GN on Verizon - free hotspot/tethering?

**treylaramore** · 10-19-2011, 10:40 AM

With the Galaxy Nexus being Vanilla ICS and we pretty well assume it will be on Verizon LTE in the US - is there the chance of getting by with Hotspot or Tethering for free since it is built directly into the OS?

As a current Thunderbolt user I was none too happy when the update to fix constant reboots also added the Verizon program to charge for wifi hotspot.

Thoughts?

**robrecht** · 10-19-2011, 10:44 AM

No chance.

Thanks, Robrecht

**BigDFSU** · 10-19-2011, 10:47 AM

Verizon wants your money too badly to budge on this issue.

**treylaramore** · 10-19-2011, 10:49 AM

But How can they do this and still have it be vanilla with updates directly from Google? I don't yet see how it is possible on a Nexus Device - unless they go the standard preloaded bloatware route - which would make me seriously reconsider this device

**thirsy1258** · 10-19-2011, 10:56 AM

it should be an easy root and free teether

sent from my thunderbolt

**NeoLogic** · 10-19-2011, 11:06 AM

Can't vzw track useage if you're getting it illegally?

Sent from my DROID using Tapatalk

**terrain** · 10-19-2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by thirsty1258

it should be an easy root and free teether

sent from my thunderbolt

Sure - but this is not a zero hour solution.

**SpaceHippie** · 10-19-2011, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by treylaramore

But How can they do this and still have it be vanilla with updates directly from Google? I don't yet see how it is possible on a Nexus Device - unless they go the standard preloaded bloatware route - which would make me seriously reconsider this device

Same way they do it with the iPhone. There will be a native mobile hotspot setting in the menu to turn it on and off, and you will be charged. Simple.

**mrjackson#CB** · 10-19-2011, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by TitansJonne

Same way they do it with the iPhone. There will be a native mobile hotspot setting in the menu to turn it on and off, and you will be charged. Simple.

You wont be charged just by turning it on, when used you will get the VZW tether/hotspot page so you can sign up for it. Just like you do when tethering any phone that doesn't have a tethering plan enabled.

**soccerfon711** · 10-19-2011, 03:19 PM

I guess this does worry me a little. Will this be a true nexus if Verizon still has a say in which functions work? I don't think T-mobile or Sprint have blocked tethering in the past on their nexuses.

**greydarrah** · 10-19-2011, 03:48 PM

It's stuff like this that makes me think we're not going to see a true "vanilla" nexus phone on verizon.

**wstevens** · 10-19-2011, 03:55 PM

I have a Nexus S 4G on Sprint. The hotspot feature did work out of the box with 2.3.4, but was later disabled by the 2.3.5 update. Google's Nexus S site did note that the hotspot feature may be subject to additional fees by the carrier. It's still a pure Google experience, the carrier just wants to be able to charge for the hotspot as they do on their other devices.

**CynicX** · 10-19-2011, 04:20 PM

I have a Xoom which is a GED with pure honeycomb. I've used the built in mobile hotspot about a dozen times and it hasn't effected my bill. To be honest I thought it was a free feature, it wasn't until I joined this forum when I started questioning the idea of it being free.

Anyway, works for me and I haven't been charged for its usage. I don't have an unlimited data plan though so I don't see why they would even want to stop me from using it.

**Blitzdroid** · 10-19-2011, 04:33 PM

Iphone 4s runs pure iOS experience. Does that make it free tethering?

**CynicX** · 10-19-2011, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Blitzdroid

Iphone 4s runs pure iOS experience. Does that make it free tethering?

Is there a setting in the menu that says 'tethering' 'mobile hotspot' in iOS like the is in pure Android?

**Laughing Man** · 10-19-2011, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by CynicX

Is there a setting in the menu that says 'tethering' 'mobile hotspot' in iOS like the is in pure Android?

Yup. However they can easily figure out if your using it. It sends a flag.

**MrSmith317** · 10-19-2011, 05:58 PM

I'm tethered on Verizon using my DX and it hasn't effected me.. I tethered using my OG Droid and I can't see Big Red stopping us from tethering using the Galaxy Nexus. They're going to stop the people not willing to go the extra mile, but beyond that I doubt we'll be down for long.

**Andrew Ruffolo** · 10-20-2011, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by MrSmith317

I'm tethered on Verizon using my DX and it hasn't effected me.. I tethered using my OG Droid and I can't see Big Red stopping us from tethering using the Galaxy Nexus. They're going to stop the people not willing to go the extra mile, but beyond that I doubt we'll be down for long.

The latest Gingerbread updates for Verizon devices inserted something that flags verizon if you try to tether. You will be brought to a verizon page to sign up. This doesn't affect me on my thunderbolt with CM7 because it wasn't built from the official gingerbread release and therefore, doesn't have the inserted marker from verizon. I believe we will eventually be able to figure "free" tether on verizon with the galaxy nexus, however, it won't be a day 1 fix. Team Bamf hasn't removed it from their roms either. I love AOSP too much and will get this device even if I give up my tethering as I only use it in case of emergency. I could always call verizon and activate it and get it pro-rated if I need it before this gets figured out.