Cheapest option for plan with 2x Data Tethering?

[CurseTheSky]

Hi guys,

My fiancee and I both need data access for our laptops at various locations. Currently we have an older Verizon plan ($110 / month for 2 lines, 700 minutes, unlimited text / picture messages, and unlimited data), she has a feature phone, and I have a Blackberry Tour. She also has a USB WAN adapter ($60 / month) which we're currently sharing for data access. Between the initial plan, my smartphone, and her USB adapter, we're paying $200 month.

Our goal is to reduce the bill by $30 or more if possible and somehow get a data connection for both of us. Verizon, of course, charges $30 per smartphone AND an additional $30 per phone for tethering, which is a ripoff. Is it possible to tether without paying the additional $30 / month for it, and if so, what are the risks? If it's easy to do and not something they can detect and penalize us for, we'll both get something like the Droid X and tether that way. We were also considering moving to Sprint, but our contract doesn't expire until March and Sprint apparently also charges $30 / month for data tethering (and it's only available to business plans).

Finally, if we each pay $30 / month for a smartphone, do we EACH have 5GB / month to burn through, or is it shared between everyone in the plan?

Thanks guys.

 

[Syran]

Check out PDA net for Android. Should work with any Android, as at the moment, I think verzion's unlimited data on the phones is still counting as unlimited.

Each phone counts as it's own device; using their own internet plan.

 

[Anubis]

PDA net works fine with android.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Ok, sounds good. And it's not really a risk for getting the account terminated or any extra charges from Verizon, correct? There's the possibility either of us might access servers that you normally wouldn't on just a phone, like Battle.net for Starcraft II or a server for Titan Quest, for example.

Also, do the phones have to be rooted? Edit: just read that PDANet doesn't require root access.

 

[Metron]

Ok, sounds good. And it's not really a risk for getting the account terminated or any extra charges from Verizon, correct? There's the possibility either of us might access servers that you normally wouldn't on just a phone, like Battle.net for Starcraft II or a server for Titan Quest, for example.

Also, do the phones have to be rooted? Edit: just read that PDANet doesn't require root access.

3x for PDAnet. I have used on my HTC Incredible since I got it.

My co-worker just got the Droid X, and the reps TOLD him to use PDAnet since VZaccess for tethering isn't yet available.

No need to root the phone...

 

[tatteredpotato]

You can go Sprint:

2 lines, Unlimited Data, and Text with 1600 shared minutes: $110/month. If you get 4G phones you're looking at $130/month. If you tether a lot, you can use the "Mobile Hotspot" feature for $30 a month which puts you at $160. You can get around the mobile hotspot thing for free, but I don't know how companies react to heavy usage without paying.

 

[CurseTheSky]

After reading up on PDANet, it probably isn't something I want to do. I need to use the data connection for business purposes for a small business I'm starting. Through it's highly unlikely that Verizon would catch on, I can't afford to take any chances.

Essentially what I need the data connection for is Googling answers for common computer problems and potentially downloading driver files if no other connection is available. I can do the first part on my Tour, but I absolutely hate the browser and trackball and often just borrow my fiancee's air card instead. Would something like the Droid X allow me to download files from the web (ZIP, EXE, etc.) and save them to the SDHC card? Alternately, I have an AT&T account as well (strictly for business) with a dumb phone, but a friend will be giving me an iPhone 3GS shortly. If that will allow me to download and save files, then transfer them to a computer, I could drop data on Verizon and go that route instead.

In the future, I'll be getting my own air card for business use, but $60 / month is too much to stomach for startup costs. If one of those solutions will work in the mean time, that's the way I'll go.

 

[vshah]

droid x / other android phones will allow you to download any file and stick it on your sd card

 

[tatteredpotato]

After reading up on PDANet, it probably isn't something I want to do. I need to use the data connection for business purposes for a small business I'm starting. Through it's highly unlikely that Verizon would catch on, I can't afford to take any chances.

I'm not sure of Verizons solutions/pricing, but you can turn an HTC EVO into a WiFi hotspot for $30/month with Sprints blessing (no legal issues).

 

[rudeguy]

After reading up on PDANet, it probably isn't something I want to do. I need to use the data connection for business purposes for a small business I'm starting. Through it's highly unlikely that Verizon would catch on, I can't afford to take any chances.

It doesn't sound like you are going to be torrenting files or anything. For the small files you need, Verizon wouldn't care. They are going after the data hogs, not the little guys.

Essentially what I need the data connection for is Googling answers for common computer problems and potentially downloading driver files if no other connection is available. I can do the first part on my Tour, but I absolutely hate the browser and trackball and often just borrow my fiancee's air card instead. Would something like the Droid X allow me to download files from the web (ZIP, EXE, etc.) and save them to the SDHC card? Alternately, I have an AT&T account as well (strictly for business) with a dumb phone, but a friend will be giving me an iPhone 3GS shortly. If that will allow me to download and save files, then transfer them to a computer, I could drop data on Verizon and go that route instead.

You absolutely can save any files you want to your SD. The only thing is that sites like megaupload and 4share can be a PITA to deal with. I download files all the time on my myTouch and I wouldn't recommend using it for regular downloading. Maybe a different browser does better but I can only tell you about my experiences.

In the future, I'll be getting my own air card for business use, but $60 / month is too much to stomach for startup costs. If one of those solutions will work in the mean time, that's the way I'll go.

Either go EVO which allows for tethering, root or use PDA Net. Air cards are a ripoff. I wouldn't pay $60 for one, let alone 2. Sprint has corporate discounts for damn near every employer out there. You should be able to get 2 EVO's with tethering for less that $200/month.

 

[Kanalua]

Tmobile -> Vibrant -> Root -> Wifi Tethering

or

Tmobile -> Vibrant -> PDAnet/easy Tether -> USB Tethering

For my wife (she still has her old BB) and I just a little over $120/month.

 

[rudeguy]

he's got 3 contracts. Please read the OP.

I'm on Tmo with 2 lines, unlimited data and texts, dunno how many minutes (who talks on a phone anymore?) and my bill is $125 after taxes

 

[rudeguy]

so I got determined to figure out the file download thing.

When I use skyfire for the downloads, 4share and megaupload work just fine. I just downloaded 2 ROMS, a theme and a dock with no problems.

So to answer the OP's questions:
Get a couple Droid X's. Ask for corporate discount. Rock on!

 

[uli2000]

Verizon offers free tethering with any of the Palm phones (Pre plus and Pixi plus). All the others I believe are and extra $30 or $40/month.

 

[boomhower]

I use me EVO all the time to download drivers and such for computers. Download, plug in phone to computer, copy and paste. Android browser is great for lite browsing. If that's all your doing there is not need to pay for tethering.

 

[randomlinh]

Verizon offers free tethering with any of the Palm phones (Pre plus and Pixi plus). All the others I believe are and extra $30 or $40/month.

This. You still pay the normal $30/mo data fee as if it were a phone, and have a 3rd line... but you can just use it as the mobile hotspot.