Verizon catching on to tethering apps?

[sloan31]

Working in hosting I've found that providers pay primarily for traffic they offload to peers, not so much the traffic they take on. Typical user traffic is mostly download vs upload so that translates into more traffic verizon has incoming vs outgoing. That being the case, how they can justify charging $30/month for unlimited data is crazy. I'm all for stopping illegal tethering if it targets the heavy users because they are the reason everyone pays more to cover thier actions. Typical users don't do enough upload traffic to justify $30/month.

That being said...it's probably a waste of time and money for verizon to target light users of wifi tether.

 

[sloan31]

i wanna sign up for the $30 unlimited hotspot, but my tbolt is rooted and my tethering data always shows up as regular phone data. is there a way to change this? without unrooting of course.

uhh, yeah, just pay the $30 and let your traffic show up as regular phone traffic. Everyone is happy.

 

[wildman]

So how exactly does other peoples free wifi tether use effect you? Or do you mean that's why they have YOU paying $30?... And 3 houses? No, all in one home, and actual price for what you are talking is around $160 for 3 land lines and internet service... I don't use wifi tether by the way, don't need it, but if I did, I'm not gonna pay more on top of my already outrageous service cost. (I don't mind paying it because my service is PERFECT, I know I'm paying for the high quality...)

This just falls back under my previous post and see no reason to continue this path...

You do realize no matter what you say if the user decided that they don't want to hear anything different other than what the want to hear they wont listen.

 

[Jacopo]

Here's what troubles me about this.

The whole purpose of a 4G network is designed to allow for the consumption of large amounts of data. There is a reason why the USG auctioned off these frequencies to the wireless providers. This is about taking wireless broadband to the next level so that consumers can access things like games, movies, etc through their devices. What difference does it make if I'm consuming 27 GB directly on the Thunderbolt or 27 GB tethered or some combination? The bottom line is its the same amount of data! I find it highly ironic that now that we're finally getting true broadband speeds, the providers are trying to limit its use. What's the point of that? The truth is they aren't trying to limit use. They're trying to make butt loads more money. The whole point of broadband wireless is so that consumers can finally consume high volumes of data through our devices. What's happening with these tiered pricing structures, hot spot fees, etc., is completely counterintuitive to the point of broadband wireless. We finally have access to the speeds we need, but we can't really use it that much, because it will use lots of data which is going to cost too much money. Not a lot of logic in that. In the end, I think this will backfire on Verizon, because the future of our lives is largely going to be done online.

Everything that Verizon does in its business model is to milk every nickel and dime they can get out of their customers. I just have a problem that some are making it sound like we are breaching some moral code. It's not like Verizon is the most honorable corporation that's uniquely dedicated to "be there" for its customer base. I have been with Verizon ever since they bought out Cellular One or whatever it was called in the late 90's. I can't tell you how many fights I had with Verizon over the years for blantant and what I would consider damn near illegal over billing. Came close to moving on a few times but stuck with it because I travel a lot and they do have the best coverage area. My hand was forced since no other wireless providers ever built a comparable network.

At the end of the day, if they go out of their way to suck another $30 a month out of me I'll either drop them completely or simply use the phone for all of my internet. And if I do I'll still be using the same amount of data. These tiered pricing structures have absolutely nothing to do with preserving bandwidth. No, rather they are about leaching every penny they can get out of its customer base. If anyone thinks differently I'll contend that you're being a bit naive. As a final point, Verizon knew what they were getting into when they signed up with Google and the elements of the AOSP. Don't sign up for an open source partnership if all you're going to try to do is censor it.

 

[normio2]

Here's what troubles me about this.

The whole purpose of a 4G network is designed to allow for the consumption of large amounts of data. There is a reason why the USG auctioned off these frequencies to the wireless providers. This is about taking wireless broadband to the next level so that consumers can access things like games, movies, etc through their devices. What difference does it make if I'm consuming 27 GB directly on the Thunderbolt or 27 GB tethered or some combination? The bottom line is its the same amount of data! I find it highly ironic that now that we're finally getting true broadband speeds, the providers are trying to limit its use. What's the point of that? The truth is they aren't trying to limit use. They're trying to make butt loads more money. The whole point of broadband wireless is so that consumers can finally consume high volumes of data through our devices. What's happening with these tiered pricing structures, hot spot fees, etc., is completely counterintuitive to the point of broadband wireless. We finally have access to the speeds we need, but we can't really use it that much, because it will use lots of data which is going to cost too much money. Not a lot of logic in that. In the end, I think this will backfire on Verizon, because the future of our lives is largely going to be done online.

Everything that Verizon does in its business model is to milk every nickel and dime they can get out of their customers. I just have a problem that some are making it sound like we are breaching some moral code. It's not like Verizon is the most honorable corporation that's uniquely dedicated to "be there" for its customer base. I have been with Verizon ever since they bought out Cellular One or whatever it was called in the late 90's. I can't tell you how many fights I had with Verizon over the years for blantant and what I would consider damn near illegal over billing. Came close to moving on a few times but stuck with it because I travel a lot and they do have the best coverage area. My hand was forced since no other wireless providers ever built a comparable network.

At the end of the day, if they go out of their way to suck another $30 a month out of me I'll either drop them completely or simply use the phone for all of my internet. And if I do I'll still be using the same amount of data. These tiered pricing structures have absolutely nothing to do with preserving bandwidth. No, rather they are about leaching every penny they can get out of its customer base. If anyone thinks differently I'll contend that you're being a bit naive. As a final point, Verizon knew what they were getting into when they signed up with Google and the elements of the AOSP. Don't sign up for an open source partnership if all you're going to try to do is censor it.

Nice rant bro, I'm with ya on that.

 

[Effenhimer]

This just falls back under my previous post and see no reason to continue this path...

So what you're saying is you can't actually argue the point... Finally, your opening your eyes and seeing it for what it is. If you choose to pay for an already rendered service a second time, it's your perogative, but it's not ours. If we want to use 2 gb a month, or 90 gb a month, its fine. We PAY for unlimited data. All your $30 wifi service allows is 5gb to be used out of your UNLIMITED service YOU pay for. After 5gb, you can't use the service anymore until the next billing cycle. Like someone said before, if you think that's a fair price to pay, you're being naive. :'(

 

[Johnly]

Tethering is different and computers will always chew through data faster than phones. My phone will play a you tube video, but my PC will do the same, while uploading music to GM, updating software, downloading programs, and so on. I don't mind people that tether, Google wants it that way. But long excuses as to how it the same,? Please, it isn't; however, there is room to argue if paying to tether is overpriced, or even should be charged for. If you are smart enough to tether under the radar, sweet. If you blatantly abuse it, and get a notice, sweet. These threads ALWAYS turn into a moral debate. IMO Verizon knows, and what they do with that knowledge is anyone's guess.

 

[normio2]

These threads ALWAYS turn into a moral debate. IMO Verizon knows, and what they do with that knowledge is anyone's guess.

They definitely know, there is no way you can hide on their network. They own it, they can pull logs upon logs to see every single thing you have done. Plain and simple.

 

[Johnly]

I

They definitely know, there is no way you can hide on their network. They own it, they can pull logs upon logs to see every single thing you have done. Plain and simple.

Indeed sir. And the thread author wanted to know if vzw is catching on? I agree with you, and OP should assume vzw knows. I am sure millions tether without vzw authorization, and vzw may take a different road than at&t did. VZW prices data, and someone sipping a 1/2 gig will probably be over looked for now, but someone dloading 25 gigs may peak their intrest, and I am 100% sure it is this abuse that has alerted VZW.

 

[normio2]

I

Indeed sir. And the thread author wanted to know if vzw is catching on? I agree with you, and OP should assume vzw knows. I am sure millions tether without vzw authorization, and vzw may take a different road than at&t did. VZW prices data, and someone sipping a 1/2 gig will probably be over looked for now, but someone dloading 25 gigs may peak their intrest, and I am 100% sure it is this abuse that has alerted VZW.

Definitely, from what I've heard they are looking at implementing this feature to block tethering on their highest culprits first. Then continue to look further down the line until they are satisfied with their results. My thing is data is data, if you give me an "unlimited plan" you shouldn't give a dam how I use the data since I paid for unlimited. I know computers are going to consume more than a phone, but still, I paid for unlimited data, so that's what I should get.

 

[Johnly]

Definitely, from what I've heard they are looking at implementing this feature to block tethering on their highest culprits first. Then continue to look further down the line until they are satisfied with their results. My thing is data is data, if you give me an "unlimited plan" you shouldn't give a dam how I use the data since I paid for unlimited. I know computers are going to consume more than a phone, but still, I paid for unlimited data, so that's what I should get.

I agree, unlimited data should be unlimited and not throttled. The debate, which I wont go to, is "what does unlimited data mean?" What does Verizon mean by that? It is clear in the TOS, but many people feel it is wrong. Either way, VZW is blocking it, and it will just get tightened.P3Droid was right!

 

[wildman]

So what you're saying is you can't actually argue the point... Finally, your opening your eyes and seeing it for what it is. If you choose to pay for an already rendered service a second time, it's your perogative, but it's not ours. If we want to use 2 gb a month, or 90 gb a month, its fine. We PAY for unlimited data. All your $30 wifi service allows is 5gb to be used out of your UNLIMITED service YOU pay for. After 5gb, you can't use the service anymore until the next billing cycle. Like someone said before, if you think that's a fair price to pay, you're being naive. :'(

To believe that multiple devices accessing large amounts of data does not effect the network and can cause issues with network overload you are mistaking. The network has to be maintained and expanded to allow the amount of traffic of allowing all users to have unlimited access to the network and this cost money.

So for you to think the new technology comes for free then you are the naive one... I guess in your mind if a hacker sitting in front of your house illegally logged into your wifi connection maxing out you connection this isn't breaking any rules..

The network is tested to handle a specific level of traffic and when users are using elevated amounts that they are not authorized to access they have to adjust the network for the traffic that can effect others users traffic..

You do what you want because like I said, users feel fine doing something they shouldn't as long as it doesn't effect them, this is just the way of the world but I choose not to conform to these ways..

HAVE A GOOD DAY..

 

[tomfloyd]

Yes, I read it on forbes.com and I agree with something other person wrote: It was a matter of time. According to what I read now we will have to pay a bit more, which is one of the most common strategies some companies, apply nowadays. I would like to quote this:
?For consumers, Verizon?s move shows carriers are taking their new data plans seriously. With carriers throttling unlimited data speeds to counter those who use too much data, and illegal tetherers now forced onto more expensive plans, wireless companies are changing the data landscape?. So it seems things are going to continue changing.
This one also got my attention:
?Verizon is still the number-one wireless carrier in the U.S., but AT&T?s pending merger with T-Mobile is threatening to change that. A successful merger would leave AT&T with an improved network and 20 million more subscribers than Verizon, its closest competitor?. So it seems the strategy may backfire on them. We?ll have to wait and see what happens.

 

[Effenhimer]

So for you to think the new technology comes for free then you are the naive one... I guess in your mind if a hacker sitting in front of your house illegally logged into your wifi connection maxing out you connection this isn't breaking any rules..

This has nothing to do with what has been being talked about...

I use about 8 gb/month (4g/no tether), my son uses 9-11 gb/month (3g/no tether), and my niece uses about 4 gb/month (3g/no tether). My home internet maxes out at 20 mgs, my phone sits right around 22 mgs, so it's pointless for me to use wifi at home because it's slower, and I switch ROM's so much, finding the little piece of paper that has my WEP key on it is pointless... And now that I have a couple months until any of the authors I read release anything new, I'm gonna be using A LOT more because of Netflix... So are you saying that because I'm going to end up using around, (no tethering mind you) 15-20 gb this and maybe more billing cycles, I should get charged more than I already pay for on my UNLIMITED plan?... Should I not let my son know about mobile MMO's just because someone might get morally upset that he would dare use so much more of his UNLIMITED data?... Did you know they have Teamspeak for mobile now? My son's gonna be all over that, and guess what? It uses data... Thinks like Skype, Pandora, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, they all use continuous data, it adds up, and I've been encouraged by VZW numerous times to take FULL advantage of these and other services. If you're really upset that people use wifi tether not according to the ToS, then do as you're doing and pay the extra cost to use the 5gb allowance. But don't use the data usage of a couple random people pushing the limits of their plans as a reason to get up on a soap box and say anyone who uses more than a meager amount of data is ruining it for everyone else.

 

[Christopherg]

The problem is, when you get down to it, is that verizon is a monopoly and they want to slice and dice the data anyway they can. If they could charge tiers to get access to facebook and netflix and getaway with it, they would in a heart beat.

Tethering is something that is technically no real cost to them. Each additional gigabyte is nothing once capital has been put down. . .If Verizon really cared about the "system resources" they wouldn't put arbitrary fake caps and instead throttle during peak usage periods.


Consider your tethering a silent protest against a monopoly power that they are.

 

[wildman]

sounds like we have a flower child syndrome going on hear.... Since the man trying to take over we wont get job, smoke and say we are doing something for a cause..

That's just another way to explain why you do something but don't explain anything in reality..

The LTE network is new technology and someone has to pay to build it and support it so to say the company isn't loosing anything is such a one sided statement...

And also to believe someone using your network without your permission in a manner that you didn't give permission for isnt the same as using the network for what you wasn't given permission to is the same thing.

You bought a contract with your phone and you knew it was for the phone but since now technology exist to allow you to connect other devices the contract inturpitation all the sudden included that device...

Oh well what ever... I'm done..

This world is at the stage that no one thinks they are liable for what they do... Its always someone else's fault..

AMAZING??????

 

[dchawk81]

To believe that multiple devices accessing large amounts of data does not effect the network and can cause issues with network overload you are mistaking. The network has to be maintained and expanded to allow the amount of traffic of allowing all users to have unlimited access to the network and this cost money.

So for you to think the new technology comes for free then you are the naive one... I guess in your mind if a hacker sitting in front of your house illegally logged into your wifi connection maxing out you connection this isn't breaking any rules..

The network is tested to handle a specific level of traffic and when users are using elevated amounts that they are not authorized to access they have to adjust the network for the traffic that can effect others users traffic..

You do what you want because like I said, users feel fine doing something they shouldn't as long as it doesn't effect them, this is just the way of the world but I choose not to conform to these ways..

HAVE A GOOD DAY..

The network load isn't lessened if I use my phone for 25 gigs of Pandora and Netflix directly rather than on my computer tethered to my phone.

I can make a bandwidth-strapped tower cry without tethering if I really wanted to. So could everyone else.

 

[Christopherg]

sounds like we have a flower child syndrome going on hear.... Since the man trying to take over we wont get job, smoke and say we are doing something for a cause..

That's just another way to explain why you do something but don't explain anything in reality..

The LTE network is new technology and someone has to pay to build it and support it so to say the company isn't loosing anything is such a one sided statement...

And also to believe someone using your network without your permission in a manner that you didn't give permission for isnt the same as using the network for what you wasn't given permission to is the same thing.

You bought a contract with your phone and you knew it was for the phone but since now technology exist to allow you to connect other devices the contract inturpitation all the sudden included that device...

Oh well what ever... I'm done..

This world is at the stage that no one thinks they are liable for what they do... Its always someone else's fault..

AMAZING??????

What is with being a verizon apologist. I don't get it.

That is the thing about a monopoly, what choice did we have? Not a real one.

If you buy the Verizon / AT&T "story" hook line and sinker (oh whoa is us, this tethering is such a load. . .that is why we offer 30 unlimited tethering) than you and I are forever separated by a gulf. I say they are full of crap and you believe them.

 

[Effenhimer]

AMAZING??????

Still not clear on if you're upset about high data use, or people breaking the ToS to "wifi tether" at no cost.

And are you saying that someone hacking my system and flooding my home land line bandwidth is the same as using MORE of MY OWN data that I already PAY for?? Some companies actually made it VERY easy to de-separate the local/wifi tether data threads, removing the coded signal for wifi use...

Quick copy and paste job here...
On ANY HTC phone
1. Dial #****, Send
2. Pick Edit Mode, code is ******
3. Pick Security
4. Change S.IP DUN, hit OK, then back one screen
5. Pick M.IP Default Profile
6. Repeat step 4 for "DUN NAI" address, hit OK.
7. Press Menu and Commit Modifications
8. Phone will Reboot itself
9. Enjoy!
(I took the codes and # to dial ((and some other things)) out because this IMO is kinda asking for trouble.)

And just so you know, VZW was who showed me how to do a USB tether set-up, it was a selling point with my OG Droid. And no, when I got my service contract, no price was given for wireless tether, I was just told that it was free for now.

I still don't use, and haven't used wireless tether anyway... Actually, I take that back. My wife had no service during a road trip with her Epic 4G one time, so I flipped it on for a couple minutes so she could check her email or something, but it was free per VZW at the time...

 

[groupdelay]

Still not clear on if you're upset about high data use, or people breaking the ToS to "wifi tether" at no cost.

And are you saying that someone hacking my system and flooding my home land line bandwidth is the same as using MORE of MY OWN data that I already PAY for?? Some companies actually made it VERY easy to de-separate the local/wifi tether data threads, removing the coded signal for wifi use...

Quick copy and paste job here...
On ANY HTC phone
1. Dial #****, Send
2. Pick Edit Mode, code is ******
3. Pick Security
4. Change S.IP DUN, hit OK, then back one screen
5. Pick M.IP Default Profile
6. Repeat step 4 for "DUN NAI" address, hit OK.
7. Press Menu and Commit Modifications
8. Phone will Reboot itself
9. Enjoy!
(I took the codes and # to dial ((and some other things)) out because this IMO is kinda asking for trouble.)

And just so you know, VZW was who showed me how to do a USB tether set-up, it was a selling point with my OG Droid. And no, when I got my service contract, no price was given for wireless tether, I was just told that it was free for now.

I still don't use, and haven't used wireless tether anyway... Actually, I take that back. My wife had no service during a road trip with her Epic 4G one time, so I flipped it on for a couple minutes so she could check her email or something, but it was free per VZW at the time...

http://androidforums.com/htc-thundh...rbolt/300810-free-wifi-hack-without-root.html