[Eollie]

Yea, that part concerns me also. I'm used to free tethering w/the OV and would like to continue to use the Quick Settings tethering option w/the EVO also without an additional $15/month fee.

I would say if you dont tether all the time and use it only when necessary they wont say anything. But once you start doing it all the time and using lots of bandwidth they will make you pay for tethering.

[LeslieAnn]

Comments in red.

They always could track tethered users.
They just never even offered it as an option before. Sprint users use tether paid or not.

LeslieAnn,
Are you sure "4G is NOT throttled"

Did you read the info on this up coming phone right on the Virgin Mobile website? It says it will be capped at 2.5mb......

Just passing what I have been seeing.

The ad looks like it could go both ways (it's not entirely clear in terms of lawyer speak). The 4g hotspot looks totally unlimited (actually it has 10gigs). According to someone in the know though, it's all unlimited for 4g.

Some evidence that backs this up was Clearwire was sued over selling "unlimited" plans with a limit. Wimax is Clearwire. Besides that, I don't know if Sprint really can throttle it even if they want, it may not even really support going down to the throttled speed.

As far as I know, Sprint has never throttled 4g before and investing in throttling just to throttle 1 phone on Boost and 1 on VM for 3 years seems a poor investment. Even if we get more phones, I doubt there will never be enough users on it to justify the costs and effort to throttle it.

As we start to tie up wimax, Sprint users will be getting off it.
If we clog it, why do they care, it won't effect Sprint users. Before we ever reach saturation, they will be moving us off it. Regardless, Virgin states you "may" be throttled when you exceed allotments. If there is no drag on the network, there is no point in throttling.

We will find out one way or another though.

[LeslieAnn]

I was browsing the gallery when I noticed something strange. If you look at the 7th picture from The Verge's Hands-On. You'll notice what looks like a USB port on the bottom right corner. But there's also one on the left side of this phone. So... what gives?

HDMI port.

[dwappo]

They always could track tethered users.
They just never even offered it as an option before. Sprint users use tether paid or not.

No, I know that , i was just asking if you think that they'll actually start getting all "uptight" about it is all.

[LeslieAnn]

They haven't towards Sprint users.

Honestly, I think carriers would have a hard time in court if they fought over it.
The fee is just to unlock a phone feature, the easy way, and in this case, it doesn't just unlock the feature it gives you more data as well. So are you paying $15 for more data, or to unlock a feature, or both?

Unlocking it yourself isn't raising their costs one bit, you already pay for the data, which is why I think they would have a hard time if it ever went to court. Data is data.

If they really wanted to stop it, they could have and would have years ago. Why get uptight over $15 now when they could have just forced you onto Sprint and make 3 times as much earlier.

[Eollie]

I think in the TOS or even the EULA there is a clause that says you agree not to tether the phone to use the data. I think all the post paid carrier have this in place and I know its in straight talks TOS.

Again if you tether like mad and use 2gigs of data in two days they will get suspicious of you.

[LeslieAnn]

I haven't heard of anyone on VM being told to stop, and on Sprint they only say something when you use loads of data.

Obviously they would rather you pay for it, but at least on VM you get something for paying.

[curtis1973]

I haven't heard of anyone on VM being told to stop, and on Sprint they only say something when you use loads of data.

Obviously they would rather you pay for it, but at least on VM you get something for paying.

the only place online that is staffed by virgin mobile/sprint that says anything negative about tethering use when you mention it is virgin mobile usa on facebook. their reps on there discourage tethering and delete posts related to using tethering and/or tethering apps like pdanet. but they do not out right say you can't or aren't supposed to.

[Kahroo]

I haven't gotten any notification, or email saying I have to stop tethering.

But yeah if they charge you for the service how would you get around that and use it for free? I mean $35+ the extra $15=$50 each month...and yeah that is a little bit much

[LeslieAnn]

But yeah if they charge you for the service how would you get around that and use it for free?

Same way we always have...
Root.


As of last night they were still working on how to root or downgrade the firmware.

[Kahroo]

Same way we always have...
Root.


As of last night they were still working on how to root or downgrade the firmware.

They as in the people in that article? And I figured Rooting would do that but who is to say that I just download a wifi tethering app and use that. Won't they know and tell me I have to pay the $15 more, or since they are prepaid they can't really force me to pay more then I do, like they do on contract phones?

[dwappo]

They as in the people in that article? And I figured Rooting would do that but who is to say that I just download a wifi tethering app and use that. Won't they know and tell me I have to pay the $15 more, or since they are prepaid they can't really force me to pay more then I do, like they do on contract phones?

This is actually a pretty good point.

Sent from my LG-VM670 using Tapatalk

[Eollie]

They as in the people in that article? And I figured Rooting would do that but who is to say that I just download a wifi tethering app and use that. Won't they know and tell me I have to pay the $15 more, or since they are prepaid they can't really force me to pay more then I do, like they do on contract phones?

They can however turn off your service and that is what ATT was threatening to do if you didnt agree to pay the upcharge. If you are caught using a unauthorized tether app/function you are breaking the TOS. It has to be in writing for them to enforce it. ATT caused all kinds of ruckus when they pulled that stunt.

[_Severability_]

Yea, that part concerns me also. I'm used to free tethering w/the OV and would like to continue to use the Quick Settings tethering option w/the EVO also without an additional $15/month fee.

It's theft if you don't pay for it on the VM network now (Look for policy changes after the roll out) and I would suspect offenders would be punished with a stiff fine (But just termination of service is more likely) in the future if caught and you refuse to pay the charges which would be much more expensive than if you just pay for it up front imo.. (remember Napster & Limeware)??

It was all good till the clock ran out on the free ride with those 2 and some were made blistering examples of.. You lived large and got away with it.. Don't push your luck right now.. I would only use a hacked wifi hot spot for my VM phone in the future if I was in a emergency but that's just me.. I will buy it if think I need it.. Do as you will my friends but I advise against using with out paying from now on as they know where you are lol... GL

[koopakid08]

It's theft if you don't pay for it on the VM network now (Look for policy changes after the roll out) and I would suspect offenders would be punished with a stiff fine (But just termination of service is more likely) in the future if caught and you refuse to pay the charges which would be much more expensive than if you just pay for it up front imo.. (remember Napster & Limeware)??

It was all good till the clock ran out on the free ride with those 2 and some were made blistering examples of.. You lived large and got away with it.. Don't push your luck right now.. I would only use a hacked wifi hot spot for my VM phone in the future if I was in a emergency but that's just me.. I will buy it if think I need it.. Do as you will my friends but I advise against using with out paying from now on as they know where you are lol... GL

At most they will just send you a letter/email/text. There will not be any fines. Tethering is completely different than copyright infringement so bringing up Napster and Limewire is pointless and even more so now that the RIAA has stopped going after downloaders because of the bad press. Now they just use the government to take down any site they want, even if it's not legally allowed (MegaUpload).

Sent from space

[LeslieAnn]

They as in the people in that article? And I figured Rooting would do that but who is to say that I just download a wifi tethering app and use that. Won't they know and tell me I have to pay the $15 more, or since they are prepaid they can't really force me to pay more then I do, like they do on contract phones?

Devs on XDA are working on it.

They could warn you, but considering they haven't complained to those doing it before it was even offered, and almost never harass Sprint users, I wouldn't expect things to change now.

It's theft if you don't pay for it on the VM network now (Look for policy changes after the roll out) and I would suspect offenders would be punished with a stiff fine (But just termination of service is more likely) in the future if caught and you refuse to pay the charges which would be much more expensive than if you just pay for it up front imo.. (remember Napster & Limeware)??

Again they don't bug Sprint users doing it, and if it was theft before, it's theft now.

However, I'm not sure you could call it theft.
You have to deprive someone of something... Considering you paid for the data, you haven't actually deprived them of anything except the ability to bill you for something you already are getting for free.

[LeslieAnn]

Okay, here is the deal with unlimited 4g disparity, now granted, this too is rumor, but could explain it.

The word is that Sprint made calls yesterday telling various media outlets that the flyer for the Evo V has a misprint, as does the 4g page on Virgins site. Sprint is telling these outlets that 4g IS unrestricted.

So let's hope this is true, it would be nice.

[Kahroo]

Yes that would be VERY nice. But may I ask you this how do you know this?

[_Severability_]

Devs on XDA are working on it.

They could warn you, but considering they haven't complained to those doing it before it was even offered, and almost never harass Sprint users, I wouldn't expect things to change now.



Again they don't bug Sprint users doing it, and if it was theft before, it's theft now.

However, I'm not sure you could call it theft.
You have to deprive someone of something... Considering you paid for the data, you haven't actually deprived them of anything except the ability to bill you for something you already are getting for free.

I hear ya and thus the napster comparison... It was good then it wasn't good : ) So long as they don't care it's fine.. It's a gut instinct nothing more on my part I just know greed really well lol.. Hope your right!!

[_Severability_]

Devs on XDA are working on it.

They could warn you, but considering they haven't complained to those doing it before it was even offered, and almost never harass Sprint users, I wouldn't expect things to change now.



Again they don't bug Sprint users doing it, and if it was theft before, it's theft now.

However, I'm not sure you could call it theft.
You have to deprive someone of something... Considering you paid for the data, you haven't actually deprived them of anything except the ability to bill you for something you already are getting for free.

Yep that's pretty much it till the lawyers get started.. That was then this is now and the old 3G I wont argue with you this is the wimax I'm talkin of.. And yes it is a Apple and Oranges comparison with napster and VM but the senario is the point!! With wimax it will be theft as others will be paying for it and you will be stealing bandwidth and more and more will be doing rooting for service as the economy gets worse (god I hope I'm wrong on the economy!!) If they feel it you will too like a caught tick on your head!!

Look it's not life and death and if your young and fearless go for it.. Hell big fines build character lol.. I'm not ranting I just feel these things as a past business owner and common sense.. If I wanted to stop unauthorized use now would be when I would pull the trigger on that if I were Sprint.. I'm not so don't worry lol..
I like a free ride too and I hope you are right.. If I was sprint I would let you guys have it for free, pay ya and put u in my R&D dept.. Peace
Found this

[SuppliedRelic]

Let's try and stay on topic guys

Sent from my LG Optimus V running OM_Mandylion-IHO using Tapatalk 2

[Eollie]

Let's try and stay on topic guys

Sent from my LG Optimus V running OM_Mandylion-IHO using Tapatalk 2

Sure thing Deputy.

[_Severability_]

Let's try and stay on topic guys

Sent from my LG Optimus V running OM_Mandylion-IHO using Tapatalk 2

Considering the rooting info and other stuff in this forum I thought I was so my apologies if I was off topic.. A bandwidth theft thread on VM is a good idea and probably exists but I won't pursue it.. Should be passionate if nothing else until the the trolls and fanboys show up then I'm out..

[_Severability_]

I'm just not seeing these astounding numbers I'm hearing in here on the wimax 4G.. (gonna focus on it after this post) looks like 3.5 gigs total with wifi.. Then you get throttled to 265kb.. Hope I'm wrong on that.. Hope your right but for my Evo or Design 4G I would do it lol..

Found this yr old news

[LeslieAnn]

I'm just not seeing these astounding numbers I'm hearing in here on the wimax 4G.. looks like 3.5 gigs total with wifi.. Then you get throttled to 265kb.. Hope I'm wrong on that.. But for my Evo or Design I would do it lol..

Virgins promo page says 2.5gigs, unless you get the tethering, which gives you an extra 1gig.

However, according to some websites contacted by Sprint, it's a misprint.
You have completely unlimited 2g and 4g, but after 2.5gigs (or 3.5 with tethering), your 3g will be throttled like it is now. 2g and 4g will however, remain at full speed.

Sprint has an unlimited contract with Clearwire who provides the Wimax. The bummer is that Wimax isn't everywhere, and isn't going to be updated as Clearwire is also going LTE, and unless a new contract is signed, will go dark in 2015. It will either be extended, or we will be on LTE by then. Most likely LTE in early to mid 2014 I would guess since there is no reason to keep paying Clearwire when Sprint will have it's own LTE running by the time it goes dark.