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Root Risk of Free WiFi Tether?

9to5cynic

9to5cynic

Android Expert
Okay, so I may just be a bit paranoid on this one... but how risky is using the free (rooted) wifi tether (sprint or otherwise).

I've looked around a bit and found that it does violate the TOS (but so does rooting to my understanding), but has anyone heard of Sprint really canning an account because of unauthorized tethering? [Granted, this is coming from the sprint forums... <.< ]

I'd like to think that sprint just 'accepts' it as a loss ( but really $100 vs. $30...), but sometimes when I tether my laptop in my room I am roaming... so that makes me a little nervous.

Anyone have any advice/input on this subject? Does this risk have some rationality behind it or am I just sweating over nothing?

-Thanks.
 
1)I don't think sprint has done anything about it.. I could be wrong, I've heard iphone users on at&t getting emails and texts, but nothing actually happening, and nothing on any other carriers.
2)personally I think its just like the letters some ISPs were sending out about illegal downloading, just trying to scare you, but nothing they can actually do about it.
3)I don't think rooting violates TOS, just voids warranty
 
You've gotta watch the roaming. They can cancel you if that gets too high. As for the tethering though I haven't heard of anyone getting caught yet and it's been used by a LOT of people for quite awhile now!
 
Thanks a lot, this is quite the relief. I do remember hearing about those illegal download warnings/emails, I guess that's the benefit of dial up - not having to worry about downloads :)

ScoprDX: Any idea what the limit is of roaming?
 
I believe it is a 5 mb cap on roaming. And that is something to be careful about. I'm not sure at exactly how much roaming data you need to use for this to happen, but sprint has been know to outright cancel your service for this. So unless you are looking for a permanent way out of your contact I would just keep an eye on it.
 
I imagine with the tethering, risk increase with extent of use. If it's a convenience that you'll use on occasion, probably not a big deal. If you just canceled your DSL line and plan an running your entire house everyday with the tethering, they'll probably notice something amiss. Not that I blame them, they do incur costs when people do that.
 
I don't think 3G has any kind of limits....I used Wireless tether and a lot of PDA net since I can tether my phone while charging it via USB. Now that I have 4G which is a heck of a lot faster, I think that is literally unlimited. 4G usage does not show up in my sprint account at all. So I don't really know if there is a way to even check my 4G usage.
 
My dad is a lawyer and we looked over the terms of service together. Rooting and then tethering does not violate this agreement. However, as previously stated, there is a cap on roaming which can also incur extra charges. Sprint is one of the few that has not set any restrictions on this. Good luck!
 
There is only a cap on roaming if your contract was after August 08

Sprint can cancel your contract at any time...for any reason. I haven't read of someone actually getting axed but I know it happens. I know of more who have received letters....they typically warn you first.


As for tracking tethering....there was a specific way att users were doing it and some got bumped uptown tethered billing. Can sprint tell? No idea and frankly I could care less. I am paying for it ..just not the raping $30 per month.
 
Wow. Thanks everyone, that's a lot of information.

I'll have to watch out for it, because where I live I spend a bit of time roaming (even before tethering...)

I'll have to make sure to pump up the data usage while using sprints network ;)

AND watch the 300mb. I will stop youtube usage while roaming then... It's far too easy to get carried away.
 
Remember...300 only applies to contracts after August. It only affected mobile cards prior
 
Well, I've been with sprint for years... but got the evo in September... so I'm probably in that 300 boat.

Unless (maybe) it goes by first data plan with sprint, which was a year or so before that...? Probably not.

Thanks a lot Mr. Ed.
 
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