"Tethering" - can they tell ?

patman99

It's the way '3's system works that allows internet traffic to pass unseen through their servers. Their network uses VoIP to transfer the calls from the cell transmiter through the BT exchange and on to the final destination. Data is cheaper than analogue calls as you can squeeze more into the available bandwidth.
The only way they can tell whether or not what goes through their datacentre is by reading the destination IPAddress. If you are using an alternative DNS, then they can only see the DNS's IPAdress.

LeifGR

patman99 wrote: »

The only way they can tell whether or not what goes through their datacentre is by reading the destination IPAddress. If you are using an alternative DNS, then they can only see the DNS's IPAdress.

That sounds more like you are describing a VPN scenario. When I use OpenDNS, only the name resolution request goes to the OpenDNS servers; the real traffic then goes to the destination IP and should be picked up just like any traffic.

debitcardmayhem

patman99 wrote: »

It's the way '3's system works that allows internet traffic to pass unseen through their servers. Their network uses VoIP to transfer the calls from the cell transmiter through the BT exchange and on to the final destination. Data is cheaper than analogue calls as you can squeeze more into the available bandwidth.
The only way they can tell whether or not what goes through their datacentre is by reading the destination IPAddress. If you are using an alternative DNS, then they can only see the DNS's IPAdress.

Huh , don't they know then what the source ip address is , ie one of their source addresses on their network? how do you get the reply from anyone's website routed back to your phone(or PC / iPad / tablet) if it does not go through them, I know I have had a few problems with my health since I worked in IT but my computer says no.

debitcardmayhem

LeifGR wrote: »

That sounds more like you are describing a VPN scenario. When I use OpenDNS, only the name resolution request goes to the OpenDNS servers; the real traffic then goes to the destination IP and should be picked up just like any traffic.

Thank you , and ok

~Chameleon~

Andy_L wrote: »

The current range of O2 phone packages permit tethering

Does this mean I can stop using my dongle and use the "Personal Hotspot" on my iphone to connect my laptop (for browsing/emails only) and not get charged any extra by O2?

techno79

I think the networks restricting tethering is rubbish. The phone's line rental you pay gives you a certain amount of data usage per month. Why does it matter how you use that data? Surely the network companies should be just focusing on those who go over their limit as that's when they'll start charging customers.

However, seems like the network companies are offering x amount of data allowance per month for a given line rental fee but then trying to encourage users not to use as much as possible.

Even those on "unlimited" plans will never truly be unlimited as there'll always be some fair play clause and thus there is always some limit.

im-lost

can the tell? yes...

do they care? depends on the network

Im on the three network, on a nearly 2 year old plan, Text 500 or something, with an 'all you can eat' data addon, which supposedly isn't meant to allow tethering, but it does,and I do take full advantage of the fact three seem rather blase about what you use.

its even replaced my landline based service, slow speeds around here, you're talking sub 2mb, but on three I get upwards of 10mb all day everyday

this month Ive used 130gb of data, with a couple of days left to go, and have used similar amounts every month for nearly 2 years now, and not a single word from three.

screenshot from a couple of days ago...