TP ICS Tethering - Will I be Charged?

ItsDon · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2009, 11:52 PM

I've read forum after forum and......

Simple question. I have a TP (stock ROM) with the Everything Data Share Plan 1500. Last night I plugged my phone into my laptop (USB), ran ICS and was surfing at near DSL speeds. I watched a couple hours of Hulu (very nice!) Will I be charged for this?

Half the threads say yes, some say no, some say only if I exceed 5GB, some say I need to do a registry hack - no real answer.

My account with Sprint shows "Vision Data - Unlimited" I assume that means I'm good to go, right?

This is from Sprints Website:

"Unlike voice calls, which are charged by the minute, data usage is charged by the size of file sent or received on your Sprint PCS Vision phone. If you have a Sprint PCS Vision pack with unlimited Sprint PCS Vision, your usage of Sprint PCS Vision is unlimited and you will not be charged any data fees."

Doesn't say anything about tethering or limits or anything, just unlimited. Not sure why I am freaking out, it just seems to good to be true and if it seems to good to be true....

I just checked my data usage online and it did indeed spike, should I be concerned?

bairice · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:33 AM

Were you tethering using "phone as modem" or "usb"? From what I understand, the former involves extra charges, the latter most likely will not.

Buehlar · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:39 AM

If you are paying for the unlimited data plan, I'm sure you are covered.

Otherwise you will be charged per MB for use outside of your plan according to your contract agreement.

I'd recommend trying WMWifiRouter. Ver 0.91 and earlier is free (google the cab file).
It will turn your phone into a Wireless (ad-hoc) Router. No need for tethering cables.

**kyle4269** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:41 AM

I'm on Verizon and havent been charged yet(Not to say it wont happen lol)..I use it while im at work and only surf the web and play poker. So I dont really use up that much data. I also have the Unlimited data package with Verizon, so im not really worried about going over..

**scrosler** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:41 AM

Hahahahahahaaha

So you want info on how to defraud the carrier? Is that correct?

Just kidding:

The best thing to do is just call sprint and ask them. Have you dne that? I would hate to see people give wrong info and end up with a million dollar cell phone bill....

I would just call sprint.

**ruskiyab** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 02:41 AM

I'm assuming you're not on the stock sprint rom? If you are, the only way you'd be able to access the internet using the phone as a modem would be to have it in the plan, if you're on a custom rom, chances are undetectable internet sharing is included

**kyle4269** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 03:01 AM

I was on the stock Verizon rom, installed the internet sharing app and it worked.

**WarChild** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 04:01 AM

i just did the reg edits and have been going strong sense i got the phone in Oct. i did call sprint and they said i wasn't suppose to be able to do it and that i would have to pay an extra 40 to have that service. i have the unlimited everything plan and was thinking....what does "everything" usually mean. must mean only a few things to sprint.

**skeegcpp** · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruskiyab

I'm assuming you're not on the stock sprint rom? If you are, the only way you'd be able to access the internet using the phone as a modem would be to have it in the plan

not entirely true, i have a stock sprint rom and i PAM all the time.

ItsDon · #10 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebai1990

Were you tethering using "phone as modem" or "usb"? From what I understand, the former involves extra charges, the latter most likely will not.

I'm using the stock rom but have installed the "cleanup" which changes the PAM to "Sprint" (whatever that means) and am connected by USB. I simply plugged the phone into my laptop (running Windows 7), ran the included Internet Connection Sharing app and was connected. It's fast enough to stream Hulu and Slingbox and I can see myself using this often while on the road. Just want to make sure there is no nasty bill in my mailbox when i get home.