3.0 GM Hacked Tethering - Can you get charged?

[jcde7ago]

Hey all,

Quick question I had....

Say you're running the 3.0 GM build right now, and you enabled MMS/Tethering for AT&T through one of the hacked carrier bundle (.ipcc) files floating around the internet.

Is it possible to get charged by tethering? I used PdaNet and never got charged. I am not quite sure I understand why I hear of rumors stating that tethering will cost $70 or whatnot, but then other people are enabling it in the GM build for free. Plus, how would AT&T be able to tell? They apparently can't tell when someone is using PdaNet, and if you're significantly under your softcap every month, there's no reason to flag your account, even if you're tethering.

I guess i am just unsure what you'd be paying for. Would you be paying for an official carrier bundle to enable tethering on 3.0 later on? Everyone's excited to already be tethering on GM...my point is more about whether or not those people are going to get charged down the road....are they completely out of the woods in terms of being charged for anything having already activated tethering? If anyone could provide some insight/clarity, id greatly appreciate it....thanks!

 

[slpdLoad]

Packet analysis can reveal that you're tethering.

But, without having your account flagged by the invisible cap I think it's fairly safe.

To answer your question...yes you are violating the terms of service, so yes you can be charged.

 

[jcde7ago]

Packet analysis can reveal that you're tethering.

But, without having your account flagged by the invisible cap I think it's fairly safe.

To answer your question...yes you are violating the terms of service, so yes you can be charged.

Thanks for the response. What I am getting at I guess is, is there any difference between enabling 3.0's tethering compared to, say, PdaNet? That's the part I don't get. AT&T is supposed to activate/enable tethering for those after the official release of 3.0 once they come up with a tethering plan with which to charge you - so my question is - what the heck would they be charging for? An official carrier bundle to activate tethering, making it a one-time fee? A monthly fee? Why don't they just activate tethering for everyone - unless they have someway of knowing, right? I can't wrap my head around this issue other than thinking that they would just charge you a one-time fee for a carrier bundle.

Cause most people on 3.0 Golden Master already have tethering enabled and as far as I know no one's reported being charged per-KB on their bill. So if theoretically AT&T has no way of telling if people are tethering or not other than selling you a carrier bundle, I really don't understand how they would come up with a tethering plan that does allow them to tell and charge people for it.

 

[Applejuiced]

If you just connect to browse the web, check email and other minor tasks you should be ok.
If you start downloading files and other heavy internet usage they might give you a warning.
I never heard of anyone getting caught so far though wether you use PDAnet or other tethering options its the same.

 

[greaystone]

They aren't looking to charge, they just want to be sure that those tethering know how much data tethering uses & have an adequate data plan (1gb or more) so they don't complain if they get billed for going over there data plan.
By forcing them to call to activate it they can also better gauge the demand to see if the current data plans need to be adjusted to better meet the needs of the public