11-06-2011, 04:13 PM
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 Re: Naive Question?
On Sun, 2 Oct 2011, Ryan P. wrote:
> On 10/1/2011 10:04 PM, user44 wrote:
>> This may be obvious to some, but when I use MyTether on my Unlimited
>> data plan with Sprint,
>> I don't get any extra charges that I'm aware of. I'm told that if I
>> switch to a phone other than
>> a Palm Pre, such as an iPhone or an android phone, I'll have to
>> purchase an additional "tether"
>> feature or something, and pay around an additional $30 a month.
>>
>> Is this true? Will MyTether be developed or available for any other
>> platform than Palm Pre?
>>
>> Is there a non-horrendously-duplicate-charging way of tethering data
>> on an iPhone or Android?
>>
>> Or am I living in a dreamworld?
>
> Sprint is eliminating unlimited data for tethering plans. They're basically
> making them the same as their wireless modem plans, which actually makes
> sense, since you're doing the same thing as if you had a USB card.
>
> There is a way to get free tethering on Android phones, but doing so voids
> your phone's warranty and violates Sprint's TOS.
>
> If you want to risk Sprint terminating your account (it HAS happened, I
> don't know how often), Google the name of whatever phone you are considering
> moving to, and Tether.
>
>
"user44" is using a third-party application that utilizes the phone's
primary data connection. Sprint devices have multiple mechanisms for
connecting to the data network. When using the phone's built-in tethering
feature, the phone attempts to connect in such a way which will only work
if the customer is subscribed to an official Sprint tethering package.
There are, however, downloadable applications available for all the major
smartphone platforms which will enable largely undetectable tethering
using the phone's primary data connection, instead of attempting to
connect through the tether NAI (which would fail without a tethering plan
subscription).
A Blackberry device would require no such special tethering plan and no
modifications to the handset to allow tethering through one of these third
party tethering applications. PDAnet is a popular choice, but there are
others.
An Android phone will need to be rooted to use tethering applications.
Rooting may void the manufacturer's warranty, however, Sprint still covers
rooted devices in most cases through the Total Equipment Protection and
Equipment Service & Repair Programs. If you toast the phone during the
root process, you are on your own .. but otherwise generally remain
eligible for repair and replacements under these programs.
An iPhone would require a jailbreak, which does invalidate all warranty
and service plan repair options since Sprint does not offer its TEP or
ESRP programs on the iPhone.
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