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3G Data Network Speeds - 1401kbps/607kbps! WOW! (on Verizon Wireless)

WOW....I did not know that the 3G data network was so fast...I am getting 160 KB/sec download, and 80 KB/sec upload.
That's amazing for phone speeds. At least to me, I just signed up for unlimited data...it's cheap now. 1,400 minutes (shared with my wife) plus unlimited data on my phone only $80 (+ $10 for wife's line.)
What data speeds are you other guys getting?
I did a speedtest. I hooked up my vx6800 to my desktop, and enabled internet sharing through USB and disabled ALL other network cards and wireless on the desktop, then went to SpeakEasy and did the speedtest - LINK. (I chose Dallas, Texas since that's where I live)
Here are my official numbers:
Download: 1401 kbps
Upload: 607 kbps
Is this pretty normal or do I just live in a good area? I get this both at work and at home and they are an hour drive apart. I double checked to make sure my only internet source for this test was my phone by going to whatismyip.com, copying the IP address, then checking it on kessels.com/whois to make sure, and it is an IP owned by the verison wireless data network.

i'm not sure how realiable is this site.
i just did a USB test on imate 9502 with server in San Francisco.
download 1038k
upload 573k
i'm on ATT with 3.5G

Since I also live in Dallas, I used your Speakeasy link to compare the ATT 3G using my Tilt Internet Sharing w/ Laptop. For some reason I only have one tiny bar when I set the pda to 3G/HSDPA mode at home.
EDGE
153/45
3G
1392/355
This is a phone but it is still much slower than my home verizon fios. For the phone, I am paying $50 + $10 + $10 for two additional lines for 550 minute family plan. The internet is another $30 on every line. Comes to about $176/month with tax.

Vaporize said:
This is a phone but it is still much slower than my home verizon fios. For the phone, I am paying $50 + $10 + $10 for two additional lines for 550 minute family plan. The internet is another $30 on every line. Comes to about $176/month with tax.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
y u paying 30$ for internet. isnt 15buk?

yes this is pretty much normal... its not being overexaggerated... phone limitations and write speeds is what makes it not seem like its actually going that fast... i'm not saying that it can't, its just that it won't
theoretically, 3.5g can achieve up to 7.2mbps, but you won't see that on a mobile pohone connection running at that speed for quite some time... i guarantee you in the next few years they'll be capping the upload speed to significantly lower speeds

Since I bought the tilt on amazon. I am stuck with paying $30 for internet for the next 6 months for each line. Actually, the current price for unlimited data is back up to $35 per line now on ATT website:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pda-personal-plans.jsp
I heard there is a way of using the $15 MediaNet for the tilt for internet service. Is this what you were talking about?

Vaporize said:
Since I bought the tilt on amazon. I am stuck with paying $30 for internet for the next 6 months for each line. Actually, the current price for unlimited data is back up to $35 per line now on ATT website:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pda-personal-plans.jsp
I heard there is a way of using the $15 MediaNet for the tilt for internet service. Is this what you were talking about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i never tried the 15$ MediaNet since i'm still with the orginal ATT and 24.99$ unlimited mmode.
i believe 15buk is a fair price, i only use about 500meg each month.

Vaporize said:
Since I also live in Dallas, I used your Speakeasy link to compare the ATT 3G using my Tilt Internet Sharing w/ Laptop. For some reason I only have one tiny bar when I set the pda to 3G/HSDPA mode at home.
EDGE
153/45
3G
1392/355
This is a phone but it is still much slower than my home verizon fios. For the phone, I am paying $50 + $10 + $10 for two additional lines for 550 minute family plan. The internet is another $30 on every line. Comes to about $176/month with tax.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are playing a total of $90 for our bill. We (wife and I) have 1400shared minutes, and I have unlimited data on my phone. Sounds like you are getting ripped off there buddy.
p.s. - fios is fiberoptic, youll never have a phone beat that, lol....my phone is actually as fast as my home DSL which is only $20/month, so im going to use my phone as the modem and ditch my home ISP. Sure, if I had fios it would be a different story, but fios is $50 and up for home service.

Vaporize said:
...For some reason I only have one tiny bar when I set the pda to 3G/HSDPA mode at home...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean you "Set" it? my phone is in 3G mode 24/7

You can use a comm manager to keep your phone in 2G mode/aka Edge. This saves battery. I switch to 3G for my slingbox or internet connection for the laptop. I was using BandSwitch until I found out it was a trial software. Need to find a different program.
http://www.4winmobile.com/forums/htc-kaiser/13152-dutty-s-black-10-button-comm-manager.html
I am guessing you have the plan listed on this page:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...ion=priceSort&typeId=2&subTypeId=22&catId=323
It states "Access to Mobile Web 2.0".
Can you surf the real internet or is it limited to mobile sites only?
And is the internet limited to the first line or all lines?
Thanks

Vaporize said:
You can use a comm manager to keep your phone in 2G mode/aka Edge. This saves battery. I switch to 3G for my slingbox or internet connection for the laptop. I was using BandSwitch until I found out it was a trial software. Need to find a different program.
http://www.4winmobile.com/forums/htc-kaiser/13152-dutty-s-black-10-button-comm-manager.html
I am guessing you have the plan listed on this page:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...ion=priceSort&typeId=2&subTypeId=22&catId=323
It states "Access to Mobile Web 2.0".
Can you surf the real internet or is it limited to mobile sites only?
And is the internet limited to the first line or all lines?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa, those prices are high and you dont get much. i didnt get my plan at a store or on the site. i just called in. we get 1400shared minutes, and unlimited data on my phone - i can go to any site using intnernet explorer to browse or opera, or whatever browser i want. its a pda phone, so i dont have the 'mobile web 2.0' application, i just have native windows/internet explorer browser.
ive used about 10gb this month so far, and been able to go to any and all sites i want to.
also, my titan came with the 1400mah battery, not the stock 700mah battery, so i never really have battery issues, I leave it in 3G mode all the time. I can spend about 2 ours cummulative browsing the net, and about 4 hours with my bluetooth headset, and it's still at 80 or 90% battery life. Of course I leave it plugged in everynight by my bed. (use it as my alarm, so may as wlel have it plugged in while i sleep)

Tethering with Rogers: Extra Fee?

I've just pulled my laptop out of storage, and was playing around with tethering it to my iPAQ 910c. Using WinMo's built in internet sharing was a breeze. However, I'm a bit concerned over whether or not I'll be charged anything additional fees for tethering this way (as I've read the data traffic looks different via tether to a wireless provider, and some may charge extra for it).
I'm with Rogers Wireless on their 500 MB smartphone data plan, and couldn't find any solid info (though I did come across this CBC article - http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/08/28/tech-iphone.html - from last fall mentioning that Rogers was changing their data plans to allow tethering as part of your data plan). I called Rogers and they didn't really know (I spoke with both CS and a "Data Department" person, neither of which instilled me with confidence in their knowledge). All they said was that it could cost alot and they don't support (ie: technical support) tethering, but they wouldn't elaborate on whether the "cost alot" would be from extra charges specifically for tethering, or simply from exceeding my data bucket.
So I'm looking for any input from people here who are on Rogers and use tethering, as to whether the traffic is indeed part of my data bucket, or if there's an extra charge (and what that might be). Any comments are greatly appreciated.

Tethering policy
I found this the other night.
http://www.androidincanada.ca/news/new-tethering-policy-for-rogers-and-fido/
It looks like you may have to upgrade to at least a 1GB package or higher in order to "legally" tether.
I am going to see about my plan as I signed up for the $30/6GB plan on June 5th. If I just lost out on "legally" tethering due to adopting a phone a few days early I am going to be right pissed.

Here is the page where they allow tethering on the iPhone.
http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wi...09-_-tethering
So I called up and had the "tethering" feature added to my plan at no charge as it is available "free" for all smart phone accounts with data plans one GB or higher. She could not help me with the fact that my phone can not tether, but that will be fixed when I root it. From what she said, this is free until December 31st.
No word yet as to how much this feture will cost after the interm perioud is up. At least this will allow us to test and see how much we really use it, though it sounds like a cash grab to me. I won't mind if it is like an extra $5, but any more would be pushing it if you ask me. Glad to hear they are at least willing to charge us for it rather than prohibiting and penalizing us.

Tethering test
r4nd0mn4me said:
Ok so I just had to see what this tethering is all about.
I just ran a speed test from speakeasy and here are the results.
Last Result:
Download Speed: 197 kbps (24.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 45 kbps (5.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
This was with signal strength of three out of seven bars from my house. I must say page loading seems much faster than on my phone...though not nearly fast enough to watch Youtube with.
And before I get mass mails about how I did it....well, I cheated
I popped my Rogers sim into my Nokia N95-8GB and used the built in USB tethering app.
I can't wait for ze roots!Oh and apparently this wont help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought I would copy this bit here as it pertains to this thread as well.

Thunderbolt for home ISP

I was curious to know if anyone was using their Thunderbolt for their home ISP. I have been using it today as a trial run since it worked so well for me when I was out of town. If I can save a few hundred dollars a year and get close to the same, if not the same speeds with LTE as my source of home internet access, it doesn't really make much sense to me to keep Comcast around. I am rooted and using Wireless Tether. Mobile Hotspot and its data cap can suck it. I called Comcast and asked how much data I used, the past 3 months were all under 25GB. Thoughts?

All I can say is do it while you can - I know I would be if I lived in an area that had better than 3G coverage.
Desire Cm7
CR-48

I've been thinking about the same exact solution for about a month. Time Warner is charging us $99 for 50/5mbps "wideband" connection, and I'm pretty much getting the same speeds at home on my Bolt. Actually my uploads goes up to 10mbps so it's even better. I think I will probably end up downgrading the cable service to the cheapest $30 a month and see how the Bolt is holding up during the next billing cycle. I've used 53GB on my Bolt during the past month. Speeds still going strong.

nice thoughts, but when there are a few million devices on the network I don't think reliability will be there to be honest. It all depends on what you are doing, and how many computers you have at home.
If you are me and have 10 devices that have internet access at your house, I doubt thunderbolt will be the solution for me. I doubt the hotspot will give me enough range to cover my whole house, if I was alone then it would be a different scenario to be honest and I would probably do it.
I have 2 NAS servers at home that is used for remote access so that right there kills it for me since me and my thunderbolt cant be in two different places at the same time.
even if I was able to get a 4g lte router to plug my thunderbolt in to, they just dont have the horsepower as other routers to provide enough bandwidth for my home network.

nkd said:
nice thoughts, but when there are a few million devices on the network I don't think reliability will be there to be honest. It all depends on what you are doing, and how many computers you have at home.
If you are me and have 10 devices that have internet access at your house, I doubt thunderbolt will be the solution for me. I doubt the hotspot will give me enough range to cover my whole house, if I was alone then it would be a different scenario to be honest and I would probably do it.
I have 2 NAS servers at home that is used for remote access so that right there kills it for me since me and my thunderbolt cant be in two different places at the same time.
even if I was able to get a 4g lte router to plug my thunderbolt in to, they just dont have the horsepower as other routers to provide enough bandwidth for my home network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have clarified that. I usually only have one thing connected at a time. Mostly my Macbook, sometimes I might connect my PS3 and watch netflix or something. My internet demands aren't really that high.

Been thinking along these same lines. Time Warner Cable - what a rip off. I barely watch TV and have only basic cable. That plus the ISP and speed boost is $100+/mo. What we need is someway to have the Tbolt provide network access to an existing or new type of wireless router. The Bolt would basically replace the cable modem but not the WiFI router (if you have two different boxes). This would make the transition for folks who have multiple computers, NAS, DLNA devices, etc. almost transparent and probably totally workable.

Cradlepoint? If you can plug in a USB cellular modem, perhaps you can connect your phone. I have an MBR-1000 here at work that I may spend some time playing with later if I have some time. . .
Seth

Dont expect to get away with it forever... once the wireless hotspot trial runs out I think Verizon will be cracking down on rooted users using tethering. If you really want to replace your cable line with LTE through the Thunderbolt your going to have to pay the $20 a month and then I believe you only get 2GB

You do realize that using your phone as a hotspot was never intended to replace your home ISP, right?
Why do you think all these companies are now starting to do tiered data?

I have a netgear wnr3500l and flashed dd-wrt to it. It allows you to bridge two wireless connections or have it join another wireless network. That would allow you to use your TB as your ISP on your home network.
I work from home so its not an option for me, and I have nearly 20 devices on my network.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App

nkd said:
If you are me and have 10 devices that have internet access at your house, I doubt thunderbolt will be the solution for me. I doubt the hotspot will give me enough range to cover my whole house, if I was alone then it would be a different scenario to be honest and I would probably do it.
I have 2 NAS servers at home that is used for remote access so that right there kills it for me since me and my thunderbolt cant be in two different places at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me, too. The Thunderbolt as an ISP is a decent idea, and very fast when used, but unless you live alone and have no "always on" internet devices (Servers/Netflix Streaming) then everytime you leave with your cell phone, no one at your house has internet (assuming you got rid of your other ISP - of course, if you didn't you would still be paying for two and defeating the purpose)

I guess it depends on the individuals scenario. I have a maximum of 2 devices connected at a time and they are in the same room. I only live with my dog so I don't need a stationary ISP. Obviously it wouldn't really work for a family or a person with a very high demand such as a home office.

meowlamp said:
I guess it depends on the individuals scenario. I have a maximum of 2 devices connected at a time and they are in the same room. I only live with my dog so I don't need a stationary ISP. Obviously it wouldn't really work for a family or a person with a very high demand such as a home office.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed - If I wouldn't get in trouble from the Mrs. about taking the internet with me, I'd be all over this provided that $20 still gets unlimited tethering and not the 2GB cap some were talking about. Guess it's more of a wait-and-see approach.

Engenius EOR7550 does it
I start out by saying please do not everyone start dumping your fixed ISP bandwidth needs on the TB because it will cause problems from system and bandwidth issues to policy changes with how VZW deals with all of us, resulting in a bad experience with a good system. That said, the EOR7550 is a dual radio commercial grade outdoor repeater. It would be the perfect device for such a test as it is meant to establish a link with one wireless network and repeat it out as another. I use these units quite often to make RV park wi-fi go all over the place.

What is the big deal..
If you can live with the total pain in the ass of always having your phone be your internet then go for it.
I like to have my internet always on and on (to download stuff) when my phone and I are not there.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

If you are just going to browse web pages, maybe check email.. then its something to consider.
But 25gig? I'm guessing you download files, stream stuff, etc.
So then you have to think...
Well the mobile hot spot feature on the TB is only FREE until May 15. After that they will likely charge... either $20 for 2gig like 3G MHS is, or possibly more. i.e. more data used = more $$ per month, so that could add up quick.
VZW's TOS for using the "unlimited data" plan with smart phones stipulates that it is not for tethering, and meant to only be used for the phone, and has some other things around "acceptable use". Rooting and doing "un-authorized tethering" and racking up 25 gig per month might draw attention to yourself. So if VZW does start cracking down on this, you'll be right in the cross hairs and violating their TOS.
Then there is the rumor that VZW is throttling data for the higher data users... so where does 25gig come in? will you be able to live with being throttled if it hits you?
Not to mention having to keep your phone plugged in at all times, since battery wont last long using data constantly.
At that point is it still worth it?
I might suggest you'd be better if you think about brokering a deal with your neighbor to share his/her internet via wifi and splitting the cost instead...

KidJoe said:
If you are just going to browse web pages, maybe check email.. then its something to consider.
But 25gig? I'm guessing you download files, stream stuff, etc.
So then you have to think...
Well the mobile hot spot feature on the TB is only FREE until May 15. After that they will likely charge... either $20 for 2gig like 3G MHS is, or possibly more. i.e. more data used = more $$ per month, so that could add up quick.
VZW's TOS for using the "unlimited data" plan with smart phones stipulates that it is not for tethering, and meant to only be used for the phone, and has some other things around "acceptable use". Rooting and doing "un-authorized tethering" and racking up 25 gig per month might draw attention to yourself. So if VZW does start cracking down on this, you'll be right in the cross hairs and violating their TOS.
Then there is the rumor that VZW is throttling data for the higher data users... so where does 25gig come in? will you be able to live with being throttled if it hits you?
Not to mention having to keep your phone plugged in at all times, since battery wont last long using data constantly.
At that point is it still worth it?
I might suggest you'd be better if you think about brokering a deal with your neighbor to share his/her internet via wifi and splitting the cost instead...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Just the thought is a recipe for disaster. Tiered data is on it's way and suggestions such as this are a good part of the reason why.
My $0.02

KidJoe said:
If you are just going to browse web pages, maybe check email.. then its something to consider.
But 25gig? I'm guessing you download files, stream stuff, etc.
So then you have to think...
Well the mobile hot spot feature on the TB is only FREE until May 15. After that they will likely charge... either $20 for 2gig like 3G MHS is, or possibly more. i.e. more data used = more $$ per month, so that could add up quick.
VZW's TOS for using the "unlimited data" plan with smart phones stipulates that it is not for tethering, and meant to only be used for the phone, and has some other things around "acceptable use". Rooting and doing "un-authorized tethering" and racking up 25 gig per month might draw attention to yourself. So if VZW does start cracking down on this, you'll be right in the cross hairs and violating their TOS.
Then there is the rumor that VZW is throttling data for the higher data users... so where does 25gig come in? will you be able to live with being throttled if it hits you?
Not to mention having to keep your phone plugged in at all times, since battery wont last long using data constantly.
At that point is it still worth it?
I might suggest you'd be better if you think about brokering a deal with your neighbor to share his/her internet via wifi and splitting the cost instead...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+2 keep your isp.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

HTC Dropbox Questions

Ok my biggest reservation left on the one x is the storage. I keep alot of audiobooks (for me) and I even keep some of my childrens shows on my phone in case we are waiting at Dr office or someplace for a long period of time. I keep most of these things on my 16 gig sim card. I imagine that trying to keep this stuff on the cloud and transfering it from phone to cloud is going to take crazy amounts of time. My current phone is in its death throws but this not having the 32 gig storage offering or internal sd storage is really bugging me. Can dropbox handle these kinds of transfers or can it be streamed from dropbox? I am concerned about streaming on the data side as I am a grandfathered unlimited on ATT and they will cap me at 5 gig.

jpinks said:
Ok my biggest reservation left on the one x is the storage. I keep alot of audiobooks (for me) and I even keep some of my childrens shows on my phone in case we are waiting at Dr office or someplace for a long period of time. I keep most of these things on my 16 gig sim card. I imagine that trying to keep this stuff on the cloud and transfering it from phone to cloud is going to take crazy amounts of time. My current phone is in its death throws but this not having the 32 gig storage offering or internal sd storage is really bugging me. Can dropbox handle these kinds of transfers or can it be streamed from dropbox? I am concerned about streaming on the data side as I am a grandfathered unlimited on ATT and they will cap me at 5 gig.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can stream, i do it all the time. i will say with all the google music, pandora, dropbox streaming, browsing, photo uploads, and games that require internet, i have yet to break 2 gb. i will say though, i have wi-fi at home, school, and work with wi-fi always on so it always connects automatically. but i have never had trouble keeping to my limits on my unlimited plan (that is so wrong at&t).

Thanks for the info. I posted this question on another forum and got a curve thrown at me. Does dropbox have limits on up and download? I know its a subscription service but since we are getting 2 yrs worth of time do you think they will cap us on up/down speeds?

jpinks said:
Thanks for the info. I posted this question on another forum and got a curve thrown at me. Does dropbox have limits on up and download? I know its a subscription service but since we are getting 2 yrs worth of time do you think they will cap us on up/down speeds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that i don't know. streaming is fine for me, so it's fast enough for that, and when i export it isn't "slow" but depends on what your use to. i get about 1 mb down per sec on average. it is rarely higher or lower. but i don't export full movies, i just stream them so most of my downloads are pretty quick.

[Q] Best device T-mobile Unlimited Tether Only

I currently have AT&T 5GB plan with USB modem on Cradlepoint to LAN at house, and the plan is up.
Other day bro-in-law came over, he gets 13Mbps on his SIII on t-mobile .
I am planning on going with the T-Mobile unlimited $70 monthly if I can get some help on the best way to go.
I have been reading the forums and see that it is possible to get custom ROM and enable tethering.
I don't, however, care about features of the phone itself since it will be sitting in a closet all the time.
Since I am only doing data, what would be the best device to get me at least 6Mbps for Netflix (full 13Mbps or so preferred).
I don't care about things like screen size etc, just ease of installation, stability, and availability of a ROM that will fit my needs.
I need something not super expensive but spending a few hundred is ok.
Thanks!

Tethering on a phone plan costs an extra 20 bucks per month. If you need OTA data only for tethering a couple of pc's, tablets and/or wifi phones, you should go with a hotspot modem - supports up to 5 devices. Speed is dependent on the coverage in your area and your specific location (environmental factors). The modem also gives you flexibility to choose between a monthly subscription for full-time use or a pre-pay option (7- or 30-day expiration) for occasional use.
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?shape=mblhsp
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/mobile-broadband-plans.aspx
For a single laptop or PC a USB stick might be better (but won't work with tablets, only iOS or Windows)
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Packages/ValuePackages.aspx?pkgcatid=InternetDevices&line=1
Coverage:
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx/

My opinion would be to buy a grandfathered unlimited data plan for Verizon, choose the $35 voice plan, it'll cost $30 for the data, and if you work at any major corporation can get around 20% off your monthly bill. I did exactly this. I use FoxFi to tether for free. Just have to stay on Gingerbread or root. I get around 20mbs down and average 10mbs everywhere I go. I love it.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD using xda app-developers app

I agree with SaurusM3 about getting a USB stick type device instead. My router that is on 24/7 has heat issues sometimes and it has much better cooling than a typical smartphone. If I tried this with my S3 to have it tethering my computer all the time I was using it, I would probably overheat it or just kill the battery (S3 is especially a poor choice since you can't plug it in and run it without the battery - so if it *has* to be a phone, pick carefully) - and even if it could keep it charged, then you run the risk of having the overcharging protection fail and your closet lighting on fire because your device became toast.
I would also not go for a phone because even if you bypassed tethering controls, they might still yank you for excessive use. And there's the possibility that some services just won't work since they'll realise you're tethering.
Can you not get some other kind of Internet service where you live ? Not even some kind of DSL ? If you're getting such great speeds with T-Mobile there it would surprise me that no DSL/et cetera service is covering the area.
Our ISP offers unlimited 15-20Mbps for $30/mo. Why would anyone pay $70/mo for that ? They have a 5-10Mbps for like $25/mo, too. Either way, you could then have a phone plan AND home internet for less than $70/mo.
Phones don't really have the heat management to be on and routing 24/7. It would be best to get one that can have the battery removed and be run off AC power directly and have a cooler - but you're still risking that you'll pay for that and then get cut off by the carrier for excessive / improper use (the contract pretty much states that they can cut you off for whatever they feel like if they think you're abusing the service in any way as dictated by them).
If you really don't have access to a "real" internet service, then consider how 5Gb was working for you - did you always get close / get cut off ?

The key here is 'month to month unlimited for $70' from T-moblie IE 'no contract'. What device will work easily and reliably with a new ROM, works with month to month, will allow tethering, does not cost a fortune.
To answer all very much appreciated, but a little off-topic responses:
I am trying to get a device that will work with the Month to Month plan, ie no commitment, so if it does not work out I am not stuck with any additional fees.
There is no DSL, fiber or cable. I have 1 WISP in my area the is terrible and I won't deal with again.
The 5GB plan is a PITA, I want more data so I can watch the occasional movie or Youtube without worrying about bumping up against the cap.
I am not concerned about it spontaneously combusting in my closet, and will probably just turn it off at night since I do that currently anyway.
As far as over-useage, my understanding is that with a non-commercial ROM, there would be no way for them to track, if I have to I will run it thru a proxy and modify the headers to a mobile browser, if the ROM does not do this already.
I don't see where I can use a non-smart phone device except on the T-mobile 'Mobile Broadband', which is capped and would not do me any good.
Are you saying I can get a Month to Month SIM and use it in a USB modem?
ds

The plan you're looking at is for a phone (only). To add tethering, they offer 500min. talk/no text, & 10GB data w/tethering for $90. The sim is free when you sign up for the plan, but you'll need a T-Mo phone that's capable of the HSPA+/42 UMTS like your bro's SIII.
I'm guessing your live in an area recently upgraded to dual carrier -
From their Internet Services page:
Based on our internal testing and testing commissioned from third-party vendors, T-Mobile expects customers with broadband-capable devices will experience the following speeds on our network:
4G (HSPA+ Dual Carrier/42 UMTS) network: typical download speeds of 4-11 Mbps and upload speeds of 500-1800 Kbps.
4G (HSPA+ 21 UMTS) network: typical download speeds of 2 - 6 Mbps and upload speeds of 500– 1800 Kbps.
3G (HSPA UMTS) network: typical download speeds of 400 – 700 Kbps and upload speeds of 100 - 250 Kbps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And something to look forward to is traffic congestion as more subscribers upgrade, slowing service.
Data sims are used in the internet devices and don't work in phones - probably vice versa as well. But you can buy as many refills as you need each month - so the same 10 GB would cost $100 in refills. Just log in to T-mo to add to your account. For a laptop stick, you'd have to get the T-mobile Jet 3.0 for $175, Also a refurb T-Mobile Sonic Hotspot (not the earlier 4G Hotspot) can be had for $125, and is more versatile. Either is cheaper than any of the newer phones. (Stay away from eBay - they can be reported lost or stolen after you buy them, and subsequently disabled by the carrier - and hacking won't revive them.)
Whatever you do, call them and verify the data speed capability of whatever you decide to buy. (Disclaimer )