Using HTC instead of home broadband

Gadget Guy · 04-10-2010, 21:36

Just got a new HTC Wildfire on an unlimited internet usage contract and was thinking of ditching home phone and broadband and using the phone as a 3G modem for my laptop.
I am aware of fair use policies on mobile internet but I have around 1Gb a month to use and the guy in the shop told me that it is not capped if you do go over however I download very little and generally just browse the web so think it wont be a problem. Never use the home phone and have unlimited landline calls too so, again, not a problem.
3G reception is reasonable and it seemed to run about as fast as my broadband when i tried it out.
My question is can anyone forsee any problem with this set up? It will save me a few quid a month using the Wildfire only for calls and internet.
Does anyone else do this?
The only drawback I can see is losing the wireless access around the house but usually I am the only one in the house using the net. I think with some fiddling I can set up my laptop as a wirelss access point anyway for the other computer in the study. Anyone done this?
Comments welcomed...good or bad.
Thanks.

Hardstyler · 04-10-2010, 21:40

what network u on as some networks don't allow tethering, which us exactly what ur on about.

dies the wildfire tether? I got a wildfire... I thought androids didn't tether?

Gadget Guy · 04-10-2010, 21:48

Its on T-Mobile and yes it does tether as tried it earlier today. There is a driver preloaded onto the phones SD card that needs installing on the laptop first and then seemed to work like a dream.
Can the network tell if you are just using the phone to browse or using it as a modem?

Hardstyler · 04-10-2010, 21:54

t mobile do 3gb data on android not 1gb

networks can determain in if ur tethering by how much u use as laptops/desktops use far much mire data than a fone yes so pretty simple for them to check

swills · 04-10-2010, 22:00

Android... T-Mobile 3GB

Vodafone: 500MB

My name's Scott · 05-10-2010, 00:29

I don't think networks can tell if you're tethering to your computer or not. My Desire works like a charm, no need for a dongle and additional data plan.

pi r squared · 05-10-2010, 07:25

If you never use iPlayer, ITV Catch-up, etc. or Remote Access then it might work but it's a bit risky. The downsides I would envisage are:

- If your phone is lost or stolen, or breaks, you've just lost your entire internet connection.
- Tethering is often against the T&Cs; they mightn't find out, but if they do and restrict you, you're stuck.
- Mobile 3g is less reliable/consistent than home broadband, lacking the same levels of customer support, more affected by atmospherics, etc.

Thine Wonk · 05-10-2010, 09:04

You prob aren't allowed to do any VOIP or P2P either as all mobile broadband or mobile network data plans forbid this. I believe 3 are the only ones that allow pretty much everything within your data allowance.

sotek · 05-10-2010, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget Guy

Its on T-Mobile and yes it does tether as tried it earlier today. There is a driver preloaded onto the phones SD card that needs installing on the laptop first and then seemed to work like a dream.
Can the network tell if you are just using the phone to browse or using it as a modem?

Unless they have changed their small print (which I very much doubt) T-Mobile specifically say you CANNOT tether. Just because the phone can do it doesn't mean the network will be happy about it.

By all means try but I suggest you don't ditch the home broadband just yet. And yes, I believe the networks are able to detect how the connection is being used.

Gadget Guy · 05-10-2010, 15:11

Have checked T-mobile T&Cs and it does say 3Gb data limit for android phones on pay monthly plans which is great and far more than I would need but it also does ban tethering as a couple of you suspected. Can they really tell if you are tethering or not if you don't exceed the limit.
Would like to hear from someone in the know or someone that has been 'found out' and warned about tethering with their phone.
I was told that fair use policies are enforced on mobile phone companies and I suspect they have to put it in their T&Cs to satisfy whoever sets the loimits and useage.
Any thoughts??

sotek · 05-10-2010, 20:46

Interestingly enough, and despite what I said earlier, a review of the T-Mobile support forums brings up two different threads that contain 'official' T-Mobile responses regarding tethering. It actually appears that you are allowed to do it!

http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/discus...6dd2137000728a

http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/discus...1d3764a2007f01

04-10-2010, 21:36	#1
Gadget Guy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 421	Using HTC instead of home broadband Just got a new HTC Wildfire on an unlimited internet usage contract and was thinking of ditching home phone and broadband and using the phone as a 3G modem for my laptop. I am aware of fair use policies on mobile internet but I have around 1Gb a month to use and the guy in the shop told me that it is not capped if you do go over however I download very little and generally just browse the web so think it wont be a problem. Never use the home phone and have unlimited landline calls too so, again, not a problem. 3G reception is reasonable and it seemed to run about as fast as my broadband when i tried it out. My question is can anyone forsee any problem with this set up? It will save me a few quid a month using the Wildfire only for calls and internet. Does anyone else do this? The only drawback I can see is losing the wireless access around the house but usually I am the only one in the house using the net. I think with some fiddling I can set up my laptop as a wirelss access point anyway for the other computer in the study. Anyone done this? Comments welcomed...good or bad. Thanks.

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04-10-2010, 21:40	#2
Hardstyler Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,775	what network u on as some networks don't allow tethering, which us exactly what ur on about. dies the wildfire tether? I got a wildfire... I thought androids didn't tether?

04-10-2010, 21:48	#3
Gadget Guy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 421	Its on T-Mobile and yes it does tether as tried it earlier today. There is a driver preloaded onto the phones SD card that needs installing on the laptop first and then seemed to work like a dream. Can the network tell if you are just using the phone to browse or using it as a modem?

04-10-2010, 21:54	#4
Hardstyler Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,775	t mobile do 3gb data on android not 1gb networks can determain in if ur tethering by how much u use as laptops/desktops use far much mire data than a fone yes so pretty simple for them to check

04-10-2010, 22:00	#5
swills Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Essex Posts: 3,906	Android... T-Mobile 3GB Vodafone: 500MB

05-10-2010, 00:29	#6
My name's Scott Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Homerton, London, E9 Posts: 1,742	I don't think networks can tell if you're tethering to your computer or not. My Desire works like a charm, no need for a dongle and additional data plan.

05-10-2010, 07:25	#7
pi r squared Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 4,185	If you never use iPlayer, ITV Catch-up, etc. or Remote Access then it might work but it's a bit risky. The downsides I would envisage are: - If your phone is lost or stolen, or breaks, you've just lost your entire internet connection. - Tethering is often against the T&Cs; they mightn't find out, but if they do and restrict you, you're stuck. - Mobile 3g is less reliable/consistent than home broadband, lacking the same levels of customer support, more affected by atmospherics, etc.

05-10-2010, 09:04	#8
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	You prob aren't allowed to do any VOIP or P2P either as all mobile broadband or mobile network data plans forbid this. I believe 3 are the only ones that allow pretty much everything within your data allowance.

05-10-2010, 10:02	#9
sotek Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,200	Quote: Originally Posted by Gadget Guy Its on T-Mobile and yes it does tether as tried it earlier today. There is a driver preloaded onto the phones SD card that needs installing on the laptop first and then seemed to work like a dream. Can the network tell if you are just using the phone to browse or using it as a modem? Unless they have changed their small print (which I very much doubt) T-Mobile specifically say you CANNOT tether. Just because the phone can do it doesn't mean the network will be happy about it. By all means try but I suggest you don't ditch the home broadband just yet. And yes, I believe the networks are able to detect how the connection is being used.

05-10-2010, 15:11	#10
Gadget Guy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 421	Have checked T-mobile T&Cs and it does say 3Gb data limit for android phones on pay monthly plans which is great and far more than I would need but it also does ban tethering as a couple of you suspected. Can they really tell if you are tethering or not if you don't exceed the limit. Would like to hear from someone in the know or someone that has been 'found out' and warned about tethering with their phone. I was told that fair use policies are enforced on mobile phone companies and I suspect they have to put it in their T&Cs to satisfy whoever sets the loimits and useage. Any thoughts??

05-10-2010, 20:46	#11
sotek Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,200	Interestingly enough, and despite what I said earlier, a review of the T-Mobile support forums brings up two different threads that contain 'official' T-Mobile responses regarding tethering. It actually appears that you are allowed to do it! http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/discus...6dd2137000728a http://support.t-mobile.co.uk/discus...1d3764a2007f01

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Using HTC instead of home broadband