using internet on pc connected to mobile phone

stubbsey

I've got no problems buying a payg dongel to achieve this but why cant i use the modem feature built into most mobile phones. I've got an N97 on 3 and have previously used this feature on a n95 on 3 when i needed my emails at a desperate time. I then found out that i was charged for this. This time round i've got a 1gb data plan a month on the phone and was just wondering if i could use this feature within my data plan. Is it possible that the service provider can tell the difference between data from your mobile phone and data from pc. this is where the charging comes from and inturn is a great marketing tool for getting a dongle.

DarkConvict

No it is fine to do, there is no difference between using your phone or PC to display the data. Just don't go over your limit.

About a month ago, one guys modem broke and he used the phone as his modem, he received an £8000 bill from really excessive downloading, because he went about 3gb over his allowence.

RICK..._2

I know you can on Vodafone, unsure about other carriers you'd have to check.

But if you're using your phone as a modem regularly then the 1Gb will disappear quickly since you'll be downloading full pages of data.

-BA-

As far as I am aware this is known as tethering and is often prohibited in the T&Cs of mobile phone contracts, especially where Unlimited Wi-Fi/3G is concerned. Check your provider's T&Cs for data useage very closely.

almillar

Correct -BA- it's called tethering and has been techically possible bu plugging your phone into your computer, or with infra-red or bluetooth, for years. Years ago, of course, you paid through the nose for data, so the networks were quite happy.
Now that phones are sold with data allowance, or even 'unlimited' (which turns out to be 'limited'), they aren't so happy with you using your computer with them. Their argument is that it's only for using your phone with the internet and not your computer, and it's almost certain that using your computer will use up far more bandwidth than your phone. Therefore some of them are actually moving towards a tethering charge to allow you to use you computer attached to your phone (isn't that nice of them). They actually remove the tethering options from the phone's software to stop you doing it. If you do manage to do it though, they have serious problems working out whether you're browsing with your phone or computer though, as it's all just data.
It's another case of technology being crippled for profits unfortunately.

stubbsey

During the christmas break i've been messing around with my phone and found a piece of software that was pre installed on my 3 branded N97 called joikuspot. This software allows your handset to become a wireless hotspot and inturn uses the handsets data connection to connect to the internet. Now this has opened a can of worms for me. firstly it's a piece of software offered on a 3 phone so they obviously know about it. Secondly its a more attractive way of using this feature. I've researched this software and i cant find anything specific to 3's network. The general thought using this software is if the network provider doesn't know your using it then alls well. Obviously i cant ring them and let them know my intentions as this may cause them to charge me. Any feed back on either the software or this particular set up.

marksaver

If Three find you're using this they are very likely to charge you for the usage as it's against your agreement with them. A tethering package is sold for mobiles, but it's more expensive than just getting the £7.50 per month 1GB Mobile Broadband plan, so if you want to make sure you're doing everything 'above the board', just grab that.

Littlemiss27

Never used the software you have mentioned but please be careful, as mentioned by others previously three state that tethering is in breach of their t's and c's and could result in you being charged for data usage.

The below is taken from page 16 of their pricing booklet found here - http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/Link_Document?content_aid=1214305748126

"Includes free unlimited access to Email on 3, 3’s email service, which sends all of your personal (ISP, such as Hotmail or GoogleMail) emails straight to your
phone. Email on 3 is a unlimited service with no fair use limit or policy. Add-on and Email on 3 service available to Consumer contract customers only.
Add-on not available to PAYG customers or Business contract customers. Internet access for phone browsing only, your data usage does not include using your phone as a modem. Unlimited email does not include 3Mail"

jamespir

just rember the bundles you may have are only for using on your phone

if you use it connected to pc it will cost and its quite expensive

Snakeeyes21

If theres anyway for them to tracK you using it.
before I got my mobile broadband I used to use my 3 phone for connecting my laptop to the internet, when I had a dodgy landline broadband service and wasn't once charge extra.

marksaver

Snakeeyes21 wrote: »

If theres anyway for them to tracK you using it.

They can. Packet data is different.