Using phone as mobile hotspot, questions. Anyone use it?

[Q]

I will make this short. I don't have internet access at my home, probably won't for 6 months. I want it till then to at least just browse sites, email, normal things. No downloading, watching videos, etc.

I've looked into this mobile hotspot thing on Verizon. My upgrade is here, and I am thinking of buying the Razr, and using the mobile hotspot to browse the internet on my laptop as my primary means of internet.

Questions:
1) I have grandfathered into the unlimited data. Will this work on the Razr hotspot app?
2) Do I have to pay an additional fee to use the app? If so, what is it?
3) Anyone have experience using the app? Does it work well?
4) Phone is 4G LTE, currently I have 3G. How does this all work out? Do I have to pay for 4G LTE?

I'd really like to hear from someone who uses it, and share their experience with it.

 

[jpiniero]

From what I've seen, Android's built in tethering is simple. You turn it on and it creates a wifi hotspot that other devices to connect to.

You'd have to pay or drop to a capped plan to use it though.

 

[zerocool84]

From what I've seen, Android's built in tethering is simple. You turn it on and it creates a wifi hotspot that other devices to connect to.

You'd have to pay or drop to a capped plan to use it though.

Yes you do have to pay for it. Only way around it is rooting your device and using other programs from the app store. They will most likely be able to figure out you're tethering after a while though if you're not paying for it. I tether occasionally so when I'm somewhere that someone needs an Internet connection.

 

[jpiniero]

IIRC, on Verizon tethering is included on a capped plan.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

IIRC, on Verizon tethering is included on a capped plan.

Yes. But he has unlimited so all he has to root and tether and then unroot when he gets his internet back up

 

[saratoga172]

Unless Verizon changed their plan pricing, haven't looked since December, people with grandfathered unlimited plans could add the tethering hotspot to their plan for $30/month. This was an unlimited tethering plan as well. You may have to call and speak to a CS rep to see if they can add the $30 unlimited tethering plan to your account.

Things to look for:
If you're going with the Razr because the LTE capability make sure the places you will be using the hotspot has an LTE signal. Your house for instance. Verizon's 3G speeds are pretty slow. I can get between 800k and 1.5mb down on 3G speeds. On LTE I almost always hit at least 10mb down.

Call and ask about the unlimited hotspot feature and if it's still available in the plans.

What part of the Razr are you interested in? I've got a GNex on Verizon and I'm extremely satisfied with the phone. Just a second phone to consider.

I use tethering from time to time and don't pay for the plan. If you keep it modest and aren't using large chunks of data you shouldn't get flagged. I've also got an unlimited plan. I really only use it for web browsing and remote computer access when I need it.

And lastly you don't pay extra for the 4G service. It's included as part of your data package. 3G/4G is counted as one against your usage amounts.

 

[saratoga172]

IIRC, on Verizon tethering is included on a capped plan.

It's actually not included on a capped plan last I checked. It was an extra charge for the tethering functionality. The cheapest tethering plan is 6GB for $50 vs the 4GB for $30 w/out tethering.

 

[Thegonagle]

I think it's a great option.

Yes, it's simple, it really works, and Verizon's 4G network is no joke--it's blazing for a mobile connection.

If you already have unlimited data, the mobile hotspot option is an additional $30 per month. You DO NOT need to accept a tiered data plan, so don't do it.

I've used up to 15 GB in a month on my Thunderbolt for a total $59.99 per month. ($29.99 for unlimited data + $30 for the hotspot.)

In 6 months, you can drop the hotspot feature, and still keep unlimited data.

P.S. I wouldn't try to get around the paid hotspot feature by rooting. A sudden jump in data usage could possibly red flag you in their systems. I've read that they can easily differentiate between tethering data, and data used by the phone itself. Therefore, if you plan on using it as a wired ISP replacement, it's better to pay, lest they start sending nastygrams and/or making "friendly" phone calls to see what's up.

P.P.S. Verizon does not differentiate between 3G and 4G data--it's all billed the same. Also, Verizon's 4G signal runs down in the 700 MHz range, so if 3G and voice come in strong, 4G will too. If they don't have 4G in your area yet, they will by the end of next year at the latest. When Verizon says they're upgrading their entire network, they actually do it, and finish on schedule.

 

[Q]

OK, so it looks like I can add a hotspot plan for another $30/month, so my total would be $60/month. ($30 for unlimited data, and $30 for the hotspot).

Also, if I do get a new 4G capable phone (my area is in the 4G network), that will negate my unlimited plan, won't it? Or is it possible to keep my 3G plan w/ the new phone? I am just wondering how a 3G -> 4G change works.

 

[notposting]

No, as some of the comments said--at least on VZW, data is data. 3G, 4G, 1X, doesn't matter. Your $29.99 unlimited 3G data is ALSO unlimited 4G data, when you are in a 3G only area you still get unlimited service there as well.

Compared to a cable internet plan etc $30 is definitely reasonable especially if you get good 4G signal at home. Also, I think it would be recommended to either get the Razr MAXXXXX or the Galaxy Nexus (which you can add a low profile extended battery to I believe).

 

[Thegonagle]

There is no 3G-4G change from your perspective. This isn't Sprint with the $10 BS charge for the privilege of using their faster data.

With Verizon, data is data. Your phone will default to the fastest available network. Just tell them you want to upgrade the phone and keep the same plan.

The only exception is if you had the old $15 unlimited data for dumb phones--excuse me, "FEATURE phones" like the LG Chocolate, that won't be grandfathered for a smartphone.

If you already have the $29.99 unlimited data for smartphones, you get to keep that whether upgrading to a 3G or 4G smartphone.

 

[Q]

Need some help here. I called up, and the lady said there's only a 2GB plan and 5GB plan for the hotspot, no unlimited. $20 and $50, respectively. Isn't the hotspot just an app? I am thinking she was thinking I wanted a hotspot physical device??

 

[Bateluer]

Need some help here. I called up, and the lady said there's only a 2GB plan and 5GB plan for the hotspot, no unlimited. $20 and $50, respectively. Isn't the hotspot just an app? I am thinking she was thinking I wanted a hotspot physical device??

She was correct. If you want to add 'official' tethering to your plan and use their app, you'll need to pay for a data plan, which she was referring to. Verizon has never offered an official unlimited tethering plan.

Not sure if they work on the Razr, but there's a couple tethering apps that work without root. FoxFi works, but Verizon cuts it off if you tether a laptop or PC to it. Works great when tethered to my tablet though. Clockwork Tether also works without root, but its over USB and you'd have to install the virtual NIC driver for it on any device you want to tether it to. I believe it also carries a one time charge to get unrestricted data through it though, otherwise its limited to 20MB.

 

[Q]

Well this sucks. Think 2GB / month is OK if I literally only browse/email/visit sites? No youtube, video watching, music, etc?

 

[Bateluer]

Well this sucks. Think 2GB / month is OK if I literally only browse/email/visit sites? No youtube, video watching, music, etc?

Most likely. Their official app should have a data counter, and you should be able to view the data use on verizonwireless.com account. I'm assuming you don't want to go through an unofficial methods?

 

[basslover1]

You could probably get away with unofficially tethering on and off every once in a while. But if it's going to be your only internet connection, I wouldn't chance it.

I've used it now and again on my Droid Inc. when I was in a crunch (Cable Co. was working in my neighborhood), and nothing happened but I probably only used a few hundred MBs at the time.

 

[Q]

I am actually thinking about getting a 4G phone, such as Razr, and just using my unlimited 4G (no mobile hotspot thing) and buying a bluetooth mouse + keyboard and hooking up to monitor. I researched and think it is possible.

 

[Bateluer]

I am actually thinking about getting a 4G phone, such as Razr, and just using my unlimited 4G (no mobile hotspot thing) and buying a bluetooth mouse + keyboard and hooking up to monitor. I researched and think it is possible.

What do you mean there? DLNA, or equivalent, mirroring to your computer monitor with BT keyboard and mouse to the phone? Not sure if the Razr has an webdock like the Atrix models.

 

[ImDonly1]

I am actually thinking about getting a 4G phone, such as Razr, and just using my unlimited 4G (no mobile hotspot thing) and buying a bluetooth mouse + keyboard and hooking up to monitor. I researched and think it is possible.

Why would you pay the extra for hot spot?
You have unlimited data, technically you are not supposed to tether without the extra hotspot addon, but you can.

Verizon doesn't add on hotspot plans onto your account like ATT does. Install a hotspot app from the market, some of them don't need root. You might have to install their software on your pc. Then tether. You have unlimited data, so you might be throttled sometimes. You can't use the vzw app with this.

 

[dagamer34]

Good god, never give up your unlimited data plan. Go buy a hotspot and stick your SIM card in there. Unlimited 4G data is worth it's weight in gold.

Because of FCC rules, Verizon is NOT allowed to discriminate on what device is using data. They might have some loophole about using filial tethering, but they can do absolutely nothing if you stick your SIM card into an official hotspot for use (of course, you get no phone calls though).

Or even pay for a 2nd line with some cheap dumb phone and tell everyone to call that number instead. But an unlimited 4G data plan is something you can never get back and is super valuable to have.

 

[podspi]

Good god, never give up your unlimited data plan. Go buy a hotspot and stick your SIM card in there. Unlimited 4G data is worth it's weight in gold.

Because of FCC rules, Verizon is NOT allowed to discriminate on what device is using data. They might have some loophole about using filial tethering, but they can do absolutely nothing if you stick your SIM card into an official hotspot for use (of course, you get no phone calls though).

Or even pay for a 2nd line with some cheap dumb phone and tell everyone to call that number instead. But an unlimited 4G data plan is something you can never get back and is super valuable to have.

Yep, assuming they don't find some nonsense way to kick me off, I'm going to add that number to my will

I have never heard of a VZW customer getting hit for unauthorized tethering. I have used both 3G and 4G for tethering (though mostly 3G), for as long as a week, and never had any issues. I feel like people here can be connection snobs -- VZW's 4G is faster than my stupid cable connection, and their 3G was just fine for casual browsing.

That being said, when I am doing a lot of tethering I do use masking with PDAnet. I don't know what they do, but they claim it hides tether use. I don't know if I'd risk 6 months though.

 

[dagamer34]

Yep, assuming they don't find some nonsense way to kick me off, I'm going to add that number to my will

I have never heard of a VZW customer getting hit for unauthorized tethering. I have used both 3G and 4G for tethering (though mostly 3G), for as long as a week, and never had any issues. I feel like people here can be connection snobs -- VZW's 4G is faster than my stupid cable connection, and their 3G was just fine for casual browsing.

That being said, when I am doing a lot of tethering I do use masking with PDAnet. I don't know what they do, but they claim it hides tether use. I don't know if I'd risk 6 months though.

Deep packet inspection looks at everything except for end-to-end encrypted traffic. But I've always found those programs a bit cludgy because the require the installation of software on your device as well for USB tethering. WiFi tethering will almost certainly drain the battery faster than it can be charged.

 

[OS]

I am actually thinking about getting a 4G phone, such as Razr, and just using my unlimited 4G (no mobile hotspot thing) and buying a bluetooth mouse + keyboard and hooking up to monitor. I researched and think it is possible.

i think galaxy nexus users can do this, i am planning to do the same eventually.

 

[Thegonagle]

When you upgrade, tell them to keep your plan exactly the same; i.e. tell them to keep your unlimited data. Don't mention the Mobile Hotspot to the salesperson, and dont' bother calling a CSR to add it (that's a good way to mess it all up). You add it through the phone.

You, as a grandfathered unlimited data customer using a 4G device, will be shown an option to add Unlimited Mobile Hotspot the first time you open the Mobile Hotspot app. (It's preinstalled.)

You'll be taken to a My Account page to add Unlimited Mobile Hotspot on top of your unlimited data for an additional $30 per month.

Once it's added, you see the feature listed in you My Account app, as well as on the VZW billing website.

 

[Thegonagle]

Verizon has never offered an official unlimited tethering plan.

Not correct. It's offered to grandfathered unlimited data customers with a 4G device. I have this on my HTC Thunderbolt. I added it the first time I used the Mobile Hotspot on my 'Bolt, and it's been on my bill ever since.