Incredible 3G tethering hotspot pricing mystery

[Frank Babz]

I am a long-time Verizon 29.95 unlimited 3G subscriber (this may be relevant?)

Just goto Froyo update yesterday for my Incredible. Without a hitch I set up a 3G hotspot, and my laptop found it and connected just fine.

Where I am lost is that Verizon did not ask me to sign or agree to any new contract, and I appear to be tethered without additional charge.

I checked my Verizon account, and there are (not yet) any new charges. Is there a "grandfathering" going on here? Or, is tethering free?

 

[Qazme]

Just call them, I would before you get a bill for it. Don't say you are already using it, just let them know you got the 2.2 update on your phone and you need some information about the 3G mobile hotspot. Ask pricing etc. Then you will know. They can monitor how much data is going through that and what it is.....don't just suppose find out.

I would like to see it free however.

 

[ShannonDavis]

3G hotspot is not free. When I attempted to connect to my phone's network, my laptop and my son's iPod Touch saw the network but when connected, displayed the pricing plan for 3G hotspot.

If what you are saying is true (sshhhhh...) you haven't agreed to the pricing plan yet. Something is up, but Verizon likely doesn't realize your hotspot is active.

 

[azari]

Probably: Wifi connection - yes; Internet - no

I think what's happening here is that you can indeed fire up the hotspot on the phone, and have devices (laptops, iPods, etc) get an IP via DHCP from the phone - i.e. they are connecting to the wireless network the phone created. If you're trying to 'surf the Web,' you'll be taken to a landing page though that shows the available plans for you to sign up - unless you do "which cannot be named"

3G hotspot is not free. When I attempted to connect to my phone's network, my laptop and my son's iPod Touch saw the network but when connected, displayed the pricing plan for 3G hotspot.

If what you are saying is true (sshhhhh...) you haven't agreed to the pricing plan yet. Something is up, but Verizon likely doesn't realize your hotspot is active.

 

[Qazme]

I think what's happening here is that you can indeed fire up the hotspot on the phone, and have devices (laptops, iPods, etc) get an IP via DHCP from the phone - i.e. they are connecting to the wireless network the phone created. If you're trying to 'surf the Web,' you'll be taken to a landing page though that shows the available plans for you to sign up - unless you do "which cannot be named"

That's right! Unless as stated you are doing the unnamed dun......yeah.

 

[Frank Babz]

If I am doing the unamed "which cannot be named" it is something I am pretty sure I'm not doing only because.... even tho I have no idea what that is.... I am 100% legit in all I have done, and am doing. I am only tethering for the fun of it, and don't expect I would use tethering unless I go on a vacation.

At the moment I'm curious, and if it costs money, I won't be buying it.

I went to 2 Verizon stores today for answers, and that was an amazing total waste of my time. Rather than find an answer (I think they should both have wanted to know), at both stores they said "Call Verizon."

 

[indianajonze]

if they dont tell you they will charge you for it then they cannot charge you. i'd use it reckessly. if it shows up in your bill fight it

 

[Frank Babz]

Mystery solved....

My laptop apparently used an alternate hotspot to get to the internet.

I closed down all but the 3G hotspot, and ended up at the Verizon web page asking me to subscribe. I have no interest in paying for this.

Thanks for your advice.....

 

[ic3pO]

I have tried and tried to find that "which cannot be named" DUN. Can anyone enlighten me? PMs welcome!

 

[azari]

Check this thread out...

XDA Developers Linky

 

[ic3pO]

Doh! Got it... Right there in front of me! Thanks azari.