Database Info

Why not 3g Tmobile download, at least?

I have an x7510 and have used it successfully with a Telcel (Mexico) 3g sim card down there, though since Mexico isn't in the Connections country presets, I had to use web-provided parameters. I suspected that I wasn't on quite the same network as when I put the Telcel sim into the purchased ZTE626 usb 3g aircard and everything was automatic, and a dealer tech guy there agreed, but who knows. (By the way, if you're vacationing in Mexico and want economical 3g, look up the Internet Amigo plan on the Telcel web site. It's 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days blocks of time, not annual subscription. Perfect for tourists. The Customer Service places typically have the old brochures lying around, so print the current pricing off the web before you go. They do all this for USB or Express cards, and for smartphones of all types.)
SO, here I am in the USA again, and for kicks, I took the X7510 into my Tmo dealer and they reassigned me a newer sim (the difference? she said it was 3g capable) and we put it in the X7510 and tried it. I couldn't believe they were willing to try it. And of course, using the Connections automatic setting, I got Edge. However, I couldn't help wondering about some things:
1. Why can't I get downloading on 2100 3g, just downloading? Is it because the upload handshaking etc can't switch to Edge?
2. Is it true that if I had a Tmo 3g phone, such as the 3g Dash, this 'no difference but it's newer and has 3g on it' (which they let me keep, I should add) my data plan (el cheapo grandfathered 20$ for unlimited incl hotspots) would now do Tmo 3g? I actually asked her about this and she indicated the 3g aspect of this or that data plan is not more costly.
3. When looking at the automatically configured Tmo Connections settings, the setting for type of connection had very little available, just CellularGPRS&3G. When I'd been working with the Telcel sim, all sorts of combinations of frequencies popped up. The preset still says wap.voicestream.com. Is there another group of Manual settings I could use to get my half 3g on the X7510?
4. Perhaps the most interesting, since the X7510 has USB host capability, is there a way to use my 4in1 cable, a Tmo USB aircard and my new Tmo 3g sim to make the X7510 recognize and use the USB card? I do like the X7510 for its huge screen...
Thanks to anyone who will help, or who finds the Telcel info useful.

[Q] Best device T-mobile Unlimited Tether Only

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] I Have No Phone, No Internet - What should I do?

I just moved into a new place and my phone died. It was a talk/text plan on verizon - contract expired - I paid around 23/m.
My budget it super limited right now.
I'm considering buying a used smart phone for around 100-150 to tether my desktop/tablet...I could end up paying like 45-50 for voice/text and internet...right?
The other option would be to get a smart phone on contract for like less money or free but then there's the whole contract thing.
The other other option would be to get another talk/text plan on a simple phone and try to find an ISP that serves at $30/m...hard to find...
My location in Downtown Seattle.
What would you do?
What are speeds like for 3G/4G/tethered devices?
I like to game but it's not a necessity. I could wait until I have enough cashflow to get a dedicated cable connection. Unfortunately, Comcast wants 46/month - that's kind of steep!

i would recommend researching here is an idea of what to look go here http://smartphones.findthebest.com/d/e/Mobile-Hotspot-Tethering and also i think you will need to do a bluetooth tethere
hope this helps

NoOdLePoOdLe
ThunderFucdk said:
i would recommend researching here is an idea of what to look go here http://smartphones.findthebest.com/d/e/Mobile-Hotspot-Tethering and also i think you will need to do a bluetooth tethere
hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is helpful, thanks.
Question; why do I need bluetooth tether? The idea is to broadcast a wifi signal from the phone that my desktop can receive...or is that not a thing that is possible?
Any comments on the differences between GSM data speeds and "4G" data speeds?
I was looking at the unlimited data plans from StraightTalk for $45/m but it's only available through GSM; Would that limit my speed potential as compared to a "4G" based service?

well here is what i belive the difference's are GSM and CDMA are just different types of cell phone technology used.
Differences:
GSM is used by att and tmobile and what you are thinking of getting straight talk and that means that they use a SIM cars, which is that little chip that gets inserted behind the battery. GSM also is used worldwide so it lets you use the line (Roaming) anywhere you go in the world.
CDMA: does not use a SIM card (chip). this is most widely used by verizon and is not compatible in other countries. But now they have phone like the iphone 4s at verizon that uses both GSM and CDMA so people can use it here and also outside of the country.
as a consumer that is the difference you need to know.
3g and 4g: is simply the name given to the network that a cellphone company has that determines the speed. for example, 4g is just simply faster than 3g because it has a bigger capacity, which makes it faster. The g stands for generation so 3g is third generation and 4g is fourth generation as technology advances and network capacities increase they will advance in the future to the 5fifth generation and so forth.
Wi-Fi
Connecting to your Personal Hotspot via Wi-Fi is the default option provided by Apple, since you have to specifically accept if you also want to enable the Bluetooth connection. A Wi-Fi connection provides:
Pros
High throughput: Throughput via Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot can be of around 30 Mbps between two devices and even more.
Faster: Connecting via Wi-Fi tends to be quite faster than connecting via Bluetooth.
Cons
Might need you to reconnect every time: Wi-Fi tends to be unstable and to turn itself off every time you put your iPhone to sleep. This means that you have to take out your iPhone and re-enable the Personal Hotspot if you want to connect.
Time limit: Perhaps the biggest drawback of using a Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot with your iPhone is that in order to minimize power consumption, your iPhone only gives you a short while (90 seconds reportedly) to connect a device to it after you enable Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot. If you take longer than that, you are forced to enable the option again.
More power consumption: The Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot consumes more power than its Bluetooth counterpart, which is also part of the reason it only gives you a short while to connect a device.
A bit more complex: The iPhone’s Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot requires you to enter a password and to configure your own security options.
Bluetooth
Contrary to the Wi-Fi connection, using your Personal Hotspot via Bluetooth offers some key advantages and one huge drawback:
Pros
No time limit: Once you enable Bluetooth Personal Hotspot, there is no time limit for you to connect your device to your iPhone.
Automatic pairing: Bluetooth remains dormant and ready to connect to your devices the moment you wake them up. Additionally, Bluetooth is more power-efficient than Wi-Fi.
Security handled automatically: The security level of a Bluetooth Personal Hotspot is equivalent to Wi-Fi’s WPA2, and it is all handled transparently from the moment you connect to it.
Cons
Very limited throughput: Without a doubt the biggest drawback of using a Bluetooth Personal Hotspot is its limited throughput, which can be of just 3 Mbps at the most, making it 10 times less than what your Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot can i personly would try all 3 because there is a usb option as well find what is best suited for your service your location ect. then you will have your perfect transfer also i think tmobile would be your best option for were your living ok lets see my lady works for sprint and i tried out there mobile hotspot when 4g first came out and i was able to run black ops on my ps3 and play online but it was pretty laggy but not to bad so basically what i am saying is i think it was just regular 2g or 3g back then and it was able to run my monster ps3 so straight talk gsn are cdma should be fine hope this was helpful

Okay, cool - so I can use GSM and 4G if I have a 4G phone and it's with a carrier that supports 4G in that region...
I assume that most carriers would cover Downtown Seattle (and most other metropolis') with 4G...
I just realized that StraightTalk doesn't allow tethering in their $45/M unlimited plan...I suppose I could always cheat and just try to keep my usage below the radar...what other carrier options are there? - one's that might allow tethering as part of package? Ideally under the $50/M price range.

prepaid is good for minimal data use net10 has a data cap of 1.5 gigs and straight talk claims unlimited but if you go over 2 gigs they shut off ur data...... the best unlimited is sprint by far because there is no data cap
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

Are there any phones that will tether on AT&T without the plan

I used to have an older phone (3G and slow as ever) where the tethering used to work with AT&T when enabled. USB tethering and WiFi. Eventually I picked up the Nokia 920 and of course no longer have that ability as trying to enable tethering leads to a nag screen that acknowledges that the feature is being held ransom by AT&T unless I pay them even more money. I already pay way more than I pay for my cable connection...and the cable connection is 20x faster than AT&T crap network. I just need it for simple mail checks while on the road. I am not paying for that. So I was wondering if anyone has had luck with any 4G capable phones? (I am assuming Android would have the best luck).

2 Questions about switch to MetroPCS

I did a search and couldn't find a good spot to ask about plans so hopefully this fits here.
Recently upgraded from N4 to N5, since I now have have access to LTE (and T-Mobile has recently rolled out Band 2 coverage just about state wide in my state) it has opened up my service provider options. Currently on ST (AT&T) $45 a month, was hoping to be able to switch to something else and gain LTE speed (I have an early sim card and no LTE speed) and maybe save $5 or so a month.
Came across an ad for MetroPCS (MVNO for T-Mobile) offering a free LTE phone with porting of a non T-Mobile # (since I'm on AT&T right now I should be eligible). Figured I could pick up a free phone, drop the sim card into my N5 and keep the phone has a spare/give it to my son/sell it.
I have 2 questions:
1. If I were to give it to my son, would I have to use MetroPCS for service or could I use it on T-Mobile or any of its MVNOs (eyeing the $30 text/data plan). From what I have read I think it would be stuck on MetroPCS unless I unlock it, which is apparently a little difficult for their GSM devices.
2. Not sure if anyone would know the answer for sure, but the large majority of my data is used streaming music on pandora to my car radio (Android headunit running pandora app that connects to my phone via wireless tether). The appeal of MetroPCS vs. other MVNOs was even tho I lose 2GB of data (3 vs. 5) I save $5 a month and if my pandora steaming doesn't count then my monthly usage goes from about 4.5GB down to 2GB. I assume that MetroPCS just looks at the servers on the web the data is coming from and then flags anything from Pandora has not to be against my quota, it doesn't care if my phone then shares that data via wifi to another Android device.
Anyway thanks for any answers or feedback.

Well I have working tether now, I'll report back about the answer to 2. And I will steal a t-mo sim from another phone and check 1. but I believe the answer is it will only work with metropcs sims and not any t-mobile mvno.

OK to answer #2 it appears that A. MetroPCS is lying just streaming pandora on my phone seems to eat up data (or something is eating it up at an alarming rate with my phone idle and just playing pandora) and it most certainly is counted towards my data cap when its on a tethered device, in fact their whole data usage seems to be a big scam. According to the MyMetro app I have used 800mb in 3 days, this is with playing about 2 hours of pandora (which shouldn't count) 3 short trips of navigation, about 20 emails (none with attachments, just short text only emails) and about 10 minutes of web browsing. On ST that wouldn't have been more than a few hundred MB.
And lastly their coverage map isn't even remotely close, 3 separate times I have been outdoors on a main road in an area that is solid dark purple even at the most zoomed in level and I can travel a good mile in every direction before I get any kind of signal, let alone a 4G LTE signal.
/Rant