Hi community, I'm a noob to posting and I'll apologize up-front. This is my first XDA thread, but I've been a silent creeper on here since the Windows Mobile 6/6.1/6.5 era. After searching here, Google, and other forums, I am still at a loss for the proper procedure for doing what I'm about to request. I have an LG Incite (CT810), which is a Windows 6.1 phone. I'm familiar with network settings, access codes, registry edits, ROMS, etc.; however, I'm new to Android and I won't even pretend to have a solid idea of what I'm doing.
Here's the situation: with my Incite, I have a "smartphone exclusion" and "data opt-out" features on my plan. This meant that for 3 years, I did not pay for data for any of the lines on my grandfathered family plan as the data network is mostly unusable in my portion of north Florida. Where I live, work, and go to school all have wi-fi and I have been largely successful managing things that way. On the Incite, you did the following to prevent all data requests from going from the phone to the network...Start>Settings>Connections>Connections>Advanced>Select Networks. Relatively straight-forward.
I now have a new SGS2 i777 sitting on my desk with both the new and old SIM cards available (as I have not yet activated it). After working extensively with premier/enterprise customer care, my plan now looks like it did 1 month ago when I was promised that I could upgrade to anything "other than an iPhone" and maintain my contract "as-is" (i.e. no data plan). I signed into my account last night and sure enough, the Enterprise Data Pro 2GB had been removed and the Data Opt-Out had been reinstated. I've been reading about IMEI crawlers and network connection monitors...and though I can't do anything about the first, I was wondering if there's anything that can be done to prevent the second from the phone side (like my Incite did). For example, making all background and active data refer to the wi-fi connection and throw an error if it wasn't connected.
I still have 2 weeks left in my "buyer's remorse" period to activate or figure out what to do. Basically, I don't want to pay for something I can't use--especially since I'm on a fixed income. In summary, are there internal settings to prevent network data or is there more work I need to do from the customer care side?
Thank you ahead of time for your patience with me.
You ight get more help in the i727 skyrocket forums, your posting in the Original SGS2. There is a big difference in phones. Sorry I am not of any further assistance since I am not running stock samsung roms so I havent tried what your wanting to do. I am on CM7 builds. I believe in CM7 there is a spot to choose 2G, 2G+3G, and other settings. But I am not aware on stock samsung roms. Take a look or see if your post can be moved to the Skyrocket forum for better help.
Sent From My KickAss ATT SGS2 SPORTING CM7
Headslap moment...it's an i777 SGS2 normal (non-Skyrocket) sorry about that. lol told ya I was a n00b.
I'm interested in all options: rooting, roms, apps, stock settings, etc.
Does anyone know if there's a code you dial that will take you to the engineer menu to adjust modem settings? (e.g. the Incite is 5476278#*#) 3G in this area is poor and 4G is non-existent so I probably don't need those either.
lo-fi_engineer said:
Headslap moment...it's an i777 SGS2 normal (non-Skyrocket) sorry about that. lol told ya I was a n00b.
I'm interested in all options: rooting, roms, apps, stock settings, etc.
Does anyone know if there's a code you dial that will take you to the engineer menu to adjust modem settings? (e.g. the Incite is 5476278#*#) 3G in this area is poor and 4G is non-existent so I probably don't need those either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understand what you want correctly, you are looking for a way to completely disable data service over the cell network on the phone side, while maintaining the ability to use data over wifi? If that is the case, I don't know of a way to do this on stock firmware, but many custom firmwares include the option to disable data. Perhaps I'm missing your goal though...
Edit: menu>settings>wireless and network> mobile networks> enable packet data. If this is accessible on stock (can't remember, it's been a while) that might do what you want
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Miami_Son said:
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave my girl my captivate ( she had some old slider phone) and she just put her sim in and uses everrything on wifi. Didn't upgrade to a data plan.
If I understand OP correctly, then i think it's too easy to do.
I don't fully capture what OP's first or second mean but, my take
1. If you already "data opt-out", then you cannot receive any data, meaning you cannot access their network.
2. If you don't want to use their mobile network but just wifi, then turn off their network under Wireless and Network/Mobile Data (or DAta network) settings.
In fact, I turned it off frequently, for this month billing statement, I only consume 2.3MB so far LOL
Miami_Son said:
I don't know how you managed to keep your old non-data plan as any new smartphone requires a minimum data plan, no ifs, ands or buts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Persistence mostly. I don't know if it will stick when I move my SIM card over though. See screenshot below
votinh said:
If I understand OP correctly, then i think it's too easy to do.
1. If you already "data opt-out", then you cannot receive any data, meaning you cannot access their network.
2. If you don't want to use their mobile network but just wifi, then turn off their network under Wireless and Network/Mobile Data (or DAta network) settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I'll definitely check that out when I get a chance to charge it. I just ran it down until it shut off so it'll be on the charger for a while once I get to my residence.
Idk if data opt out is same as data block but I use that on one of my lines with an Inspire 4G. With that route you lose mms though. Same with blocking it under wireless settings.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Changing phones does not affect your plan unless you buy a subsidized phone that requires a minimum data plan. I went from an Incite with an old unlimited plan and kept it when I went to a Tilt 2 that I bought off eBay. I simply swapped my SIM and it worked just fine. When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan. If you go the full 30 days with that phone I suspect you will see yourself put on a 200mb plan. Did you get a new SIM with the phone? I got one with my SGSII and if I didn't activate it within the 30 days they would have charged me the full price of the phone.
Apndroid shuts off data through changing the apns for you.
The manual way is to type up a new apn with bad settings. Voice calls will still work, but data will never be able to connect. Wifi will be unaffected. No special settings needed anywhere else on the phone.
Sent from my páhhōniē
Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks>Use Packet Data
Uncheck the box at the menu above and you will not use cell data. WiFi data will work just fine. Just verified this on an unmodified, completely bone stock ROM. Changing the APN settings to incorrect values can be done as an added defense, but shouldn't be necessary. Hope this helps.
ou812bkewl said:
Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks>Use Packet Data
Uncheck the box at the menu above and you will not use cell data. WiFi data will work just fine. Just verified this on an unmodified, completely bone stock ROM. Changing the APN settings to incorrect values can be done as an added defense, but shouldn't be necessary. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Even better
Sent from my páhhōniē
disable data connection on sgs2
I'm using the app Android Task Manager Pro Ver 2.2.6 it really helps on stopping the data connection so i wont go over my data plan.
Miami_Son said:
Changing phones does not affect your plan unless you buy a subsidized phone that requires a minimum data plan. I went from an Incite with an old unlimited plan and kept it when I went to a Tilt 2 that I bought off eBay. I simply swapped my SIM and it worked just fine. When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan. If you go the full 30 days with that phone I suspect you will see yourself put on a 200mb plan. Did you get a new SIM with the phone? I got one with my SGSII and if I didn't activate it within the 30 days they would have charged me the full price of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After speaking to enterprise business customer care many, many times, I was advised that there are extremely limited instances where business users can upgrade their plans and continue to use their old settings. I offered to buy an SGS2 on Newegg or Amazon at full price, so that I could maintain my plan (like you can with an unlocked phone and a T-Mobile Value-1000 plan utilizing the "bring-your-own-phone provision"), but the agents told me that I would be "upgraded" to a data plan based on the IMEI change from my Incite to my SGS2. Two t2 agents told me that buying a full-priced phone and then correcting the account was unnecessary as EBCC could correct the plan after the fact (even with an upgrade). I followed the instructions to a "t" and bought the phones via the EB OLAM, received them, emailed the agent 3x over the course of a week, but never heard back.
After 3 calls to EBCC, I reached a veteran tier 2 agent who said that correcting the plan based on my circumstances was "easily" done, but that the agent whom provided her email address had "owned" the problem and needed to get one last opportunity to take care of it. She said she emailed the prior agent and to call back and request tier 2 or a supervisor if she didn't contact me. Idk if she was just avoiding doing it or what, but I waited as instructed. I called back and reached a tier 1 agent who recited the normal stance regarding smartphones. Several tier 1 agents later, I reached one who spoke to her supervisor whom read the litany of notes and approved the plan adjustment. Will this work for anyone else? I doubt it, but who knows. ...probably won't work for me either lol...
The screenshots in my previous post were generated 5 minutes before I posted them--they are accurate. My concern from here on out is that the phone will attempt to download data or connect to 4G (2 of the 3 conditions that will generate a forced data plan--IMEI is the 3rd, but understandably, people don't like discussing that one on here). I'll try out the bone stock packet disable setting suggestion shortly and see what happens.
So with a quick search for a similar phone, I found *#*#INFO#*#* Which took me to the Testing Menu. From there, pressing Phone Information>Preferred Network Type>GSM Only. I'm not yet activated, but I'll reply back if that worked.
...making progress!
I saw a Captivate earlier, but has anyone had success keeping a 3.5/4G phone data plan-free?
Miami_Son said:
When I used my upgrade for the Captivate I was forced off my unlimited plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did they get away with that? I've been grandfathered for years, even when I got my first 3g phone. I don't know anybody who was actually forced down to a tiered plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
mkosmo said:
How did they get away with that? I've been grandfathered for years, even when I got my first 3g phone. I don't know anybody who was actually forced down to a tiered plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you buy a subsidized phone you have to agree to their terms. That requires you to sign a new contract, which did not give me the choice of keeping my old plan. Maybe I could have made a stink, but at the time they no longer offered unlimited plans and I really wanted the Cappy.
That's only true if you upgrade through 3rd party retailers. Even that, you can call AT&T to get your unlimited data plan back. No, you are no forced to give up the unlimited data when signing a new contract. The problem is most 3rd party retailers can't keep your unlimited with their computer systems, only AT&T stores can do so.
Success!
I swapped out the sim cards without formal activation earlier tonight...no dreaded "We noticed that you're using a smartphone..." text! (At least not yet). Packet data was enabled in the network settings--it seemed to have no effect. From as far as I can tell, the process involves the following...
I came from a grandfathered plan with a smartphone exclusion and data opt-out. I upgraded online and then called [enterprise] customer care and got both items added back along with getting my IMEI updated as available for the opt-out. That seems to be it. Nothing on the phone side. From what multiple tier 2 agents have told me, that will absolutely not work with an iPhone, but who cares about iPhones anyways
I'm curious which combination of data block, smartphone exclusion, and IMEI database update are necessary to make that work for others in situations similar to mine (useless data network where I live/ commute). Will this work with a dumbphone and a data opt-out (block)? I don't know. Perhaps someone who's in a position to upgrade could try it. Using a 3G sim card in a dumbphone, call customer care (611) and request a wix block/ data opt-out on that line. I doubt they'll put the smartphone exclusion on it if it's not a smartphone--if it is then they'll probably put a data plan on instead. After you can log into the online account management, check the features on the line and verify the data opt-out and then try to put your 3G sim into a 4G smartphone and make some calls. Warning: in the event that you weren't intending to upgrade to a smartphone anyways, you might cause yourself a lot of headache getting the data back off once your sim is back in your original non-smartphone (assuming that data block by itself isn't enough to curb the data). Please chime in if it worked because I'm sure there's at least a few members who would be interested.
Loving the Samsung Galaxy S II and XDA...I can't wait to decide which mods I'm going to do first...
Response to the "Dandrumheller":
YES, the stock ROM has that option. It is the best solution that doesn't require any hassle.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Related
Well - it was only a matter of time before AT&T stepped in. BGR reports that AT&T is cracking down on people tethering without the appropriate data plan.
This leads me to two questions:
(1) How do you suppose they know who is doing this? (Excessive use? Looking at data flows? etc.)
and
(2) For those who are using tethering without plan, what method do you use and does it make a difference?
(A) Adding APN (via aRoot script or other method).
(B) Modifying existing APNs (via richhed's method).
(C) Using App like Barnacle or Wifi-Tether.
Lets discuss!
Ed
Use C, they can't prove you're doing it. Modifying your APN is an idiotic method to use.
i dont go over 2-3gb much
but i want to know i have it when i needed it
this is totally crap
That report is coming off of the iPhone. It's likely something they've done in iOS 4.3 that checks for something specific. Using the APN method is risky since it's easy for at&t to spot.
I've been tethering my Captivate since August and nothing yet....although I am a light user.
As soon as AT&T warns me that I'm using too much data, I'm going to warn them that their ****ty network and lies about 4G violate MY terms of service.
Meursau|t said:
As soon as AT&T warns me that I'm using too much data, I'm going to warn them that their ****ty network and lies about 4G violate MY terms of service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you tell 'em!
n7slc said:
That report is coming off of the iPhone. It's likely something they've done in iOS 4.3 that checks for something specific. Using the APN method is risky since it's easy for at&t to spot.
I've been tethering my Captivate since August and nothing yet....although I am a light user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
" It is safe to assume that a large portion of the unofficial, tethering populous is jailbroken iPhone users and rooted Android users."
Glad i have unlimited data plan and no need for tethering
tomlee337 said:
Read on engadget today that AT&T is cracking down on people using tethering without a tethering plan. So far only people that have an Iphone are getting cracked down. I use the APN method. Will this be safe because I dont want to lose my unlimited data plan and get knocked down to 4gb + tether because thats what they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont believe any android users have gotten the email/text YET. But you wont lose your unlimited data until after you receive the first warning email/text
There was an informative comment in the engadget comments:
For all you wondering how they can tell:
All IP packets have something called a TTL associated with them. It stands for Time To Live. Every "hop" along the network from one router to the next reduces the TTL by one. When it reaches 0, the packet is dropped. This was introduced to keep routing problems from overloading the network. If for example, by some error a packet was going around in a circular path, the TTL would eventually reach 0 and prevent a packet storm.
The thing is, ALL routing devices do this. OSes use standard TTLs. For example, let's say both your iPhone and laptop use 127 for the TTL. AT&T will receive packets from your iPhone with a TTL of 127, but since the packets from your laptop pass through your iPhone first, they arrive at AT&T with a TTL of 126. They can detect a tethered device this way.
Apple uses a TTL of 64 for the iPhone, by the way. So change the TTL on your computer to "65" and there should be no problem. Here's how to do it:
1. Click Start - Search and type “regedit”. This launches the WIndows Registry.
2. In the registry, navigate to the following registry key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters] HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Services
\Tcpip
\Parameters
3. In the right pane, right-click and select New – DWORD (32-bit value) and set its name as “DefaultTTL” and set its value anything between “0? and “255?. The value sets the number of Hops or links the packet traverses before being discarded.
REPORT
+ 81
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and..
TTL is a good start. However, deeper packet inspection would reveal HTTP requests from sources other than "approved software packages" (i.e. the http request would show a browser name like chrome). Protocols other then HTTP would be equally revealing.
Deep packet inspection is expensive; so they probably look for people whom consume a generous amount of monthly bandwidth and sniff their traffic.
The only way to protect yourself would be to encrypt your packet payload, until it reached a non-AT&T intermediate node. And of course, eventually that type of behavior would be a red flag. However, they would not be able to PROVE you were tethering, they would only have a reasonable suspicion (which appears to be enough for AT&T).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not sure what the default TTL is for the plethora of Android devices or if this is even how ATT is finding out. Maybe Android users have not gotten letters yet is because of what someone said earlier: apple included something in 4.3 to detect this. Also, IF they are using TTL to detect, there are way too many Android devices with presumably different TTL values for them to precisely detect who is tethering.
from most the reports ive seen ATT has been usually handing these notices out to users that have heavy bandwidth usage. By heavy i mean, 18gb+ a month, this has been the case at least for most iPhone tethering users according to modmyi. It is pretty random tho as I've seen someone use as much as 33 gb in a month and not get served. but if ur within the 5 gb - 10 gb range i dont think you have to worry
Meursau|t said:
As soon as AT&T warns me that I'm using too much data, I'm going to warn them that their ****ty network and lies about 4G violate MY terms of service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep tell it like it is.
I have not been given a notice, how ever i am ahead of the curve on this, i spent hours 2 nights ago searching for this very report because i noticed that on all of my devices including my CR-48 att was blocking it and not allowing them to connect to the network, i was scared that they had found out.... some hours later it started to work again... now i saw this this morning and i know it is just a matter of time, i immediately have started looking for other carriers but the thing is once one goes they all seem to follow suit so i am not sure what i am going to do
t0dbld said:
I have not been given a notice, how ever i am ahead of the curve on this, i spent hours 2 nights ago searching for this very report because i noticed that on all of my devices including my CR-48 att was blocking it and not allowing them to connect to the network, i was scared that they had found out.... some hours later it started to work again... now i saw this this morning and i know it is just a matter of time, i immediately have started looking for other carriers but the thing is once one goes they all seem to follow suit so i am not sure what i am going to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least with verizon, you have to deal with the same ****ty service, but you get LTE instead.
(I'm on at&t....)
t0dbld said:
I have not been given a notice, how ever i am ahead of the curve on this, i spent hours 2 nights ago searching for this very report because i noticed that on all of my devices including my CR-48 att was blocking it and not allowing them to connect to the network, i was scared that they had found out.... some hours later it started to work again... now i saw this this morning and i know it is just a matter of time, i immediately have started looking for other carriers but the thing is once one goes they all seem to follow suit so i am not sure what i am going to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe... pay for the actual service? =P
dLo GSR said:
maybe... pay for the actual service? =P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What service are you paying for? We already pay for data. Data is data. What if internet providers started saying you pay for data to be sent to the modem, but you have to pay an additional service to "tether" it to another device such as a router or computer?
dLo GSR said:
maybe... pay for the actual service? =P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well first of all that would cost me my unlimited data plan... so that is stupid, 2 i have been a smartphone user for about 12 years and tethering was always included, than they removed it from devices but if you knew what you were doing you could do it on your own, as years have gone on it has changed to get to this ... this is one thing i will not budge on and never will, i do not condone pirating or anything else how ever , if i pay for a data plan to surf the internet from your network than what device i choose to use to do it is of no matter, i do not tether and have multiple devices hooked up or allow other people to use my connection, it is a matter of what device i am using to view the same thing, this does not justify and extra $45 a month charge because i wanted to view the same internet on my tablet instead of my phone while sitting on my couch, or if i want to tether while driving to use navigation. I am viewing the same thing on only one device
POOP - I misread
t0dbld said:
well first of all that would cost me my unlimited data plan... so that is stupid, 2 i have been a smartphone user for about 12 years and tethering was always included, than they removed it from devices but if you knew what you were doing you could do it on your own, as years have gone on it has changed to get to this ... this is one thing i will not budge on and never will, i do not condone pirating or anything else how ever , if i pay for a data plan to surf the internet from your network than what device i choose to use to do it is of no matter, i do not tether and have multiple devices hooked up or allow other people to use my connection, it is a matter of what device i am using to view the same thing, this does not justify and extra $45 a month charge because i wanted to view the same internet on my tablet instead of my phone while sitting on my couch, or if i want to tether while driving to use navigation. I am viewing the same thing on only one device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it's those that DO use it on 5+ devices, pulling in 20GB a month that ruin it for everyone else. Not to mention crowd our whole network with unnecessary traffic.
Since I rarely tether, have a built-in Navi for my car, and don't buy into the whole tablet frenzy, I may not feel your specific needs. But for those that are abusing the workaround, I have zero sympathy.
andy2na said:
I just got the tethering text... Im on the unlimited plan and have used about 2gb this month. I mainly use webtop with the hacked tethering method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
um sh*t
so this is not iphone only .....
lsxrx7 said:
um sh*t
so this is not iphone only .....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right, Android users are NOT safe...
Ive been using android on ATT since last July and have not touched an iPhone since, so theres no ambiguity with this.
Has any other aria users got the dreaded att tethering text warning? i got one today and was wondering if this was just a ploy to scare us into stoping / changing plans or can they really tell.
i read something about changing the TTL number in our device cause that is tipping them off. Also read about different APN's being used for phone / tethered use.
I have been tethering for well over 2 years now, averaging between 5 to 10 gigs of data a month, so if they can tell that it is tethering and not phone usage why have they waited till now to try and stop me?
Does any one have any advice?
My guess (and this is strictly a guess, I don't have any inside knowledge or anything) is that they likely went after the biggest, easiest target group of people who were tethering without tethering plans first - which I would guess are jailbroken iphone users. After that, they are probably going after the biggest data users. at 5-10 GB per month, I'd guess (again I don't know) that you probably don't qualify in this category either. Maybe they've finally gotten around to going after the small-ish heavy data users??
Ha I got one of those txt msg today too. Mine didn't have any warning or anything it simply said something about tethering and to call them for details.
I don't think they can change your plan without your permission.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Bryan583 said:
Ha I got one of those txt msg today too. Mine didn't have any warning or anything it simply said something about tethering and to call them for details.
I don't think they can change your plan without your permission.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure they can. Stick a sim with no data plan in a smart phone and watch how fast they throw a data plan on the line without your permission.
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
CallMeAria said:
Sure they can. Stick a sim with no data plan in a smart phone and watch how fast they throw a data plan on the line without your permission.
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They definitely will change it. Heard it straight from AT&T guy.
Sent from my Atrix
I know they can change your plan of you violate the TOS, which I am by tethering. But it is my under standing that with iphones there is something in the software that is telling them. That is why they cracked down on iPhone users first. Butt I am on a fully rooted aria with CM7. So there is nothing software wise that squealing on me. So is it the way the data is transferred ( apn, ttl, ???), or are they just guessing based on data usage.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
whitebrw said:
I know they can change your plan of you violate the TOS, which I am by tethering. But it is my under standing that with iphones there is something in the software that is telling them. That is why they cracked down on iPhone users first. Butt I am on a fully rooted aria with CM7. So there is nothing software wise that squealing on me. So is it the way the data is transferred ( apn, ttl, ???), or are they just guessing based on data usage.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nerds just know.
Sent from my Atrix
andrew.cambridge said:
Nerds just know.
Sent from my Atrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
Moved to proper section
ha. When you said 5-10 gigs I was taken back. I went to the ATT store about a month ago and asked how much data I used last month. 125 mb!!!! This is because I am always on wifi unless I am traveling. After hearing this I almost began tethering!
mikelebz said:
ha. When you said 5-10 gigs I was taken back. I went to the ATT store about a month ago and asked how much data I used last month. 125 mb!!!! This is because I am always on wifi unless I am traveling. After hearing this I almost began tethering!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use around 10gb a month easily. The way I see it I'm paying for unlimited data so I'm gonna use unlimited. Recently it seems like I've been throttled back a bit (just a guess not positive) .
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Are you using a stock rom? I assume since you actually have the hotspot software installed you are using a 3rd party rom.
Not all roms remove the AT&T apn that you connect to when using hotspot instead of basic tethering. (AT&T paid tethering uses isp.cingular, while your normal data connection, and the apn you should tether through is wap.cingular).
Im a heavy data user (5-10gb+), never gotten a text message to upgrade my account (MediaNET) or to stop tethering (using wap.cingular only)
Also, Ive had this discussion on xda a long time ago, but it seems a very few of us might be grandfathered in. Last time I got a phone (and updated my contract) from AT&T was back when they were AT&T the first time around. Before Cingular. Still buying new/used phones on ebay, and keeping my unlimited MediaNET account. My wife has a BB, and I use an Android phone, and neither one of use has ever been forced into a new data plan.
Ive also always paid my bill on time, and online, and I literally have never called AT&T for any sort of problem. (which from what Ive read, the CSR will instantly upgrade your plan if they see anything awry with your account.)
Check your rom, make sure you're using the correct apn, remove the tethering data plan using your online account tools, and try not to tether so much. (surf, don't download.)
Root
You can root your aria by useing unrevoked... When you have done that download liberated 2.2 rom and flash it...When that is done and click wifi hotspot and there you go.. THis willl also unlock unknown sources option and allow you to get non market apps (Swype) Hope this helped!
Bumping an old thread.
After years and years, I finally got the txt message, and a letter in the mail today!
(the tethering letter, not the "we're going to force upgrade your plan" letter)
Going to stop tethering (haven't tethered in months at all, but did use ttorrent, a native android torrent program over the past month)
Been out of contract forever, would hate to have to buy new phones, but would consider changing providers if they get rid of our cheap data plan.
Good opportunity for a bump, yes. I have my own recent experience.
I remember a few months ago trying to manually set up an APN to get around it... and what finally worked was to install unrevoked and then Liberated. Then I could run the wireless hotspot without trouble.
However... I started having issues downloading MMS... pictures just wouldn't download easily or at all sometimes... I had this problem for a few months, while the wifi hotspotting worked fine. I googled this "network error" I was getting while trying to download MMS attachments, and it said that the Aria has problems switching between two different APN's.
SO... I removed the second APN. Now, I'm not sure if it's the one I originally created BEFORE Liberated, or if Liberated installed its own secondary APN. What I *DO* know is that removing my second APN (and leaving just the locked "MEdia Net" one) fixed my MMS problem... BUT... IT RETURNED THE DAMN "no tethering" notification when I tried to run the hotspot again!!!
WTF??
I hate this. WHAT is it that generates that message?
EDIT: SO I re-created the second (unlocked) APN profile.. I called it "root" and copied all the info from the locked MEdia Net APN profile, and I somehow apparently remembered that the password was CINGULAR, because now when I try the wifi hotspot it works without the error.
SO... it needs to use a fresh profile, because something in the original locked "MEdia Net" APN profile is what triggers the damn wifi error "call 611" message.
I just hope I don't get more MMS problems again. I wish there was a way a guru could get into the "locked" MEdiaNet APN and see what is causing the lockout, and how to remove it, so we can just have ONE APN profile.
But meh. I got tethering back.
NOW... to answer some questions that some of you have raised here... I spoke to two different AT&T techs on the phone.. I made sure to get North American call centers, one in Kentucky I think and the other was in northern California. Both of them said essentially the same thing:
Throttling back will occur with the TOP 5% of data users. These are people who use somewhere around 15-20 gigs a month (which is way beyond the common tiered 2GB limit).
NOW, for those of us who tether, it depends. If you're streaming crap, downloading programs and lots of media, then YES, you're going to push yourself into the higher bracket. However, one of the techs mentioned that he uses Pandora with his Inspire on the HD setting, and he listens to it in his cubicle at work every day, and on the way to and from work in his car. He said he still never goes beyond his 2GB limit. I had been using Pandora on my Aria without the realization there was an HD setting (so apparently I've been enjoying the lower bandwidth stream without issues, sounds fine to me). I haven't even put a dent in my usage.
The only people who truly need to worry about tethering and bandwidth and throttling and Aria phones (and pretty much all the Android phones, won't speak for iPhone on this) are those power users who are tethering their phone to their computer CONSTANTLY, and raping the net for all sorts of streams and media downloads... bittorrents, emule feeds, etc. People who are indeed abusing things and doing so not for one month, but he said for a few consecutive months. Honestly, those are the people who SHOULD be throttled IMO. I don't mind the idea of someone going over their 2GB limit, or in the case of the few remaining people on Unlimited data plans (such as myself), doing so a few months scattered throughout the year is one thing, but consistently syphoning at high transfers every month in a row... yeah, that's not 99% of us.
So really, I'll keep tethering my Galaxy Tab to my phone, rather than pay for my Tab's data plan. I *can't* do any hardcore data hogging on this Galaxy Tab. It just makes sense to take advantage of my Aria's 3G data, since I can use it more comfortably on the tablet than on the tiny Aria. Truth be told, that's why I got the Aria... small and a great phone, able to serve the tablet data, and on those rare moments where all I have on me is the phone, do pretty much most the basic Android things.
Anyways I hope this contributes some to the thread.
Suleeto said:
Good opportunity for a bump, yes. I have my own recent experience.
I remember a few months ago trying to manually set up an APN to get around it... and what finally worked was to install unrevoked and then Liberated. Then I could run the wireless hotspot without trouble.
However... I started having issues downloading MMS... pictures just wouldn't download easily or at all sometimes... I had this problem for a few months, while the wifi hotspotting worked fine. I googled this "network error" I was getting while trying to download MMS attachments, and it said that the Aria has problems switching between two different APN's.
SO... I removed the second APN. Now, I'm not sure if it's the one I originally created BEFORE Liberated, or if Liberated installed its own secondary APN. What I *DO* know is that removing my second APN (and leaving just the locked "MEdia Net" one) fixed my MMS problem... BUT... IT RETURNED THE DAMN "no tethering" notification when I tried to run the hotspot again!!!
WTF??
I hate this. WHAT is it that generates that message?
EDIT: SO I re-created the second (unlocked) APN profile.. I called it "root" and copied all the info from the locked MEdia Net APN profile, and I somehow apparently remembered that the password was CINGULAR, because now when I try the wifi hotspot it works without the error.
SO... it needs to use a fresh profile, because something in the original locked "MEdia Net" APN profile is what triggers the damn wifi error "call 611" message.
I just hope I don't get more MMS problems again. I wish there was a way a guru could get into the "locked" MEdiaNet APN and see what is causing the lockout, and how to remove it, so we can just have ONE APN profile.
But meh. I got tethering back.
NOW... to answer some questions that some of you have raised here... I spoke to two different AT&T techs on the phone.. I made sure to get North American call centers, one in Kentucky I think and the other was in northern California. Both of them said essentially the same thing:
Throttling back will occur with the TOP 5% of data users. These are people who use somewhere around 15-20 gigs a month (which is way beyond the common tiered 2GB limit).
NOW, for those of us who tether, it depends. If you're streaming crap, downloading programs and lots of media, then YES, you're going to push yourself into the higher bracket. However, one of the techs mentioned that he uses Pandora with his Inspire on the HD setting, and he listens to it in his cubicle at work every day, and on the way to and from work in his car. He said he still never goes beyond his 2GB limit. I had been using Pandora on my Aria without the realization there was an HD setting (so apparently I've been enjoying the lower bandwidth stream without issues, sounds fine to me). I haven't even put a dent in my usage.
The only people who truly need to worry about tethering and bandwidth and throttling and Aria phones (and pretty much all the Android phones, won't speak for iPhone on this) are those power users who are tethering their phone to their computer CONSTANTLY, and raping the net for all sorts of streams and media downloads... bittorrents, emule feeds, etc. People who are indeed abusing things and doing so not for one month, but he said for a few consecutive months. Honestly, those are the people who SHOULD be throttled IMO. I don't mind the idea of someone going over their 2GB limit, or in the case of the few remaining people on Unlimited data plans (such as myself), doing so a few months scattered throughout the year is one thing, but consistently syphoning at high transfers every month in a row... yeah, that's not 99% of us.
So really, I'll keep tethering my Galaxy Tab to my phone, rather than pay for my Tab's data plan. I *can't* do any hardcore data hogging on this Galaxy Tab. It just makes sense to take advantage of my Aria's 3G data, since I can use it more comfortably on the tablet than on the tiny Aria. Truth be told, that's why I got the Aria... small and a great phone, able to serve the tablet data, and on those rare moments where all I have on me is the phone, do pretty much most the basic Android things.
Anyways I hope this contributes some to the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's a BIG bump... it's probably a pimple .
Update
i figured i would give an update to everyone. after making my initial posts i checked my data usage for the month prior to getting the "text warning" and i used 38+ GB (damn torrrents). ooops! hehehe. i guess that explains it.
Some side info, Duh! yes i am rooted. cm 7.1, Using wap.cingular APN
I called ATT, got the special division that was set up to deal with this issue. told the lady that i didn't tether i just streamed constantly. she didn't know anything about how they detected that i was tethering but as long as i didn't tether after sept 30th nothing would be changed on my account. i am still tethering as we speak and no changes have been made to my account. the only thing that i changed (besides a lot less usage) was the default TTL number on my PC.
I guess we will see when this months bill comes in. I'll keep everyone posted.
I too called the special dept. And told them a similar story that I stream from YouTube, Pandora, etc. I've also told them I've never tethered and my aria wouldn't let me. I tried it once and got a message to call 611 to enable this feature.
But now I'm a month or so into it and still no bill change.
Side note- I found a couple apps in the market that are torrent apps so now I download to my phone. Megaupload downloaded, mediafire, file serve, ect. And just surf with the tether.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Well, another bump...
Even with the WAP.CINGULAR APN profile I am now getting the dreaded "611" popup. Rebooted twice. Reselected the custom APN multiple times. Still nada. And I only tethered a few times a week for surfing, and only a few minutes each time. So make of that what you will.
What to about my tethering issue
The whole reason I signed up for ATT was so I could tether my Atrix and play online poker (10MB/hour.)
All I did was root my phone and change a PostSQL value to enable tethering. I played poker fine, but eventually got greedy and started D/L all sorts of crap going well over my 2GB/month contract and was billed.
I just recently got the nastygram from ATT and haven't called them yet.
Could someone please explain to me what I need to do so after I call ATT I won't be detected tethering again?
I'm a semi-android newb, but certainly no linux/computer newb. Thanks for help
I have a Photon 4G on Sprint right now, and I refuse to go onto tiered Data. I've just about had it with Sprint's dynamically changing terms of service, so I'm looking for other US based unlimited data carriers compatible with the Photon 4G. I am rooted, if that means anything toward this.
Just isn't possible, but idk what your complaining about exactly, what change in terms, the data is still unlimited for your phone unless your not giving a full story as most people do...
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
taylorgrandorf said:
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you not paying for tethering (even though i think it should be free to begin with) i wouldn't be surprised if they did something like that, and there's an app you really want, just google the apk through your phone
taylorgrandorf said:
I'm giving the full story here. Yes, data is unlimited still, yes my phone works. I use very low amounts of data, so Im not in any way angering them. I'm just bothered at them filtering my market now, and most recently, my phone is shut down whenever I tether (via Android) using Bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint isn't filtering your market, it's google... They did it to me as well... Upon calling them, I was informed that rooted devices are not allowed and if google finds out you have a rooted device they lock you out of your paid apps. The only way I fixed this was by running the ruu back to stock. I re-rooted a few days later and haven't had any issues since than... I agree it sucks. As for the tethering, I 4G tether using the wifi tether app that is in dsixda kitchen, made by mueller, buxton, and somone else. I regularly top 5GB of data use every month and have never had any issues, other than Sprint's weak ass 3G signal. You could check into boost, cricket, or one of you local "small time" cell dealers, some of the local shops will even flash the phone over to their service for free. Good luck in your adventure!
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
Thanks, I think I'll just stay with Sprint for now. I really appreciate the responses, though. As far as Market Filtering, my issue is not full block out, but just Wireless Tether apps missing. As far as .apk installs, I'm fully familiar with those too. Sprint is otherwise a great carrier. I'm very near to Houston, and being the 4th largest City in the USA means that I get 6/6 Bars of 4G everywhere I go. Besides this, I have nothing against them. Unlimited Data is a neccesary thing on a Smartphone, in my opinion. Also, with my Bluetooth tethering (Can be done unrooted to an Asus Transformer Prime, also unrooted) I've found that as long as I put the phone into standby, it wont reboot. It only reboots if the display times-out.
Bluetooth tethering is fully within Sprint's ToS, too. (Free)
http://db.tt/BkvrkT78 ... Here you go... Here is the old school tether app if you don't have it... I too will be sticking with sprint, can't beat unlimited data with a stick. Have fun with that photon too, very nice device, I almost ditched my shift for the photon.
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk
sprint did break down and filter out tethering apps from their market, but honetsly can you blame them? verizon and att were teh first ones to have limited data, the first ones to tell you what you could use your 2gb's of data on.
sprint filtered out the market.. after how long of us getting a free ride? chances are if your rooting you know how to google for android tether. not saying its ideal, but id much rather have them filter the apps, then drop unl data... or send text's out to users using free tether saying they will be switched to the paid tether automatically at the end of teh to month...
Fair enough.
Is anyone working on tweaking the AT&T Notes radio? I don't mean for TMobile, I mean so that HSPA+ as well as LTE are faster? The reason I ask, is I had/have an HTC HD2 that gets way better data transfer rates on 3g, than this phone does on HSPA+ in the same area. I have been able to hit 3-4Mbits down on this phone, and was getting 5-to almost 8 MBits on the HD2. (There have been a dozen plus radios on the HD2) The data speed on this Note is disappointing.
C0BRA01 said:
Is anyone working on tweaking the AT&T Notes radio? I don't mean for TMobile, I mean so that HSPA+ as well as LTE are faster? The reason I ask, is I had/have an HTC HD2 that gets way better data transfer rates on 3g, than this phone does on HSPA+ in the same area. I have been able to hit 3-4Mbits down on this phone, and was getting 5-to almost 8 MBits on the HD2. (There have been a dozen plus radios on the HD2) The data speed on this Note is disappointing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I easily get 10MB down on my this phone on HSPA+, which is the same as my last phone. I'd say there is something wrong with your phone.
HSPA+
Are you running a stock rom? Mines rooted, but otherwise stock. Also, are you on AT&T?
EvoXOhio said:
I easily get 10MB down on my this phone on HSPA+, which is the same as my last phone. I'd say there is something wrong with your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
C0BRA01 said:
Are you running a stock rom? Mines rooted, but otherwise stock. Also, are you on AT&T?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tested running completely stock, stock + rooted, and on The Collective Unofficial ROM.
Yes I am on AT&T.
C0BRA01 said:
Is anyone working on tweaking the AT&T Notes radio? I don't mean for TMobile, I mean so that HSPA+ as well as LTE are faster? The reason I ask, is I had/have an HTC HD2 that gets way better data transfer rates on 3g, than this phone does on HSPA+ in the same area. I have been able to hit 3-4Mbits down on this phone, and was getting 5-to almost 8 MBits on the HD2. (There have been a dozen plus radios on the HD2) The data speed on this Note is disappointing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm running into the same issues. I am thinking that since I am a long time AT&T unlimited user, I only have two options available:
Note: I already unlocked, then rooted the stock with Odin, did a back-up with
Titanium, did a nandroid back from the phone, and loaded the clockwork recovery into my phone so that I can load ROMS easier.
Options:
1. Subscribe to AT&Ts NEW service options and I will be subscribed to their
new HSPA+/LTE club (give up unlimited) without any problems.
OR
2. Don't subscribe to any of their new plans, and stay stuck with the Edge and
3G, and Unlimited data services, all while the phone falsely shows 4G at the top of the screen.
My fastest down speed has been around 6.5 MB - depending on where I am while 4G was being displayed on the phone.
It seems to me that the HSPA+/LTE requires a special subscription.
Network Mode does not appear on my phone, so I can't ensure that it
it has a 4G service selected. I was looking for a fix that would turn my Network Mode back on.
I can see a defaulted APN titled AT&T PTA, but it is locked from edits.
If I set my phone to that defaulted AT&T PTA everything works but data. SpeedTest immediately displays, "Try Again".
In my Elixir application, if I choose "Turn WiMax(4G) ON,
I get the following in Elixir:
=====Data======
State: DcInactiveState
disconnected with last try at 4:38 PM
fail because
SERVICE_OPTION_NOT_SUBSCRIBED
===============
So, I think that either we need to figure out how to turn Network Mode back on,
for the AT&T Notes, or give up unlimited and go with their new plan.
Some kind of way it seems like a subscription may be tied into allowing HSPA/LTE speeds.
You don't have to give up your grandfathered unlimited plan for HSPA or LTE. They just upgrade you to the 4G version of the unlimited plan.
You may have to do it in an actual AT&T store (not a dealer) or over the phone with customer care.
Also these phones don't have wimax...
lactardjosh said:
You don't have to give up your grandfathered unlimited plan for HSPA or LTE. They just upgrade you to the 4G version of the unlimited plan.
You may have to do it in an actual AT&T store (not a dealer) or over the phone with customer care.
Also these phones don't have wimax...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been on the phone with a couple of reps., been into an AT&T shop a few times, and they all keep telling me that I have to upgrade to their new plan which does not have unlimited. The best they could offer me was a 5 GB plan. Also, they said I have never been on a smartphone plan with them. Although, I was previously using an HTC HD2 (sounds like a smartphone too me), but it was not a smartphone registered in their system. Records show that I'm a razor user.
They have no record of the unlocked phones that have been using like the HTC HD2. So now, when I take that SIM out of the HTC HD2 and slide it into the Note, I'm not getting 4G.
And finally, they said that if I was previously on one of their Smartphone plans I would be able to transfer to the LTE service.
When I zoom out and look at the big picture, I don't think most people have a need for the extra speed anyway.
Any thoughts... I think I am stuck with the Edge.
4g vs 3g
Don't bother upgrading. I had unlimited, and am now on their 5gb a month plan with tethering. and I am not getting any faster speeds. I seriously doubt it's the plan, and I am getting billed for 4g.
Tecneek said:
I've been on the phone with a couple of reps., been into an AT&T shop a few times, and they all keep telling me that I have to upgrade to their new plan which does not have unlimited. The best they could offer me was a 5 GB plan. Also, they said I have never been on a smartphone plan with them. Although, I was previously using an HTC HD2 (sounds like a smartphone too me), but it was not a smartphone registered in their system. Records show that I'm a razor user.
They have no record of the unlocked phones that have been using like the HTC HD2. So now, when I take that SIM out of the HTC HD2 and slide it into the Note, I'm not getting 4G.
And finally, they said that if I was previously on one of their Smartphone plans I would be able to transfer to the LTE service.
When I zoom out and look at the big picture, I don't think most people have a need for the extra speed anyway.
Any thoughts... I think I am stuck with the Edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tecneek said:
I've been on the phone with a couple of reps., been into an AT&T shop a few times, and they all keep telling me that I have to upgrade to their new plan which does not have unlimited. The best they could offer me was a 5 GB plan. Also, they said I have never been on a smartphone plan with them. Although, I was previously using an HTC HD2 (sounds like a smartphone too me), but it was not a smartphone registered in their system. Records show that I'm a razor user.
They have no record of the unlocked phones that have been using like the HTC HD2. So now, when I take that SIM out of the HTC HD2 and slide it into the Note, I'm not getting 4G.
And finally, they said that if I was previously on one of their Smartphone plans I would be able to transfer to the LTE service.
When I zoom out and look at the big picture, I don't think most people have a need for the extra speed anyway.
Any thoughts... I think I am stuck with the Edge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think maybe I misread your earlier post. Do you mean that you have an AT&T Unlimited plan (calling minutes, etc) or AT&T unlimited data plan?
If you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan, they should upgrade you to the unlimited 4G data plan with the new SIM card.
If you have the Unlimited calling plan, then you might have to suck it up and get one of the capped data plans if you really want LTE.
Either way, to get the faster data speeds you would need a new SIM card. The older SIMs (even from last year in some cases) can't handle the faster LTE speeds and can cripple the data speeds on the phone to the point you are describing.
I have the unlimited data and calling plan. Reps. just told me straight out that I will lose the unlimited data. But after reading Cobra's post, I have no clue as to what the real trigger is for making HSPA+/LTE work on my phone.
Well, I'm getting ready to strip everything to see how ICS looks, and then go from there..
I guess Cobra there is still no answer. You switched and it is still slow, I did not switch and it is still slow. Does the LTE service really exist
p.s. I can't wait until I don't have to challenge the image verification. I cannot understand those &^&%^ letters
Tecneek said:
I have the unlimited data and calling plan. Reps. just told me straight out that I will lose the unlimited data. But after reading Cobra's post, I have no clue as to what the real trigger is for making HSPA+/LTE work on my phone.
Well, I'm getting ready to strip everything to see how ICS looks, and then go from there..
I guess Cobra there is still no answer. You switched and it is still slow, I did not switch and it is still slow. Does the LTE service really exist
p.s. I can't wait until I don't have to challenge the image verification. I cannot understand those &^&%^ letters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reps are BSing you. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan & switched to a LTE unlimited plan by asking the rep to do it for me when I activated my I717. I came from a N7000 to an I717. Are you in a LTE area? I went from 3-6MB DL to 20-35ish MB DL, depending where I'm at.
RMXO said:
The reps are BSing you. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan & switched to a LTE unlimited plan by asking the rep to do it for me when I activated my I717. I came from a N7000 to an I717. Are you in a LTE area? I went from 3-6MB DL to 20-35ish MB DL, depending where I'm at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good grief.. I'll try again at a new location. I'll simply tell them that I want to change my current unlimited plan to the LTE unlimited plan. I am in the Wash, D.C. metro area. They act like an LTE unlimited plan doesn't exist.
Cobra are you in an LTE area? I wonder why your speeds aren't up there if you are in fact on the LTE plan.
---------- Post added at 03:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 PM ----------
Tecneek said:
Good grief.. I'll try again at a new location. I'll simply tell them that I want to change my current unlimited plan to the LTE unlimited plan. I am in the Wash, D.C. metro area. They act like an LTE unlimited plan doesn't exist.
Cobra are you in an LTE area? I wonder why your speeds aren't up there if you are in fact on the LTE plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, they looked at the SIM too and said it was a current SIM.
If you can send me the description of the svc as on the invoice I would appreciate..
XDA is no longer worth my time.
TimOster said:
I just picked mine up yesterday. Upgraded from a Nexus One. I still have the old SIM, it's disabled. I purchased the phone at the ATT store. Comes with a NEW SIM or you won't get LTE speeds.
1. Other than the upgrade fee, my monthly bill is the same. I still have my unlimited data plan, only since I'm LTE now I don't get throttled until I hit 5G.
2. I get 25M DL, 8.5 UL at my house. I live in San Diego. (depending on where I am. I tried here at work and got **** for DL, right next to thousands of iPhone users)
If someone is telling you different, they are lying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys got me feeling slighted over here Ok, I'm defintely going to follow-up again. I was wondering if your Nexus smartphone was a recognized AT&T phone. The pivotal point for grandfathering unlimited to LTE may be that they will do it only for THEIR phones that were previously recognized as smartphones. When they look up my records it comes back showing that I'm officially using one of their previous motorola razor phones, which at the time was not on a their smartphone plan, even though I was able to use the SIM in an unlocked non-AT&T HTC-HD2 without any problems.
So, maybe if you come from a recognized AT&T smartphone they will upgrade you, but if your last phone registered with them was not considered a smartphone while on an unlimited data plan, then they will not grandfather you in..
I gues it's worth another try.
p.s. thanks for helping me respond and overcome that *&^ image verification challenge
Tecneek said:
You guys got me feeling slighted over here Ok, I'm defintely going to follow-up again. I was wondering if your Nexus smartphone was a recognized AT&T phone. The pivotal point for grandfathering unlimited to LTE may be that they will do it only for THEIR phones that were previously recognized as smartphones. When they look up my records it comes back showing that I'm officially using one of their previous motorola razor phones, which at the time was not on a their smartphone plan, even though I was able to use the SIM in an unlocked non-AT&T HTC-HD2 without any problems.
So, maybe if you come from a recognized AT&T smartphone they will upgrade you, but if your last phone registered with them was not considered a smartphone while on an unlimited data plan, then they will not grandfather you in..
I gues it's worth another try.
p.s. thanks for helping me respond and overcome that *&^ image verification challenge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It has to be an "unlimited smartphone data plan". If you have that no matter what phone you are using, you can keep it. Usually you can tell by how much you are paying for the data plan. There was a "unlimited" plan for other non smartphones for like $20 for phones like the Razor etc but the smartphone plan for what were known previously as PDAs was like $39.
So which one do you have? I am pretty sure if you only have the unlimited non-smartphone plan you cannot convert that to a smartphone unlimited plan...
LTE
Yes, and I think there is a list of cities somewhere. Seattle area, as high tech as it is, does NOT have it yet, while smaller cities, and lower tech areas do? Doesn't make sense to me. So for now I am stuck with HSPA+
On my HD2, I had regular 3g speeds, then I did a radio change, and used the Rafpigna Froyo ROM, and suddenly I started getting speeds like my sig pic shows. My data is slower with this ROM, but from what I have been reading around the net, my speeds are pretty typical for a lot of the Notes on HSPA+
Forgot to mention that I installed the leaked ICS ROM, and it is very much worth doing. Data speed went up a little as well. Still not as much as my HD2 was though.
Tecneek said:
I have the unlimited data and calling plan. Reps. just told me straight out that I will lose the unlimited data. But after reading Cobra's post, I have no clue as to what the real trigger is for making HSPA+/LTE work on my phone.
Well, I'm getting ready to strip everything to see how ICS looks, and then go from there..
I guess Cobra there is still no answer. You switched and it is still slow, I did not switch and it is still slow. Does the LTE service really exist
p.s. I can't wait until I don't have to challenge the image verification. I cannot understand those &^&%^ letters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The speed of the network will always vary greatly. They are completely based on your proximity to the tower and the current load from other users on the tower. Unless you can find a tower with no other users on it and you can repeat the test from the exact same spot, there is no way to compare speeds between phones, or even the same phone at different locations.
If you find some threads where people are reporting their speeds, you will see that they vary by massive amounts.
I can say that I am still onthe unlimited data plan and on stock ROM I was getting 10Mbps. It must be your area because my last phone was hitting max capability on HSPA @ 7.2 Mbps.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note™
Edit, just to clarify I went from a 3G only phone and finally got a 4G phone and I really don't thing they are trying to throttle your speeds just because you are on 4G with an unlimited data plan.
I was an AT&T rep from a long time ago (before cingular) and one thing that has held true is that all reps are told by corporate to push people into new plans no matter what. I was told as a rep by another rep that even something as swapping phones required new 2 year contracts which was and still is bull.
AT&T arbitrarily swapped my plan when I went from my G1 to a streak because they said I never was on a smartphone plan. I explained to them that I was on a blackjack and went to a G1 (paying $30 a month) and then I went to the streak. They told me tough luck and they were keeping me on the tiered data plan. I calmly asked for their manager, when I was transferred I exploded on the manager telling them that I call every time when I swap phones to make sure everything is good (not needing to upgrade my plan or anything) and that it was their screwup and if they're treating me like this I was going to leave. I promptly got an apology and asked for my current IEMI number and we were done. I threw in words and phrases like improper business practices, bait and switch and other such things. Managers have more "Say" on what they can do, you tend to get things taken care of because they just don't want to deal with you.
that's been my experience with AT&T, they're far from perfect, but if you start yelling and being upset, you're more likely to get what you want. Sad but true.
LTE
Nope, no LTE in Seattle yet. Only HSPA+ Seattle is very high tech, and yet, no LTE here. One of AT&T's major data centers is here as well. Hard to tell why they are slow rolling it out here.
I don't get to see the invoices. My wife works for AT&T, and gets those. She did tell me I am being billed for 4g though.
Tecneek said:
Good grief.. I'll try again at a new location. I'll simply tell them that I want to change my current unlimited plan to the LTE unlimited plan. I am in the Wash, D.C. metro area. They act like an LTE unlimited plan doesn't exist.
Cobra are you in an LTE area? I wonder why your speeds aren't up there if you are in fact on the LTE plan.
---------- Post added at 03:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 PM ----------
Oh, they looked at the SIM too and said it was a current SIM.
If you can send me the description of the svc as on the invoice I would appreciate..
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[Q] tethering caught with fox fi- with proxy
i have been a big fan of tethering since my old iPhone days.
the switch to android has been a big step and i am not telling anyone to tether so please don't abuse this.
i used foxfi with proxy for about 4 months until last night. got a email from AT&t stating that i would be moved to a tethering plan for 65 dollars more a month and one less gig than i had before. so for all those that use foxfi with proxy, it doesn't work. i know pda net dosent work from friend who also got a letter, before me.
so i am stuck .. no more tethering for me.. i am actually retiring from it. but i still keep the option on my phone if such an emergency arises.
hears where i am asking for the opinions of the xda members. i am not sure how at&t knows, but they did, and it doesn't make sense that they scan all every packet of data. any ideas how they know?
i did do one thing that i found hidden on my samsung notei717. under network settings it only shows ONE apn. but... if you download a apn-manager it shows a hidden APN-att-entitlement. is this how they know? i thought it was only used for people who pay for tethering? is it also used to track tethering?
i ended up using a sql editor and removed the line for this APN from the(/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db) rebooted phone and now its gone, phone works well and i havent seen any problems yet. ( i did make a copy if anyone wants to see the original)
might anyone in here have any ideas of how at&t knew ?
i am more curious if anything.. even my wife told me, that i have a big enough screen, just use it as a computer from now on.
was it this APN that gave it away? (i tethered a android tablet for internet and games)
I'm on T-Mobile and have been caught tethering, I use chrome extension user-agent switcher. Choose the Android user-agent. If some pages require IE then just precede with HTTPS.
Try it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Another thought you could use the tether, establish a VPN tunnel to a home machine and then use the internet that way. it'll encapsulate your traffic from your laptop to your home PC so AT&T could see is traffic but not what and where. From what I've read it's either 1 of 2 ways how AT&T detect if you're tethering:
1) by detecting what type of response headers and ports your connecting on. A VPN tunnel would protect you.
2) the other rumor is that by using a tethering program (or one that's built in for that matter) uses a tethering specific APN which AT&T tracks that way. So in theory if you could specify which APN you use for tethering that would protect you.
I haven't wanted to test out these theories because I have unlimited plan and don't want to risk it.
Theoriginalgiga said:
Another thought you could use the tether, establish a VPN tunnel to a home machine and then use the internet that way. it'll encapsulate your traffic from your laptop to your home PC so AT&T could see is traffic but not what and where. From what I've read it's either 1 of 2 ways how AT&T detect if you're tethering:
1) by detecting what type of response headers and ports your connecting on. A VPN tunnel would protect you.
2) the other rumor is that by using a tethering program (or one that's built in for that matter) uses a tethering specific APN which AT&T tracks that way. So in theory if you could specify which APN you use for tethering that would protect you.
I haven't wanted to test out these theories because I have unlimited plan and don't want to risk it.
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i have deleted the alternate APN ( which is hidden even from root users) so i am not sure if that is it.
is it possible to alter the TTL ? and if so how?
- also how would i tweak my note to use a VPN?
mac1845427 said:
i have deleted the alternate APN ( which is hidden even from root users) so i am not sure if that is it.
is it possible to alter the TTL ? and if so how?
- also how would i tweak my note to use a VPN?
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Personally I'd handle the VPN on the laptop/computer instead of the phone itself. Inherently there's an overhead for a VPN and requires processing power which would slow down your throughput on your phone if the phone was handling that.
Here's a link that has a decent walk through if you want to use the phone for the VPN.
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/smartphones/securely-connect-your-android-smartphone-via-vpn/3321
What APN did you delete? can you post the values of it? Also why do you want to change your TTL?
I do not know how at &t does it, but a friend was one of the first owner of a 10" tablet with internal 3g years ago. His provider accused him doing tethering.
We assumed that they check the screen resolution of the browser which some web sites use to optimise the layout.
After short discussion, he could convince them and they droped the case.
Not that I'm in any way knowledgeable in the context of this topic, but when you mentioned the alteration and/or deletion of hidden APN data...
Bear in mind that a stock GB build for the ATT note, contains 1352 separate APN's....
And I'm not sure if the hidden file will capture the additional data or not to prevent detection, but I thought I'd post anyway just in case it helps at all ...g
Edit : I can't say for sure where these APN logs are stored or how/when they are accessed, but I know they exist as they can be seen when backing or restoring the GB or ICS UCLF6 Builds when tracking the line by line process.
Good luck to you gentlemen, I have nothing else to offer on the subject ....sorry ....g
xblosa said:
I do not know how at &t does it, but a friend was one of the first owner of a 10" tablet with internal 3g years ago. His provider accused him doing tethering.
We assumed that they check the screen resolution of the browser which some web sites use to optimise the layout.
After short discussion, he could convince them and they droped the case.
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If that's the case, that sort of data can be masked by a VPN tunnel. But I think it's a little more complex than that because there's quite a few tablets on AT&T now.
Theoriginalgiga said:
If that's the case, that sort of data can be masked by a VPN tunnel. But I think it's a little more complex than that because there's quite a few tablets on AT&T now.
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Sure, they will have improved their detection, but it will be based on fingerprinting for the traffic of commonly used desktop applications. VPN will avoid this, but using VPN all the time might be suspiscious per se.
xblosa said:
Sure, they will have improved their detection, but it will be based on fingerprinting for the traffic of commonly used desktop applications. VPN will avoid this, but using VPN all the time might be suspiscious per se.
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Agreed, it would look suspicious, but suspicion isn't enough to warrant AT&T to switch your account.
I got the email from AT&T about a year ago warning me about tethering and I called the number and she said their system looks for many thing and throws up red flags when it can prove you are tethering. She said they have to have proof before they can warn people. I was using my device to tether an iPod touch and she told me the reason I was caught was because I had downloaded apps from the App Store on an I device but my sim card was never shown to be inside an Idevice. It was crazy because I used several devices to tether for at least three years without being caught and within a week of using the iPod I was caught.
How dare we use the services we pay for! Such arrogance I have never seen to think att shouldn't be able to double dip. Vote Romney 2012 and deregulate more!
I got a warning once after watching Netflix... on my phone. They're usually bull****.
Sent from my SGH-I717 using xda premium
Earlier this month, I was on vacay and decided to use my phone to tether to my laptop (wasnt going to pay $12 at the hotel for damn sure), and I forgot and left it on thru one night. I didn't really "tether" per say, I turned my phone to a hotspot actually and it's not like my internet usage was higher than normal neither.
Why does at&t trip when you gotta pay anyway? (if no unlimited plan of course)
SayWhat10 said:
Why does at&t trip when you gotta pay anyway? (if no unlimited plan of course)
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Well because AT&T wants to get you for every single penny they can. They want to charge you for a data plan, then a tether plan and roaming plan, and idevice plan, a non-idevice plan, a gps plan, a navigation plan, a text to speech plan, your grandma is a dirty girl plan, your connected to more than one tower at a time plan, a video chat plan. I'm sure you get the point, if they can squeeze that extra penny from the people and force them to pay higher prices, even though it alienates their consumers, they know people aren't going to leave. The market isn't who has the best service gets the most customers anymore. It's you will use us because we're all owned by the same company and we just give you the illusion that you have choices, but in reality all your money are belong to us.
/climbs off of soapbox
I have a 3 gig plan and use about 8 gigs a month.. I tether my ps3 and play online and stuff like that.. I have never heard from AT&T..
Surely they can see when I'm connected to Playstation Network using massive amounts of data..
Its powered by Jellybeaned AOKP!
Did you delete the tethering manager program?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
johnrippa said:
How dare we use the services we pay for! Such arrogance I have never seen to think att shouldn't be able to double dip. Vote Romney 2012 and deregulate more!
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Exactly !!..g
drnecropolis said:
I have a 3 gig plan and use about 8 gigs a month.. I tether my ps3 and play online and stuff like that.. I have never heard from AT&T..
Surely they can see when I'm connected to Playstation Network using massive amounts of data..
Its powered by Jellybeaned AOKP!
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aside from charging you for tethering...they dont charge you for the overage from the 3gig to 8gig? that has to be a lot