What Are The Consequences of Extreme Tethering?

[Angelou22]

So I upgraded to a Droid Bionic last May and was lucky enough to be able to keep my unlimited data plan with Verizon since 2009. I'm very happy with my phone and

everything but, I could honestly say that in the past 2 months, about 80% of the time, I am tethering the soul out of my data. I do outrageous things like download full

games on Steam (Skyrim updates, TF2 and the Crysis collection), watch entire TV shows like Mad Men on Netflix, browse tons on videos on YouTube, etc. Last month alone,

from the 1st of August till the 6th of September, I had tethered 81GB of bandwidth. No, that is NOT a typo. I REALLY meant EIGHTY ONE GIGABYTES.

My concern is, what could Verizon possibly do? My last bill was normal. Didn't receive a call from a Verizon rep or anything. Although, I am almost certain that Verizon has

me on their 'bad customer' list since I've noticed a significant amount of download speeds decreased. I wouldn't be surprised if they already throttle the hell out of my data.

What are your thoughts?

View attachment 55974

 

[jcwilliams]

Keep using it. Its unlimited!

 

[Angelou22]

Keep using it. Its unlimited!

I plan on doing just that! :biggrin:

But why does my subconscious feel so... guilty? I don't know how to explain it. It's like I'm expecting something bad to happen!

 

[Dave12308]

I'm going to assume he is on a grandfathered unlimited plan, and is NOT paying for the hotspot feature. In that case, he is stealing, plain and simple. Unless he is referring to the USB tethering built into ICS, in that case it seems to me that it would be allowed since the function is there and they give you no way to pay for using it. Even if that is the case, 81GB is extremely excessive.

 

[Dave12308]

I plan on doing just that! :biggrin:

But why does my subconscious feel so... guilty? I don't know how to explain it. It's like I'm expecting something bad to happen!

Although not likely, it very well could. Verizon has been known to send people HUGE bills for excessive tethering. I remember a thread on Howardforums where some kid cost his parents $3,500 doing just what you are doing.

 

[Dave12308]

I totally understand but, there are other companies out there that still offer unlimited data plans. Why does Verizon get the right to be stingy but not the user?

I don't like the fact that gas is almost $4 a gallon. Those godforsaken greedy gas stations. Still doesn't mean I can fill up and drive off without paying.

 

[Angelou22]

I'm going to assume he is on a grandfathered unlimited plan, and is NOT paying for the hotspot feature. In that case, he is stealing, plain and simple. Unless he is referring to the USB tethering built into ICS, in that case it seems to me that it would be allowed since the function is there and they give you no way to pay for using it. Even if that is the case, 81GB is extremely excessive.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. But yes, the Droid Bionic has a built in setting that allows you to tether via USB on Android 2.3.4. So how exactly is this stealing? I am not allowed to use a feature included on my smartphone? Seems unfair to me...

 

[bsweetness]

I plan on doing just that! :biggrin:

But why does my subconscious feel so... guilty? I don't know how to explain it. It's like I'm expecting something bad to happen!

You feel guilty because you're violating something you agreed to - your terms of service with Verizon.

If you're on an unlimited data plan and you tether without paying for the hotspot feature, you're violating your terms of service, plain and simple. Whether or not you should have to pay for it is a different question entirely, and is something that has been debated to death and will continue to be debated to death. But the fact of the matter, according to the terms of service, is that with an unlimited data plan, tethering without paying for the feature is a violation of what you agreed to.

81 gigs is an extremely large amount of data, and if that's something you consistently do, it's very likely that it can throw a red flag. Is Verizon going to do anything about it? They could try to get you to pay for it, and they could try to cancel your account, but in the end, it's difficult (if not impossible in most situations) for them to prove that you're tethering.

 

[jcwilliams]

This is def a opinionated thread....

But in my opinion unlimited data is just that and doesn't matter how you use it. Yea your suppose to pay for wifi but usb don't cost so i say rack those gbs up lol

 

[grgguy]

I totally understand but, there are other companies out there that still offer unlimited data plans. Why does Verizon get the right to be stingy but not the user?

I think 5-20 gigs is ok with unlimited data . But 81 gigs is just outrageous and out of control! You must have a lot of free time? I dont think I have used 81 gigs in a year be it through my phone or my home internet or even combined.

 

[Dave12308]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. But yes, the Droid Bionic has a built in setting that allows you to tether via USB on Android 2.3.4. So how exactly is this stealing? I am not allowed to use a feature included on my smartphone? Seems unfair to me...

I forgot that 2.3.4 had USB tethering built in, so my apologies there. Like I said though, if you are using the built in USB tethering you are NOT stealing since the function is there and they give you no way to sign up for a USB tethering plan these days. 81GB is still excessive though, you are most likely correct that they are throttling you. However, if they tried to CHARGE you for using a built in feature with no plan existing for it I doubt it would hold up if they were to take you to court. In this case, I honestly think the worst that can happen is throttling; although IIRC they will throttle you for the next billing cycle as well.

 

[jcwilliams]

You feel guilty because you're violating something you agreed to - your terms of service with Verizon.

If you're on an unlimited data plan and you tether without paying for the hotspot feature, you're violating your terms of service, plain and simple. Whether or not you should have to pay for it is a different question entirely, and is something that has been debated to death and will continue to be debated to death. But the fact of the matter, according to the terms of service, is that with an unlimited data plan, tethering without paying for the feature is a violation of what you agreed to.

81 gigs is an extremely large amount of data, and if that's something you consistently do, it's very likely that it can throw a red flag. Is Verizon going to do anything about it? They could try to get you to pay for it, and they could try to cancel your account, but in the end, it's difficult (if not impossible in most situations) for them to prove that you're tethering.

Well said.

 

[skennelly]

I wouldn't worry. Although 81 gb is a lot, there are people who use more. I wouldn’t worry until they contact you in some form, which will likely never happen


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[jcwilliams]

I bet 9/10 ppl on this forum tether/break contract. I mean they have the apps available in the market for pete sake lol

 

[Angelou22]

You feel guilty because you're violating something you agreed to - your terms of service with Verizon.

If you're on an unlimited data plan and you tether without paying for the hotspot feature, you're violating your terms of service, plain and simple. Whether or not you should have to pay for it is a different question entirely, and is something that has been debated to death and will continue to be debated to death. But the fact of the matter, according to the terms of service, is that with an unlimited data plan, tethering without paying for the feature is a violation of what you agreed to.

81 gigs is an extremely large amount of data, and if that's something you consistently do, it's very likely that it can throw a red flag. Is Verizon going to do anything about it? They could try to get you to pay for it, and they could try to cancel your account, but in the end, it's difficult (if not impossible in most situations) for them to prove that you're tethering.

You're telling me I agreed to have limited use of features integrated in my phone free of charge? I'll definitely make sure I read the agreement next time!