Android Tethering
[Deleted User]
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Hi all,
I think that new phones like the Sony Xperia Z can do tethering without the need for an external app - have I got that right? Also I read that in the USA the networks tried to limit or block free tethering ie to force customers to pay extra for tethering but that this blocking of tethering was ruled illegal. So what about the UK?
This UK article says "It's worth remembering to check your network's terms and conditions on tethering" - obviously you need to keep within the data limits of your plan but apart from that can / do UK networks block / limit free tethering?
Thanks...
I think that new phones like the Sony Xperia Z can do tethering without the need for an external app - have I got that right? Also I read that in the USA the networks tried to limit or block free tethering ie to force customers to pay extra for tethering but that this blocking of tethering was ruled illegal. So what about the UK?
This UK article says "It's worth remembering to check your network's terms and conditions on tethering" - obviously you need to keep within the data limits of your plan but apart from that can / do UK networks block / limit free tethering?
Thanks...
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For the best tethering plans in the Uk, see here...
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1804772
Some handset are crippled by the networks, so you can't tether. The apps should get around it, if yours is.
Most also date back a couple of years when it wasn't part of the system itself.
Good but I expect that would take a while...
Won't be to long it is meant to be published tomorrow so then it only has to be voted upon.
The MAC address I believe of the product using the service.
They could sniff user agents when you try to browse the web I guess, but that's easily sorted - and indeed I gather if you did everything over a secure layer they wouldn't be able to sniff anyway.
that s how they know
This is how they can tell, even if you tethered another identical Android device to it with exactly the same user agents etc., they would still know.
packet sniffing.
You wouldn't expect windows update to run on an android phone would you?
Networks can see the different type of data you're using.
Are there any links about this bill - I have heard about the roaming thing in the news but not the tethering...
The don't use packet sniffing.
The networks know via user agents and apps identifying themselves, as you say Windows Update might be a giveaway. But it's simpler than that. When you look at IP logs, you can see what browser, version and OS. If something identifies as "OSX" or "Windows 7" over a mobile network, then know for sure you're tethering.
I've never, ever been caught doing it.
Won't the networks just counteract this by allowing tethering, but just throttle it to whatever speed they wish when its detected?. They could easily still make tethering unattractive by reducing the speed to Edge or lower.