Using your mobile as a modem?

BustedCat · 28-01-2010, 19:31

I was messing around with my laptop bluetooth and phone and discovered that I could browse the internet on my laptop using the 3.5G network and I was surprised at how fast it was, I could watch youtube with no problem. Question is, are you supposed to be able to do this and does it cost anything extra? I checked my data allowance and it took about 5MB off and I think my credit was the same.

prking · 28-01-2010, 20:37

I first used a phone as a modem in 2004. As to whether its allowed, that would depend on your tariff.

Fatboyfun · 28-01-2010, 20:46

It's called "Tethering" and some networks on certain tariffs charge you the earth for it.

carguy143 · 29-01-2010, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatboyfun

It's called "Tethering" and some networks on certain tariffs charge you the earth for it.

I would like to know exactly how they can tell whether a data signal is being used for browsing mobile internet using a mobile phone, or "proper" internet, connected through a mobile phone.

I know some phone networks are keen to modify their phone firmware so that tethering is disabled. T mobile charge for tethering to a laptop or pc if you have a mobile with them according to something i saw on their website.

I am on orange uk, and i use my phone as a modem for my laptop all the time and have NEVER been charged anything extra at all.

sotek · 29-01-2010, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy143

I know some phone networks are keen to modify their phone firmware so that tethering is disabled. T mobile charge for tethering to a laptop or pc if you have a mobile with them according to something i saw on their website.

I have an 'unlimited' data package with T-Mobile and my small print (and I assume this applies to everyone else) specifically states that I cannot tether my phone to a computer.

colinp · 29-01-2010, 08:57

i have a htc hd2 which has a built in hot spot for connecting to , ive been using it on tmobile and its not uses anything other than my normal data allowence

Bang Bang Boom · 29-01-2010, 18:35

im on 3 and tether mine sometimes, mainly when im coming to the end of my month and want to max out my 1gb, im paying for it so im goin to max it out.

what im thinking is, the 3 dongles have a sim card in them, the same kind of sim i have in my mobile, so surely thats the same as me linking my mobile up?

MGS4SnakeRulez · 30-01-2010, 07:15

I use mine it doesnt cost anything extra just uses my free allowance. Its slow though.

bigtunes · 30-01-2010, 13:20

I tethered my Hero last night and have just checked my account online and there aren't any charges showing just the usual data usage.

On T Mobile Flext 40, just looked at the T&C's and as sotek pointed out it does say that you can't use your phone as a modem.

Question is how would they know? If they have added something to their build that won't work as I'm using a custom ROM...

TheBigM · 30-01-2010, 13:29

They can tell simply by the traffic your connection is passing through. E.g. browsers report data to websites when surfing "browser headers" - it says things like which browser you are using, which OS you are using etc.

28-01-2010, 19:31	#1
BustedCat Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,140	Using your mobile as a modem? I was messing around with my laptop bluetooth and phone and discovered that I could browse the internet on my laptop using the 3.5G network and I was surprised at how fast it was, I could watch youtube with no problem. Question is, are you supposed to be able to do this and does it cost anything extra? I checked my data allowance and it took about 5MB off and I think my credit was the same.

28-01-2010, 20:37	#2
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	I first used a phone as a modem in 2004. As to whether its allowed, that would depend on your tariff.

28-01-2010, 20:46	#3
Fatboyfun Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Somewhere else. Posts: 365	It's called "Tethering" and some networks on certain tariffs charge you the earth for it.

29-01-2010, 00:02	#4
carguy143 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leyland Posts: 1,971	Quote: Originally Posted by Fatboyfun It's called "Tethering" and some networks on certain tariffs charge you the earth for it. I would like to know exactly how they can tell whether a data signal is being used for browsing mobile internet using a mobile phone, or "proper" internet, connected through a mobile phone. I know some phone networks are keen to modify their phone firmware so that tethering is disabled. T mobile charge for tethering to a laptop or pc if you have a mobile with them according to something i saw on their website. I am on orange uk, and i use my phone as a modem for my laptop all the time and have NEVER been charged anything extra at all.

29-01-2010, 05:50	#5
sotek Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,200	Quote: Originally Posted by carguy143 I know some phone networks are keen to modify their phone firmware so that tethering is disabled. T mobile charge for tethering to a laptop or pc if you have a mobile with them according to something i saw on their website. I have an 'unlimited' data package with T-Mobile and my small print (and I assume this applies to everyone else) specifically states that I cannot tether my phone to a computer.

29-01-2010, 08:57	#6
colinp Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: london Posts: 1,241	i have a htc hd2 which has a built in hot spot for connecting to , ive been using it on tmobile and its not uses anything other than my normal data allowence

29-01-2010, 18:35	#7
Bang Bang Boom Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Blackpool Posts: 884	im on 3 and tether mine sometimes, mainly when im coming to the end of my month and want to max out my 1gb, im paying for it so im goin to max it out. what im thinking is, the 3 dongles have a sim card in them, the same kind of sim i have in my mobile, so surely thats the same as me linking my mobile up?

30-01-2010, 07:15	#8
MGS4SnakeRulez Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 16,705	I use mine it doesnt cost anything extra just uses my free allowance. Its slow though.

30-01-2010, 13:20	#9
bigtunes Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the internet Posts: 818	I tethered my Hero last night and have just checked my account online and there aren't any charges showing just the usual data usage. On T Mobile Flext 40, just looked at the T&C's and as sotek pointed out it does say that you can't use your phone as a modem. Question is how would they know? If they have added something to their build that won't work as I'm using a custom ROM...

30-01-2010, 13:29	#10
TheBigM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: moon Posts: 12,983	They can tell simply by the traffic your connection is passing through. E.g. browsers report data to websites when surfing "browser headers" - it says things like which browser you are using, which OS you are using etc.

DS Forums

Using your mobile as a modem?