A few days back we saw reports that the tethering option for the Motorola Droid would set users back $15 a month, well, it seems like there is a little more to that story.
According to the latest reports, the tethering option will be $30 a month. But while that initially sounds bad, there is a bright side to this story.
By signing up for the tethering option, you are really adding a second (in addition to your regular) data plan. This is where the good news comes in because you will now have two data plans available — each with their ‘unlimited’ transfer limits. Of course, it is important to note that Verizon defines ‘unlimited’ as being capped at 5GB.
Anyway, in short, if you sign up for tethering with your Droid, you will have the data on your phone and also the data while tethering. That means two plans, and each will have the unlimited 5GB caps.
So yea, you will be paying a total of $60 bucks for data, but consider this — I am, along with many other users paying $60 bucks a month for the access with the MiFi. And on that note, this almost seems like a bargain.
Finally, the tethering is not yet available and will remain that way until sometime in 2010. The reasoning behind the delay, at least according to a Verizon spokesperson is that “the service has to be tested on the phone so until we know it works, we don’t offer the service.”
[via Network World]
November 7th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Pdanet is your friend.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Can you explain how the "unlimited" but cap of 5gb data works? I've called Verizon, I've looked over the plan myself and I still don't see that anywhere…nor does it make sense to me if you can't get a truly unlimited plan at all.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
The word "unlimited" is a false claim that carriers and other ISP's have often used. They say unlimited because its estimated that most users would never crash that threshold. It's "reasonable" for them that most users would have only 5 gigs of data so they feel comfortable saying unlimited even though they reserve the right to place caps on people with "unreasonable" levels of usage. It's a misleading claim that shouldn't be used but its commonplace.
November 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
How is it cool having a second data plan for the same device? Is there any other use of this other then have unlimted 5GB via phone and an additional 5GB via tethering?
Sure some people my exceed the "unlimited" threshold enough to warrant response from vzw, but 99% would not… so 2 plans = FAIL. I am using my phones internet, shouldn't matter if the phone or a PC is using it. Same speed, same service. This lame fee is just another pure profit charge just like text… Won't people just learn.
Can you use the second data plan for the 2nd phone on your plan… probably not.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
K that makes sense to me. So it sounds like you can go over the 5gb and they aren't going to charge you for extra usage but if you prove to them that you use too much (theoretically impossible almost) then they could start enforcing it.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I like this idea, because while you are paying for a second plan on the same device. That is the nice part to me. But that is based off my experience.
I am currently paying for two plans with Sprint. One for my HTC Hero and one for my MiFi. It would be nice if I could tether my Hero and not have to carry and use that second device (the MiFi).
Plus having two plans gives me more allowance toward transfer.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
No worries…there's already a thread on xda stating that developers have rooted the Hero and have Bluetooth tethering working already. It won't be long before the Droid can be rooted too. Of course then you'll have to share the same 5 GB between tethering and normal use, but most won't use that much data anyway.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
The terminology is, well, kind of stupid. But hey, at least they're going to officially allow tethering and some form of upping the usage cap without paying some crazy overages.
A couple of things… it's definitely true that the "unlimited" regular data plan is capped at 5GB. They say unlimited, but it seems that basically, all of the cell phone guys have got together and decided that 5GB is damn near impossible to use on any smart phone unless you're doing something explicitly forbidden… like running a web sever, or say, tethering. This isn't actually true… try watching YouTube in HD for 6 or so hours, and you'll blow that cap (assuming the YouTube app actually accepts an HD stream). Or if that won't do it, try 80-something hours of high quality streaming audio.
In your "MyVerizon", they say unlimited, but when you sign up, there's an "Unlimited (5GB)". But you read the actual agreement, it says "Anyone using more than 5 GB per line in a given month is presumed to be using the service in a manner prohibited above, and we reserve the right to immediately terminate the service of any such person without notice. We also reserve the right to terminate service upon expiration of Customer Agreement term."
When you get a tethering agreement, it'll be treated the same as a "Wireless Broadband" plan… a very up-front, well stated 5GB per month limit. This is a change… I had this service some years back, and there was no open limit. They still had a limit… just didn't tell you about it. If you used too much data, they just send you a "Dear John" letter, kicking you off the system (more like 10GB, based on those I met in forums who had been cut off). But hey, if you ever need to get out of your contract without paying it off… but check if they have overage fees
The uncomfortable part of this is that it sounds like they're offering 5GB for tethering and 5GB for normal use, not simply a pool of 10GB that, oh-by-the-way, allows tethering.This suggests there's going to be a tethering server or some-such to meter the tethering activity. Which is a shame… openly allowing this could yield some cool apps… make your DROID a wireless access point, for example (of course, you could tether your DROID to one PC and use something like "Connectify" to build the access point, at least if you have Windows 7). A great deal over a MiFi if you don't need it every day.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
You can get a truly "Unlimited" plan for $45 per month and then $15 for the tethering capability. I had a smart phone with Windows Mobile OS up until a week ago, when I got my Droid and I had that plan. I dropped the $15 extension, because I can't tether my Droid, which I wasn't happy about, but they tell me that will follow.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
seems you need to really get that straight …unlimited for the handset period…….no gap…..and theres really no cool on having to pay more! for somthing that is not needed, when like someone said "pdanet is ur friend"