Database Info

A reminder to AT&T users: Mind your access point

I see a lot of these Roms floating around that auto-customize for AT&T and set up the access point for your data connection as "isp.cingular." This is NOT RIGHT for SOME people.
I've said this in a few threads, but I'll say it again here - hopefully many people will see it.
Not all unlimited data plans allows you to use isp.cingular as your access point. If your plan does not allow for isp.cingular but you use it, you may be charge per kb for downloads.
Although at&t has removed these charges in the past, it's best to know what is going on so you can avoid it. I've seen people billed every month per kb while the rep swears up and down it won't happen again and that their "unlimited" data is properly applied to the account. Some of the reps don't understand their own data plans.
So: here's the difference.
Cheap unlimited data plans such as mediamax, etc. DO NOT allow you to access data through isp.cingular. You must use wap.cingular instead.
Expensive unlimited data plans such as PDA connect, laptop connect, etc. (pretty much anything over $40/mo) DO allow you to connect through isp.cingular.
isp.cingular gives you higher priority on the network, and is necessary for accessing services such as VPN, etc.
wap.cingular is suitable for every day browsing/email/etc. - is technically just as fast, but does not take priority on the network. So if the network is busy, your traffic will suffer first.
I hope that helps to clear up for people who are having billing issues on their unlimited data plans. Rom chefs may be wise to use the wap.cingular AP in their roms and let advanced users make the switch if they so need.
(I pay $15/mo for Mediamax 200 and use wap.cingular as my access point)

thank you
Thank you for the info.. It is appreciated...

Good thing to know.
I probably wouldn't have checked that each time I load a new ROM. I will from now on...

Access Point
Thanks for the info....great catch
I use the $40 plan & I noticed that my access point was set to wap.cingular. I switched to isp.cingular and it didn't work.
Is it possible to give us complete settings for both.....thanks.

isp.cingular does not work with the PDA Personal Max Plan. For that plan you have to use isp.cingular.

To further clarify. PDA Personal options STILL use wap.cingular. You must change to PDA Connect which doesn't come with any texting to use isp.cingular.

dwny said:
Thanks for the info....great catch
I use the $40 plan & I noticed that my access point was set to wap.cingular. I switched to isp.cingular and it didn't work.
Is it possible to give us complete settings for both.....thanks.
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dbaser said:
isp.cingular does not work with the PDA Personal Max Plan. For that plan you have to use isp.cingular.
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isp.cingular only works on the tethering plans ($70-80/mnth)... I have the PDA Personal Unlimited with 1500 MSGs and I can only connect to wap.cingular.

fb401 said:
To further clarify. PDA Personal options STILL use wap.cingular. You must change to PDA Connect which doesn't come with any texting to use isp.cingular.
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You do not need PDA Connect (PDA Connect no longer exists) to hit isp.cingular, just one of the tethering plans which are all PDA Personal and they do come with messaging:
PDA Personal Max (Tethering) - $69.99
PDA Personal Max Unlimited Data & Tethering plus 1500 Messages
PDA Personal Max /w Unl M2M Messaging - $74.99
PDA Personal Max Unlimited Data, Tethering & M2M Messaging plus 1500 Messages
PDA Personal Max Unl Messaging (Tethering) - $79.99
PDA Personal Max Unlimited plus Unlimited Messaging & Tethering

Hello -
I have a business account and my data plan is listed as 'PDA Connect - UNL' which I assume is unlimited. I tried connecting to isp.cingular but couldn't - I can only connect to wap.cingular successfully. Should I be able to use the faster connection with my plan?
Also - are there any other settings that might speed things up?
thanks!

gthing said:
I see a lot of these Roms floating around that auto-customize for AT&T and set up the access point for your data connection as "isp.cingular." This is NOT RIGHT for SOME people.
I've said this in a few threads, but I'll say it again here - hopefully many people will see it.
Not all unlimited data plans allows you to use isp.cingular as your access point. If your plan does not allow for isp.cingular but you use it, you may be charge per kb for downloads.
Although at&t has removed these charges in the past, it's best to know what is going on so you can avoid it. I've seen people billed every month per kb while the rep swears up and down it won't happen again and that their "unlimited" data is properly applied to the account. Some of the reps don't understand their own data plans.
So: here's the difference.
Cheap unlimited data plans such as mediamax, etc. DO NOT allow you to access data through isp.cingular. You must use wap.cingular instead.
Expensive unlimited data plans such as PDA connect, laptop connect, etc. (pretty much anything over $40/mo) DO allow you to connect through isp.cingular.
isp.cingular gives you higher priority on the network, and is necessary for accessing services such as VPN, etc.
wap.cingular is suitable for every day browsing/email/etc. - is technically just as fast, but does not take priority on the network. So if the network is busy, your traffic will suffer first.
I hope that helps to clear up for people who are having billing issues on their unlimited data plans. Rom chefs may be wise to use the wap.cingular AP in their roms and let advanced users make the switch if they so need.
(I pay $15/mo for Mediamax 200 and use wap.cingular as my access point)
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Great Post. This is something that I have always noticed, more so since I changed my plan from PDA Connect Unlimited to MediaMax Unlimited. There was no reason for me to be paying the extra money. I know that most of the cooked ROMs here come with the Connection Setup/Network Wizard preinstalled but I've had some trouble connecting to Cellular Video even when I enable the proxy from a .cab. For those reasons I use a .cab from wpbear over in the Hermes section that installs the AT&T network settings and puts the proxy folder with restore and disable proxy .cabs in the Programs list that always work for me. I will post this .cab from wpbear shortly if anyone wants it.
Edited: Here is the .cab from wpbear as promised.

See I have PDA personal and my phone is using isp.cingualr and I am not getting any additional charges....

i use pda connect unlimited and have access to isp.cingular, which i use while tethering all the time. I also play WoW on it when im away from a Wifi network.

shadowace said:
See I have PDA personal and my phone is using isp.cingualr and I am not getting any additional charges....
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yeah i have mediamax and didnt realize i was using isp.cingular for about a month and changed to wap...I never got excess data charges, but rather be safe than sorry...I also didnt tether (a lot, only when I was in the airport and didnt feel like getting hosed $10 for 2 hours of access)

Hmm. it sounds like I should be able to use isp.cingular but I'm not sure!
Also - can anyone give a brief explanation of what the PROXY would be used for and when? I keep hearing about the use of a proxy but I'm not sure why/what the point is.

The proxy is used for ATT services that come with your phone. You can download some music and go to the ATT portal for some special services. I don't remember what they are because I don't use them. No proxy is best because it allows you to have a less obstructed port to the outside net. In most cases (if not all) you want the proxy OFF. You only want to turn it on to use those ATT specific services. It has been so long since I have cared that I don't remember what they are.

wireless access and activsync
Perhaps not the right thread, but I'm sure you all will let me know if not. I just flashed to the new Dutty ATT rom and I cannot connect to my server through Activsync. I get a 0x80830003 error. When I flashed an earlier Dutty Rom I got the same problem and fixed it by unchecking the proxy. However, Proxy is unchecked and I am still gtting the error. Any ideas?
And I have searched and found cabs for deleting hidden proxy and provisioning ATT service, installed all and no go.

fastblack said:
i use pda connect unlimited and have access to isp.cingular, which i use while tethering all the time. I also play WoW on it when im away from a Wifi network.
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Just out of curiosity, how are you playing WoW? Using remote desktop or something like that? Thanks!

I meant when tethering to my laptop hehe.

fastblack said:
I meant when tethering to my laptop hehe.
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LOL Gotcha!

gthing said:
(I pay $15/mo for Mediamax 200 and use wap.cingular as my access point)
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How are you getting this rate when it only sells for $19? If it's a Premier discount, the math applies it to the wireless plan first.

Fuze Data Connection Option

Hey everyone. Today I got a deal with my local AT&T store for a Fuze for $250 without the rebate. I don't plan on buying the data plan, as I am surrounded by Wi-Fi and it would be a waste of $30 per month.
I know that AT&T likes to charge money for data connection for people without data plans, so I had some questions. If I were to to go to the Communication Manager and turn off the Data Connection, then will this stop ALL connection? For example, if it is turned off from there, then this should completely stop all of this connection and I shouldn't see a cent on my bill for data plan, right? Also, is there a risk of the data connection turning on when I start up certain programs, like Opera?
And if data connection is off, then does this mean I won't be able to use the Pop3 mail and the weather features? What other functionalities will I be missing out on without the data plan? Thanks!

Search for NOGPRS cab file. This allows you to turn off the media net connection that would incur a bill. With it off using this program, no programs can automatically turn it on. All the other programs should be functional if wifi is enabled and you are near a connection. This includes mail and waether. There really isnt any functionality that I can think of off the top of my head that would be missing, except that some IM clients only use gprs.

WiFi VoIP?

I've got a Sprint TP2 and was wondering if it ever automatically does VoIP if a WiFi connection is available. I Though it might to save bandwidth on the cell network.
Thanks.

I'm about 99% sure that it doesn't do that. It would need special software to be able to switch the call. Now if you wanted to do that, you could do it with Skype and Skypeout credits though.

No, never.
Keep in mind that carriers don't WANT to save bandwidth on the cellular network. They want to sell you bandwidth and do everything they can to use it up. They can't charge you for using WiFi.
Not only does this not happen automatically, but it's sort of difficult to do it on purpose if you want to. Skype, for example, no longer officially supports WM and existing versions don't like to use the ear speaker properly (though they do work in speakerphone mode).
With the Airave, which uses my personal TCP/IP bandwidth, I not only use cellular minutes but also pay a monthly fee for the privilege. It's not WiFi but rather a femtocell, but still provides an illustration of the basic concept that carriers are in no rush to save you from using their networks and giving them your money.

Was wondering about your comment on the AirRAVE.... this was taken right from Sprint site.
AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage Charge - $4.99/mo. (required per AIRAVE unit)**
Single Line Unlimited Calling Plan (optional) - $10/mo.**
Multi-Line Unlimited Calling Plan (optional) - $20/mo. per account**
Gregg

tornacl said:
Was wondering about your comment on the AirRAVE.... this was taken right from Sprint site.
AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage Charge - $4.99/mo. (required per AIRAVE unit)**
Single Line Unlimited Calling Plan (optional) - $10/mo.**
Multi-Line Unlimited Calling Plan (optional) - $20/mo. per account**
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You're making a point, but I can't tell what it is.
I pay $4.99 to use my Airave. By doing so, I use my cellphone as normal within range of the femtocell. "As normal" means that I use my plan minutes the same as at any other location, but with 1x instead of EvDO data.
If I paid extra (as above), I could make and receive unlimited "free" calls through the Airave. Since I've never in my life used my 500 minutes per month, there's no point in my doing so. I've got a perfectly good landline that continues to work during our frequent power outages and does not depend on our somewhat iffy cable internet's reliability, so I never really make calls on my cellphone at home anyway. We mostly have it to support our son's SMS addiction.

try fring
try downloading fring. Free program.

question about wifi calling and tethering

ok, so on my tmo plan i got a deal where if i got the 5gb plan for 30 a month they threw in free tethering and free wifi calling
my question is, with using rooted roms, do i need to have those on my plan? in other words, if i drop my data plan to 2gb a month i loose the free wifi and tethering but i though or read somewhere that using a rooted rom i have those functions anyway

wifi calling is a free utility with this phone I thought (stock or not, doesn't matter) the tether is something they are cracking down on, ways around it with root and something to do with chrome look in the threads around about tethering stopped.

so if i used a wifi tethering app i would not need to have tethering on my plan with t-mobile?

they may still catch it and block you but I read there is a setting oyou can change within your desktop browser to allow it.

you mean the browser on the device you are connecting to your phone?

I don't know if they have started charging for free Wi-Fi Calling. That sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn't quite. "Free Wi-Fi Calling" means that minutes used during Wi-Fi Calling are not counted against your monthly allotment. The last I heard (as recently as January, when I had it turned on for my account), they didn't charge for it. If they've changed, it should be called "unlimited Wi-Fi Calling" instead of "free". In either event, you can use it if you have the app in your ROM; the only difference is whether the minutes get charged against your monthly allotment or not.
Being rooted has no effect on the T-Mobile enforcement of your Terms of Service that forbid you to use tethering without a tethering plan. They are apparently now detecting some PC browser user agent strings (reportedly Internet Explorer and Chrome, but not Firefox, for some reason) and blocking access via those browsers by redirecting you to an advertisement for their tethering plan. If you're doing non-browser things (ssh, email, etc.), they probably won't detect that you're tethering. It's reported that changing the browser's user agent string to something other than the default circumvents the T-Mobile detection, although if you use an android browser string, naturally you'll end up on mostly mobile versions of the sites you visit. It's also likely that if you're using a VPN and proxy, that will also prevent their detection of your tethering.

I'm still using 2.2.2 stock. When I connect via WiFi, a banner pops up stating calling on WiFi counts against your normal minutes. In other words, your call plan minutes apply with either their towers or WiFi. Makes some sense, as you have to use their Call Manager/Session Manager to route the call...

Just port your number to Google Voice and use Groove IP or Talkatone, currently the top VoIP apps for Android.

wmm said:
I don't know if they have started charging for free Wi-Fi Calling. That sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn't quite. "Free Wi-Fi Calling" means that minutes used during Wi-Fi Calling are not counted against your monthly allotment. The last I heard (as recently as January, when I had it turned on for my account), they didn't charge for it. If they've changed, it should be called "unlimited Wi-Fi Calling" instead of "free". In either event, you can use it if you have the app in your ROM; the only difference is whether the minutes get charged against your monthly allotment or not.
Being rooted has no effect on the T-Mobile enforcement of your Terms of Service that forbid you to use tethering without a tethering plan. They are apparently now detecting some PC browser user agent strings (reportedly Internet Explorer and Chrome, but not Firefox, for some reason) and blocking access via those browsers by redirecting you to an advertisement for their tethering plan. If you're doing non-browser things (ssh, email, etc.), they probably won't detect that you're tethering. It's reported that changing the browser's user agent string to something other than the default circumvents the T-Mobile detection, although if you use an android browser string, naturally you'll end up on mostly mobile versions of the sites you visit. It's also likely that if you're using a VPN and proxy, that will also prevent their detection of your tethering.
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that makes the most sense and i have also read that about changing the user agent string. but if im tethering an android tablet would there be anything to change? that was my goal with wifi tethering, use my phone as a hotspot for my tablet (when i finally get one)

dodgefan67 said:
ok, so on my tmo plan i got a deal where if i got the 5gb plan for 30 a month they threw in free tethering and free wifi calling
my question is, with using rooted roms, do i need to have those on my plan? in other words, if i drop my data plan to 2gb a month i loose the free wifi and tethering but i though or read somewhere that using a rooted rom i have those functions anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is cracking down lately. Regardless of what ROM you are running, if you drop your free tethering plan, you are going to have to screw around with changing the User Agent on your laptop/tablet to avoid being blocked.

I use my phone for tethering with the tablet. You'll use the 5gb once you start doin it. They charge for the tethering plan now, so you're better off leaving it so you'll be grandfathered in for next upgrade.
holy flying tacos batman

Probably a dumb question but what is the benefits of tethering vs wifi hotspot?
Sent from my LG-P999

xBkKx said:
Probably a dumb question but what is the benefits of tethering vs wifi hotspot?
Sent from my LG-P999
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You may not always be near a WiFi hotspot. The park, the beach, working in your car, etc.

xBkKx said:
Probably a dumb question but what is the benefits of tethering vs wifi hotspot?
Sent from my LG-P999
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there are two ways to tether a device, usb and wifi. usb is obvious, you connect your phone to your laptop and your laptop uses your phone like a modem or router to get internet access
wifi hotspot is the same just through wifi, its like your wireless router at home
think usb tethering=network cable, wifi tethering=wireless router

Well I meant this phone has wifi hotspot on it why not use that vs tethering or does it still amount to that in terms of data usage?
Sent from my LG-P999

xBkKx said:
Well I meant this phone has wifi hotspot on it why not use that vs tethering or does it still amount to that in terms of data usage?
Sent from my LG-P999
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i think it doesnt matter
but some devices cant connect to a wifi hotspot, granted most laptops or handheld devices do have wifi, some older laptops may not and may be able to use usb tethering. you can also use it on a pc that probably doesnt have wifi

Ah alright, never used either of them so wasn't sure why everything I see is about tethering on the phone and nothing about the hotspot
Sent from my LG-P999

no worries, they are in the same place in the settings, under tethering and wifi hotspot, they kinda do the same thing. i use my wifi hotspot with my kindle fire

I believe on stock ROMs (including rooted), unless you freeze or uninstall some app that TMobile installed that monitors whether you're using tethering or hotspotting. That's their easy way to detect whether you're tethering, they may also sniff your packets for the user agent info, but I'm not sure if they go through that much trouble. Besides most data plans have limits now, they shouldn't care how those gigabytes are used.

namklak said:
I'm still using 2.2.2 stock. When I connect via WiFi, a banner pops up stating calling on WiFi counts against your normal minutes. In other words, your call plan minutes apply with either their towers or WiFi. Makes some sense, as you have to use their Call Manager/Session Manager to route the call...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In more recent stock ROMs the message has changed to read, "may use minutes with certain plans." As I said, at least as recently as January, free Wi-Fi Calling was a no-charge add-on to the plan -- just call up customer service and ask to have it turned on. (I hadn't bothered before then because I never came close to using up all my minutes, but in January I added my son to my family plan when he switched over from AT&T, and at that point it became important. )

How does T-Mobile define tethering?

I've seen some discussion suggesting that they simply check for a browser desktop user-agent. Some have suggested that, due to this, tethering with an android tablet doesn't count as tethering. Others have said this untrue or only partially true.
Has anyone tested with different user agents to see what is counted as tethering and what is counted as mobile data?
Even if this is true, what about email and other non-http data use? How does T-Mobile determine whether it is normal data or tethering data?

I called T-Mobile and asked this exact question. A female tried to elicit a witty response of their network being notified when the app is used, and it counts data used from thereon out as tethering. So I then asked how it detects whether or not the data usage comes from the phone or tethered device when the hotspot is on... she basically said it just does.
That was a load of crap. I used my Nexus 10 on my Nexus 4's hotspot for three months. I had unlimited 4G data and 2.5GB of hotspot data. I don't know if any of this accrued as hotspot data, but they never cut off my service or redirected me to purchase more - so I would say it only picked it up as an Android device, or the phone itself, and did not count the data.
Even using a laptop, it only was able to detect web browsing as hotspot data usage. I could still play games online and such even after hitting the limit.

Somewhere around 4.1.2 Google added flags to tethered traffic on stock android per carrier request that allows the carriers to see tethered traffic and then do what they want with the flagged traffic, upcharge for tethering, block it, etc. Or of course do nothing. These are often removed in the roms as the part of the feature you see as "added tethering".

agent
I have unlimited Tmo. sometimes going to 40-50GB per month. I use my laptop at various location with the phone tethering. I use Chrome UA Spoofer (user agent), and change it on my laptop when i want to use it thru the phone. it has some limitations, bu tit is on case by case(i.e. site by site case). It works

I should also note that, according to T-Mobile, if you are on the unlimited plan you will never be cut off or see the upsell page if you go over. If you go over the 2.5G of hotspot data, you will be throttled to 2G speed for the remainder of the month.

tmobiles plans all include tethering/hotspot. all besides the completely unlimited high speed data include unlimited tethering. the unlimited high speed data plan include 2.5gb tethering with an option to purchase 2 more gb at $15.

They've definitely changed something in the past month or two. I was able to tether to my ipod w/o any issues. I hit my 500mb limit today. I figured, no big deal, will just fire up my vpn (L2TP) from the ipod. Done deal, right? Nope. They can still detect it somehow.
I will have to check it out on my pc. I have a hunch they can somehow tell that tethering is enabled on the phone.