Related
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should search before posting, maybe someone else is having problems. maybe theres info that could help you.....
das7982 said:
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the tips. I searched prior to posting.There has been another post after mine with someone talking about similar issues.
Tried number 1 and 2. No dice.
I'm hesitant with 3 (although I've flashed/odined many times in the fascinate). Will refreshing stock up the flash counter? I may just swap out the phone in store. This would at least give me an account history showing issues.
When I have new info, I'll reply.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
i posted well before your thread, but in short......theres an update being pushed that addresses 4g issues
Very cool. Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
tillithz said:
i posted well before your thread, but in short......theres an update being pushed that addresses 4g issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hope this update doesn't effect the kexec work that is already underway
Verizon LTE is fast but...
It sucks at connecting and at staying connected. My HTC Thunderbolt did this, my Droid Bionic does this, and my co-workers Razr does this. LTE is fast when it actually works properly.
I'm not able conenct to 3g or 4g. Without Wifi I'm getting no data services.
As promised, I have an update. I went to the VZW store and they swapped out my SIM card. No change. The same issues I described in the OP were encountered.
I've performed the following testing to help determine if my specific phone had an issue or whether it was just the LTE service in the area. This isn't the most extensive or scientific test, just a quick and dirty test.
The procedure was as follows:
-Compare phone signal strength in Settings -> About Device -> Status (within phones approximately 5 feet of each other)
-Compare speed test results using the SpeedTest.net app
My office:
1 person in my office also has a vzw galaxy s III. We are running the same stock system.img (I535VRALF2).
- On average, his signal strength was -88dbm, mine was -84dbm. Definitely within normal range for a decent LTE signal.
- His speed test results were similar to mine (within 10% for each direction)
1 person in my office has a Droid Razr (non MAXX) running ICS (important as ICS measures signal strength differently than GB).
- On average, his signal strenth was -95dbm, mine was -91dbm.
- His speed test results were very different than mine:
GSIII - 66ms ping, 8.5MBit down, 12.2MBit up
Razr - 61ms ping, 18.9MBit down, 9.1MBit up
A friend's house:
My friend also has a vzw galaxy s III. We are running the same stock system.img (I535VRALF2).
- On average, his signal strength was -104dbm, mine was also -104dbm. A fairly poor LTE signal.
- Our speed test results were similar (approx 4MBit down, upload was intermittent (would sometimes stall out) approx 0.5Mbit up)
VZW lists 4g coverage as "Verizon LTE (non-extended)" in both areas.
Conclusion:
The difference I encountered between my GSIII and the Razr was alarming, but again, this wasn't the most scientific test (and anyone familiar with the speed test app will tell you that it's usually best to run it several times (unfortunately, I was pressed for time). Just wanted to get an idea of encountered differences.
I can second what tillithz heard about an update being released to address the 4g connection issues. I heard the info from a VZW store employee (so take that with a grain of salt).
I'll be keeping my eyes open for details on the rumored update (and wether or not it breaks our current root/CWM/custom boot.img flashing abilities).
das7982 said:
I know this sounds ridiculous to do with brand new phone but here is the truth. They factory flash those bad boys using octopuss strand array cables with one machine and sometimes they receive a bad flash from the factory. Try the following steps
1. Go to options>settings>mobile and wireless networks>mobile networks>toggle mobile network on and off. (is it acting better?) No? then..
2. Factory data reset the phone. (is it acting better now?) No? then..
3. Using odin reflash the stock ROM (is it acting bettery now?) No? then take it back.... your phone is officially broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like a tard aadmitting this but I can't figure out how to do/find step one
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Sounds like the issues I had with 5 (not exaggerating) GNexs before I gave up on the phone. It was a hardware issue. Hopefully Samsung didn't let this issue slip to the GSIII
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Guys I seriously think it's a Verizon issue. I don't know one person with an VZW LTE device that doesn't have problems connecting.
I had a Korean GNex that never dropped 4G. I had 5 Chinese models that never held a signal at all (non-data included) for over ten minutes. For once I don't think it was Verizon.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Same issues
I have not done anything to my phone. It is still stock. While using Google Maps, it has managed to reboot 3 times on me. It has also managed to lose service two times while using Google Maps before rebooting with the "Searching for GPS" message. The night before I could NOT send SMS/MMS messages. Had to resort to Google Voice. Any thoughts would be great. I don't believe I have been holding it incorrectly as I have a BT headset. I'm randomly getting searching for services also. I don't think it's VZW with my Rezound, I would never lose WIFI, 4G, or calling service. Just wondering if anyone else is having this problem?
I am coming from the Incredible so I have never tried 4G at my house before but 3G has always been strong. I picked up my S3 last night and only 3G will connect. According to Verizon coverage maps I am solidly in a 4G area. Not sure what's going on.
Piss-off Verizon!
So I am having the same issue on mine and my wife's phone. Both pre-ordered in June and received on the 9th.
I stream music in my car while I drive to and from work an hour away. This is extremely annoying as I have to constantly fiddle with my phone to get the data connection back while I'm driving to get my music back.
I called Verizon twice and had the SIM swapped out on mine to test if it fixed it. It fixed one issue of signal strength, but not the dropping of connections. Here's my problems:
- Going from a 3G to a 4G area, signal drops out to unknown in the About Phone > Status page for about 30 seconds or more
- Sometimes it just stays at 3G and never switches
- Going from a 4G to a 3G area, signal drops out to unknown in the About Phone > Status page for about 30 seconds or more
- While it claims I have 4G, there are many times where I cannot get any data connection at all where Facebook says network connection error or speed test doesn't work at all and web pages won't load
- One issue fixed after the SIM swap was that under Settings > More Settings > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names it is now switching from EHRPD and LTE more often. Still not perfect, but I'm assuming that it stays in EHRPD mode when in an extended 4G coverage area (not sure about this) but before it wouldn't use the LTE option no matter what
Before the SIM swap my data connection dropped out completely in the middle of a city known to have great 4G coverage and would not come back no matter what I did (airplane mode on/off, mobile data off/on, phone reboot)
Software reset didn't fix any of these issues either.
Here is what I've decided about some of the issues they are having based on my experiences driving around so much. It seems as if the phone cannot negotiate with the towers correctly. It's as if it needs to drop the 3G connection before it can negotiate a 4G connection, hence the 30 seconds of no data at all, and same for going from 4G to 3G, it seems it can't negotiate without first dropping your current connection. 3G to 1X and back has no issues.
I know this is long, but I want it detailed as much as possible. I had gotten the Bionic when it first came out and it did the same thing, where I could never get a 4G connection when it was supposed to or go back once acquired. The main difference is that my Galaxy S III has WAY better battery life than the Bionic had. So they seemed to have cured the battery drain when searching for a 4G tower. I'm still pissed at Verizon stating I'm in a 4G area and then never getting that connection at home, let alone barely getting a 1x connection. My dBm levels are usually in the -95 to -104 area when at home...I'm in a 4G area now and it's at -112 with an asu of 28 while at home it's usually 1 asu. Hope this helps someone else out. I don't know if a phone swap is going to fix these issues.
Verizon has told me that they are looking at a software update sometime in September...I'll believe it when I see it. In the mean time I have 7 more days to decide to keep the phone with no Verizon tech knowing what they are doing or able to troubleshoot their way out of a brown paper bag.
I am getting a new phone shipped out to me tomorrow. I will let you know if the same thing happens or it is Verizon.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
mybook4 said:
Have any Verizon Wireless Galaxy S 3 users (besides myself) noticed the following symptoms:
1) Phone doesn't connect to 4g LTE until approximately 15 minutes later (even in an excellant 4g coverage area)
2) Phone connects to 4g LTE then disconnects approximately 15 minutes later and drops to 3g (even in excellent 4g coverage area).
3) Phone shows 4g LTE connection, but no data can be transmitted/received (tested with speedtest and a google search in the browser). This one is particularly bad, as there is currently no way I am aware of to turn off the 4g radio)
I've spoken with VZW technical support and they want me to replace the phone to see if things get better. I'm not quite sure it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had symptoms comparable to these, 4G stopped working in areas where it should. It would occasionally go back to 4g, only to not actually transfer any data. My phone was fine before this, and has been fine ever since. In my case I believe flashing CM9 for a bit could have triggered my problems. I have no explanation for why my phone randomly started working properly again.
I'm doubtful that this is a hardware issue, and I am hoping future updates may address radio issues.
Just an fyi, I have talked to multiple Verizon reps and changed sim cards to get nowhere. I'm at the point where I'm about ready to return it for another phone to see if that helps.
Verizon claims this is not a well known issue or widespread. I beg to differ. If it isn't widespread, then it must be a defective unit imo. I also think I got a retarded rep, he tried to tell me updates come straight from the manufacturers and we should see an update soon after a phones release haha. I asked for examples of phone release dates and the date of the first update...He couldn't provide me with any. I then asked why the nexus got the 4.0.4 update 2 months after every other carrier and he stated, well sir we don't release the updates until they're tested. Ah, so you do control the updates!
Needless to say, I'm getting tired of this crap. I'll let you know how the replacement goes.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I know this is a frustrating subject for all AT&T users. Does anyone know what they are using to track tethering. I ask because I have been with AT&T over 10 years and have in the past tethered without a plan. However today I received notice that I am going to loose my unlimited data plan if I do not stop tethering, sad part is I am not tethering or have I been tethering at all in the last several months. I do stream A LOT so I know I am on their list, but honestly I generally go over 3GB so I am not a data hog. I spoke to AT&T's version of customer service and request that they tell me the exact technical specification of the test they are using to determine I am tethering, the answer was, "I don';t know, my system tells me that so it must be true". I then asked what app on my device is causing the issue, "I don't know". Finally I asked how can I stop a behavior my phone is doing if I do not know what if causing the problem? "I don't know". The one thing he (a "supervisor") did know was that I could fix everything by changing my plan and paying more. I am now waiting for his manager to call with an explanation, but it would be good if I actually had some facts to fight with. Most everything I know about AT&T and their policies is completely subjective and open to interpretation.
I've heard of this happening before, and I don't think they really "track" it at all. I think all AT&T is doing is going by your bandwidth. They assume if you're regularly pulling down that much data that you must be cheating somehow.
If you're regularly using 3GB a month, that's probably what's on their radar screen. Keep complaining and insisting that you've done nothing wrong, and they should back down. Ask for some proof, which I doubt they can provide.
I tether all the time, but keep my data usage down, and I've never gotten a warning.
SMH at your story. This is ridiculous! Keep fighting, man. Don't succumb to the beast! :sly:
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app
Lol, I got a letter in the mail... Apparently they track... Now the question is .. disabling ARMS?
WCX HTC One "Hell of a fast phone" X
I got a warning to seems they can track it better now.
Sent from my One X using xda premium
Any of you guys using the Foxfi app from the Play store and the proxy addon? I've been using it on At&t with my Nexus 7 and haven't been notified.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Also, if the new share data plans work out for you, i believe tethering is included. I'm switching my wife and I over to that plan today (supposed first day they are turning it on). It'll save us about $25/month. But the plans aren't for everyone... Some it increases their price.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I've seen this discussed on other device forums here on XDA. No definitive answer was ever given on how AT&T determines whether you are tethering. One person who seemed to have a good degree of technical knowledge stated that every single data packet coming from a tethered computer are tagged differently than just phone use, and that any carrier can detect that tagging easily. Other people disputed that statement. I personally don't have the technical knowledge to say either way, but it seems feasible.
I personally doubt they go by bandwidth alone. I frequently go over 3 GB per month, sometimes close to the 5 GB throttle limit. Sometimes download close to 1 GB a stuff in a single day. But all on the phone (not tethered), and have never gotten the warning. Maybe they look for patterns, but not bandwidth alone.
redpoint73 said:
One person who seemed to have a good degree of technical knowledge stated that every single data packet coming from a tethered computer are tagged differently than just phone use, and that any carrier can detect that tagging easily. Other people disputed that statement. I personally don't have the technical knowledge to say either way, but it seems feasible.
I personally doubt they go by bandwidth alone. I frequently go over 3 GB per month, sometimes close to the 5 GB throttle limit. Sometimes download close to 1 GB a stuff in a single day. But all on the phone (not tethered), and have never gotten the warning. Maybe they look for patterns, but not bandwidth alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen that theory as well. But being able to identify tethered packets is not the same thing as being able to monitor all of them all the time. It's the latter that I am not certain is feasible given the number of smartphones on AT&T's network.
One thing that is certain is that AT&T is not consistent in how they do this. I've seen people get nailed after a single tether; others--like me--have been blithely tethering for years without any trouble. I've also heard of people like the OP, who get tagged even though they aren't tethering at all.
I continue to think that bandwidth has to be the biggest part of it. I suspect they watch for heavy usage, then pay closer attention to those accounts.
Another thing: AT&T is known to give certain perks and leeway to larger accounts, such as letting you upgrade more frequently. I have a big family plan with three smartphones, unlimited texts, Family Map, etc. I've often wondered if I'm on some kind of "let them alone for now" list given how much I tether.
In any case, I'm switching to the new sharing plans (which launched today), which include tethering, so it will be moot for me at least.
iElvis said:
I've seen that theory as well. But being able to identify tethered packets is not the same thing as being able to monitor all of them all the time. It's the latter that I am not certain is feasible given the number of smartphones on AT&T's network.
One thing that is certain is that AT&T is not consistent in how they do this. I've seen people get nailed after a single tether; others--like me--have been blithely tethering for years without any trouble. I've also heard of people like the OP, who get tagged even though they aren't tethering at all.
I continue to think that bandwidth has to be the biggest part of it. I suspect they watch for heavy usage, then pay closer attention to those accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely know what you mean when you talk about being able to identify the packets vs. actually monitoring all accounts. My feeling is that this is the main reason the enforcement is so inconsistent, that AT&T simply does not have the resources to monitor all the accounts this way. As you suggest maybe bandwidth is the first red flag, then they look at the tagging after that. And whatever the system is, it seems to be evolving ("improving" in the eyes of AT&T), as more people are getting caught.
Interesting feedback. I think I have figured it out. I was just guessing at my data consumption at 3GB, I actually pulled a report and looked. I average between 1 and 2 GB of data a month (pretty shocking to me, guess I use wifi more than I realize), last month it doubled to 4GB. It must be because I doubled my usage in one month, that must have set off a flag.
Still waiting for that manager to get me proof.
On a side note it felt really good to answer their survey texts with a 1 and not a 10.
I will update this thread if I get more information from the "manager". I am to stubborn to let AT&T win this one. Almost makes me want to start tethering again.
cyber_pete said:
I will update this thread if I get more information from the "manager". I am to stubborn to let AT&T win this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you, man. Be interested to see how it turns out. Good luck.
I also just got a letter like this today. I've had unlimited data for four years, and I've tethered very sparingly over the years with the likes of PDANet, WiFi Tether, etc without being notified by AT&T. The only time I've really needed to tether was for the one week out of the year when I vacation to a cottage that doesn't have an internet connection. I went on vacation about a month ago, and tethered using the built in Hotspot with CleanRom's Hotspot Hack. I called AT&T after reading the letter over, and the rep told me that they did detect tethering activity on my end. I ended up telling her that I used a tethering app from the Play Store for the one week that I was without internet, but that I only used it in that instance and that I would prefer to keep my unlimited plan. She just asked that I delete the app from the phone, and cease tethering, and assured me that I could keep the plan by doing so. So, it seems as though their plan of attack is to enroll you in plan that enables the Hotspot functionality if they don't hear from you, but if you call and insist on keeping your unlimited plan, hopefully they will honor that like they did for me. Good luck!
Is it possible they are looking at the browser type? I've heard that browsers which don't normally run on mobile devices can get you caught.
smartphonesanonymous said:
Is it possible they are looking at the browser type? I've heard that browsers which don't normally run on mobile devices can get you caught.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the User-Agent factor, and yes they can get you that way, if you've gotten far enough onto their radar screen that they're reading your packets.
But no one really knows for sure how exactly they're doing it.
I, since I went to a shared data plan a few months ago, have come in from the cold.
Wow, zombie thread.
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2
USB tether with SSH and VPN
To carrier, it just looks like an ssh connection from your phone, everything else is encapsulated inside that doubly encrypted channel
(openvpn encrypts, so does ssh)
-- IP packet "signatures", Browser User-Agent, all invisible to carrier.
root not required, unlock/mod not required. works on stock unrooted device.
should work with any android phone, any carrier, any plan (that includes Internet access on phone)
(usage will still count against your data limit if you have a capped plan - mostly useful with unlimited plans)
carrier will still see your usage so they still might become suspicious, they just can't prove anything
use this advice at your own risk
it will use double the bandwidth on your HOME connection - everything has to go in, and
then right back out - may not be useful if your home internet is capped
.....
setup openvpn server on home PC connected with wired broadband
setup openssh server on home PC
setup proper passwords/keys for both to protect access.
use non-standard ports for greater security
(if you have a home router, be sure to forward the ports for both SSH and openvpn through it from "the outside" to the ssh/openvpn server)
if your home router is DD-WRT or similar, you may be able to do sshd and openvpn server right on the router, skip the PC.
.. EDIT: you will need to know the IP of your home connection to connect to it remotely. a dynamic DNS service can be useful for this ..
install sshdroid on phone.
install openvpn and adb on laptop
...
ok, you are out and about, and want to tether your laptop.
turn OFF wifi on phone.
enable usb debugging on phone.
connect laptop PC to USB on phone (connect type doesnt matter, charge-only is fine)
start sshdroid, have it ssh to your home PC and forward a tcp port for openvpn
use 'adb forward' command on laptop to forward the openvpn port from the laptop to the phone.
run openvpn on laptop, configure it to connect via localhost:xxx (where xxx is the port thats forwarded by adb to the phone, then by ssh to your home PC.)
use vpn tunnel for internet access
"whatismyipaddress.com" for laptop should show your HOME internet IP.
- this is just an overview, you will need to know how to setup the details of these apps and services, especially openvpn, in order to make this work. If you don't understand how to do so, find someone that does, or pay your carrier for the service.
- no wifi support, so no way to tether a tablet or anything else that can only connect via wifi; only a laptop or other PC that has a host USB port that can recognize the phone.
Tethering
I use FoxFi or PdaNet is the same. And not require Root.
I got this same letter two or three years ago. Idk but it think they are trying to scare ppl in to the new plans. I regularly use more than 5GB a month without tethering.
Sent from my HTC One X using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
I got a letter and called them and they are using this as a way to generate more money.
For some reason, I am getting an error when I try using t0mmy (found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1677261) one click tether enabler. I've done some searching and cannot find anyone else who has had this issue. What the heck am I missing (screenshots attached)?! Any ideas?
Info:
- Stock AT&T ROM
- Rooted
- Android 4.0.4
- Used on StraightTalk... all APNs are setup correctly... data works on the phone.
For solution, SEE BELOW
One other thing I should mention is that even when I am using `android-wifi-tether` it will not work. It just shows up as a device on my computer when it is turned on as a wifi hotspot.
I've downloaded SQLite Browser and have changed all fields with "broadband" to "pta". Still no go.
I don't understand what you need that program for...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
When I click to activate the native wifi hotspot, it says that I cannot have a hotspot and to call 611. So I am trying Android Wifi Tether, which works for a little bit then after about 3 seconds, says "what the hell, your phone is taking over. shutting down wifi." Something like that. I'm just trying to get this phone setup so my friend can use it as a hotspot.
SQLite is to edit my `telephony.db`
Well, I do believe that it could be because you are using a stock rom, so att bulit in securities could be taking over. Also, I do want you to know that ATT does have advanced technology to detect tethering. without notice, they can upgrade you data plan to 5gb ($50) because you were caught tethering. it is the way the apn connects. now you can try to change your apn to BROADBAND, which is tethering, but again, but warned. if your data plan changes (esepcially if you are grandfathered into one), then that's on you...
so here are my suggestions: change the APN to broadband, get off the stock, and im sure there are a plethora of apps in the play market that should work
Herc08 said:
Also, I do want you to know that ATT does have advanced technology to detect tethering. without notice, they can upgrade you data plan to 5gb ($50) because you were caught tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will send you a warning (physical letter or SMS, can't remember which exactly) notifying you have been caught tethering without the appropriate data plan. Then, if you are caught again, they will change you plan.
Probably nobody except folks at AT&T know the exact methods they use to monitor for tethering. But the thought here is that a high amount of usage will raise red flags, then they will examine data packets for the signs of tethering.
Some folks (myself included) have been able to tether without getting caught, by just doing it occasionally, and keeping the data usage low. But even then, the system seems far from consistent. I've seen a couple of folks report on here getting the tethering warning from AT&T, despite having never even tethered.
The days when you could easily pirate tethering may be coming to an end. AT&T has really cracked down on it and improved their methods of detection. Even if you get this working, you will get caught if you start tethering regularly.
redpoint73 said:
They will send you a warning (physical letter or SMS, can't remember which exactly) notifying you have been caught tethering without the appropriate data plan. Then, if you are caught again, they will change you plan.
Probably nobody except folks at AT&T know the exact methods they use to monitor for tethering. But the thought here is that a high amount of usage will raise red flags, then they will examine data packets for the signs of tethering.
Some folks (myself included) have been able to tether without getting caught, by just doing it occasionally, and keeping the data usage low. But even then, the system seems far from consistent. I've seen a couple of folks report on here getting the tethering warning from AT&T, despite having never even tethered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do apologize, you are right. You will get a notice first. And then if you continue, then you will still bumped out. It is an email AND a SMS. Using small amount of data is usually the way to go. But if you trying to tether a computer, then most likely the data usage will be high. As I mentioned in other posts, as a former AT&T employee, if you want to tether, just upgrade your data plan. If you are on unlimited data, you will already get throttled at 3gb, so the Unlimited data and 3gb are basically the same thing, which is why the price is the same.
I have seem some accounts when excessive tethering is done, that the data is actually suspended, no matter what the case is. It's weird that AT&T can do that, but it is in their wireless agreement, which is at section 6 i think.
Thanks for the heads up about AT&T clamping down on this. It is good to know. I am doing this for an elderly couple who rarely use the internet. This is their first smart phone. They are savvy enough to know what that message means if they get it. I will let them know about it too.
They mainly will be accessing on the device itself but wanted the option to use it as a hotspot as well. They are already paying for data... they purchased the phone used and are under no contract (on Straight Talk). They want to use something they own, however they want. It's too bad AT&T is so mean.
It's like buying a computer and then the manufacturer says you cannot use bluetooth unless you pay them a monthly service charge.
[SOLUTION]
Oh yeah, I forgot to post that I figured a way out to get 'android-wifi-tether.apk' to work on the stock AT&T ROM.... here we go:
Get "Proxoid" from the Google Play Store
Get WiFi Tether from the Google Play Store (or from here [QR Codes in link]: http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/)
Get a mobile data widget
Once you have them installed, get them all lined up somewhere you can easily run them one after the other.
Make sure mobile data OFF before you turn anything on.
Open Proxoid and check the box to start/stop Proxoid... you want it ON
Open WiFi Tether and turn on tethering
Now you can turn on mobile data
This worked successful for me. I tested it for about 10-15 minutes, playing YouTube videos, reading some blogs, checked out some google image searches and so on. If you do not turn Proxoid on before mobile data is on, this will NOT work.
ENJOY! :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
UPDATE: This only worked on my Mac and Android phone. Mac picked up the HOX as a "device" instead of a wifi connection but it worked. Windows cannot find the connection at all. If someone knows how to get Windows to find the device and use it as a hotspot please let me know.
While tethering is a feature of the phone they own, the data being used is a service that is not owned and while I don't agree with what at&t does, I can understand why they would discourage tethering and it is technically within their right to limit how their data is used. They/you could have picked another company that allows tethering but as a consequence you may face saturation from all those heavy tether users.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
exad said:
While tethering is a feature of the phone they own, the data being used is a service that is not owned and while I don't agree with what at&t does, I can understand why they would discourage tethering and it is technically within their right to limit how their data is used. They/you could have picked another company that allows tethering but as a consequence you may face saturation from all those heavy tether users.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is the reason behind the detection. Same as throttling. With the explosion of bandwidth needed, the big companies cannot keep up. Hence why smaller companies offer unlimited data.
Sent from my Carbon-ize Evita using xda-developers app
So I moved to a new house which has basically no LTE and lower cellular coverage. My old house was a highrise with a literal t-mobile tower on the top, so I never even considered using wifi calling as my LTE coverage was perfect.
So here I am, with my Note 5, thinking I can rely on wifi calling in my new house. The house has excellent wifi coverage that can still achieve decent speeds even on the exterior. I use an Asus AC router that I've completely opened up to the world while troubleshooting the problem. Sitting in my living room (where my most recent call was dropped), I'm pulling down 74mbps and uploading 13mbps according to the speedtest app on the note 5.
My phone shows that it's connected to wifi and that Wifi calling is enabled. I've also changed it to "Wifi calling preferred" so it doesn't even attempt to use the limited cellular network that I can get in some rooms occasionally (depending on air density).
However, I basically miss all inbound calls, outbound calls only occasionally connect, and when I do have a successful call, it drops in and out as though I'm on an actual spotty cellular network.
I've tried Arter, SkyHigh and stock rooted kernels, all with the same results. I'm basically at my wit's end and getting ready to abandoned t-mobile. I read that exynos does not handle these handoffs and transitions as well as qualcom SOCs, but I'm reluctant to give up my great note 5 for a ****ty LG just to test this theory.
Can anyone provide some guidance or advice on how I can deal with this? I'm on the original jump plan + unlimited data and I really don't want to abandon t-mobile, but working voice is essential.
apols said:
So I moved to a new house which has basically no LTE and lower cellular coverage. My old house was a highrise with a literal t-mobile tower on the top, so I never even considered using wifi calling as my LTE coverage was perfect.
So here I am, with my Note 5, thinking I can rely on wifi calling in my new house. The house has excellent wifi coverage that can still achieve decent speeds even on the exterior. I use an Asus AC router that I've completely opened up to the world while troubleshooting the problem. Sitting in my living room (where my most recent call was dropped), I'm pulling down 74mbps and uploading 13mbps according to the speedtest app on the note 5.
My phone shows that it's connected to wifi and that Wifi calling is enabled. I've also changed it to "Wifi calling preferred" so it doesn't even attempt to use the limited cellular network that I can get in some rooms occasionally (depending on air density).
However, I basically miss all inbound calls, outbound calls only occasionally connect, and when I do have a successful call, it drops in and out as though I'm on an actual spotty cellular network.
I've tried Arter, SkyHigh and stock rooted kernels, all with the same results. I'm basically at my wit's end and getting ready to abandoned t-mobile. I read that exynos does not handle these handoffs and transitions as well as qualcom SOCs, but I'm reluctant to give up my great note 5 for a ****ty LG just to test this theory.
Can anyone provide some guidance or advice on how I can deal with this? I'm on the original jump plan + unlimited data and I really don't want to abandon t-mobile, but working voice is essential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure of a solution but I can tell you that I use Wifi calling all the time on the Note 5 and do not experience any of these issues.
We would need to know more details to help further.
Are you stock? If not, which rom?
When was the last time you wiped your phone?
Anyone else have Tmob in the home?
I understand your frustration but I dont think its Tmobile. Chances are its something with your internet connection or a software issue of the phone.
DeeXii said:
Not sure of a solution but I can tell you that I use Wifi calling all the time on the Note 5 and do not experience any of these issues.
We would need to know more details to help further.
Are you stock? If not, which rom?
When was the last time you wiped your phone?
Anyone else have Tmob in the home?
I understand your frustration but I dont think its Tmobile. Chances are its something with your internet connection or a software issue of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! Not stock, using Darthstalker V11 rom. Only person living here, but I do have a verizon iphone for work. I just moved here, and prior to moving, I had an enterprise level firewall in place, which meant I had to open up the right ports to allow for wifi calling. Since I've moved, I haven't even put it in place, so I'm just using an Asus router as a router & AP with no firewall functionality.
Phone was last wiped a couple of months ago when installing the latest version of Darthstalker. With each kernel I've tried, I've wiped the cache multiple times post-install.
apols said:
Thanks for the reply! Not stock, using Darthstalker V11 rom. Only person living here, but I do have a verizon iphone for work. I just moved here, and prior to moving, I had an enterprise level firewall in place, which meant I had to open up the right ports to allow for wifi calling. Since I've moved, I haven't even put it in place, so I'm just using an Asus router as a router & AP with no firewall functionality.
Phone was last wiped a couple of months ago when installing the latest version of Darthstalker. With each kernel I've tried, I've wiped the cache multiple times post-install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was the Wifi calling working before you moved?
DeeXii said:
Was the Wifi calling working before you moved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never had to actually rely on it, so I'm not sure. I used it here and there when visiting low-coverage areas, but now it's basically my only option. For reference, I moved from the DC area to a smaller town in Central VA that only recently received t-mobile LTE. That being said... in certain areas of my house I get enough t-mobile LTE to pull down 30Mbps, but the upload portion is incredibly asymmetric and only pushes about .1 mbps up... Given that I get decent LTE in some places in the house, but it drops off as soon as I turn the corner, I've configured wifi calling to prefer wifi over cellular, which leads to another odd thing....the phone basically needs to be rebooted once leaving a wifi calling network, as it'll never switch the LTE radio back unless I reboot. It'll just stay on 3g/edge otherwise.
As for my wifi coverage, I get great speeds when testing basically anywhere in the house, both upload and download. However, when I'm on a call that is clearly being routed through wifi, it'll start pinging me and warning that the call may be dropped in place where I'm still getting excellent wifi coverage.
I wanted to start a thread to be a collective of solutions this community has been developing to use cell phones and cellular solutions to provide WIFI to homes and small businesses. I have ready many posts and solutions for this but have not been able to find a collective that contains multiple solutions across various cellular providers, cellular equipment and hard ware solutions.
I want to thank all the mods/devs and individuals who have contributed to this site. I have been hanging around these boards for quite a few years now and have rooted, reprogrammed and installed quite a few ROMs on phones since the late 90s early 2000's and the information that I get here is always helpful. I dont even think I have posted but a handful of times because 99% of the time if you do the work the answers are already there.
I have gone from full-timing in an RV travelling the country for over 4 years to now living in the mountains of Washington State in the US and getting data services has always been a challenge. I have been working through Cellular to WIFI projects for the past 6 years or so.
I am certain many people hanging out in these parts have a same or similar project and I thought this General Topics forum would be a good place to start these discussions as it is not pertinent to a specific phone, carrier or device.
If there is already another thread supporting this somewhere on XDA or if this is the wrong sub-forum to post this in please feel free to move this or post a link to the other thread.
Thanks.
I have been a SPRINT customer since the 90s and have had the account forever. I have also used Verizon, T-Mobile and ATT over the years but have maintained the Sprint account and my current challenges are with the acquisition of Sprint by T-Mobile. My hardware for the home WIFI is currently as follows -
1. Cellular Device - SPRINT Samsung Note 8 with a T-Mobile SIM. Currently using a 2nd APN with DUN for the unlimited tethering. This has worked flawlessly with Sprint but since switching to a T-Mobile SIM (Regretfully as now I wished I had waited longer more on that in a minute) it has been more challenging. Still working as of today anyways. Seems like T-Mobile pushes updates to its towers and devices almost weekly these days.
2. Router - GL-iNet Travel Router (GL-AR750S). Basically stock at this point. I have tried installing WRT and got it working on this device but had a performance issue and haven't really had time to play with it so I am back to stock and it is working well at this point.
3. Repeater - ASUS RP-AC55 - Not the best but it was cheap and does what it is supposed to. I have reverted to the base firmware version that shipped with this device 3.0.0.4.382_15250 as that has the best performance network wise compared to the newer versions of firmware for this model.
I am in a pretty remote location but was lucky in that I have direct line of site to the one cell tower in our little town just over a mile and a half from the house. The cell phone sits in a window facing the tower and while I used to get downloads of close to 100mb and uploads in the 20mb range when I was on the SPRINT network, T-Mobile has since cobbled all the LTE bands here and the best I can get for downloads is T-mobile B2 (1895mhz up and 1975mhz down) with 40mb download and 1mb upload but I am typically on Band 25 (1912.5mhz up, 1992.5mhz Down) with 15mb upload and <10mb for upload speeds as I need the upload bandwidth for work. So much for T-Mobile bringing faster speeds to the Rural areas.
With the setup I have we cover the entire house and just about half an acre outdoors. Some areas with better performance than others. All of the outdoor space (2+ acres) is covered with cellular connectivity as well and I just make sure I have wifi in areas where we would sit outside and use a laptop. We use about 300gb of data a month on the WIFI (I have 4 teens in the house with mobile phones) and it works well. Lately T-Mobile has enforced the default APN and while you can still add a second APN with DUN, as of this month it takes a little bit of finagling to get the 2nd APN to take after you hit your hotspot cap for the month. This is the first time in 6 years I have had an issue with getting the APN to take and I have also noticed that now the option to turn off the default APN is grayed out.
Im currently looking to replace the Note 8 with a device that can be rooted so I can find an alternate solution for the wifi tethering. Starting to look at possible 5G devices. I honestly wouldn't mind using T-Mobiles unlimited wifi device but that is not currently available here in the mountains and not sure it will be anytime soon. The only other solution where I live to get internet access is either DISH network or a DSL line from the local phone company. Both of which average less than 3mb up/down.
Interested to see what others are using for solutions to get WIFI to remote locations.
Reserved**