WANTED: EDGE/3-G Capable Cell Phone

[Brett Adair]

Not looking to pay a fortune, but will pay a descent price for one. Since I will be using this for mainly data I don't want to pay 3-600 for one. If you have one and are interested in selling, please let me know. OR, if you have a Cingular business account and can get one for cheaper ( I know they can), shoot me a PM and we will discuss something if you could help me out. Thanks.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

If you're planning on tethering the phone for data, good luck. Cingular blocked data capability from my phone after a chase ealier this year. They are REALLY cracking down on excessive data usage.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

Scott, did you have a plan for data?

I just got the LG CU500 from Cingular and they told me it would work fine for tethering via a USB cable with the MediaMax data plan that I have. I just set it up this week and it's working just great. In fact, one of the points they stressed in trying to sell the phone was that you could connect it to your laptop with the usb cable that they sell in their stores, and online.

 

[Brett Adair]

I have MediaNet unlimited. Unless they can prove that I am doing something against the agreed contract, it is a breech and they could face problems. I have had the same things told to me just as Andrew has.

 

[Andrew Herron]

I also have MediaNet unlimited that I use with a Nokia 6682 and have never had additional charges or problems with tethering, via bluetooth, my phone to my laptop.

 

[J Kinkaid]

If you're planning on tethering the phone for data, good luck. Cingular blocked data capability from my phone after a chase ealier this year. They are REALLY cracking down on excessive data usage.

Please tell me what features are on your account for data. I would guess that they removed a feature by mistake that you need . Also make sure PPU is not on your account.

 

[James Siler]

One of the things they are cracking down on is if you have a PDA phone and are using a media net package. The data department are running sweeps about roughly twice a month and blocking anyone who dosen't have the right plan for the right device. SO if you have a regular cell phone and change to a PDA type device don't change the IMEI on the account. The downfall to that is if you have 3G in your area and change to a 3G PDA device then you won't be allowed on UMTS because it has to automatically add some codes to your account when you update the IMEI. Catch 22. Hope I was informative.

 

[Bill Doms]

I use a Samsung D807 with Cingular tethered via Bluetooth and have had no issues. However I use the unlimited laptop connect package (like $50 month) but they also let me turn it on and off as needed throughout the season. Done this for 3 years now. No complaints.

 

[Van DeWald]

I just got the LG CU500 from Cingular and they told me it would work fine for tethering via a USB cable with the MediaMax data plan that I have.

Andrew, that's really interesting, because Cingular's TOS specifically prohibits tethering to a laptop, unless you have a Data Connect or Blackberry/PDA plan, of which those MediaMax plans are not. Unlimited legal tethering plans run about $60 instead of $20. Those Media Max plans are for unlimited use while viewing data on the phone.

FWIW, I wouldn't trust anything a store representative would tell you. They're out to sell phones and accessories, that's how they make their money. Did you get it in writing that you can tether your phone to a laptop without fear of retribution when using that Media Max plan? If Cingular wanted to push it, they certainly could, saying that you agreed to the written TOS, which specifically prohibits tethering. But, that doesn't stop people from doing it. And, in fact, I actually think Cingular doesn't mind that much, as long as you don't abuse it.

Regards,
Van

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I have the MediaMax unlimited data plan. I've done my research, looked at all the technical forums on Howards Forum (which is by far the best cell phone and data website), and it's been determined I've been blocked by Cingular. I can get data using my phone itself, but when I try to tether I'm not accepted onto the cingular "server."

They can tell when you are tethering and when you are not. It is specifically in their terms of service that you are NOT allowed to tether using ANY media plan except the laptop connect which runs at $60 I believe.

 

[Van DeWald]

Scott, when tethering via a laptop, are you using the wap.cingulargprs.com portal? You can't use the isp.cingulargprs.com portal with the Media Max plans. Check here for more details on how to configure the dial-up connection. As far as I knew, as long as you use a WAP profile, Cingular couldn't verify for sure if you were using a browser on the phone, or tethering to a laptop. They could however fish out a tethered connection by the sites you visit, and the amount of bandwidth you use. In other words, if you're downloading 10s to 100s of megabytes via a tethered connection, that would probably trigger a red flag (cell phones don't typically download that much data). Also, the standard browser in a lot of phones can only browse WAP sites, thus if you're hitting normal .html/php/asp pages via a tethered connection, that's going to trigger a flag also. In theory, you "should" be able to tether using the above guidelines with a Media Max plan, but in reality, you "shouldn't" do it as it's specifically prohibited by the Cingular TOS.

 

[J Kinkaid]

I have the MediaMax unlimited data plan. I've done my research, looked at all the technical forums on Howards Forum (which is by far the best cell phone and data website), and it's been determined I've been blocked by Cingular. I can get data using my phone itself, but when I try to tether I'm not accepted onto the cingular "server."

They can tell when you are tethering and when you are not. It is specifically in their terms of service that you are NOT allowed to tether using ANY media plan except the laptop connect which runs at $60 I believe.

What features do you have listed on your account for data? I doubt that they blocked you.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

Scott, are you sure it isn't a problem with the way it's set up? I don't doubt you set it up right, since you've used it before but maybe they changed it slightly? How do you have it set up, a dial up connection, or using cingular's communication manager?

The MediaMax plans that allow you to connect using their MediaNet service are supposed to allow you to tether. This is the first I have heard of anyone having any issues with being shut down.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

Nvmd, seems there is the potential to be shut down...

What is the difference between MEdia and Data Connect?

MEdia Intended for use only on a cell phone. "Tethering" works, but is discouraged, and Cingular reserves the right to deny service based on usage. (See MEdia Legal Notices) Uses a WAP profile, but access to the entire Internet is available. VPN may not work. No Data Acceleration.Data Connect Intended for use with PDA or computer, depending on specific package. Uses an Internet profile. VPN is supported. Data Acceleration is optional.So I guess if you are using MediaNet, as I am, and they catch on and shut you down you'll have to switch over to a data connect plan, which actually isn't that much different in pricing. Though, I suppose then you wouldn't be able to use the MediaNet feature on your phone anymore.

So while I guess they can deny you service, this is still the first I've heard of it happening.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I've changed no settings, I use the phone as dial-up (not cingulars connection manager), I've tried to setup connections on other computers using the same software and same drivers as I did when I set this up. It worked like a charm until that one chase day.

I've tried both wap.cingular, and isp.cingular...neither work.

From what I'm reading in cellular forums, they are really cracking down on the tethering now. They can monitor it, and they can block it, it's as simple as that. All I'm saying is be careful.