Gah, Sprint disabled PAM!

[Jeff7181]

For months I've been happily using my BB Curve as a tethered modem occasionally when away from home and not near a Wifi hotspot. At the beginning of October they supposedly discovered a network error (or at least discovered a way to correct it) that had been allowing anyone with a PAM capable phone to use Sprint's own software to tether.

Apparently Sprint's Terms of Service has prohibited this all along. However, I purchased this phone because Sprint advertised it as supporting PAM on their website and when I spoke with one of their CSR's they told me PAM was not supported on my Instinct but it was on the Curve 8330, so I bought it. Unfortunately I can't produce any written documentation to that effect seeing as how I called them rather than chatting online to ask them about this.

Now that I'm no longer able to tether, I don't want this phone. Anyone have first hand experience with a similar situation? What recourse do I have, if any?

Currently I'm waiting to hear back from Sprint to see if they'll be willing to let me swap phones without extending my contract or paying the enormous price for a new phone without a new contract... you know... in the interest of customer retention. If not, I'll likely push to have my contract made null and ETF waived.

 

[zerocool84]

Seeing as their ToS says no you're probably screwed. You took a gamble and it seems like you knew that it was against their ToS but did it anyways as it's against anyone's ToS to tether without paying for it and Sprint has never allowed tethering anyways and when you sign the contract you sign that you read the ToS as well. Doesn't hurt to try as much as you can to get it reversed though since Sprint is bleeding customers and it'd be in their best interest to keep you.

 

[boomhower]

You can still tether with it, you just can't use Sprint's software. The easiest and free way is to us BT DUN. Another option is tetherberry, but it's certainly not free($50)

 

[Jeff7181]

Well, I didn't know it was against their ToS when I bought the phone. I asked the rep over the phone if they have a phone that I can use as a modem for a laptop when I was ready to get rid of my Instinct and the person told me the Blackberry Curve will work for that purpose. I didn't read the ToS when I extended my contract with the new phone because I had no reason not to believe what the Sprint rep told me. Sprint's website said the phone can be used as a modem (that bit has now been removed) and the software provided by Sprint made it possible.

boomhower, I appreciate the info, but I'm not looking for a way to violate Sprint's ToS. Previously I was unaware that tethering violated Sprint's ToS. The whole unlimited data plan and PAM capable phone was enough to make me think tethering was an accepted use of the phone & plan.

 

[QueBert]

It was years ago but Sprint shut off the internet on my account for teathering, and they flagged my account. I was with them for about 3 years after this and was never able to get internet again. I tried about once a year with no luck. Their rep also didn't tell me it wasn't allowed. I got no 2nd chance when the discovered what I was doing, my shit was cut off for good. Sprint doesn't play lol.

 

[jae]

Try PdaNet if your OS is 4.6 or above.

 

[Jeff7181]

Again, I'm not looking for a new way to violate their Terms of Service. I'm looking for some suggestions on how to gain leverage against Sprint to get them to let me swap phones without entering a new contract or paying a huge price for a new phone without a contract.

 

[Raduque]

As zerocool said, threaten to go elsewhere. Sprint needs your money. They might be willing to work with you to get you a new subsidized phone if you're in good standing.

 

[Jeff7181]

As zerocool said, threaten to go elsewhere. Sprint needs your money. They might be willing to work with you to get you a new subsidized phone if you're in good standing.

I'll be calling them Thursday afternoon... if they refuse to work with me at all, I'll be switching carriers. That new Droid looks pretty nifty...