Tethered to my laptop using pdanet...overage on shared minutes?!!!...

[KZIWarrior]

and easytether and PDANet isn't a legit app? Why is it less legit than google voice/talk apps that are designed to use data instead of minutes, therefore, cutting your bill down by reducing the number of minutes and texts on your plan?

Read before you bother to speak:

Found it below

PDA/smartphone and BlackBerry® Plans: These VZEmail plans 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 Broadband Connect.

Written from a tethered laptop

So yes PDANet is explicitly in violation of your user agreement and therefore not 'legit' apps. But have fun watching your so-called 'streaming' media in poor resolution. When you're ready to join the modern age of internet use and streaming media (e.g. HD video streaming) maybe you'll figure out how to afford the $60 a month for real high-speed internet (and no DSL doesn't count, though if that's what you were using before I can see how you think there's little or no difference and 3G speeds are acceptable).

 

[KZIWarrior]

Maybe you can clarify for me...are there roaming charges for the 3g network? I know there is roaming for cell phone usage but like I said before...I didn't use the phone for calling anyone...I just had it tethered.

Sent from my ADR6300 using DroidForums App

Yes, roaming is roaming (i.e. you are not on your providers network and using another network for which VZW will be charged). Generally it's not an issue now a days as most providers contract with others to use their towers if they don't have any. But again, you need to pull up the usage and look specifically at what they are billing/charging and what it reads in detail. Where were you at (what areas where you traveling)? What is the VZW coverage map for those areas? The idea that it's 'roaming' charges is just a SWAG for now. But it does happen a lot (especially when people travel on cruise ships and don't realize they aren't covered and the ships service is ridiculously expensive).

 

[mcatdtDroid]

and easytether and PDANet isn't a legit app? Why is it less legit than google voice/talk apps that are designed to use data instead of minutes, therefore, cutting your bill down by reducing the number of minutes and texts on your plan?

Read before you bother to speak:

Found it below

PDA/smartphone and BlackBerry® Plans: These VZEmail plans 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 Broadband Connect.

Written from a tethered laptop

So yes PDANet is explicitly in violation of your user agreement and therefore not 'legit' apps. But have fun watching your so-called 'streaming' media in poor resolution. When you're ready to join the modern age of internet use and streaming media (e.g. HD video streaming) maybe you'll figure out how to afford the $60 a month for real high-speed internet (and no DSL doesn't count, though if that's what you were using before I can see how you think there's little or no difference and 3G speeds are acceptable).

FWIW - you posted that as I was typing... I did edit a little. Really, I could care less if it's acceptable or not. it's like counting cards in Vegas.... nothing illegal/unethical about it, just Vegas doesn't want you doing it so they police for it and tell you to leave if they catch you.

To me, what that says is VZW knows we do it, but can't prove it, so they put it in policy like Vegas does with card counting.

So IDGAF and until I see some bills scanned and posted, I will continue to tether.

You can try and marginalize my inet through my phone all you want, but the fact is, I stream everything I need just fine.

 

[MattyP]

^^^ I agree...

I found it to be a little underhanded on Big Red's part that they advertise it as a "capability" of the phone, and they want to bend you over for $29.99 for an "unlimited" data plan, but they want to bend you over a little farther for another $20.00 a month for that "capability"

My work takes me all over the country, and 9 out of 10 hotels they put me in have WiFi for my laptop. But once in a while, they will put me in a hotel such as that Sheraton in Atlanta that wanted $9.95 a day for internet. So I simply tethered my laptop, long enough to check my email, the news, say hi on Facebook to a few people, and that's it. Maybe 15-20 mins tops.

I dont find it unethical or illegal either. You pay this much coin for a phone and a plan and a data plan too, then ALL "capabilities" of the phone should be accessible. As for using it as a replacement for internet at home, it won't replace 7MB Cable LOL

"except as the device’s native applications and capabilities permit"


Isn't the "capability" to access the Internet "native to the device"?

 

[mcatdtDroid]

yep....


I tether because it's just me.... recently divorced.... no kids, just me in my house... why am I going to pay for the same inet that I get for 'free'

no different than cutting costs by using google voice/talk, whatever to reduce minutes on your phone and texts on your phone.

 

[sam5828]

well that may be a $2700 bill, forgot to add i am tethered as i type this.

 

[brennan]

You may want to talk to Verizon's fraud dept. People clone ESN #'s and use other peoples minutes/data. I've had several customers come in the VZW store I manage with charges like that and turns out its someone in China that has gotten their ESN and cloned it somehow.

 

[pyro6128]

Its baffling that people get surprised that verizon would put a clause in their contract to stop you from abusing their service. I tether too, but come on, do you think verizon is in business to be nice to you? They're in it to make money. And the reason they give you unlimited on your phone only as opposed to all inclusive, is because your phone can't consume data at nearly the rate a comp can. Not to mention comps use different types of data packets than phones do for a lot of things. Imagine if everyone was a loser and just bought a $30 unlimited cell plan and used that for their home internet, the network would slow to a crawl. Again, I'm no boyscout, I tether too, but stop being naive people. You're adults, you signed the contract, stop acting surprised.

side note: the phrase is "I couldn't care less", when you say you could care less, that in fact means you do care.

 

[Droid DOES!!]

+1! The odd thing is though: as long as you're a nationwide plan, there is no roaming (minus being at the northern or southern boarders which will be credited 99% of the time). OP, you need to look at the details of your bill and see exactly what you were billed for. And no, Verizon has no way of knowing how you use your data, just that its being used. However, if one were to use say, 10GB on their phone in a month, it's pretty obvious that tethering is the cause.

Its baffling that people get surprised that verizon would put a clause in their contract to stop you from abusing their service. I tether too, but come on, do you think verizon is in business to be nice to you? They're in it to make money. And the reason they give you unlimited on your phone only as opposed to all inclusive, is because your phone can't consume data at nearly the rate a comp can. Not to mention comps use different types of data packets than phones do for a lot of things. Imagine if everyone was a loser and just bought a $30 unlimited cell plan and used that for their home internet, the network would slow to a crawl. Again, I'm no boyscout, I tether too, but stop being naive people. You're adults, you signed the contract, stop acting surprised.

side note: the phrase is "I couldn't care less", when you say you could care less, that in fact means you do care.

DroidForums junkie!

 

[carbine]

If this was legit and you did go over that much, that's why Verizon has contracts. It's like when people blame the bank for overdraft fees. You sign the paperwork, it's in your hands.

Btw: HA!

 

[mcatdtDroid]

Its baffling that people get surprised that verizon would put a clause in their contract to stop you from abusing their service. I tether too, but come on, do you think verizon is in business to be nice to you? They're in it to make money. And the reason they give you unlimited on your phone only as opposed to all inclusive, is because your phone can't consume data at nearly the rate a comp can. Not to mention comps use different types of data packets than phones do for a lot of things. Imagine if everyone was a loser and just bought a $30 unlimited cell plan and used that for their home internet, the network would slow to a crawl. Again, I'm no boyscout, I tether too, but stop being naive people. You're adults, you signed the contract, stop acting surprised.

side note: the phrase is "I couldn't care less", when you say you could care less, that in fact means you do care.

no, just less than you care... lol


but, your argument assumes he's being charged overages for tethering, when, in all likelihood, he's being charged for ROAMING. Two ENTIRELY different things here.

This is where the anti-tethering groups twist and distort things. To them, this thread proves that tethering is bad and they are glad he gets hit for it, when, in fact, it has nothing to do with tethering.

I will agree, he should be stuck with whatever bill he gets if it's roaming though. Pay attention more. But alas, people in general have proven, they will call up, ***** and complain and exclaim that "I've been a VZW customer for xxx years and I should get a credit"

I've been a customer at my power company for 20 years, should I get a credit for running my heat at 85* all winter or my A/C at 60* all summer?

Should I get a credit from my water company when I fill my pool because I've been with the same company for 20 years?

Why should VZW be obliged to give a person who roams credit.


the entire tether debate comes down to this.... what do you charge when people go over. The contract may say "don't" but there is no fee schedule and simply picking an arbitrary amount to charge doesn't cut it.

 

[ytwokc5]

Check your mobile network settings. On a droid1 it's under Wireless and network settings - Mobile Networks. "Data Roaming" is the setting you are looking for. On my phone it is unchecked.

 

[pyro6128]

no, just less than you care... lol


but, your argument assumes he's being charged overages for tethering, when, in all likelihood, he's being charged for ROAMING. Two ENTIRELY different things here.

This is where the anti-tethering groups twist and distort things. To them, this thread proves that tethering is bad and they are glad he gets hit for it, when, in fact, it has nothing to do with tethering.

I will agree, he should be stuck with whatever bill he gets if it's roaming though. Pay attention more. But alas, people in general have proven, they will call up, ***** and complain and exclaim that "I've been a VZW customer for xxx years and I should get a credit"

I've been a customer at my power company for 20 years, should I get a credit for running my heat at 85* all winter or my A/C at 60* all summer?

Should I get a credit from my water company when I fill my pool because I've been with the same company for 20 years?

Why should VZW be obliged to give a person who roams credit.


the entire tether debate comes down to this.... what do you charge when people go over. The contract may say "don't" but there is no fee schedule and simply picking an arbitrary amount to charge doesn't cut it.

Well I'm not saying the op tethered and that caused it. But a lot of other people came in here crying out about how tethering should be free, and their logic is all unicorns and rainbows. I'm just saying in the event that it was, then tethering for 20 hours should not really surprise you. But yea he should def call the rep.

But really, I couldn't care less . See what i did there

 

[Peschon]

I remember a few years back when I was tethering 1x on my rzr phone that was slow. Now E-Mail, Hulu, and even some on-line games with 3g. Come on LTE....

 

[Canadroid]

So yes PDANet is explicitly in violation of your user agreement and therefore not 'legit' apps. But have fun watching your so-called 'streaming' media in poor resolution. When you're ready to join the modern age of internet use and streaming media (e.g. HD video streaming) maybe you'll figure out how to afford the $60 a month for real high-speed internet (and no DSL doesn't count, though if that's what you were using before I can see how you think there's little or no difference and 3G speeds are acceptable).

:r_c:

Wow, so what do you REALLY think of people using tethering apps?

Honestly, how was it not inevitable that this situation has come about? There may not be any such thing as a free lunch, but really do you expect none of these hundreds of thousands of people to come eat when 99% of their peers seem to be avoiding any trouble so far?

I'm not in the 'free tether camp' either, as I have no use for tethering myself. I just don't understand all the phony outrage...