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Has any other aria users got the dreaded att tethering text warning? i got one today and was wondering if this was just a ploy to scare us into stoping / changing plans or can they really tell.
i read something about changing the TTL number in our device cause that is tipping them off. Also read about different APN's being used for phone / tethered use.
I have been tethering for well over 2 years now, averaging between 5 to 10 gigs of data a month, so if they can tell that it is tethering and not phone usage why have they waited till now to try and stop me?
Does any one have any advice?
My guess (and this is strictly a guess, I don't have any inside knowledge or anything) is that they likely went after the biggest, easiest target group of people who were tethering without tethering plans first - which I would guess are jailbroken iphone users. After that, they are probably going after the biggest data users. at 5-10 GB per month, I'd guess (again I don't know) that you probably don't qualify in this category either. Maybe they've finally gotten around to going after the small-ish heavy data users??
Ha I got one of those txt msg today too. Mine didn't have any warning or anything it simply said something about tethering and to call them for details.
I don't think they can change your plan without your permission.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Bryan583 said:
Ha I got one of those txt msg today too. Mine didn't have any warning or anything it simply said something about tethering and to call them for details.
I don't think they can change your plan without your permission.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure they can. Stick a sim with no data plan in a smart phone and watch how fast they throw a data plan on the line without your permission.
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
CallMeAria said:
Sure they can. Stick a sim with no data plan in a smart phone and watch how fast they throw a data plan on the line without your permission.
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They definitely will change it. Heard it straight from AT&T guy.
Sent from my Atrix
I know they can change your plan of you violate the TOS, which I am by tethering. But it is my under standing that with iphones there is something in the software that is telling them. That is why they cracked down on iPhone users first. Butt I am on a fully rooted aria with CM7. So there is nothing software wise that squealing on me. So is it the way the data is transferred ( apn, ttl, ???), or are they just guessing based on data usage.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
whitebrw said:
I know they can change your plan of you violate the TOS, which I am by tethering. But it is my under standing that with iphones there is something in the software that is telling them. That is why they cracked down on iPhone users first. Butt I am on a fully rooted aria with CM7. So there is nothing software wise that squealing on me. So is it the way the data is transferred ( apn, ttl, ???), or are they just guessing based on data usage.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nerds just know.
Sent from my Atrix
andrew.cambridge said:
Nerds just know.
Sent from my Atrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
Moved to proper section
ha. When you said 5-10 gigs I was taken back. I went to the ATT store about a month ago and asked how much data I used last month. 125 mb!!!! This is because I am always on wifi unless I am traveling. After hearing this I almost began tethering!
mikelebz said:
ha. When you said 5-10 gigs I was taken back. I went to the ATT store about a month ago and asked how much data I used last month. 125 mb!!!! This is because I am always on wifi unless I am traveling. After hearing this I almost began tethering!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use around 10gb a month easily. The way I see it I'm paying for unlimited data so I'm gonna use unlimited. Recently it seems like I've been throttled back a bit (just a guess not positive) .
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Are you using a stock rom? I assume since you actually have the hotspot software installed you are using a 3rd party rom.
Not all roms remove the AT&T apn that you connect to when using hotspot instead of basic tethering. (AT&T paid tethering uses isp.cingular, while your normal data connection, and the apn you should tether through is wap.cingular).
Im a heavy data user (5-10gb+), never gotten a text message to upgrade my account (MediaNET) or to stop tethering (using wap.cingular only)
Also, Ive had this discussion on xda a long time ago, but it seems a very few of us might be grandfathered in. Last time I got a phone (and updated my contract) from AT&T was back when they were AT&T the first time around. Before Cingular. Still buying new/used phones on ebay, and keeping my unlimited MediaNET account. My wife has a BB, and I use an Android phone, and neither one of use has ever been forced into a new data plan.
Ive also always paid my bill on time, and online, and I literally have never called AT&T for any sort of problem. (which from what Ive read, the CSR will instantly upgrade your plan if they see anything awry with your account.)
Check your rom, make sure you're using the correct apn, remove the tethering data plan using your online account tools, and try not to tether so much. (surf, don't download.)
Root
You can root your aria by useing unrevoked... When you have done that download liberated 2.2 rom and flash it...When that is done and click wifi hotspot and there you go.. THis willl also unlock unknown sources option and allow you to get non market apps (Swype) Hope this helped!
Bumping an old thread.
After years and years, I finally got the txt message, and a letter in the mail today!
(the tethering letter, not the "we're going to force upgrade your plan" letter)
Going to stop tethering (haven't tethered in months at all, but did use ttorrent, a native android torrent program over the past month)
Been out of contract forever, would hate to have to buy new phones, but would consider changing providers if they get rid of our cheap data plan.
Good opportunity for a bump, yes. I have my own recent experience.
I remember a few months ago trying to manually set up an APN to get around it... and what finally worked was to install unrevoked and then Liberated. Then I could run the wireless hotspot without trouble.
However... I started having issues downloading MMS... pictures just wouldn't download easily or at all sometimes... I had this problem for a few months, while the wifi hotspotting worked fine. I googled this "network error" I was getting while trying to download MMS attachments, and it said that the Aria has problems switching between two different APN's.
SO... I removed the second APN. Now, I'm not sure if it's the one I originally created BEFORE Liberated, or if Liberated installed its own secondary APN. What I *DO* know is that removing my second APN (and leaving just the locked "MEdia Net" one) fixed my MMS problem... BUT... IT RETURNED THE DAMN "no tethering" notification when I tried to run the hotspot again!!!
WTF??
I hate this. WHAT is it that generates that message?
EDIT: SO I re-created the second (unlocked) APN profile.. I called it "root" and copied all the info from the locked MEdia Net APN profile, and I somehow apparently remembered that the password was CINGULAR, because now when I try the wifi hotspot it works without the error.
SO... it needs to use a fresh profile, because something in the original locked "MEdia Net" APN profile is what triggers the damn wifi error "call 611" message.
I just hope I don't get more MMS problems again. I wish there was a way a guru could get into the "locked" MEdiaNet APN and see what is causing the lockout, and how to remove it, so we can just have ONE APN profile.
But meh. I got tethering back.
NOW... to answer some questions that some of you have raised here... I spoke to two different AT&T techs on the phone.. I made sure to get North American call centers, one in Kentucky I think and the other was in northern California. Both of them said essentially the same thing:
Throttling back will occur with the TOP 5% of data users. These are people who use somewhere around 15-20 gigs a month (which is way beyond the common tiered 2GB limit).
NOW, for those of us who tether, it depends. If you're streaming crap, downloading programs and lots of media, then YES, you're going to push yourself into the higher bracket. However, one of the techs mentioned that he uses Pandora with his Inspire on the HD setting, and he listens to it in his cubicle at work every day, and on the way to and from work in his car. He said he still never goes beyond his 2GB limit. I had been using Pandora on my Aria without the realization there was an HD setting (so apparently I've been enjoying the lower bandwidth stream without issues, sounds fine to me). I haven't even put a dent in my usage.
The only people who truly need to worry about tethering and bandwidth and throttling and Aria phones (and pretty much all the Android phones, won't speak for iPhone on this) are those power users who are tethering their phone to their computer CONSTANTLY, and raping the net for all sorts of streams and media downloads... bittorrents, emule feeds, etc. People who are indeed abusing things and doing so not for one month, but he said for a few consecutive months. Honestly, those are the people who SHOULD be throttled IMO. I don't mind the idea of someone going over their 2GB limit, or in the case of the few remaining people on Unlimited data plans (such as myself), doing so a few months scattered throughout the year is one thing, but consistently syphoning at high transfers every month in a row... yeah, that's not 99% of us.
So really, I'll keep tethering my Galaxy Tab to my phone, rather than pay for my Tab's data plan. I *can't* do any hardcore data hogging on this Galaxy Tab. It just makes sense to take advantage of my Aria's 3G data, since I can use it more comfortably on the tablet than on the tiny Aria. Truth be told, that's why I got the Aria... small and a great phone, able to serve the tablet data, and on those rare moments where all I have on me is the phone, do pretty much most the basic Android things.
Anyways I hope this contributes some to the thread.
Suleeto said:
Good opportunity for a bump, yes. I have my own recent experience.
I remember a few months ago trying to manually set up an APN to get around it... and what finally worked was to install unrevoked and then Liberated. Then I could run the wireless hotspot without trouble.
However... I started having issues downloading MMS... pictures just wouldn't download easily or at all sometimes... I had this problem for a few months, while the wifi hotspotting worked fine. I googled this "network error" I was getting while trying to download MMS attachments, and it said that the Aria has problems switching between two different APN's.
SO... I removed the second APN. Now, I'm not sure if it's the one I originally created BEFORE Liberated, or if Liberated installed its own secondary APN. What I *DO* know is that removing my second APN (and leaving just the locked "MEdia Net" one) fixed my MMS problem... BUT... IT RETURNED THE DAMN "no tethering" notification when I tried to run the hotspot again!!!
WTF??
I hate this. WHAT is it that generates that message?
EDIT: SO I re-created the second (unlocked) APN profile.. I called it "root" and copied all the info from the locked MEdia Net APN profile, and I somehow apparently remembered that the password was CINGULAR, because now when I try the wifi hotspot it works without the error.
SO... it needs to use a fresh profile, because something in the original locked "MEdia Net" APN profile is what triggers the damn wifi error "call 611" message.
I just hope I don't get more MMS problems again. I wish there was a way a guru could get into the "locked" MEdiaNet APN and see what is causing the lockout, and how to remove it, so we can just have ONE APN profile.
But meh. I got tethering back.
NOW... to answer some questions that some of you have raised here... I spoke to two different AT&T techs on the phone.. I made sure to get North American call centers, one in Kentucky I think and the other was in northern California. Both of them said essentially the same thing:
Throttling back will occur with the TOP 5% of data users. These are people who use somewhere around 15-20 gigs a month (which is way beyond the common tiered 2GB limit).
NOW, for those of us who tether, it depends. If you're streaming crap, downloading programs and lots of media, then YES, you're going to push yourself into the higher bracket. However, one of the techs mentioned that he uses Pandora with his Inspire on the HD setting, and he listens to it in his cubicle at work every day, and on the way to and from work in his car. He said he still never goes beyond his 2GB limit. I had been using Pandora on my Aria without the realization there was an HD setting (so apparently I've been enjoying the lower bandwidth stream without issues, sounds fine to me). I haven't even put a dent in my usage.
The only people who truly need to worry about tethering and bandwidth and throttling and Aria phones (and pretty much all the Android phones, won't speak for iPhone on this) are those power users who are tethering their phone to their computer CONSTANTLY, and raping the net for all sorts of streams and media downloads... bittorrents, emule feeds, etc. People who are indeed abusing things and doing so not for one month, but he said for a few consecutive months. Honestly, those are the people who SHOULD be throttled IMO. I don't mind the idea of someone going over their 2GB limit, or in the case of the few remaining people on Unlimited data plans (such as myself), doing so a few months scattered throughout the year is one thing, but consistently syphoning at high transfers every month in a row... yeah, that's not 99% of us.
So really, I'll keep tethering my Galaxy Tab to my phone, rather than pay for my Tab's data plan. I *can't* do any hardcore data hogging on this Galaxy Tab. It just makes sense to take advantage of my Aria's 3G data, since I can use it more comfortably on the tablet than on the tiny Aria. Truth be told, that's why I got the Aria... small and a great phone, able to serve the tablet data, and on those rare moments where all I have on me is the phone, do pretty much most the basic Android things.
Anyways I hope this contributes some to the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's a BIG bump... it's probably a pimple .
Update
i figured i would give an update to everyone. after making my initial posts i checked my data usage for the month prior to getting the "text warning" and i used 38+ GB (damn torrrents). ooops! hehehe. i guess that explains it.
Some side info, Duh! yes i am rooted. cm 7.1, Using wap.cingular APN
I called ATT, got the special division that was set up to deal with this issue. told the lady that i didn't tether i just streamed constantly. she didn't know anything about how they detected that i was tethering but as long as i didn't tether after sept 30th nothing would be changed on my account. i am still tethering as we speak and no changes have been made to my account. the only thing that i changed (besides a lot less usage) was the default TTL number on my PC.
I guess we will see when this months bill comes in. I'll keep everyone posted.
I too called the special dept. And told them a similar story that I stream from YouTube, Pandora, etc. I've also told them I've never tethered and my aria wouldn't let me. I tried it once and got a message to call 611 to enable this feature.
But now I'm a month or so into it and still no bill change.
Side note- I found a couple apps in the market that are torrent apps so now I download to my phone. Megaupload downloaded, mediafire, file serve, ect. And just surf with the tether.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Well, another bump...
Even with the WAP.CINGULAR APN profile I am now getting the dreaded "611" popup. Rebooted twice. Reselected the custom APN multiple times. Still nada. And I only tethered a few times a week for surfing, and only a few minutes each time. So make of that what you will.
What to about my tethering issue
The whole reason I signed up for ATT was so I could tether my Atrix and play online poker (10MB/hour.)
All I did was root my phone and change a PostSQL value to enable tethering. I played poker fine, but eventually got greedy and started D/L all sorts of crap going well over my 2GB/month contract and was billed.
I just recently got the nastygram from ATT and haven't called them yet.
Could someone please explain to me what I need to do so after I call ATT I won't be detected tethering again?
I'm a semi-android newb, but certainly no linux/computer newb. Thanks for help
Hi community, I'm a noob to posting and I'll apologize up-front. This is my first XDA thread, but I've been a silent creeper on here since the Windows Mobile 6/6.1/6.5 era. After searching here, Google, and other forums, I am still at a loss for the proper procedure for doing what I'm about to request. I have an LG Incite (CT810), which is a Windows 6.1 phone. I'm familiar with network settings, access codes, registry edits, ROMS, etc.; however, I'm new to Android and I won't even pretend to have a solid idea of what I'm doing.
Here's the situation: with my Incite, I have a "smartphone exclusion" and "data opt-out" features on my plan. This meant that for 3 years, I did not pay for data for any of the lines on my grandfathered family plan as the data network is mostly unusable in my portion of north Florida. Where I live, work, and go to school all have wi-fi and I have been largely successful managing things that way. On the Incite, you did the following to prevent all data requests from going from the phone to the network...Start>Settings>Connections>Connections>Advanced>Select Networks. Relatively straight-forward.
I now have a new SGS2 i777 sitting on my desk with both the new and old SIM cards available (as I have not yet activated it). After working extensively with premier/enterprise customer care, my plan now looks like it did 1 month ago when I was promised that I could upgrade to anything "other than an iPhone" and maintain my contract "as-is" (i.e. no data plan). I signed into my account last night and sure enough, the Enterprise Data Pro 2GB had been removed and the Data Opt-Out had been reinstated. I've been reading about IMEI crawlers and network connection monitors...and though I can't do anything about the first, I was wondering if there's anything that can be done to prevent the second from the phone side (like my Incite did). For example, making all background and active data refer to the wi-fi connection and throw an error if it wasn't connected.
I still have 2 weeks left in my "buyer's remorse" period to activate or figure out what to do. Basically, I don't want to pay for something I can't use--especially since I'm on a fixed income. In summary, are there internal settings to prevent network data or is there more work I need to do from the customer care side?
Thank you ahead of time for your patience with me.
You ight get more help in the i727 skyrocket forums, your posting in the Original SGS2. There is a big difference in phones. Sorry I am not of any further assistance since I am not running stock samsung roms so I havent tried what your wanting to do. I am on CM7 builds. I believe in CM7 there is a spot to choose 2G, 2G+3G, and other settings. But I am not aware on stock samsung roms. Take a look or see if your post can be moved to the Skyrocket forum for better help.
Sent From My KickAss ATT SGS2 SPORTING CM7
Headslap moment...it's an i777 SGS2 normal (non-Skyrocket) sorry about that. lol told ya I was a n00b.
I'm interested in all options: rooting, roms, apps, stock settings, etc.
Does anyone know if there's a code you dial that will take you to the engineer menu to adjust modem settings? (e.g. the Incite is 5476278#*#) 3G in this area is poor and 4G is non-existent so I probably don't need those either.
lo-fi_engineer said:
Headslap moment...it's an i777 SGS2 normal (non-Skyrocket) sorry about that. lol told ya I was a n00b.
I'm interested in all options: rooting, roms, apps, stock settings, etc.
Does anyone know if there's a code you dial that will take you to the engineer menu to adjust modem settings? (e.g. the Incite is 5476278#*#) 3G in this area is poor and 4G is non-existent so I probably don't need those either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understand what you want correctly, you are looking for a way to completely disable data service over the cell network on the phone side, while maintaining the ability to use data over wifi? If that is the case, I don't know of a way to do this on stock firmware, but many custom firmwares include the option to disable data. Perhaps I'm missing your goal though...
Edit: menu>settings>wireless and network> mobile networks> enable packet data. If this is accessible on stock (can't remember, it's been a while) that might do what you want
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Miami_Son said:
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave my girl my captivate ( she had some old slider phone) and she just put her sim in and uses everrything on wifi. Didn't upgrade to a data plan.
If I understand OP correctly, then i think it's too easy to do.
I don't fully capture what OP's first or second mean but, my take
1. If you already "data opt-out", then you cannot receive any data, meaning you cannot access their network.
2. If you don't want to use their mobile network but just wifi, then turn off their network under Wireless and Network/Mobile Data (or DAta network) settings.
In fact, I turned it off frequently, for this month billing statement, I only consume 2.3MB so far LOL
Miami_Son said:
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Persistence mostly. I don't know if it will stick when I move my SIM card over though. See screenshot below
votinh said:
If I understand OP correctly, then i think it's too easy to do.
1. If you already "data opt-out", then you cannot receive any data, meaning you cannot access their network.
2. If you don't want to use their mobile network but just wifi, then turn off their network under Wireless and Network/Mobile Data (or DAta network) settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I'll definitely check that out when I get a chance to charge it. I just ran it down until it shut off so it'll be on the charger for a while once I get to my residence.
Idk if data opt out is same as data block but I use that on one of my lines with an Inspire 4G. With that route you lose mms though. Same with blocking it under wireless settings.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Changing phones does not affect your plan unless you buy a subsidized phone that requires a minimum data plan. I went from an Incite with an old unlimited plan and kept it when I went to a Tilt 2 that I bought off eBay. I simply swapped my SIM and it worked just fine. When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan. If you go the full 30 days with that phone I suspect you will see yourself put on a 200mb plan. Did you get a new SIM with the phone? I got one with my SGSII and if I didn't activate it within the 30 days they would have charged me the full price of the phone.
Apndroid shuts off data through changing the apns for you.
The manual way is to type up a new apn with bad settings. Voice calls will still work, but data will never be able to connect. Wifi will be unaffected. No special settings needed anywhere else on the phone.
Sent from my páhhōniē
Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks>Use Packet Data
Uncheck the box at the menu above and you will not use cell data. WiFi data will work just fine. Just verified this on an unmodified, completely bone stock ROM. Changing the APN settings to incorrect values can be done as an added defense, but shouldn't be necessary. Hope this helps.
ou812bkewl said:
Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks>Use Packet Data
Uncheck the box at the menu above and you will not use cell data. WiFi data will work just fine. Just verified this on an unmodified, completely bone stock ROM. Changing the APN settings to incorrect values can be done as an added defense, but shouldn't be necessary. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Even better
Sent from my páhhōniē
disable data connection on sgs2
I'm using the app Android Task Manager Pro Ver 2.2.6 it really helps on stopping the data connection so i wont go over my data plan.
Miami_Son said:
Changing phones does not affect your plan unless you buy a subsidized phone that requires a minimum data plan. I went from an Incite with an old unlimited plan and kept it when I went to a Tilt 2 that I bought off eBay. I simply swapped my SIM and it worked just fine. When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan. If you go the full 30 days with that phone I suspect you will see yourself put on a 200mb plan. Did you get a new SIM with the phone? I got one with my SGSII and if I didn't activate it within the 30 days they would have charged me the full price of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After speaking to enterprise business customer care many, many times, I was advised that there are extremely limited instances where business users can upgrade their plans and continue to use their old settings. I offered to buy an SGS2 on Newegg or Amazon at full price, so that I could maintain my plan (like you can with an unlocked phone and a T-Mobile Value-1000 plan utilizing the "bring-your-own-phone provision"), but the agents told me that I would be "upgraded" to a data plan based on the IMEI change from my Incite to my SGS2. Two t2 agents told me that buying a full-priced phone and then correcting the account was unnecessary as EBCC could correct the plan after the fact (even with an upgrade). I followed the instructions to a "t" and bought the phones via the EB OLAM, received them, emailed the agent 3x over the course of a week, but never heard back.
After 3 calls to EBCC, I reached a veteran tier 2 agent who said that correcting the plan based on my circumstances was "easily" done, but that the agent whom provided her email address had "owned" the problem and needed to get one last opportunity to take care of it. She said she emailed the prior agent and to call back and request tier 2 or a supervisor if she didn't contact me. Idk if she was just avoiding doing it or what, but I waited as instructed. I called back and reached a tier 1 agent who recited the normal stance regarding smartphones. Several tier 1 agents later, I reached one who spoke to her supervisor whom read the litany of notes and approved the plan adjustment. Will this work for anyone else? I doubt it, but who knows. ...probably won't work for me either lol...
The screenshots in my previous post were generated 5 minutes before I posted them--they are accurate. My concern from here on out is that the phone will attempt to download data or connect to 4G (2 of the 3 conditions that will generate a forced data plan--IMEI is the 3rd, but understandably, people don't like discussing that one on here). I'll try out the bone stock packet disable setting suggestion shortly and see what happens.
So with a quick search for a similar phone, I found *#*#INFO#*#* Which took me to the Testing Menu. From there, pressing Phone Information>Preferred Network Type>GSM Only. I'm not yet activated, but I'll reply back if that worked.
...making progress!
I saw a Captivate earlier, but has anyone had success keeping a 3.5/4G phone data plan-free?
Miami_Son said:
When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did they get away with that? I've been grandfathered for years, even when I got my first 3g phone. I don't know anybody who was actually forced down to a tiered plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
mkosmo said:
How did they get away with that? I've been grandfathered for years, even when I got my first 3g phone. I don't know anybody who was actually forced down to a tiered plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you buy a subsidized phone you have to agree to their terms. That requires you to sign a new contract, which did not give me the choice of keeping my old plan. Maybe I could have made a stink, but at the time they no longer offered unlimited plans and I really wanted the Cappy.
That's only true if you upgrade through 3rd party retailers. Even that, you can call AT&T to get your unlimited data plan back. No, you are no forced to give up the unlimited data when signing a new contract. The problem is most 3rd party retailers can't keep your unlimited with their computer systems, only AT&T stores can do so.
Success!
I swapped out the sim cards without formal activation earlier tonight...no dreaded "We noticed that you're using a smartphone..." text! (At least not yet). Packet data was enabled in the network settings--it seemed to have no effect. From as far as I can tell, the process involves the following...
I came from a grandfathered plan with a smartphone exclusion and data opt-out. I upgraded online and then called [enterprise] customer care and got both items added back along with getting my IMEI updated as available for the opt-out. That seems to be it. Nothing on the phone side. From what multiple tier 2 agents have told me, that will absolutely not work with an iPhone, but who cares about iPhones anyways
I'm curious which combination of data block, smartphone exclusion, and IMEI database update are necessary to make that work for others in situations similar to mine (useless data network where I live/ commute). Will this work with a dumbphone and a data opt-out (block)? I don't know. Perhaps someone who's in a position to upgrade could try it. Using a 3G sim card in a dumbphone, call customer care (611) and request a wix block/ data opt-out on that line. I doubt they'll put the smartphone exclusion on it if it's not a smartphone--if it is then they'll probably put a data plan on instead. After you can log into the online account management, check the features on the line and verify the data opt-out and then try to put your 3G sim into a 4G smartphone and make some calls. Warning: in the event that you weren't intending to upgrade to a smartphone anyways, you might cause yourself a lot of headache getting the data back off once your sim is back in your original non-smartphone (assuming that data block by itself isn't enough to curb the data). Please chime in if it worked because I'm sure there's at least a few members who would be interested.
Loving the Samsung Galaxy S II and XDA...I can't wait to decide which mods I'm going to do first...
Response to the "Dandrumheller":
YES, the stock ROM has that option. It is the best solution that doesn't require any hassle.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
I have a Photon 4G on Sprint right now, and I refuse to go onto tiered Data. I've just about had it with Sprint's dynamically changing terms of service, so I'm looking for other US based unlimited data carriers compatible with the Photon 4G. I am rooted, if that means anything toward this.
Just isn't possible, but idk what your complaining about exactly, what change in terms, the data is still unlimited for your phone unless your not giving a full story as most people do...
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
taylorgrandorf said:
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
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Click to collapse
if you not paying for tethering (even though i think it should be free to begin with) i wouldn't be surprised if they did something like that, and there's an app you really want, just google the apk through your phone
taylorgrandorf said:
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
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Click to collapse
Sprint isn't filtering your market, it's google... They did it to me as well... Upon calling them, I was informed that rooted devices are not allowed and if google finds out you have a rooted device they lock you out of your paid apps. The only way I fixed this was by running the ruu back to stock. I re-rooted a few days later and haven't had any issues since than... I agree it sucks. As for the tethering, I 4G tether using the wifi tether app that is in dsixda kitchen, made by mueller, buxton, and somone else. I regularly top 5GB of data use every month and have never had any issues, other than Sprint's weak ass 3G signal. You could check into boost, cricket, or one of you local "small time" cell dealers, some of the local shops will even flash the phone over to their service for free. Good luck in your adventure!
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Thanks, I think I'll just stay with Sprint for now. I really appreciate the responses, though. As far as Market Filtering, my issue is not full block out, but just Wireless Tether apps missing. As far as .apk installs, I'm fully familiar with those too. Sprint is otherwise a great carrier. I'm very near to Houston, and being the 4th largest City in the USA means that I get 6/6 Bars of 4G everywhere I go. Besides this, I have nothing against them. Unlimited Data is a neccesary thing on a Smartphone, in my opinion. Also, with my Bluetooth tethering (Can be done unrooted to an Asus Transformer Prime, also unrooted) I've found that as long as I put the phone into standby, it wont reboot. It only reboots if the display times-out.
Bluetooth tethering is fully within Sprint's ToS, too. (Free)
http://db.tt/BkvrkT78 ... Here you go... Here is the old school tether app if you don't have it... I too will be sticking with sprint, can't beat unlimited data with a stick. Have fun with that photon too, very nice device, I almost ditched my shift for the photon.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
sprint did break down and filter out tethering apps from their market, but honetsly can you blame them? verizon and att were teh first ones to have limited data, the first ones to tell you what you could use your 2gb's of data on.
sprint filtered out the market.. after how long of us getting a free ride? chances are if your rooting you know how to google for android tether. not saying its ideal, but id much rather have them filter the apps, then drop unl data... or send text's out to users using free tether saying they will be switched to the paid tether automatically at the end of teh to month...
Fair enough.
So, I'm pretty sure that Straight Talk is throttling me. Days on the phone with customer service, and "reprovisioning" my data, and no change.
Could it be that I'm running Baseband i717 UCLC5 with Kernel UCLE3-UCLE577875?
I was thinking maybe I had a bad radio or modem combo or something..
Anyone else throttled on Straight Talk? Argh.. they were the perfect carrier until this nonsense. I don't even stream that much! Know it's in their TOS that they can cut off data or do whatever, but still..
Straight Talk data throttling.. FIXED!
God damn, after reading HowardForums and using this advice. Essentially insisting that they switch my account over to the $30 plan then back to the $40 plan.
Now my internet speeds are back to blazing.
I didn't have to speak the manager's manager to get this to happen. They do try and lead you through all the BS: Change your APN etc.. I tell them I did all that and to please switch my plan. I finally ended up with a Philipino girl who was nice enough to just try switching plans. This required I turn off the phone while they reset everything. Booted up after the plan switch and everything is normal. Phew. Guess I'll have to stream my music from my home server over SSL encryption. :-D
When you call 866-667-6472(using a different phone) you have to speak to one of THEIR MANAGERS! (I know you are a manager, but I want to speak to YOUR manager a senior manager) after that instruct them to manually change your plan to the $30 plan and then back to the $45 unlimited plan. When they start this process (even if they don't tell you to) turn off your phone and remove your battery. That takes around 10 minutes so be patient and that should be it. After talking to my rep (senior manager) it became obvious that she was not lying and had no idea straight talk was throttling and tried to nhelp me anyway she could. Back to 6Mbps download speed WaHoo!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thank you for this information. I too was throttled big time . I went from 5megs/sec down to .1
I tested my speeds in major cities like NY, Jax, Orlando, Philly, Charlotte and it was the same.
Straight talk said they were not throttling me so I went ahead and just bought another SIM and voila I was right back up in speed.
Next time I will try the above and let you know.
Did you have to change your phone number with the new sim?
Maybe that would be easier.. I dunno.. guess it's six of one..
Update: Two days later, without using any extra data.. throttled again.
Going to call them and ask them to switch my plan back and forth again..if
throttled again, other carrier, here I come.
In the ongoing Straight Talk Throttling Saga..
Another phone call.. this time half an hour on the phone.. they reset the plan(s) back and forth. Data speed back. Will see if it lasts. Got them to pony up 5 days free service for all the hassle.
:good:
:laugh:
I'm hearing horror story's of ppl throttled for BS.....I'm their now I'm getting .2mb dl speed.....the thing is......I'm always on wifi and only dl from wifi.....idk what to do at the moment tho
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
I use ST also and have been getting the throttle 160 kbps for about 7 days now. which is OK because I did use about 2+GB last month. but I do not tether I do have wifi at home and will begin to use it more. BUT!! If you are listening Straight Talk You need to set some clear standards. if I violate them I expect to get throttled. 160 kbps is unusable you need to do more like 500 kbps that is still a 90% cut in speed. and most of all when I reach the end of my billing cycle and start a new one, I should automatically be reset to full speed. Which is were I am now. last Sunday started my new month and mid day Monday is when I noticed that I can no longer use Google Maps. just when I really needed it. Oh and a txt warning email something would be nice!! NOT a phone call I do not answer strange numbers they can leave a message. So that is my opinion I think most people would agree with this and ST does not come off as doing shady business practices.
I went through all this a few weeks back. First three weeks with them got great speeds everywhere in two states. Then went 10 days where I never got above 200k. They made me mess with the phone and then reset something on their end. I've had about 10 days of perfect speeds everywhere in PA and MD.
cartoonmonkey said:
Another phone call.. this time half an hour on the phone.. they reset the plan(s) back and forth. Data speed back. Will see if it lasts. Got them to pony up 5 days free service for all the hassle.
:good:
:laugh:
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Click to collapse
Does this reset your balance? I.e. if you're in the middle of a month, do you lose the remaining days?
Correction
Guys, you don't even need to call in and change your plan to stop the data throttling. All you need to do is:
1. Call 611
2. Once you get ahold of a rep, say these exact words: "I called customer service yesterday because my data is not working, at all. My email won't load and everytime I access the internet it gives me an error saying it cannot connect to the web. The representative I spoke with yesterday took me through some trouble shooting steps with my APN settings to see if that would help and if it didn't work that I should call back and request for a network refresh or an account refresh."
3. The rep will say something like, "Ok, I will be glad to help with your problem today. I will need to transfer you to complete this transaction." They may also state, clearly, to you the ToS of Straight Talk (sections 6 and 7) regarding data usage and throttling and you need to acknowledge this in some way.
4. Once transferred repeat what you said above to the next level up rep. He/She will complete the process.
5. Now that the process is complete, please turn off your phone for 60 seconds then turn the phone back on but let it sit for a few minutes so it can register and reset it's settings and then you should see a return in normal data speeds.
Note:
- Always be curtious and kind to the reps. If you don't get your way with one of them don't get mad and hostile. They are only doing their job. Just hang up and call back till you get someone who will do it which won't be hard.
- Always say please and thank you when appropriate and always say "not a problem" when being placed on hold.
- Don't mention anything about data usage or throttling to them when placing this call to the exception of acknowledgement.
- Don't use your data like crazy after you successfully unblock your data or you will be throttled again.
- You may be subject to being throttled randomly after this call at anytime and calling back to them with these steps will always fix this issue if this happens so don't be alarmed.
Other Info:
A network/account refresh does what it says. It refreshes the network and your Straight Talk account on their side and removes the data throttle (temporarirly at times) so it behaves as if it were freshly setup just as it was on day one.
I used to have data problems also, but here recently I have noticed that my data speeds have returned to what they were when I first switched to ST. I haven't called them or done anything different with my settings, other that my usual flashing once every couple days.
Sent from my Cookie Monster of a phablet C&C Galaxy Note
How is the overall straight talk service? I've been debating switching to that myself
Sent from my SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
joe012594 said:
Guys, you don't even need to call in and change your plan to stop the data throttling. All you need to do is:
1. Call 611
2. Once you get ahold of a rep, say these exact words: "I called customer service yesterday because my data is not working, at all. My email won't load and everytime I access the internet it gives me an error saying it cannot connect to the web. The representative I spoke with yesterday took me through some trouble shooting steps with my APN settings to see if that would help and if it didn't work that I should call back and request for a network refresh or an account refresh."
3. The rep will say something like, "Ok, I will be glad to help with your problem today. I will need to transfer you to complete this transaction." They may also state, clearly, to you the ToS of Straight Talk (sections 6 and 7) regarding data usage and throttling and you need to acknowledge this in some way.
4. Once transferred repeat what you said above to the next level up rep. He/She will complete the process.
5. Now that the process is complete, please turn off your phone for 60 seconds then turn the phone back on but let it sit for a few minutes so it can register and reset it's settings and then you should see a return in normal data speeds.
Note:
- Always be curtious and kind to the reps. If you don't get your way with one of them don't get mad and hostile. They are only doing their job. Just hang up and call back till you get someone who will do it which won't be hard.
- Always say please and thank you when appropriate and always say "not a problem" when being placed on hold.
- Don't mention anything about data usage or throttling to them when placing this call to the exception of acknowledgement.
- Don't use your data like crazy after you successfully unblock your data or you will be throttled again.
- You may be subject to being throttled randomly after this call at anytime and calling back to them with these steps will always fix this issue if this happens so don't be alarmed.
Other Info:
A network/account refresh does what it says. It refreshes the network and your Straight Talk account on their side and removes the data throttle (temporarirly at times) so it behaves as if it were freshly setup just as it was on day one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this... it didn't fix the throttling for me. They were helpful though and everything went as you described, except for the wanted outcome.
knoshann said:
How is the overall straight talk service? I've been debating switching to that myself
Sent from my SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me its great i made the switch a month ago love it have 4g speed everywhere Where T-Mobile had dead zones. I'm online a lot no throttling but i don't watch videos on my phone so. Switch you will notice the Difference and call quality is great
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Just an update on my throttling issue. I emailed them and got a call back from them later. This person fixed my throttling issue. I turned off my phone, they did something on their end, and I turned it back on... no more throttled connection. Prior to this, https connections would fail due to the low bandwidth, the play store would say it wasn't connected, etc.
Just attempted this. The manager went through my browsing history, became rather uptight and questioned me about my browser usage. He then read to me the Data and Throttling terms and even caught onto my tether. He then went on to tell me that since I was now aware of the terms, usuage against them after my next refill will result in my service being shut off.
In short, it didnt go well...at all.
clepperM said:
Just attempted this. The manager went through my browsing history, became rather uptight and questioned me about my browser usage. He then read to me the Data and Throttling terms and even caught onto my tether. He then went on to tell me that since I was now aware of the terms, usuage against them after my next refill will result in my service being shut off.
In short, it didnt go well...at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to point fingers but what was your data usage?
I had to call about throttling 3 days ago and after asking for a network reset they asked me to restart my phone (international Galaxy note 2, cut down sim to micro sim) and after the restart it was at full speed again. I asked what they did and they claimed nothing. I had restarted five times already but was still at 30 kB/s. I wish I knew how long I had been running slow since I'm on wifi a lot.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Staight does throttle your speed they just wont admit to it i can say i switched to net10 nd i hve not had my speed throttled
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
I can say that besides being throttled I have just as great coverage phone\data as I did with at&t..My average DL is about 6mbs UpL is around 1.5mbs witch I find to be good enough. ..On the other hand I was only 10 days into my month and was Indeed THROTTLED. .my data usage for 10 days was 1.3 gigs...Hardly any..averaged 108mbs per day...1 day I hit 300mbs and thats when I was throttled..I did indeed read up on how to fix the problem. .called CS and that failed a few different times..gonna have to wait till next month and keep data down even more than I already do...I dont tether or Stream..Just use the Browser...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Ok. So I have always just had 4G in my area until recently. I have the APN info to run unthrottled. I have an unlimited data plan and I use my phone for tethering my computer and my xboxs at home. Since it is now LTE now my UNTHROTTLED, APN switches on and off randomly and eventually knocks me back to the regular ATT PTA APN. I want to find a way to lock my phone to 4G only so I can stay on the unthrottled APN so I can at least have 2mbps instead of being throttled down to 500kbps a quarter of the way through the month. Which makes it practically impossible to play xbox games online or stream a movie, Download anything is a headache now. The worst part about it is even the LTE maxes out at 5mbps where I live anyways so it's not like I'm getting 21+ like I do in other LTE areas. Is there anyway around this or should I invest in an Android 4G only phone and just use it while at home? Thanks for any help that someone could give me.
Excessive data use always gets throttled. No way around it. I'm not saying "excessive use", at&t is.
They easily track usage by your sim card and IEMI, so APN settings don't matter.
Actually.....
Actually. With the APN I had it never got throttled. I was doing 46gigs+ a month. Never ever got throttled until it knocked me up to LTE and made my phone skip the un throttled APN.
rangercaptain said:
Excessive data use always gets throttled. No way around it. I'm not saying "excessive use", at&t is.
They easily track usage by your sim card and IEMI, so APN settings don't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
46GBs? It's about time you did get throttled. 4G and LTE APN's should both be throttled APNs. Try the 3G APN.
I agree, save some bandwidth for the rest of us. I don't know how you haven't had your account closed down yet, or why you weren't throttled using a particular APN for so long. Must have just been network goofiness, because like rangercaptain said, that's not how AT&T tracks you for throttling anyway.
Edit: Moving to a 3G APN shouldn't matter either. Nor would being on a 2G or 3G-only tower. No matter what I'm connected to, I'm still limited to 5GB/month before getting throttled, because that's where grandfathered LTE plans are set. Doesn't matter if I'm actually using LTE or not, it's per-plan.
46+ Gb? Really???? Unbelievable! No, really. Unbelievable. You must mean 4.6 Gb because you'd be turned off, or at least you'd be getting communications from your carrier. I think either you are telling stories or you don't really know what you are talking about.
Johnus is 100% correct for AT&T. You get 5 Gb unthrottled per unlimited plan. Doesn't matter if you consume that 5 Gb using LTE, 4G, 3G, or string and soup cans.
I'm serious. I was getting months of 46 and more gigs without being throttled using one specific APN. The weird thing is now that yesterday I cut my phone on and all my APNs were gone except the default. They don't mess with me because the last time they tried to take me off unlimited for tethering I caused a big scene and kept on getting my call transfered up to a higher and higher management denying the fact that I did it and threatened them with a lawsuit. I already have a FCC complaint set up against them for throttling since it was never notified of agreed to a change in my plan. I was using a 4G APN that had what looked like corporate **** on it because I to this day can't find the info I had that I put in to get away with it. Now that it's LTE now it cuts 4G to completely off to 4G not allowing me to stay online longer than 15mins before it shuts down. That's all erased somehow now. My tethering file is deleted and I use wifitether app to do my tethering and have not been caught while tethering since I did that over 6months ago and for 6months I have been using about 50g a month
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
I guess they won.
It's far from over. I'm over 6gigs now and not throttled. Since using the tweakker APN. And I have been told if you file an FCC complaint they will let you run wide open once it gets filed with them. Usually take a month or two. They have so many lawsuits pending right now they can not deal with another.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
..... And in my area, I assure you that my data usage is not effecting any of you. I live 30miles outside of Memphis TN. In the middle of nowhere. A year ago my phone only picked up in one spot in my entire house. The city is so small they banned any towers for going up because of the fear of radiation. I live around a bunch of ignorant rednecks that use Walmart prepaid phones and the only Internet they know of is Hughes Net and the local library.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Where can I find a full ATT APN list?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Really not sure I can take anything you say as serious. That said, if you get anywhere with you supposed FCC filing, you'd be the first. The issue has already been tested and AT&T is on firm ground.
This is how you can take me seriously. That shows my data usage.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Gonna post this months data usage with my Internet speed.. It never shows a tether is being used. It is unexplainable by looking at the phone info where the data is using. Which is also exactly what ATT gets, they have no clue where I'm using so much data.
http://junkheadinc.tumblr.com/post/45506357010/this-months-data-usage-showing-i-havent-been
http://junkheadinc.tumblr.com/post/45506322704/my-speeds-att-4g-lte-unthrottled
JunkheadINC said:
Gonna post this months data usage with my Internet speed.. It never shows a tether is being used. It is unexplainable by looking at the phone info where the data is using. Which is also exactly what ATT gets, they have no clue where I'm using so much data.
http://junkheadinc.tumblr.com/post/45506357010/this-months-data-usage-showing-i-havent-been
http://junkheadinc.tumblr.com/post/45506322704/my-speeds-att-4g-lte-unthrottled
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Click to collapse
My apologies. I gotta admit, the proof is in the pics. I know that ATT would normally go ballistic about this so I don't really understand why you're getting away with it. They really don't care what you use the data for. Normally, all they care about is how much data you've used in a month. You are getting away with murder, my man. Good for you!
It's because they have threatened me in the past. I threatened back and they backed off. But it was before I deleted the tether file and used wifi tether app. They busted me for tethering now they can't. Can't tell what I'm using it for. It's like they try to throttle me at certain times. Randomly now that I have LTE coming thru at my home. I was wondering how many others have figured this out. I guess it is just that I threatened to put a lawsuit on them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Another speed test. Just to rub it in a bit. Try the route I did. Let me know if it works for you
By the way my Xbox GAMERTAG is junkheadINC for anyone interested in some multiplayer action.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
JunkheadINC said:
Try the route I did. Let me know if it works for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give some more info on what you did? I'll give it a go and see if i can pull the wool over their eyes, too.
Nice speedtest results. The upload is incredible.