Broadband Connect Not Supported By Verizon

[extremegadgetguy]

According to specs, it does support it.

In the pre-launch PDF, it clearly states that broadband connect is supported. I was also given the option to purchase the service for $25 per month when pre-ordering Incredible. I opted to not select it as the price is ridiculous.

I will be searching for a hack. Get my Incredible tomorrow, so we will see.

 

[chris.then]

Guess this all goes with a pre release device, sorry for the lack of patience (and use of all caps). Seeing that incredible is listed on supported devices for VZAccess is the best proof it'll work that i've seen yet. I ordered the phone and I'll find out tomorrow how things workout. I'll post the result.

Funny thing is the last rep I talked to on the phone and a rep that responded to this question via e-mail both encouraged me to use PDAnet. I bluntly asked her if it was stealing service and a violation of the terms of use and she said it's fine and is covered by the standard $29.99 phone data plan.

Only rational I could gather from her rambling is that android is an open platform and that the clause in the contract prohibiting tethering only applies to closed platform devices.. Not sure how this makes sense or if she knows what she is talking about but I want to believe her & I've read other posts of reps recommending PDAnet. I use the 5gigs/month regularly so I'm not sure if I should take the chance.

I have an e-mail in to customer service asking if using PDAnet would be a violation of the terms. If I get a clear response in writing maybe I'll go straight for PDAnet instead of vzaccess & save some money.

 

[lawdawg#AC]

While i really hope PDAnet continues to be a viable solution for tethering without having to pay the ridiculous extra charge for Mobile Broadband on Verizon, if it gets mainstream I can't imagine Verizon not doing something about it. Maybe they just realize that the people using PDAnet, for the most part, would not jump to MBA if PDAnet was blocked given the high price of the latter. I'm guessing that they just aren't that concerned that mainstream users will use PDAnet, especially when MBA is an easy-to-find included option right on the Droid Incredible.

However, I think they overestimate people's willingness to pay so much for 3G tethering. If I were Verizon, I would drop the rate on MBA to $15 unlimited, maybe $10 for 250MB. Until they go 4G, they're grossly overvaluing 3G tethering. It's great for surfing, checking e-mail, but do they honestly think people are going to constantly stream video, etc. over a 3G connection? If MBA works more cleanly, simply than PDAnet, I would consider paying $15/month when I needed it. But not $30 when PDAnet is a one-time fee product that apparently works pretty well.

 

[jokerls240]

Being a "just-released" device, I think VZW needs time to update their systems. This is coming from someone that uses their business web portal to order/manage phones every day. I never know when I'll be able to add a feature or plan to a phone each day because of the numerous bugs in VZW's system.

Just yesterday, I was activating 2 new VZW BB's. The first one activated fine, but the second kept failing. When I tried to look up the number in the portal, it couldn't be found. I called Verizon, punched the assigned phone number in, and was prompted by the automated system as if I wasn't a Verizon customer. When I finally got a rep on the line, it took about 10 minutes before they asked for the account number, then transferred me to business support. Another 20 minutes later, I had the phone activated.

To make my point short, just give them time to add the Broadband Connect feature to their internal systems. Plus, I second the comment that most of the customer service reps don't know what's available. I started out in tech support for Dell, and most of the time Dell would change a policy and tell us about it a week or so after the fact.

EDIT: Sorry for stepping on any toes. I posted this from the first page and didn't see the other responses.

 

[chris.then]

Got the incredible. Haven't activated MBBconnect yet, currently using PDAnet and it's working fine.

Interesting thing verizon customer service e-mailed me back today apologizing for giving me wrong information, that is to use PDAnet, they told me to download VZAccess and gave me the price breakdown. They remain silent on the use of PDAnet.

My entrance into android has been very smooth so far (first hour) & it looks like my days in the crackberry nation are officially over, Ahh what memories...

Very encouraging to know the Android community is so helpful - huge thanks!

 

[jperiod]

Response from Sales Rep about tethering

I was in Best Buy yesterday and a sales rep demonstrated the incredible to me. He took me through all of the screens , demoed downloading, videos, etc. I asked about tethering. He said, all you have to do is download pdanet and pay the one time 9.95 fee and you are all set. I asked if this was legal. He said oh yeah, since you are paying for the data plan this is legal as long as you don't exceed the 5GB.
I said okay, and left it at that. I still haven't purchased the incredible, as I want to checkout first hand the EVO, but it shows that there is confusion about tethering even among some of the people who sell this phone.

JW

 

[TBolt]

I was in Best Buy yesterday and a sales rep demonstrated the incredible to me. He took me through all of the screens , demoed downloading, videos, etc. I asked about tethering. He said, all you have to do is download pdanet and pay the one time 9.95 fee and you are all set. I asked if this was legal. He said oh yeah, since you are paying for the data plan this is legal as long as you don't exceed the 5GB.
I said okay, and left it at that. I still haven't purchased the incredible, as I want to checkout first hand the EVO, but it shows that there is confusion about tethering even among some of the people who sell this phone.

JW

Well, the guy can't really say that he pitched an illegal option. It sounds like he was trying to be especially helpful.

 

[slinky317]

When you plug in the phone and bring down the notification drawer, you should be able to change it from "Charge Only" to something like "Mobile Broadband" or similar. Does that not work?

 

[Injektilo]

It does work without having to activate anything through VZ, here's how to do it.

1. On the incredible dial ##778 then send
2. Click edit mode
3. enter 000000 as the password
4. under Security change the following
    a. HDR AN AUTH User Id (LONG): Take out the dun from <phone #>@dun.vzw3g.com 
                   IE: it should look like <phone #>@vzw3g.com
    b. PPP User ID: Take out the dun from (phone #)@dun.vzw3g.com
    c. S.IP DUN User name: Take out the dun from (phone #)@dun.vzw3g.com
5. hit menu and commit modifications
6. Now download VZ Access manager ([url=http://www.vzam.net]VZAccess Manager[/url])
7. Click the install (note: it says installing HTC driver) once the install process of 
    VZAM starts cancel it (you only need the HTC driver)
8. Plug your phone in and choose "Mobile Broadband connect"
9. Your pc should now install the HTC USB Modem
10. Go into Network Properties and click on New Connection Wizard
   a. Connect to the internet
   b. Set up my connection manually
   c. Connect using a dialup modem
   d. Give it an ISP name (ie: VZ tether)
   e. Phone # is #777
   f. username is: <your #>@vzw3g.com
   g. pass is vzw and confirm, next and finish.
11. You should now be able to dial up with your phone tethered via usb.

FYI: Yes this is violating VZ's terms of service. No it's not easy for them to catch you (the data is still going through your phone and using the same login and password the phone uses). If you abuse this VZ may **** you royally.

I use it primarily for really short connections to the internet when I absolutely need it, I would not recommend running utorrent or other file sharing when you are tethered.

 

[Mark_Venture]

The incredible now is supported by VZW...

VZAccess Manager can be downloaded at -> VZAccess Manager

and there is a link for the HTC Incredible listed under "PDA / Advanced Device"