Is the built-in wifi hotspot trackable by Verizon in AOSP ROMs? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Or do I need to use Android Wifi Tether for my tethering needs?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Plus 1
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

TheBiles said:
Or do I need to use Android Wifi Tether for my tethering needs?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used the built-in so can't answer but just wanted to chime in with THWG!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Bump... also, really? No answers?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Yes. Doesn't it redirect ?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I'm not going to give you a 100% sure answer but here's my interpretation.
The built in wifi tether on CM or AOSP ROMs should be just as traceable as using Wifi Tether as in, they could monitor your data usage and see large usage or large spikes in data flow, however this is highly unlikely unless you're one of those people that use 30GB a month.
From what I've seen with the built in wifi tether for the stock Verizon LTE GN when you click turn on the hotspot it goes through a validation / verification thing in which it communicates with Verizon and starts some log of data, when you turn it off it appears to then give that information back to Verizon to say the connection is closed. As the built in one on custom roms doesn't do this it should be just as in the clear as wifi tether.
Again, not 100% sure but I'm just using built in on CM these days.

It doesn't even have to be spikes in data.. they can see what type of device the data is being sent to/from. However, they never said a thing when I tethered my Thunderbolt. The spikes in data is what causes them to investigate.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Short Answer: They could, but won't unless you become a problem for them.
Long Answer: Tethering goes through the same APN as cellular usage, which is why they have the phone-home feature on stock. They really can't tell without packet sniffing to figure out specifically what usage came from what device. That is a lot of work, but even more importantly, is that they need a man-in-the-loop to 1) maintain the automated systems. 2) deal with customer service issues arising from people that have been billed for off-plan usage.
If you don't know why #2 is so important, think about how much it costs when an angry customer calls in and takes up and hour of a rep and his manager's time. You could be looking at $20 of wages wasted trying to wrange $10-20 out of a customer. That's in addition to building the servers to handle the data, and the network infrastructure to sniff the packets.
It's just not worth it, unless someone is downing 20GB on 3G, or 50GB on LTE. It's even less worth it now that everyone is moving away from unlimted data plans (for now, just like voice, it will come back when the technology outpaces the demand). Why sniff packets, when the network hogs will just roll into overage charges anyway? Expect the tethering plans to dissappear in the next few years.

Related

how does sprint track my data usage? seems they dont know how much im using.

I have a rooted evo 4g. For tethering I use pdanet and wireless tether. I use these applications quite a bit and was worried that sprint might terminate my service or something for excessive data usage (As we all know the data plans are not absolutely unlimited according to sprints terms of service). When I have checked the data usage on my bill, it would range from about 1-4gb. What confuses me is that i know i have downloaded at least 10-20gb while tethering during these billing cycles. Does anyone have any insight to this? Most of the downloads were using the 4g network, and a little on the 3g. Why wouldn't my bill show that I had in fact used 10-20gb of data?
Well, because the majority of your downloading was via 4g, they don't track that.
Oh... Well alrighty then. Makes sense. Thanks.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
That's the whole point of pdanet, sprint doesnt see it as tethering data, just regular 3g/4g data.
It looks like they don't see any kind of data usage.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Wifi tether and sprint hotspot

I am currently running latest bonsai rom and am looking at swapping to acs rom 1.0.2. I keep reading about using the sprint hotspot app for wifi tether. Does this enable sprint to bill for tethering? Can't really afford it if it does. Can't search too well due to pc being down and xda app is hard to search on so sorry if repeat topic.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
The Sprint Hotspot app is Sprint's service. You pay $30/month to turn your phone into a wifi hotspot so that other devices can use your internet connection. Wifi tether does the same thing, except it's free. Sprint does not like that.
On a sidebar, AT&T is aware that customers with jailbroken Iphones are doing this (using a wifi tether service) and have sent notices to the users saying that they will automatically be signed up for AT&T's service package if they do not stop by March 30 (or somewhere close to that date). I wouldn't be surprised if Sprint followed suit.
running_the_dream said:
The Sprint Hotspot app is Sprint's service. You pay $30/month to turn your phone into a wifi hotspot so that other devices can use your internet connection. Wifi tether does the same thing, except it's free. Sprint does not like that.
On a sidebar, AT&T is aware that customers with jailbroken Iphones are doing this (using a wifi tether service) and have sent notices to the users saying that they will automatically be signed up for AT&T's service package if they do not stop by March 30 (or somewhere close to that date). I wouldn't be surprised if Sprint followed suit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way for a carrier to prove it one way or the other? I know that our phones are supposed to be more data intensive anyway.
ficjay said:
Is there a way for a carrier to prove it one way or the other? I know that our phones are supposed to be more data intensive anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. Any Internet connection that's not explicitly encrypted is easily sniffable. I think most providers pay attention to the HTTP user-agent string which give away your browser and OS version, but that's often faked on phones anyways to get "desktop" versions of websites in a mobile browser (and thus, if you get a notice and not tethering, worth complaining over).
But if you play WoW, or stream Netflix, or do something over a tethered connection that can't be done on the phone itself, that's another giveaway.
ficjay said:
Is there a way for a carrier to prove it one way or the other? I know that our phones are supposed to be more data intensive anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's really easy for a carrier to pinpoint an exact user and see how much data he/she is using and how he/she is using it (i.e. 3g, 4g, wifi). Additionally, it is easy for them to spot users that have hacked into their hotspot service. I probably wouldn't worry about it until I got a threatening letter from Sprint though.
running_the_dream said:
The Sprint Hotspot app is Sprint's service. You pay $30/month to turn your phone into a wifi hotspot so that other devices can use your internet connection. Wifi tether does the same thing, except it's free. Sprint does not like that.
On a sidebar, AT&T is aware that customers with jailbroken Iphones are doing this (using a wifi tether service) and have sent notices to the users saying that they will automatically be signed up for AT&T's service package if they do not stop by March 30 (or somewhere close to that date). I wouldn't be surprised if Sprint followed suit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint seems to be a bit more relaxed towards it, just like tmobile is until att buys them out. I don't think sprint would do it as anymore than a warning. Tethering on sprint phones has been around for many years back to an old sanyo brick I had. They had tethering plans back then but didn't enforce them. They would help you get around the tethering bill on national phone support. They also have free apps like pdanet that allow you to tether in the marketplace without root so the whole thing with android is you don't need to "jailbreak" your device to tether free. Before I rooted and romed my epic, hero, evo I always used pdanet and never had issues so for them to step on androids toes would take more balls then simply saying the only way on an iphone is to break in and make it do this.
TL;DR. Iphone and android are different things in all ways.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

[Q] Tablet: Wifi or Carrier?

If you plan to get a tablet, would you get one with a cellular network, or one only suited for wifi?
I think it sounds silly to spend cash for a 'tablet line', but to each their own.
Stories/experiences welcome.
I bought the tab 10.1 wifi only... if I am ever without wifi access (which is rare) I just use my nexus to wifi tether.. saves money and works great
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Ditto
Wifi, if you ever need data access just tether
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
i thought the same initially, get a wifi tablet and tether to phone if needed
BUT wifi tether sucks up too much phone battery - and it's such a shame to have an awesome device that you can't use properly
i ended up replacing my TF101 (which was too big for me anyway) with a 3G 7" and got a $5 for 500MB per month sim
I'd rather have my balls chopped off than to buy a carrier tablet. I can see the usefulness for some people that need to be connected all the time but it's just not for me.
I have the GT 10.1 wifi only. I usually have it tethered to my phone. Root > WiFi tether app > win. Screw Verizon, they take a lot of money as it is from me per month. Not giving them extra to add my tablet. Just thank god I still have my unlimited data plan. Cause 4G eats up data like a fat man in a donut shop. I hit 15GB usage the other month.
I bought a unlocked t-mobile galaxy tab 7. rooted and running cm7. i pop in my 30 buck a month prepaid t-mobile sim card when i need to.. works out. but would never sign a contract for a tablet. etc..
chancy319 said:
I'd rather have my balls chopped off than to buy a carrier tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed...fortunately i don't live in a place where carriers control technology...and also, i don't have gonads
Glad that everyone has reached a consensus. Also, can you use USB tether?
I have the 64GB 3rd generation wifi only iPad and I manage fine tethering when I need it. Even if tethering sucked as bad as some people claim, 500Mb is nowhere being enough data for a tablet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I tether my WiFi tab using AOKPs built in tethering. I get about 20 mb/s on average over my 4G connection.
My wife even used it when she was out to watch her slingbox with no issues. used about 15GB in 3 days...LOL...gotta love that unlimited..uncapped...4G data.
HeCareth said:
I tether my WiFi tab using AOKPs built in tethering. I get about 20 mb/s on average over my 4G connection.
My wife even used it when she was out to watch her slingbox with no issues. used about 15GB in 3 days...LOL...gotta love that unlimited..uncapped...4G data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's about to come to an end.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

[Q] Question about TMobiles new Unlimited 4G plan (Tethering)

Unlimited 4G data on T-Mobile network for accessing the web, streaming music and HD video, and downloading cool apps—as much as you want. No limits and no overages - 89.99$ a month.
Which for me is only about 5$ more. So it says its not compatible with "Smartphone Mobile Hotspot" Now I assume thats the built in stock option they lock down.. So question is, how does this effect our rooted ways of tethering and wifi hotspot making. Has anyone tried yet? Or have info about this? Thanks.
with that plan you will not be able to tether as for as i know,can they stop you?that i don't know.can they tell? not really sure,but in the past talking to tmobile they can basically tell how much you use is by there a difference in using your phone and tethering...when you tether,there more data usage....but i have the 10 gb data plan which include free tether,also if you get the 5gb plan,that also comes with free tethering...
Well I have the 2GB one atm for the cost (which is still unlimited, just slows down) but yea, orig.. they never had an app for tethering. Seems the S3 has a T-Mobile made app for tethering (Stock rom app) So Id assume using our normal root wifi tether apps.. we should be ok. Like you said, they might know the diff in the bandwidth, then again might not.. Netflix and MobiTV alone can take up alot. Not to mention Youtube in HD. I may have to try this and see what happens. Unless someone has the new plan already. I mean unlimited 4G.. True unlimited.. thats not bad at all.
I know I'm loving T-Mobile right now I'm streaming radio for a whole shift at work downloading roms and all kinds of WiFi stuff.and get this I was already was paying for the 5g data plan so when I called for them to switch me over to the unlimited 4g plan I actually saved $5 off my bill and cause I was throttled by the 5th of September it brought me right out of edge. And yes the t mobile hotspot app redirects any device connected to some T-Mobile web page. But we are good with hotspot app from the play store
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Rooted tethering still works.
Sent from my SGH-T999
joshnichols189 said:
Rooted tethering still works.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks! Great to know. I think paying 10$ more a month for the "ability" (even if not used) for TRUE unlimited is worth it. Lock in and grandfather before they change their mind. Mobile Netflix + Hdmi = Win for one example of travel use.
Do have one stupid question. Anyone know on the Official hotspot app use. If all ports are enabled? Or is it still 80 and 8080 only? Thats the only thing I could see a different on. TMO hotspot might give you more ports access. However I am unsure.
I highly doubt the T-Mobile hotspot is any better than something you can find in the market And if it's just hotspot through the settings, it's the exact same thing.
Tho if I am not mistaken... Wasnt most of the rooted wifi tether apps an "Ad-Hoc" connection vs "Infrastructure" mode? Granted computers and ios seem to handle that fine. However items like PSP, DS, and other consoles didnt like ad-hoc internet connections. Or is that different now? (I ask cause my tablet seems to host in infrastructure mode, while my G1 on its tether app did like an adhoc form)

Rooting Samsung Galaxy s3 sch-L710 for tethering

I have Sprint service and was told that they're very strict on Wi-Fi tethering so I wanted to know if I got my phone rooted and used it as a hotspot for my Xbox 360 and laptop will Sprint know and try to charge me? Will the root turn it into a mobile hotspot?
ksmoove2 said:
I have Sprint service and was told that they're very strict on Wi-Fi tethering so I wanted to know if I got my phone rooted and used it as a hotspot for my Xbox 360 and laptop will Sprint know and try to charge me? Will the root turn it into a mobile hotspot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most custom roms have the native hotspot hacked. As far as Sprint seeing, I've never heard of it.
ksmoove2 said:
I have Sprint service and was told that they're very strict on Wi-Fi tethering so I wanted to know if I got my phone rooted and used it as a hotspot for my Xbox 360 and laptop will Sprint know and try to charge me? Will the root turn it into a mobile hotspot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are willing to spend money, foxfi works fine too
I've been using it for almost a year now
Sprint knows when they see an excessive amount of data being used. They can't do anything about it unless you specify that your device is rooted.(Modified)
They do have specific tricks for customers with high data use. They disable the main tower where most of your data traffic comes from, but leave surrounding towers alone. That one tower will have LTE slowed but 3G will be at regular capacity. It's only done for about 2 to 3 weeks and then enabled again.
Basically, it's spot checking.
They've done it to me on 3 different occasions in 3 different areas across town. And I always check to see if it's the case by going to the next nearest tower and doing speed tests in the area.
(Just try to stay under 50GB and you'll be okay).
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Categories

Resources