
INTO BLOCKING OF CONSUMERS’ ACCESS TO CERTAIN MOBILE BROADBAND
Today the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a $1.25 million consent decree with Verizon Wireless that resolves an investigation into whether the company had fully complied with the FCC’s “C Block rules,” requiring licensees of C Block spectrum to allow customers to freely use the devices and applications of their choosing.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “Today’s action demonstrates that compliance with FCC obligations is not optional. The open device and application obligations were core conditions when Verizon purchased the C-block spectrum. The massive innovation and investment fueled by the Internet have been driven by consumer choice in both devices and applications. The steps taken today will not only protect consumer choice, but defend certainty for innovators to continue to deliver new services and
apps without fear of being blocked.”
Verizon Wireless offers customers its 4G LTE service on C Block spectrum. Verizon Wireless bid at auction to acquire that spectrum, understanding that it was accompanied by open device and application obligations. Specifically, licensees offering service on C Block spectrum “shall not deny, limit, or restrict
the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee’s C Block network,” subject to narrow exceptions.
P. Michele Ellison, Enforcement Bureau Chief, said, “This case was the first of its kind in enforcing the pro-consumer open access obligations of the C Block rules. It underscores the agency’s commitment to guarantee consumers the benefits of an open wireless broadband platform by providing greater consumer choice and fostering innovation.”
The Bureau launched an investigation after reports suggested that Verizon Wireless had successfully requested that a major application store operator block Verizon’s customers from accessing tethering applications from its online market. (“Tethering” is using a wireless phone as a modem to obtain Internet
access for another device, such as a laptop computer or tablet.)
The Commission also received an informal complaint alleging that Verizon Wireless had violated the FCC’s C Block rules by making such a request. At that time, Verizon Wireless’s terms of service required all customers who wanted to use their phones for tethering to subscribe to the company’s Mobile
Broadband Connect service, at an additional charge. In response, Verizon Wireless stated that the additional fee reflected the fact that customers who tether laptops or other devices have the capability to use more data capacity than others. At the time of that response, however, Verizon Wireless required not only unlimited data plan customers, but also customers who paid for data on a usage basis, to pay the additional fee. Verizon Wireless asserted that third-party tethering applications could enable its customers to tether without paying an additional fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All it means is that Verizon has to stop blocking tethering apps in the market and thats it.
From my reading, they can't charge for tethering period regardless of what plan you are on. that is in addition to the usage based plans.
Oh yeah, I'm sure they'll get right on that...
Locked boot loaders is a bigger violation IMO
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
krelvinaz said:
From my reading, they can't charge for tethering period regardless of what plan you are on. that is in addition to the usage based plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I got from that but I was colin powelling.
I tethered before it was legal. /hipster
Maybe this had something to do with the end of unlimited data?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
scy1192 said:
I tethered before it was legal. /hipster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmfao. You sir win 1 internet.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
scy1192 said:
I tethered before it was legal. /hipster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But now it's mainstream
Looks like Verizon owes me $20 bucks for that one month I used Hotspot I'll be watching the mail...
krelvinaz said:
From my reading, they can't charge for tethering period regardless of what plan you are on. that is in addition to the usage based plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its doesn't say that at all, its talking about blocking applications and by that they mean Verizon's blocking of the tethering apps in the Martket. Its on just about every tech website as such.
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/07/3...ng-apps-please-pay-1-25-million-to-say-sorry/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...ng-tethering-apps-via-block-c-spectrum-rules/
http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/31/verizon-to-stop-blocking-tethering-apps-settles-with-fcc-for-1/
Its about time this happened. I am hoping this is the first positive step in preventing carriers from locking out devices down. I guess one could also say this applies to custom ROMS and rooting as well...IMO :good:
sshaar said:
So those of us on unlimited are not affected by this change. Looks like if you're unlimited (like myself), you either fork up the monthly tethering fee, or root/use 3rd party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've already been affected. If you want to keep unlimited, no more $500/2 year phone subsidy, which basically cancels out the tethering fee. It's not like VZW didn't know this was coming. Of course, no new unlimited contracts, either.
This consent decree is pretty much meaningless - it simply forced VZW to eliminate unlimited smartphone plans and to find a way to extract an extra $20/month from those who still have them. Net/net, customers are worse off.
You can thank all the reprobates who violated their contracts and tethered 50GB per month for that.
k_flan said:
Locked boot loaders is a bigger violation IMO
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is nothing that says they have to unlock the bootloader.
What it does say: if a company decides to sell you a phone for Verizon that has an unlocked boot loader, Verizon cannot stop them.
If Verizon asks them to lock the boot loader and the company agrees and does, that is their choice. Just like if HTC said all Verizon phones will come s-off Verizon has to allow it. Only thing Verizon can do is stop selling htc phones. Which would be stupid on their part.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
nosympathy said:
There is nothing that says they have to unlock the bootloader.
What it does say: if a company decides to sell you a phone for Verizon that has an unlocked boot loader, Verizon cannot stop them.
If Verizon asks them to lock the boot loader and the company agrees and does, that is their choice. Just like if HTC said all Verizon phones will come s-off Verizon has to allow it. Only thing Verizon can do is stop selling htc phones. Which would be stupid on their part.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can Verizon request a company to lock down the bootloader, like the gs3? To me, it would be Verizon blocking you from loading software.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
The way I read it, Verizon can't stop a company, let's call it "Google" from offering a device which we shall call "Nexus" for sale, completely unlocked and Verizon must allow that device on their network.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
scy1192 said:
I tethered before it was legal. /hipster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
k_flan said:
Can Verizon request a company to lock down the bootloader, like the gs3? To me, it would be Verizon blocking you from loading software.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. They can request this. It just they cannot block you from having a device that is this way. So like they couldn't say because your rezound is s-off that they will have to cut your service.
Or like in the case of the GSIII we have the Verizon version and the. Samsung is releasing a developer version on their website with an unlocked boot loader and Verizon can do nothing about it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Related
Is it true that if you use the wifi tether app verizon won't know that you're tethering?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I ran 20 gigs through my phone last month on wireless tether and I never heard anything.
gemitero said:
Is it true that if you use the wifi tether app verizon won't know that you're tethering?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if they somehow can, if you have the unlimited data plan then they can't do or say anything. Its an application on the official Android Market, and in your contract there is no clause stating you can't tether your phone. So you're in the clear brutha
MattBeyers said:
Even if they somehow can, if you have the unlimited data plan then they can't do or say anything. Its an application on the official Android Market, and in your contract there is no clause stating you can't tether your phone. So you're in the clear brutha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure they can still say something. Most "unlimited" plans with ISPs have an "acceptable use" clause (which is completely within their discretion) so if they feel you are abusing the service they can still cancel your service. It's kinda BS but that's contracts for ya.
Whether they can prove you are tethering or not excessive data is excessive data and is probably enough to throw up a flag for them to give it another look.
Either way, if you need it...may as well do it till you get called out instead of worrying about something that may never happen. You can probably make an argument/plee on the first accusation anyway.
Ive done over 15 gigs and i still have about 15 days or so left on this bill. Most of it was spent on nonstop Netflix for about 7-8 hours a day minus the weekends.
which apps are you guys using?
I can't seem to get one that doesn't launch the verizon tether app.
That and my xoom won't see the freebies app.
I'm on course to clear 25gig by the end of my billing period. Not a peep outta them! The app is called wireless tether. Get it on XDA.
They can tell but they would have to disect your data, may be some privacy issues involved. Most carriers are still figuring out how to approach it. Expect them to "attempt" to aggressively combat this soon.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
MattBeyers said:
in your contract there is no clause stating you can't tether your phone. So you're in the clear brutha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're making things up.
Data Plans & Features - Terms & Conditions
Data Services: Prohibited Uses
Customers who do not have dedicated Mobile Broadband devices cannot tether other devices to laptops or personal
computers for use as wireless modems unless they subscribe to Mobile Broadband Connect. We further reserve the right to take measures to protect our network and other users from harm, compromised capacity or degradation in performance. These measures may impact your service, and we reserve the right to deny, modify or terminate service, with or without notice, to anyone we believe is using Data Plans or Features in a manner that adversely impacts our network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Data Plans & Features - Terms & Conditions - Verizon Wireless Support
@mike
I believe that those of us who are grandfathered into the old unlimited data plan do not share that restriction on our contract, but i could be wrong. However, when I posted that, I had read through the contract, and i didnt see that. So please, take this time to chill out
Sent from my ThunderBolt using XDA Premium App
MattBeyers said:
@mike
I believe that those of us who are grandfathered into the old unlimited data plan do not share that restriction on our contract, but i could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they can change the contract at any time. But no matter, the older contract said basically the same thing:
Data Plans & Features - Terms & Conditions
Unlimited Smartphone and BlackBerry Plans and Features
These Wireless Email plans and features cannot be used: (1) for access to the Internet, intranets or other data networks except as the device’s native applications and capabilities permit, unless you subscribe to Mobile Broadband Connect; or (2) for any applications that tether your device to laptops or personal computers other than for use of the Wireless Sync or the BlackBerry solution, unless you subscribe to Mobile BroadbandConnect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've searched for a definitive answer on this, but can't find it.
If I use PDAnet on my i777 will I get immediately flagged for tethering?
I know that AT&T has advanced detection schemes to analyze data patterns, but I don't plan on using PDAnet for tethering very often at all - only when I'm stuck somewhere on the road where there's no other option. The amount of data that I would use would not in itself be anywhere near enough to trigger any kind of high-use detection scheme.
As long as data usage is low, does using PDAnet for tethering bypass AT&T's detection schemes?
If not, is there anything that can be done to prevent triggering of AT&T's tethering schemes for occasional, low usage tethering with or without PDAnet?
Yes, Att can see when you even Tether even 1kb. Att unjustly monitors your actions to make sure you are not tethering (its not illegal to tether) Ive checked over their terms and agreements and there is nothing in there that we agree to to allow att to monitor us like that. Sadly there is no law against corporations spying on people so this is allowed in America. Wonderful country we live in right?
#occupywallstreet
i tether 5gb everymonth and Ive never had a problem. Ive been doing this for a couble of years.
Is this on a i777? Using PDAnet?
DKS1282 said:
Yes, Att can see when you even Tether even 1kb. Att unjustly monitors your actions to make sure you are not tethering (its not illegal to tether) Ive checked over their terms and agreements and there is nothing in there that we agree to to allow att to monitor us like that. Sadly there is no law against corporations spying on people so this is allowed in America. Wonderful country we live in right?
#occupywallstreet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-p...ended Purposes Of The Wireless Data Service?
Section 6.2 of the Wireless Customer Agreement.
Not only can att charge you for tethering, and back charge you, they need no proof, just a suspicion. They can also disconnect your line, then send you a bill for the tethering and your ETF.
You agreed not to tether at several points, at the onset of your att contract, when you signed up for data, and yearly when they send you another copy of your TOS.
Att has every right to control what you do on their network, especially when you have the ability to detract from the experience of others by using excessive bandwidth.
All the occupy wall street BS is such a joke.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
quarlow said:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-p...ended Purposes Of The Wireless Data Service?
Section 6.2 of the Wireless Customer Agreement.
Not only can att charge you for tethering, and back charge you, they need no proof, just a suspicion. They can also disconnect your line, then send you a bill for the tethering and your ETF.
You agreed not to tether at several points, at the onset of your att contract, when you signed up for data, and yearly when they send you another copy of your TOS.
Att has every right to control what you do on their network, especially when you have the ability to detract from the experience of others by using excessive bandwidth.
All the occupy wall street BS is such a joke.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never received a tos even after requesting one. When I got my data plan tethering and the iPhone did not exist so now what?
If you think occupy is a joke you either have no clue what this is about, are rich, or just plain blind.
You are free to do what ever they tell you to do sir. Enjoy your slavery, ill still continue to fight for your rights as a human.
I wont get drawn into a debate about propoganda and rhetoric, so this is my final comment on that subject.
If you want to occupy wall street do it with your wallet. Because you sound like such an upstanding citizen I'm sure you have never given the following companies your money: AT&T, apple, Walmart, target, Amazon, Starbucks, McDonald's, Costco, any car manufacturer, etc. You also don't have a bank account, nor purchased a home in the past few years. Plus if you inherited a family fortune you would pay your full tax amount and donate the rest to charity.
The corporations aren't to blame, every American is. Everyone that enabled the distribution of wealth to be where it is. Instead of spewing propaganda like diarrhea of the mouth, be the change you want to see, set an example. Stop enabling the corporations. I'm glad to see your are doing your part by buying a brand new expensive smartphone.
Okay, back to the topic at hand, tethering. You risk identification every time you tether. If caught, because you have violated your terms, you will pay. Don't be ignorant enough to think that failure to read your terms means you are not liable. For example if you had an iPhone in the past you agreed twice to not tether, once in iTunes to activate your phone, and again on the phone itself. Att only give your one warning. If you stop tethering you're fine. If not you will permanently lose unlimited data if you have it.
There are plenty of ways to tether. If you root your phone you can use the built in tethering very easily. Regardless of how you tether, if you don't pay for it, it's at your own risk.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
wified said:
I've searched for a definitive answer on this, but can't find it.
If I use PDAnet on my i777 will I get immediately flagged for tethering?
I know that AT&T has advanced detection schemes to analyze data patterns, but I don't plan on using PDAnet for tethering very often at all - only when I'm stuck somewhere on the road where there's no other option. The amount of data that I would use would not in itself be anywhere near enough to trigger any kind of high-use detection scheme.
As long as data usage is low, does using PDAnet for tethering bypass AT&T's detection schemes?
If not, is there anything that can be done to prevent triggering of AT&T's tethering schemes for occasional, low usage tethering with or without PDAnet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they also check on the BROWSER type... So if IE is detected, that *might* present a problem more than the sporadic use...
---------- Post added at 10:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------
DKS1282 said:
Yes, Att can see when you even Tether even 1kb. Att unjustly monitors your actions to make sure you are not tethering (its not illegal to tether) Ive checked over their terms and agreements and there is nothing in there that we agree to to allow att to monitor us like that. Sadly there is no law against corporations spying on people so this is allowed in America. Wonderful country we live in right?
#occupywallstreet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL! Love your Occupy wall street *SIG* on last line BTW!!! It's not so much as *SPYING* because they're not monitoring what you're actually doing unless subpoena'd by Law Enforcement...
It's more about corporate greed... They already have the tech and infrastructure in place for tethering why not give it away as a perk? Answer because they don't have to and they want $. Why else would they charge $ for TEXTING???! Really!??!? Txting is such a bandwidth hog that they have to charge end users subsidies just so that they can quickly send txts?!???
*sigh* it's nothing more than big corp trying to squeeze every penny that they can...
There's no "if you get caught" in computers. They monitor for specific signatures, they see each and every one each and every time. They also surely monitor data usage. Given that they've never sent me a cease and desist, and I've been tethering since EDGE was the fastest network (though I'm not a heavy user by any definition), tethering by itself would not appear to be their primary concern. I think AT&T cares more about how much data you use. They take action against users who consistently degrade network performance, regardless of how the user is doing it...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ 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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
I recently purchased an ATT Lg Optimus G on ebay and had the sim unlocked. I am currently using it with my ATT plan without a data plan. Will I be charged for a data plan if i continue using it?
Yes they will add the $30 plan on if you don't add one. Once they realize your sim is in a smart phone
Sent From My AT&T LG Optimus G
You can opt out by calling them
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
its420oclock said:
You can opt out by calling them
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way you can opt out is if they put a data block on your line which also blocks all multimedia messages. (aka picture messages). Also, picture messages can only be downloaded though the network and not WiFi. I've had a very long discussion with AT&T about this. They weren't willing to budge even after 8+ years of service and timely payments.
Are you sure that if i place a data block on my line i can opt out of a data plan?
tootang said:
Are you sure that if i place a data block on my line i can opt out of a data plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what they offered me but like I said I had a heated discussion with them. As long as you did not buy the phone from them they should offer you the same thing. You won't know until you try.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
So are you currently using a smartphone without a data plan on ATT? I also heard that rooting and unlocking your phone helps hide your phone from ATT. Is that true?
All smartphones require a data plan, period. Very few exceptions are made. Rarely for long time customers that have multiple lines an exception might be made but chances are slim. Regular system sweeps are done and if you are using a smartphone without a data feature one will be automatically added eventually.
From prior experience, they'll just keep adding it each time you remove the data plan. Then you have to get a higher up employee (ask for the manager) and they'll remove it again. AT&T is such a pain lol.
C2fifield said:
From prior experience, they'll just keep adding it each time you remove the data plan. Then you have to get a higher up employee (ask for the manager) and they'll remove it again. AT&T is such a pain lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the case anymore, no one (csr or any manager) can add a data block to a line with a smartphone, the billing system wont allow it. In some cases when there's a legitimate reason why it should be added there's a specific team that handles the request. The billing system can be tricked by adding the imei for a nonsmartphone then data block but eventually it will catch and you will be billed for it.
charleswesde said:
Not the case anymore, no one (csr or any manager) can add a data block to a line with a smartphone, the billing system wont allow it. In some cases when there's a legitimate reason why it should be added there's a specific team that handles the request. The billing system can be tricked by adding the imei for a nonsmartphone then data block but eventually it will catch and you will be billed for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False.
International customer care can add the soc via Telegence (the backbone of the in store system they use.) Finding someone who works for AT&T that has the know how and clearance on the other hand.... The code exists for international corporate travelers with specific contracts and migration customers.
TL;DR
You can do it but 99% of AT&T employees lack the know how.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
Jesustheheretic said:
False.
International customer care can add the soc via Telegence (the backbone of the in store system they use.) Finding someone who works for AT&T that has the know how and clearance on the other hand.... The code exists for international corporate travelers with specific contracts and migration customers.
TL;DR
You can do it but 99% of AT&T employees lack the know how.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u read the contract it clearly states a data plan is required with the use of a smartphone. Agents that add a data block to a smartphone are not following policy. When i get a cust with a smartphone call in that has a data block i add a data plan. Yes they get mad but its at&ts policy.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
why is the not in the Q&A section??
Justinfedor said:
If u read the contract it clearly states a data plan is required with the use of a smartphone. Agents that add a data block to a smartphone are not following policy. When i get a cust with a smartphone call in that has a data block i add a data plan. Yes they get mad but its at&ts policy.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually if i remember correctly the data plan requirement isnt in the contract, its in the TOS, if it was in the contract then att wouldnt be allowed to require data plans on lines that are out of contract. or opened without a contract. since its in the TOS, its required just by having the service and smart phone, regardless if ur under contract, out of contract, or signed up without a contract. From what i've read about the contract, its basically just you saying that you're gonna stick with att for 2yrs so we can give you the device at a discount. i'm sure theres plenty of legal speak to cover att about lawsuits and that kinda stuff, but thats the short version of it
When I try to turn the hotspot function on through settings, it says "use of this service requires a subscription to Mobile Hotspot or Mobile Broadband Connect..." which I don't have. But when I use Power Toggles to turn on the hotspot function, I am able to connect my computer to my device.
Is there a way that Verizon would figure out that I can use their hotspot function without paying for the monthly subscription?
I've been using it for over two years with out them knowing.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Jonnay0808 said:
When I try to turn the hotspot function on through settings, it says "use of this service requires a subscription to Mobile Hotspot or Mobile Broadband Connect..." which I don't have. But when I use Power Toggles to turn on the hotspot function, I am able to connect my computer to my device.
Is there a way that Verizon would figure out that I can use their hotspot function without paying for the monthly subscription?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The simple answer is Yes. No matter what method you use for enabling tethering on your phone, if Verizon cares to examine the data going in and out of your phone, they can tell if you're tethering.
Will they bother to look? Will they do anything about it? Those are the more relevant questions.
My philosophy is, don't abuse it and they'll probably never look at you. I suspect that somebody, somewhere at Verizon is responsible for running a report every month of their top data users who don't pay for tethering. Then, they go look at those users and bust the ones that they find are tethering without paying for it. My personal goal is just to make sure I'm fare enough down that list that they never get to looking at me.
I can tell you that according to the C block spectrum that Verizon leases for their LTE network, they can not stop, inhibit, or penalize you for tethering your phone while on LTE. It is in the licensing rights of their spectrum. Hence, all the new plans include free wifi tethering. Now, this was not an oversight, because Verizon used to attempt to block tethering apps from the play store to their customers. The FCC just so happened to put a stop to that 2 months prior to Verizon announcing new Share Everthing plans that include tethering. Verizon knows that the people who tether tend to use a lot more data. With more data being used across the whole account, the customer pays more. Verizon only wanted to prevent People from tethering long enough to release the new plans, because they are doing exactly what they intended them to do... Convince people who don't use a lot of data to move to a tiered plan and give them hotspot for free. Saying "Try it. If you find it convenient, you can add a mobile hotspot device to your plan for only $20 more a month and you can connect up to 10 things to it. All while conserving your phones battery life".
Man that is a big assumption .
stuartv said:
I suspect that somebody, somewhere at Verizon is responsible for running a report every month of their top data users who don't pay for tethering. Then, they go look at those users and bust the ones that they find are tethering without paying for it. My personal goal is just to make sure I'm fare enough down that list that they never get to looking at me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Itsmyphoneyo said:
I can tell you that according to the C block spectrum that Verizon leases for their LTE network, they can not stop, inhibit, or penalize you for tethering your phone while on LTE. It is in the licensing rights of their spectrum. Hence, all the new plans include free wifi tethering. Now, this was not an oversight, because Verizon used to attempt to block tethering apps from the play store to their customers. The FCC just so happened to put a stop to that 2 months prior to Verizon announcing new Share Everthing plans that include tethering. Verizon knows that the people who tether tend to use a lot more data. With more data being used across the whole account, the customer pays more. Verizon only wanted to prevent People from tethering long enough to release the new plans, because they are doing exactly what they intended them to do... Convince people who don't use a lot of data to move to a tiered plan and give them hotspot for free. Saying "Try it. If you find it convenient, you can add a mobile hotspot device to your plan for only $20 more a month and you can connect up to 10 things to it. All while conserving your phones battery life".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no. The FCC left the door wide open to Verizon managing tethering by unlimited users. The FCC specifically only took issue with usage based customers being charged. Additionally, the Share Everything plans preceded the Verizon/FCC consent decree by one month.
Please read forum rules before posting
Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help sections
Thread moved
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
ilkevinli said:
Man that is a big assumption .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it's exactly what I said it was. A suspicion. Nothing more.
That is a very descriptive "suspicion".
stuartv said:
Actually, it's exactly what I said it was. A suspicion. Nothing more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
najaboy said:
Yes and no. The FCC left the door wide open to Verizon managing tethering by unlimited users. The FCC specifically only took issue with usage based customers being charged. Additionally, the Share Everything plans preceded the Verizon/FCC consent decree by one month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong my friend, there is no difference from a tiered data user and an unlimited one on C block. And the FCC stepped in 2 months prior to the share everything plans, Verizon finally took action one month prior. They were allowed time to coordinate the stop of blocking those apps.
Itsmyphoneyo said:
You are wrong my friend, there is no difference from a tiered data user and an unlimited one on C block. And the FCC stepped in 2 months prior to the share everything plans, Verizon finally took action one month prior. They were allowed time to coordinate the stop of blocking those apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The FCC actually began their investigation in Oct 2011 and first contacted Verizon in November 2011. The discussion of timing is fairly inconsequential, so let's move on to the meat & potatoes...
The assertion that this also applicable to unlimited plan users is directly contradicted by the plain language of the consent decree published by the FCC, which explicitly states, ”... customers on unlimited usage plans must continue to pay an additional fee to tether their devices.” Additionally, “ nothing herein prejudices Verizon Wireless's right to [...] take remedial actions, including termination of service, against customers who violate the terms and conditions of their service plans or Verizon Wireless's policies applicable to the service provided to such customers.”
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD