Recorded Call w/ VZW, C block tethering

**skinja99** · 08-15-2012, 09:06 PM

I recorded a phone call with VZW Tech Support.

The C-Block settlement with VZW should have applied to all LTE devices/plans. Everyone online keeps saying that it only applies to tiered data plans. I think the confusion comes from the fact that VZW went to tiered data plans shortly after LTE phones hit the market. (correct me if I am wrong. All VZW LTE is C-Block) However, there are some folks that have LTE plans with unlimited data. My parents each have a Droid Charge and are still under contract with unlimited data.

It took a few mins, but I finally got VZW to admit they understood the question that I was asking. Basically that the settlement over the C-Block Spectrum should apply to all LTE devices; not just folks with tiered data. Two different VZW tech support folks admit that this is the case in the phone call.

So folks with unlimited LTE plans (mostly Thunderbolt and Charge customers) can download wifi tethering apps and use them as they please.

I also uploaded the call to youtube.

-Steve

**g1toevo678** · 08-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Interesting. So they are saying in the call that the monthly hotspot charge is for the use of their tethering software and providing support for the software, and not for the data usage?

Has anyone been charged or heard about someone being charged for tethering using a 3rd party tethering app on Verizon?

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**jean15paul** · 08-16-2012, 08:46 AM

The C-Block settlement said that Verizon couldn't prevent users from tethering, and from downloading 3rd party tethering apps, but nowhere in the settlement did it say that the tethering had to be free. The issue was that Verizon was blocking 3rd party tethering apps, which violates the settlement.

**moosc** · 08-16-2012, 09:14 AM

Yep u can DL tether apps all u want. But vzw can still charge u. And they do have ways tell your tethering.

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**skinja99** · 08-19-2012, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by moosc

Yep u can DL tether apps all u want. But vzw can still charge u. And they do have ways tell your tethering.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2

No, you missed the point. VZW cannot stop you (or charge you) from tethering on the C-Block (LTE) spectrum even if you have an unlimited device like the Droid Charge.

**skinja99** · 08-19-2012, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by jean15paul

The C-Block settlement said that Verizon couldn't prevent users from tethering, and from downloading 3rd party tethering apps, but nowhere in the settlement did it say that the tethering had to be free. The issue was that Verizon was blocking 3rd party tethering apps, which violates the settlement.

Not quite accurate. The original C-Block lease had language that said vzw could not block people from tethering.

**Kevin O'Quinn** · 08-20-2012, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by skinja99

Not quite accurate. The original C-Block lease had language that said vzw could not block people from tethering.

Can you link us to the lease or source for that information please? I'd be curious to read it myself.

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**jean15paul** · 08-20-2012, 10:00 AM

I haven't read the original docs, but my understanding is that the C-block auction had language to the effect of customers using this spectrum have to be allowed to use it in any way they choose and can't be restricted from using any services or apps. But that doesn't imply that access to those services or apps have to be free.

Ultimately we (and the lawyers) need to read the original contract to properly interpret it (which I admit, I haven't). If anyone has a link, I'd definitely be interested.