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http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html#post65013
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If you haven't heard all ready Verizon is tracking down root users and limiting there data or fully suspending it so watch out. But we have to fight back against them by hiding Verizon from seeing that we are proudly rooted and some people have said the would sue Verizon. Please do whatever you can to fight against this.
Also motorola and htc are going to start doing the same.
Im not happy about this, if it is or going to happen but even if we root the device, carriers don't have to allow it on their service. After all we did modify the device and thats all they need to use agaianst us...
Yes and since when can they see what we are doing and what else could they find out using that aoftware
oh noes...my porn watching days are coming to an end....
Regarding Tmo, yes they allow tethering for free, but throttle you after 5gb. So I'm not going to jump over there. I don't think rooting should be prevented, but it is understandable that vzw would want to stop unpaid tethering. Unlike Tmo they do charge extra for that.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Honestly, I think they should just make hotspot free after they start tiered plans. They'll get a their money either way.
But this move is something I can totally understand. Do I like it, no. It's a real shame how closed Android is becoming. I never thought we would get to this point, but this time next year, Android might not be open as we'd like it.
Only hope of keeping Android Android is the Nexus line. Hopefully Google starts to bring it to all carriers in a yearly fashion.
Sent from my Thunderbolt
So I guess the question is, since the thunderbolt was htc most locked down phone to date, is if any of this root identifying software is located deep inside its code? I'm coming from sprint and the epic 4G and there was code hidden in there called carrier IQ that pretty much logged everything you did on the phone, your calls trxt, usage, whatever. Sounds alarming that it had that ability but what was weird is that even though it was running and functional the actual logging was turned off. I, and a lot of other people, wondered why this would be in a phone and after reading this im thinking sprint made samsung put it in there. So now I'm curious about what verizon asked htc to hide in the thunderbolt?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
2 things. Verizon can see on there computer what software your on. So that right there will immediately through up a red flag. Another thing I'm kinda leaning toward Verizon on this one. For example when 4G hits my area. Verizon customers will increase. Doing so if my neighbor is tethering off his phone constantly then he's taking up all the bandwidth and my quality of service will depreciate. Now if he was capped and paying for tethering he would use it more conservative. I believe this is what Verizon is getting at. It's not about control , its about quality of network service for others.
There's probably no way to sue them bastards... It's their network and this is just a cap in data usage (like they haven't done that already.)
Verizon has been evil since the very beginning. All they wanted was our money, and probably our soul.
tyvallely said:
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html#post65013
Scroll to bottom.
If you haven't heard all ready Verizon is tracking down root users and limiting there data or fully suspending it so watch out. But we have to fight back against them by hiding Verizon from seeing that we are proudly rooted and some people have said the would sue Verizon. Please do whatever you can to fight against this.
Also motorola and htc are going to start doing the same.
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Click to collapse
Complete nonsense (ok not complete, just a lot of it), both this post and the post you link to.
I brought this up with a few friends at Verizon (in various departments) yesterday, all had the same response .. a chuckle.
This whole thread is a fail. I freaking hate nonsense rumors.
FoxRacR17 said:
So I guess the question is, since the thunderbolt was htc most locked down phone to date, is if any of this root identifying software is located deep inside its code? I'm coming from sprint and the epic 4G and there was code hidden in there called carrier IQ that pretty much logged everything you did on the phone, your calls trxt, usage, whatever. Sounds alarming that it had that ability but what was weird is that even though it was running and functional the actual logging was turned off. I, and a lot of other people, wondered why this would be in a phone and after reading this im thinking sprint made samsung put it in there. So now I'm curious about what verizon asked htc to hide in the thunderbolt?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no root identifying software on the phone.
newalker91 said:
These threats are insignificant. Blocking users from rooting their phone would be a loss for all, as it is one of the major reasons for buying Android. If they did so to stop users from tethering, then we'll be seeing a spike in T-Mobile customers as they allow you to tether at your leisure for no additional cost. Being on an open source operating system, it would be illegal for them to tell you how you can use your technology and what modifications you're allowed to make to it.
I'll stay rooted and I will continue to tether via USB and rack up my apparently corporate-rattling 1GB of stolen bandwidth to demo THEIR products. Interesting concept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing in Apache or GPLv2 prevents them from telling you how you can use your technology, or prevents them from locking down the device.
magicriggs said:
2 things. Verizon can see on there computer what software your on. So that right there will immediately through up a red flag. Another thing I'm kinda leaning toward Verizon on this one. For example when 4G hits my area. Verizon customers will increase. Doing so if my neighbor is tethering off his phone constantly then he's taking up all the bandwidth and my quality of service will depreciate. Now if he was capped and paying for tethering he would use it more conservative. I believe this is what Verizon is getting at. It's not about control , its about quality of network service for others.
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Verizon can not tell if you are on a custom rom or not.
cuguy said:
There's probably no way to sue them bastards... It's their network and this is just a cap in data usage (like they haven't done that already.)
Verizon has been evil since the very beginning. All they wanted was our money, and probably our soul.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if evil is the right word...sure it sucks but they are a business, not a charity.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
I dont have my TB yet, but i plan to root it and run Das BAMF, but not tether anything. Hopefully they dont just lump rooted phones together.
Jcase bringing the truth
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
Hey lets pretend the article is 100% accurate which because P3Droid wrote it I would say has some possibility of being the case, as of this point verizon is not doing anything besides tracking. And no one knows when and if they will do anything else. Theirs a whole lot of what they can do, but besides having a legal and finance department, they also have a marketing department which wont let them unleash a PR nightmare. Taking 1/10 (which is what I believe the current agreed upon number of root users, i may be wrong with this figure) of your smartphone users and either canceling their contracts or killing service on their devices with threat of an ETF would probably amount to over 1 million users with root access being effected. It just wont happen that way, its not logical for them to do it, because with that many users effected it would be all over TV and such.
The only hope that you could sue them would be if they hit you with a ETF, which they probably wouldn't. Most likely their looking for people sharing wifi on their devices with 3rd party apps just like AT&T did and will tack on the mifi hotspot cost to your bill if you continue to do do, and say if you don't like it break your own contract.
If they were to all out attack everyone with root access I would really be shocked, specifically because they would have to most likely cancel everyone contract with no ETF and then users would just flock to sprint. Who regardless of what this article says probably wont follow suit, at least for a few years because of their market share and the Tmobile & at&t merger.
Again the end of this is just my two cents but the beginning is true VZ isnt doing anything besides information gathering at this point.
I work at Verizon. I can pull up basically everything you see on your about info. Including software.
magicriggs said:
I work at Verizon. I can pull up basically everything you see on your about info. Including software.
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You might be able to pull up the build finger print, or radio version, but those shouldn't differ. The fingerprints should stay consistent. You can't see that user123 is using RomX instead of stock.
Private message me and ill pull up your account.
magicriggs said:
Private message me and ill pull up your account.
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Yes, I will get right on that, handing you (a stranger, and possibly an employee at Verizon) my name/number </sarcasm>.
cuguy said:
There's probably no way to sue them bastards... It's their network and this is just a cap in data usage (like they haven't done that already.)
Verizon has been evil since the very beginning. All they wanted was our money, and probably our soul.
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Click to collapse
yes its their network but we paid for our phones and we should be able to do whatever we want with them
Saw this just now. Was wondering if verizon can still remove apps when your rooted and if we can remove something to stop them.
http://www.gizmocrunch.com/mobile/7579-verizon-android-phone
If Verizon starts removing apps without proof that they are malicious, that will be the last straw....
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA Premium App
It just said free wireless tethering app which is part their software on root phones
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
dms76 said:
It just said free wireless tethering app which is part their software on root phones
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
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Verizon is now issuing a series of updates
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they arent going to "hack" your phone. and if you are rooted, you arent getting the update.
i dont have it on my phone anymore, but not sure if its from the rom (bamf rc5) can someone confirm?
i still have free wifi. rooted on bamf. using it everyday. absolutely no problems.
bthomp21 said:
they arent going to "hack" your phone. and if you are rooted, you arent getting the update.
i don't have it on my phone anymore, but not sure if its from the rom (bamf rc5) can someone confirm?
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I would assume everyone here with custom roms will not get remote access. This is for user adding wireless tether via other source.
i have wireless tether, i was talking about verizons mobile hotspot
bthomp21 said:
they arent going to "hack" your phone. and if you are rooted, you arent getting the update.
i dont have it on my phone anymore, but not sure if its from the rom (bamf rc5) can someone confirm?
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" In addition, the company is removing unauthorized tethering apps from users phones."
That last part is what had me concerned not their hotspot app.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
bowtieduece said:
" In addition, the company is removing unauthorized tethering apps from users phones."
That last part is what had me concerned not their hotspot app.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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It's through the update though. So if you're not stock, it shouldn't apply to you.
That article is FUD. They just want to see people doing exactly what is happening in this thread. "OMFG VZW is evil, they're haxoring people's phones!"
Unless you have first hand experience, don't worry about it. What's more, people have no reason to complain. Teathering without paying is, and always has been, against Verizon's TOS. Do I agree with this? Nope, but I'm certainly not going to try and create a mass hysteria by saying OMG my app got removed! If it were to be removed and I wanted to use it, I'd find a way to re-install it. So will the others who actually care about such things. Anyone using the TB as their primary internet device in an LTE area should be happily paying $30/month for unlimited teathering. Most land based ISPs don't offer prices that good anymore.
l7777 said:
Anyone using the TB as their primary internet device in an LTE area should be happily paying $30/month for unlimited teathering. Most land based ISPs don't offer prices that good anymore.
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I couldn't agree more. I don't know what the fuss is all about regarding $30/mo for a connection worthy of replacing your home ISP. I switched from Comcast and I'm saving $30/mo now.
bogatyr said:
I couldn't agree more. I don't know what the fuss is all about regarding $30/mo for a connection worthy of replacing your home ISP. I switched from Comcast and I'm saving $30/mo now.
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i don't mind paying the $30 (i did sign up for it), but it can't replace my home connection yet as i only have 3g (very bad signal too). i do get 4g when i visit my dad though, but he's got 10Gb/s cable there. i just got to, hopefully, lock in unlimited data if/when they get 4g in my city. then i'd be able to drop my home connection.
Yeah, id rather just pay $30 and not have to worry about anything
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
the only time i would have a need for tethering is when i travel and the hotel internet is crap. That's not very often, so I really can't justify the $30.
Why should I be happy about paying twice for the same thing? Should comcast be able to charge you $60/month for each computer in your house? Afterall, having more than one pc online uses more bandwidth.
RunNgun42 said:
Should comcast be able to charge you $60/month for each computer in your house?
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If the contract you sign for service says so, yes. The one you signed with Verizon says "no tethering," but they do offer that as an option. QuitYerBitchin.
RunNgun42 said:
Why should I be happy about paying twice for the same thing? Should comcast be able to charge you $60/month for each computer in your house? Afterall, having more than one pc online uses more bandwidth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're paying $30/mo for unlimited data on your phone, not any device you want. Read the terms you signed.
You're paying an extra $30/mo to support any device you want. If you're paying $60/mo with Comcast, that's saving you money!
If you don't agree with a license/contact, don't sign it. You don't have to use Verizon if you don't like their terms. You can also call and complain to them if you want.
Personally, I'm happy to save money and this deal lets me do that without breaking the contract I signed.
So if I buy a new car and the contract says "no connecting ipods" even though I own the car, I guess I should just accept it because I signed a contract? You're free to grab your ankles any time some company tells you to, however I will take matters into my own hands and do what is reasonably appropriate. You can sit there and take the holy route all you like, but I'm sure the day your home ISP, your home television provider, your home utilities provider, or any other service you subscribe to begins double dipping on charges because more than 1 person is taking advantage of them, you would raise HOLY HELL.
2 gigs is 2 gigs, it should not matter how you consume them. I can just as easily watch a few netflix movies on my phone until I hit the cap, just as much as I can tether to hit my cap. What difference could it possibly make how I use those 2 GB's? It doesnt. People like you are the reason these insane policies are developed in the first place, because businesses prey off your ignorance and fear to challenge them.
I dont care about a contract I signed. The contract is garbage and deserves to be broken.
RunNgun42 said:
So if I buy a new car and the contract says "no connecting ipods" even though I own the car, I guess I should just accept it because I signed a contract?
I dont care about a contract I signed. The contract is garbage and deserves to be broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one forced you to sign that contract. If you don't like the terms, you're welcome to not give them your business and go elsewhere. That's how business works
This reminds me of that scene from The Empire Strikes Back:
Darth Vader: Calrissian. Take the princess and the Wookie to my ship.
Lando: You said they'd be left at the city under my supervision!
Darth Vader/RunNgun42: I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.
RunNgun42 said:
So if I buy a new car and the contract says "no connecting ipods" even though I own the car, I guess I should just accept it because I signed a contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to do better than that. For a car, a contract would be a sales contract, and such a term would make no sense. OTOH, the warranty terms could say the the radio (or even the whole car, for that matter) is no longer covered if an iPod were ever connected.
I dont care about a contract I signed.
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Click to collapse
That tells us all that you're an antisocial reprobate, not worth any more of our time.
Must pay 1.25 Million
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/07/3...ng-apps-please-pay-1-25-million-to-say-sorry/
Just saw this too, great news for all!
http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/31/verizon-to-stop-blocking-tethering-apps-settles-with-fcc-for-1/
this is a good day for verizon customers
Looks like Verizon got hit where they normally hit us.
I'll be waiting for the sanctimonious lot who bleated that those of us who tethered were immoral violators of the ToS to apologize. Think that'll happen?
tekhna said:
I'll be waiting for the sanctimonious lot who bleated that those of us who tethered were immoral violators of the ToS to apologize. Think that'll happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Sir, they will still say we were wrong.
No we need a ruling for bootloaders and all will be right in the development world.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
I wonder if the "Unlimited free tethering" in the new share everything plans is a result of this ruling? Either way, I'm not complaining!
Unlimited free tethering ?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
This must be why today when I was looking for tether apps in the market there is a lot more listed
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Unlimited users can still be charged to tether. Just a PSA.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Hulk0069 said:
Unlimited free tethering ?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The new share everything plans include tethering. It's still limited to your allocation of data.
The ruling is interesting, it doesn't specifically include Unlimited users, but as the GigaOm article states - There's no way to have the Play Store block an app for an unlimited vs. limited user.
As for the previous complaints etc - By tethering on a pre-auction (2008) plan, you were willfully circumventing blocks that Verizon had every legal right to put into place. The whole "It's MY data, I'll use it however I want!" attitude is invalid at that point. Post-auction, however, it's all in the clear, though Verizon could make the argument that you're still in violation if you tether while not on an LTE connection, as that is the only service they're running over their BlockC spectrum.
Regardless, this is great. I just emailed everyone I know at work that is on a tiered data plan and has the tethering add-on. Most of them aren't using anywhere near their 4GB (double-data promotion), let alone the 2GB add-on, so they can save quite a bit by turning off the add on to their plan.
This is why data plans for Verizon went for the worst. They knew this was coming down and had to act fast to prevent major losses on tethering for data consumption.
Good bye HTC Rezound, hello Galaxy S3!
May not "limit" C block spectrum
I think there would be a case against the limited data plans that VZW only sells these days. For the C spectrum, this was the understanding when Verizon bought it. Note that we went from unlimited data to certainly a limit on what can be used under the new shared plans
"The statement went on to explain that Verizon currently uses the C-block spectrum to offer 4G LTE services to subscribers, but when it purchased the spectrum, it was with the understanding that licensees offering service on the spectrum "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C-block network," with very few exceptions."
pvcdroid said:
I think there would be a case against the limited data plans that VZW only sells these days. For the C spectrum, this was the understanding when Verizon bought it. Note that we went from unlimited data to certainly a limit on what can be used under the new shared plans
"The statement went on to explain that Verizon currently uses the C-block spectrum to offer 4G LTE services to subscribers, but when it purchased the spectrum, it was with the understanding that licensees offering service on the spectrum "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C-block network," with very few exceptions."
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Click to collapse
Doubtful. I think you read that wrong. It doesn't say anything about limited data consumption. Just what hardware and applications can be used. Also with the limited plans they are not restricting how much data you use, you can still use as much as you want, long as you want to pay the overages.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Will this have any impact on getting Google Wallet unblocked? Haven't used it myself to know how it works with data.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Wouldn't this have some relation to the locked boot loader? I mean locking down a bootloader is not allowing us to use data any way we want is it? Or maybe it is and its just not allowing us to use our phone the way we want.
Dcox28 said:
Wouldn't this have some relation to the locked boot loader? I mean locking down a bootloader is not allowing us to use data any way we want is it? Or maybe it is and its just not allowing us to use our phone the way we want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locking down the boot loader stops you from running butchered radios, kernels, etc.
There is nothing that states they must have an unlocked boot loader. My understanding is all it says is that if you have one they cannot stop you from using that phone on their network. So what really needs to happen, is samsung needs to grow some balls like HTC did and release an unlock tool for the SGSIII and tell Verizon tough ****. It isn't like Verizon is going to stop carrying Samsung phones, that'd be stupid. If Samsung did this Verizon couldn't stop them.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
nosympathy said:
Locking down the boot loader stops you from running butchered radios, kernels, etc.
There is nothing that states they must have an unlocked boot loader. My understanding is all it says is that if you have one they cannot stop you from using that phone on their network. So what really needs to happen, is samsung needs to grow some balls like HTC did and release an unlock tool for the SGSIII and tell Verizon tough ****. It isn't like Verizon is going to stop carrying Samsung phones, that'd be stupid. If Samsung did this Verizon couldn't stop them.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AGREED!!!!!
Hope this will make them also stop blocking Google wallet.
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I come home today and find a letter from AT&T and open it up (thinking this outta be good)...Apparently they finally figured out the way they're gonna force us (those in grandfathered unlimited data plans) off. Their letter goes as following:
"Dear (My Name)
We've noticed your service plan may need updating.
Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones- a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T's mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that you have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.
If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us 866-975-0003, Mon-Fri, 6am-midnight or Sat-Sun, 8am-9pm CT, by the end of this month sign up for a plan that allows tethering. Viable plans include the DataPro 5GB for Smartphone plan, the DataPro Enterprise plan, or any of our AT&T Mobile Share plans."
They then go on to list both plans priced $50 and $65 then go on to say "If we don't hear from you, we'll plan to automatically enroll you in one of the above individual Smartphone DataPro 5GB plans in an upcoming bill cycle........If you discontinue tethering by the end of the month, no changes to your current plan will be required."
Funny thing is I don't tether and any usage has been me watching netflix, youtube videos, downloading files from threads here and browsing the web. I wanna complete listing of these alleged "records" they speak of because I'll be damned if they get me off my unlimited data plan!
I got the same letter today. Also got a text
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
It's based strictly on usage. I routinely use my phone as a mobile hot spot for my laptop, but only when absolutely necessary and only for a few MB at a time. I've never once heard from AT&T. Meanwhile, I know someone who never tethers to their phone (why would they when they have a mobile wifi router FROM AT&T?). They do, however, smoke through 3-4GB of data per month, as they use their phone in lieu of a laptop when on the road. Now, not that I would ever piece together what I've learned through casual conversation with an AT&T employee or two, but they've both suggested that something like this might resolve the situation if you're ever presented with it:
1. Call AT&T. Ask for supervisor right away--don't waste time with the peons.
2. Ask for the supervisor's name and number. Write them down. Inform supervisor that you received the letter, but do not tether and never have. Ask what "records" they're pulling from. You'll probably get a "usage" reply. If so:
3. Ask them how simple data usage can indicate whether you're tethering or not. They'll most likely say that the amount of data you're using is indicative of tethering.
4. Ask whether your plan contains unlimited data. The answer, of course, is yes. State once again that you do not tether, and as your plan has unlimited data linked to it, they cannot use the amount of data you consume as evidence of tethering.
5. Without giving the supervisor a chance to talk, quickly state that unless they can produce for you documentary evidence of cell data traffic being generated by a device tethered to your phone (here's a hint--they can only see your phone's data, they can't see anything connected to it), you expect them to honor the unlimited data agreement you have with them, and any attempt on their part to move you onto a different plan will be seen as a breach of that agreement and handled as such. Tell the supervisor that you expect a call from the call center's manager within 24 hours to acknowledge that your plan will not be changed absent documentary evidence of tethering, which you are not engaged in in the first place. Confirm the supervisor's name and number with them, "just in case we have any discrepancies when I talk to the center manager".
Not that I would've ever relied upon friends in the right places to detail such an approach for me or anything, but I have heard through the grapevine that the tethering letter consistently goes out to unlimited data users in certain "usage brackets", and they're banking on us not knowing that their towers can't tell whether the data is coming from our phone or from a laptop tethered to it.
Att did the same thing with Iphone users but it wasn't a bluff.. They knew in fact you were tethering...
I wouldn't be so quick to assume they are going only on data usage..
I'm willing to bet they know the second you tether...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
T.J. Bender said:
It's based strictly on usage. I routinely use my phone as a mobile hot spot for my laptop, but only when absolutely necessary and only for a few MB at a time. I've never once heard from AT&T. Meanwhile, I know someone who never tethers to their phone (why would they when they have a mobile wifi router FROM AT&T?). They do, however, smoke through 3-4GB of data per month, as they use their phone in lieu of a laptop when on the road. Now, not that I would ever piece together what I've learned through casual conversation with an AT&T employee or two, but they've both suggested that something like this might resolve the situation if you're ever presented with it:
1. Call AT&T. Ask for supervisor right away--don't waste time with the peons.
2. Ask for the supervisor's name and number. Write them down. Inform supervisor that you received the letter, but do not tether and never have. Ask what "records" they're pulling from. You'll probably get a "usage" reply. If so:
3. Ask them how simple data usage can indicate whether you're tethering or not. They'll most likely say that the amount of data you're using is indicative of tethering.
4. Ask whether your plan contains unlimited data. The answer, of course, is yes. State once again that you do not tether, and as your plan has unlimited data linked to it, they cannot use the amount of data you consume as evidence of tethering.
5. Without giving the supervisor a chance to talk, quickly state that unless they can produce for you documentary evidence of cell data traffic being generated by a device tethered to your phone (here's a hint--they can only see your phone's data, they can't see anything connected to it), you expect them to honor the unlimited data agreement you have with them, and any attempt on their part to move you onto a different plan will be seen as a breach of that agreement and handled as such. Tell the supervisor that you expect a call from the call center's manager within 24 hours to acknowledge that your plan will not be changed absent documentary evidence of tethering, which you are not engaged in in the first place. Confirm the supervisor's name and number with them, "just in case we have any discrepancies when I talk to the center manager".
Not that I would've ever relied upon friends in the right places to detail such an approach for me or anything, but I have heard through the grapevine that the tethering letter consistently goes out to unlimited data users in certain "usage brackets", and they're banking on us not knowing that their towers can't tell whether the data is coming from our phone or from a laptop tethered to it.
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Click to collapse
Exactly! I literally haven't tethered and my data usage did surpass 5GB last month ( I got the infamous text the very last day literally minutes before my billing cycle resets) but is around 3.5 this month....this is a pathetic move on their part to bank on people not opening that letter and change their plan without notice. Once the subscriber notices the call will go something along the lines of "Oh I'm sorry there's nothing we can do as it's a system change and we can not reverse or restore that previous plan." As if I don't pay enough for my monthly plan as it is......corporate greed at its best.
waiters said:
Att did the same thing with Iphone users but it wasn't a bluff.. They knew in fact you were tethering...
I wouldn't be so quick to assume they are going only on data usage..
I'm willing to bet they know the second you tether...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
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T.J. Bender said:
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
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Either that is 100% false or I'm very lucky.. I get throttled from att every month still and in my protest have reached 30gb+..
The only time I got a letter from att I was on an Iphone and was in fact tethering.
I do believe att knew this whole time about tethering but didn't care because they had bigger fish to go after.. Android will eventually level the playing field and att will be concerned with our data usage also.. That might be what you see going on now.. Att trying to go after tethering android users before it becomes a bigger problem...
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T.J. Bender said:
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
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They don't. They just rely on usage patterns to determine if you're a "data hog" and look for backhanded ways to penalize you based on that data ( really only applicable to those remaining unlimited data folks ) If I was on a tiered data plan they could give two ****s what and how I use up data they'd encourage me to rack up all the GB of data I can and smile at the end the billing cycle cause they know I got ****ed good and hard.
Not the first time I have received the letter, all times I had in fact tethered in the month prior.
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Part of me hopes they pull this with me so I can get out of my contract...I used 16 GB a few months ago and no letter though. Oh and I never tether.
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They know if you tether. That's why certain tethering apps have spoof capabilities to mask your ID.
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It's all in HOW the tethering is done. If the app or ROM just simply says to use the built in tethering, then it's very trackable. If the tethering is spoofed to look like the normal data connection, then it can't be tracked.
dakpluto said:
It's all in HOW the tethering is done. If the app or ROM just simply says to use the built in tethering, then it's very trackable. If the tethering is spoofed to look like the normal data connection, then it can't be tracked.
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All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
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00mred00 said:
All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
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Fine print isn't automatically legally binding. That guy sued AT&T for throttling and won.
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Sheolrock said:
Fine print isn't automatically legally binding. That guy sued AT&T for throttling and won.
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That guy won simply because it was proven they were throttling him at a lower usage than an equally priced capped plan.
00mred00 said:
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
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Legally, you are correct.
However, if you speak to the right people, anything is possible; ESPECIALLY if you've been a customer in good standing for a long time.
Not saying it could happen, just saying it's possible. I missed out on unlimited data, but I do agree with the person on page 1 who numbered out the steps. That is definitely the right way to go.
liquidzoo said:
Legally, you are correct.
However, if you speak to the right people, anything is possible; ESPECIALLY if you've been a customer in good standing for a long time.
Not saying it could happen, just saying it's possible. I missed out on unlimited data, but I do agree with the person on page 1 who numbered out the steps. That is definitely the right way to go.
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I agree with post on page 1 for sure. I wouldn't be very optimistic on being released from contract obligations though
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00mred00 said:
All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
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I used foxfi too... first time this month. Probably around 30mb only, decided to try it to see if it works. I received the exact same mail.
Wonder if I should call or not because it says if you stop they will not switch you over. Now, I'm thinking maybe I should. I spent 3gb last month (our area is not LTE but my phone is LTE). What's the best advice on how to go about calling them? SHould I admit to using it or pretend I didn't.
droidbabyxda said:
I used foxfi too... first time this month. Probably around 30mb only, decided to try it to see if it works. I received the exact same mail.
Wonder if I should call or not because it says if you stop they will not switch you over. Now, I'm thinking maybe I should. I spent 3gb last month (our area is not LTE but my phone is LTE). What's the best advice on how to go about calling them? SHould I admit to using it or pretend I didn't.
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Last time I got the letter I just told them I downloaded some app , was unaware of it being an issue, thanked them for the warning and let them know I wpuldnt do it again
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Att probably targets high usage customers for data profiling. When your WoW user agent pops up... bam, they send the letter.
Replace "WoW" with your favorite easily-profiled bandwidth-sapping client, Windows time request, etc.
And that's ignoring any differences between Windows/Linux/android networking stacks that can be finger printed...
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My coworker was informing me yesterday that Verizon is soon going to make changes when you upgrade your phone contract.
The big change he pointed out was that you will have to specify a WiFi network and then any WiFi network you connect to that is not the one specified will be counted as data.
Has anyone else heard of this? He didn't give me a source and I can see big red doing something like this.
I am not sure how credible my coworker is since I can't find any info about it.
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That sounds pretty nonsensical.
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Yeah, I think your coworker is full of it.
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dohturdima said:
That sounds pretty nonsensical.
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+10000
BS! They can't charge you for data that they aren't providing.
ricecake2000 said:
My coworker was informing me yesterday that Verizon is soon going to make changes when you upgrade your phone contract.
The big change he pointed out was that you will have to specify a WiFi network and then any WiFi network you connect to that is not the one specified will be counted as data.
Has anyone else heard of this? He didn't give me a source and I can see big red doing something like this.
I am not sure how credible my coworker is since I can't find any info about it.
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They can't do that, they have no idea what Wi-Fi networks you connect to. It would be impossibe.
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FNM
That's like the cable company charging you to watch a friends tv that uses direct tv hahaha
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Even though Verizon is hungry and eager to maximize their profits, it is not logistically and technically possible to do this.
Find a new job as you work with some dummies.
Thank me later.
I agree that its very unlikely but you have to think about it from the technological side, they already monitor everything we do even if we are on our own WiFi connection. Its completely possible technologically speaking, with all the random spyware they add to our phones and all the bull**** monitoring what we do with our phones so they can make more money on us by selling said information to a 3rd party, I can honestly see the greedy bastards trying to do this. Them getting away with it on the other hand is highly unlikely, I'm pretty sure there is something illegal about this, but even if there is it wouldn't be the first time they paid lobbyists to go bribe/help them understand why this should be allowed under the law.
I'm not saying this will happen, but honestly the way VZW and AT&T have been getting worse and worse lately nothing would surprise me.
I remember when I first got a MiFi, I can't remember what they called MiFi's when they first came out years ago, that they advertised you could use your MiFi account info to sign on to their WiFi hotspots and use them. Well what they didn't tell you, and this could have just been regional, was that when you signed on they charged you for using it, and then a year or so later they said you could be charged or it could count against your monthly MiFi allowance. It didn't last for very long but they did try that, and it seems similar to what the OP said.
I really just think your friend was full of it, but anything is a possibility with VZW, AT&T, or T-Mobile. There is always a catch, like with T-Mobiles unlimited plan. You get 100MB of 4G speeds but anything over 100MB and you get dropped to 2G speeds. I was considering switching to T-Mobile until I saw that.
I am hoping that Google and Dish don't get blocked by VZW, AT&T, and T-Mobile. I will switch to Googles cell service as soon as they launch it in my area, even if I can't get service at my house, just to get the hell away from VZW.
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Ha
Even though this sounds like bs i would not put it past big red to try a stunt like this....