I use the built-in USB tethering feature once in a great while when my FIOS connection is down. However, I do it very sparingly. And like I said, I don't see that as a violation since they provide the feature and give you no way to pay for it. If it came down to it, I think THAT argument would stand up in court. On the other hand, I doubt the use of a 3rd party app would stand up in court, and the database hack to use the built in hotspot function would definitely be a no-no. IMHO, USB tethering is fine as long as you take it easy and don't use it excessively.
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What Are The Consequences of Extreme Tethering?
- Thread starter Angelou22
- Start date
I sense a small amount of bitterness in your tone. That's okay, though. I have as much free time as the US Army allows me to have so I use my time and bandwidth as I please.
This should clear this up. I just read the entire TOS, and it would seem that as long as you are using the USB tethering function you are fine, however they may be able to get you on section (e) of the following. On the other hand, most of us on these forums are guilty of (d) since many of us run custom ROMs or leaked OSes, and I don't think ANYONE has gotten terminated for that:"What Are Verizon Wireless' Rights to Limit or End Service or End this Agreement?
We can, without notice, limit, suspend or end your Service or any agreement with you for any good cause, including, but not limited to: (1) if you: (a) breach this agreement; (b) resell your Service; (c) use your Service for any illegal purpose, including use that violates trade and economic sanctions and prohibitions promulgated by any U.S. governmental agency; (d) install, deploy or use any regeneration equipment or similar mechanism (for example, a repeater) to originate, amplify, enhance, retransmit or regenerate an RF signal without our permission; (e) steal from or lie to us; or, if you're a Postpay customer, (f) do not pay your bill on time; (g) incur charges larger than a required deposit or billing limit, or materially in excess of your monthly access charges (even if we haven't yet billed the charges); (h) provide credit information we can't verify; or (i) are unable to pay us or go bankrupt; or (2) if you, any user of your device or any line of service on your account, or any account manager on your account: (a) threaten, harass, or use vulgar and/or inappropriate language toward our representatives; (b) interfere with our operations; (c) "spam," or engage in other abusive messaging or calling; (d) modify your device from its manufacturer's specifications; or (e) use your Service in a way that negatively affects our network or other customers. We can also temporarily limit your Service for any operational or governmental reason."
I started typing up that post before you said that you were using USB tethering. Generally speaking, when someone talks about tethering, they're talking about using their phone as a wireless hot spot, which is why everyone, myself included, assumed that's what you were talking about.
The question of whether or not the USB tethering is a violation of the terms of service is something that's somewhat up in the air. Most Android devices have the capability to tether via USB built natively into the device, but normally carriers block this or route it through a portal where they ask you to pay for it (like with the wireless hotspot). Since this isn't the case with the Bionic, it definitely leaves a bit of a question about it.
On that note, a heartfelt Thank You for your service to our Country!
Well, I can definitely say they "limit" my services already. Other than that, I am not worried about anything else.
I don't think there's any question at all. The PLAN for USB tethering a smartphone doesn't even exist anymore. And at no point are you ever told that this feature will cost you additional money. If Verizon is that concerned about USB tether, they need to a) reinstate USB tethering plans for smartphones; or b) request that the functionality be removed from the OS. My thought is they just figure that MOST people will be wifi tethering, and not carrying their USB cable around with them.
Well, it DOES say limit OR end service so there always is that risk. I would just be more careful in the future to avoid throttling, a nice 4G connection isn't much good when it's throttled to 3G speeds or slower.
You're absolutely right about that. I remember 4GLTE being much faster when I was in tech school and didn't have much time to use it. Being at my permanent duty station on weekends has changed that.
If there wasn't any question at all, the OP wouldn't have felt the need to ask the question, and the question wouldn't come up all the time.
By the way, don't get me wrong, I fully understand WHY your tethering use is so high. I'm assuming that you're pretty limited on connectivity options when on base. I am also totally against all the limitations they put on what is referred to as "unlimited" data. I guess i'm just used to the games that cell service providers play with terminology to make you think you're getting more than you are.
"No question at all" meaning from a contractual violation standpoint. Cellular contracts are generally vague enough that the customer is ALWAYS left with questions. These "soft caps" are total BS, in my opinion. Unlimited shouldn't mean "you can use all the data you want until WE decide you've used too much". That's like telling me I can only hit the all-you-can-eat buffet line once in a visit.If there wasn't any question at all, the OP wouldn't have felt the need to ask the question, and the question wouldn't come up all the time.
jcwilliams
Senior Member
Dave12308 said:
Lol funny stuff.
But yea why pay for all you can eat if you can't get your moneys worth! I see your comparison...
I second that metaphor.
Funny story, slightly OT but goes with my metaphor. Once I was at a Chinese buffet where they served snow crab legs. I was on my 3rd plate (after all, not much meat in a crab leg) and the owner came up to me and started yelling "No more crab leg for you, you eat too many crab leg you put me out of business. No more crab leg, you eat fried dough ball if you still hungry" - you had to be there, me and my buddy started calling him the "Crab Nazi" (like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld) *LOL*