Verizon blocking PdaNet+...is this legal?

[BIGsinner]

So I updated my Razr Maxx to Jelly Bean the other day, and finally used my PdaNet+ since the new update. Now I get a message saying that my carrier is blocking the app during WiFi mode. I didn't think this was legal anymore since Verizon had to pay a $1.25 million dollar settlement to the FCC. I called Verizon wireless to unblock it, and they are saying that I'm illegally trying to tether my phone and they are within their rights to block it. At one point, the rep even accused me of jailbreaking my phone. (it isn't) I guess I could try the USB mode (though I have to find a micro-to-micro USB cord) or use the bluetooth, (for some reason, I'm having trouble pairing, the box for "Use for Internet access" refuses to remain checked, no matter how many times I click it) but WiFi mode seemed easiest and most convenient. If I'm in the right, what should I do? Who should I talk to?

 

[durango992007]

So you are trying to use pda net to wifi tether another device? Jelly bean blocked this from happening and it seems that USB tether or Bluetooth tether are the only options. There is a new app that claims to get around this so you can do a mobile hotspot, but i can't seem to remember the name. Either way i just rooted my phone and installed a different ROM and use that for my mobile hotspot

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Android Central Forums

 

[Zman1001]

Do you have an unlimited data plan? If yes, then they are allowed to block it.

If you are on a tier plan, then they are not allowed to block it, and there is no reason to use anything other than the wifi offered from Verizon, as there is no additional charge for it (NOTE: there is an additional charge for this if you are still on unlimited data, which is why you would be using pdanet or any other wifi broadcasting app).

So I updated my Razr Maxx to Jelly Bean the other day, and finally used my PdaNet+ since the new update. Now I get a message saying that my carrier is blocking the app during WiFi mode. I didn't think this was legal anymore since Verizon had to pay a $1.25 million dollar settlement to the FCC. I called Verizon wireless to unblock it, and they are saying that I'm illegally trying to tether my phone and they are within their rights to block it. At one point, the rep even accused me of jailbreaking my phone. (it isn't) I guess I could try the USB mode (though I have to find a micro-to-micro USB cord) or use the bluetooth, (for some reason, I'm having trouble pairing, the box for "Use for Internet access" refuses to remain checked, no matter how many times I click it) but WiFi mode seemed easiest and most convenient. If I'm in the right, what should I do? Who should I talk to?

 

[B. Diddy]

Above is correct, and is actually addressed in the OP's cited article:

"What if I have an old Verizon unlimited data plan? Can I download an app and avoid the $20 tethering fee too?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Verizon says that customers under the unlimited plan are required by the company's terms of service to pay an additional fee to tether their device."

 

[zkSharks]

B. Diddy and Zman1001 are correct. The upside, however, is that if you do have an unlimited plan and pay for the tethering feature, they aren't likely to bug you about how much you use it. I ran upwards of 150GB/month on a Galaxy Nexus with that setup for around six months without issue. I kept in touch with an engineer I know at Verizon; the account wasn't flagged even once in that period.

Since people always ask, the phone was serving as internet access for not only everything in my apartment but also for a downtown Seattle studio of web developers. It wasn't just a ridiculous amount of Netflix.

 

[edistopre]

Does anyone know the name of the app to which durango is referring?

. . . There is a new app that claims to get around this so you can do a mobile hotspot, but i can't seem to remember the name. . .

 

[lacubsfan]

Root the phone (Easy 10 minute process) and do the entitlement trick (another 10 minute process)

Problem Solved.

 

[SirGeorgeKillian]

I did the double your 4g thing that took my plan to 4gigs a month for the price of 2gigs. Would I be able to teather for no additional cost?

 

[MrHost]

Correct, tether is available for you. At no additional cost. Limit is the 4 gig total though.

Sent from my Xoom using Android Central Forums

 

[MrHost]

Root and then get WiFi tether from play store...no database edits needed

Sent from my Xoom using Android Central Forums

 

[yankeesusa]

So I updated my Razr Maxx to Jelly Bean the other day, and finally used my PdaNet+ since the new update. Now I get a message saying that my carrier is blocking the app during WiFi mode. I didn't think this was legal anymore since Verizon had to pay a $1.25 million dollar settlement to the FCC. I called Verizon wireless to unblock it, and they are saying that I'm illegally trying to tether my phone and they are within their rights to block it. At one point, the rep even accused me of jailbreaking my phone. (it isn't) I guess I could try the USB mode (though I have to find a micro-to-micro USB cord) or use the bluetooth, (for some reason, I'm having trouble pairing, the box for "Use for Internet access" refuses to remain checked, no matter how many times I click it) but WiFi mode seemed easiest and most convenient. If I'm in the right, what should I do? Who should I talk to?

Forget them. It is not illegal but it is against Verizon policy and they can terminate if they choose to. It sucks I know, so the way recommend you handle it is, root and install Wi-Fi tether.
The other option you have is open garden. Only catch is you need open garden on both devices that are tethering. Also give foxfi a try, although I think this won't work on some jellybean devices.

Sent from the Beast that is Galaxy Note 2

 

[B. Diddy]

On stock Jellybean, FoxFi doesn't work for wifi tethering, You can tether using Bluetooth, but the connection is significantly slower.

I finally had to change my unlimited data plan to a Share Everything plan, and it honestly is a little better for my wife and me. I've never been a huge mobile data hog (I'm usually using wifi networks), so I get by fine on the 2GB/month plan. Unlimited voice and texting is nice to have, especially since my wife uses the line a lot for work. And of course, wifi tethering is now at no extra cost, so I don't need a 3rd party app. My monthly bill is roughly the same, so for me, it's overall a win. But for others who use many GBs of mobile data per month on their unlimited data plan for streaming videos and the like, it's probably still going to be a painful transition.

 

[Joe Delgado1]

PdaNet+ just came out with an update this morning which works. I updated my Verizon Razr Maxx which has the unlimited data plan and I tested it using it as a hotspot for my laptop and it works.

 

[mrcraft2u]

PdaNet+ just came out with an update this morning which works. I updated my Verizon Razr Maxx which has the unlimited data plan and I tested it using it as a hotspot for my laptop and it works.

I can confirm what Joe said... I updated my FoxFi/PdaNet+ app and can now connect my Nexus 7 tablet to my razr maxx (OG not HD).

 

[hazelgreen]

Is there any errors or delays or hiccups? I've been avoiding updating until I know Foxfi is working on jellybean.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Android Central Forums

 

[Cattails_r_Edible]

I just sent this to a friend at Verizon corporate! He said thanx for the headsup!

Remember what the doormouse said, feed your head!

 

[UHP357]

I had a hiccup that my other devices could not detect the wifi hotspot after the FoxFi update. I found in the hotspot settings that SSID was off. I also had to change the channel from Auto to a channel from 1-11 and it worked fine after making setting changes.