tethering.... asking the techie folks.

[disneyred]

I can always turn to you dis friends here ... can someone explain in laymans
terms ..what tethering is... and how its used with your cellphone plan? and say with your tablet...?
It was explained to me .. but I just nod my head and walked away from the CS trying to explain it.... it was not sinking in..... thanks to all !

 

[sam_gordon]

I can always turn to you dis friends here ... can someone explain in laymans
terms ..what tethering is... and how its used with your cellphone plan? and say with your tablet...?
It was explained to me .. but I just nod my head and walked away from the CS trying to explain it.... it was not sinking in..... thanks to all !

I think I can understand WHAT it is. Since I haven't done it, I can't tell you HOW to do it.

Anyway... you know in order to access the internet, you need a connection to the internet, right? At home, you probably have a DSL or cable modem hooked up to a wireless access point/router. Your computers (PC, laptop) connect to the router, and get access to the internet. Your tablet also connects (via WiFi) to the router and that's how it gets on the internet.

When you're away from home, you can use free Wifi in various locations (coffee shops, hotels, McD's, etc) and get on the internet. But what happens as you're driving down the road, or at the park watching the kids?

This is where "tethering" comes into play. Your phone can connect to the internet over the cell signal. If you tether your tablet to your phone (via Wifi), now your tablet can get to the internet. The phone takes the place of the router & modem at your home.

I'm sorry I can't tell you exactly HOW to do it, but that describes what it is.

I hope this helps.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Your wireless provider will probably charge an extra fee for it. If you have a smartphone, its the hotspot feature. You turn on the hotspot and can connect via wifi to use the phone as a modem. It really eats the phone battery so its best to use if you have the phone charging.

 

[SandrA9810]

Most plans that allow tethering are larger data plans, my iphone requires the 5 gig data plan. I however use a hotspot box for connecting all my devices, we have a ps vita, a tablet, 2 computers, and 2 cell phones. When I went on the road trip a couple weeks ago, I used the hotspot box to connect the tablet to the internet to use Google maps to find ways around long stretches of bumper to bumpertraffic.

Now most devices are sold in a wi fi only or 3g and wi fi. If you buy 3g devices you can set up an account with the providing carrier and pay for a data only plan on that one device. Instead we buy all wifi only devices, and use the one data plan for the hot spot box. Or you can increase your data plan to allow your phone to broadcast its signal to your other devices.

Now just remember you're likely only going to be using 3g cell phone towers, and the internet is not that fast. However it works well with mobile devices that use apps. Using your computer is probably going to be slower than you imagined. It is handy if you know you'll need the internet where it is not provided or unavailable.

 

[disneyred]

thanks for all the info here..it does help me understand ...

 

[disneyred]

Most plans that allow tethering are larger data plans, my iphone requires the 5 gig data plan. I however use a hotspot box for connecting all my devices, we have a ps vita, a tablet, 2 computers, and 2 cell phones. When I went on the road trip a couple weeks ago, I used the hotspot box to connect the tablet to the internet to use Google maps to find ways around long stretches of bumper to bumpertraffic.

Now most devices are sold in a wi fi only or 3g and wi fi. If you buy 3g devices you can set up an account with the providing carrier and pay for a data only plan on that one device. Instead we buy all wifi only devices, and use the one data plan for the hot spot box. Or you can increase your data plan to allow your phone to broadcast its signal to your other devices.

Now just remember you're likely only going to be using 3g cell phone towers, and the internet is not that fast. However it works well with mobile devices that use apps. Using your computer is probably going to be slower than you imagined. It is handy if you know you'll need the internet where it is not provided or unavailable.

what is a hotspot box?????

 

[Geoff_M]

what is a hotspot box?????

Here's an example. It's a small portable standalone device that uses your data account with the carrier to allow you to connect WiFi enabled devices like laptops, tablet computers, etc. to the Internet. Think of it as "wireless" wireless Internet access!

As for tethering, let me clarify a bit more. With traditional tethering, your smartphone will be connected to your laptop via a USB cable. Special carrier specific software will also need to be loaded onto your laptop. The software will connect to your smartphone and allow Internet access via the smartphone's network access. Also note that this ability is NOT normally included as part of your smartphone's data plan (the same with using a hotspot). The last time I checked, if I wanted to turn on tethering with my Verizon account, it would run an extra $60/month to my bill (above the cost of our normal data plan).

 

[ohiomom28]

Here's an example. It's a small portable standalone device that uses your data account with the carrier to allow you to connect WiFi enabled devices like laptops, tablet computers, etc. to the Internet. Think of it as "wireless" wireless Internet access!

As for tethering, let me clarify a bit more. With traditional tethering, your smartphone will be connected to your laptop via a USB cable. Special carrier specific software will also need to be loaded onto your laptop. The software will connect to your smartphone and allow Internet access via the smartphone's network access. Also note that this ability is NOT normally included as part of your smartphone's data plan (the same with using a hotspot). The last time I checked, if I wanted to turn on tethering with my Verizon account, it would run an extra $60/month to my bill (above the cost of our normal data plan).

Its $29.99 to add it to my phone. It may be per phone, not sure. We have Sprint.

Posted from DISboards app from Android

 

[ToyStory Fan]

You don't have to use the hotspot app for getting service - in the case of VZW they will charge you right out of the gate for that. You can however turn on hotspot for a limited time during any month and pay for only that limited time - so it isn't an all or nothing proposition.

It would be a little more helpful if we knew what types of smartphone/devices you are talking about as android and ipad will differ a great deal on how they handle this.

I for one am able to use both my motorola android devices to tether via bluetooth and not use the VZW hotspot app.

My tablet device is wifi only so if I can't access a free wifi hotspot I will temporarily tether to my smartphone via bluetooth connection and use the 4g service on my phone to get what I need and then disconnect. I use it very rarely but it does come in handy when necessary. My understanding is that most service providers can still tell when a device is tethered via hotspot or bluetooth but there's not alot they can do to deny access via the phone's other apps - I'm sure if enough peple abuse it they will figure out a way to charge them....kind of like the VZW new share everything plans.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Here's an example. It's a small portable standalone device that uses your data account with the carrier to allow you to connect WiFi enabled devices like laptops, tablet computers, etc. to the Internet. Think of it as "wireless" wireless Internet access!

As for tethering, let me clarify a bit more. With traditional tethering, your smartphone will be connected to your laptop via a USB cable. Special carrier specific software will also need to be loaded onto your laptop. The software will connect to your smartphone and allow Internet access via the smartphone's network access. Also note that this ability is NOT normally included as part of your smartphone's data plan (the same with using a hotspot). The last time I checked, if I wanted to turn on tethering with my Verizon account, it would run an extra $60/month to my bill (above the cost of our normal data plan).

I pay $20 per month for 2gb with Verizon. The tethering with a usb is only for phones that don't have a hotspot feature.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have the iPhone 4 tethering. It works really well...that being said I am paying $20 a month to have it, and I am allowed 2gb of data. I have never even used half of that.

I do not have an app for it. I just go into settings, and tell it to turn on "Personal Hotspot" (it is a little slide bar thing). Computer sees it as wireless network.

Really with the iPhone 4 (and I assume 4s) it is really simple. One thing to watch out for though it really uses your battery. I find it best to have the phone plugged into the computer or charger while using wireless hotspot for any serious amount of time.

Oh yea, it's Verizon for me.

 

[Debbie7452]

I use an app to tether my laptop when we are at remote locations. The app (PDAnet)only costs about $18/year. The app has to be loaded to the laptop and activated on the phone then I can use the internet. No extra fees from my cell provider. I have have a grandfathered unlimited Verizon plan. It is not as fast as "real" Wifi, probably because my phone is 3G. You have to use the USB part of the phone charger cable to hook the phone to the laptop. Thus, It charges while it's tethered.

Once our DSL went out at home and I used it until DSL was fixed.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I use an app to tether my laptop when we are at remote locations. The app (PDAnet)only costs about $18/year. The app has to be loaded to the laptop and activated on the phone then I can use the internet. No extra fees from my cell provider. I have have a grandfathered unlimited Verizon plan. It is not as fast as "real" Wifi, probably because my phone is 3G. You have to use the USB part of the phone charger cable to hook the phone to the laptop. Thus, It charges while it's tethered.

Once our DSL went out at home and I used it until DSL was fixed.

The use of apps like PDAnet is a violation of your TOS with Verizon. They can terminate your service and/or charge you large fees for using it.

 

[Debbie7452]

The use of apps like PDAnet is a violation of your TOS with Verizon. They can terminate your service and/or charge you large fees for using it.

oh, well sorry then. Everyone disregard.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well they used to allow it for free till everyone started to do it. I used to tether to my boyfriend's phone, then Sprint sent out an update and disabled the feature. I think they said it would be an additional $20 a month fee to use the hotspot on it.

When I talked to ATT about it, they told me I would have to upgrade to 5gigs/$50 a month to use my iphone as a hotspot. The hotspot box I use is 3gig/$30 a month, and it was a life saver when my aunt's internet went down, and when I was in Indiana because my cousins do not have internet.

 

[HonestAbe]

I work in IT, so when folks ask for explanations in laymans terms, I will try to tell you in a language that you can easily understand. I think a lot of folks are getting perhaps a little too technical for the OP, so I'm going to take a shot.

Tethering can either be done via a cable between your cell phone or via a wireless connection like you have in your home or at someplace like Starbucks. This connection is established or piggybacks in the simplest terms over your cell phone signal.

Most cell phone providers like Verizon, TMobile, etc... will charge you a monthly fee to enable the service.

You can also buy a dedicated device called a hotspot which is just a little box that the only thing it does is provide an Internet connection.

You can also use 3rd party tools that will provide "free" hotspot connectivity, but most of the time that will violate the Terms Of Service (TOS) - aka The Big Ugly Contract! - that you signed with your cell phone provider. If they catch you, it can mean they can shut your service down or send you a big bill.

In a nutshell though, all this mumbo jumbo boils down to do you need it? If you are paying for Internet service in your home, you should already have or get a wireless router. That takes care of the issue on the home front. Then there's plenty of connectivity in a lot of retail places and public venues that you can connect to the internet, again without paying an extra fee.

With that, do you really need to get on the internet anytime anywhere with a device other than your cell phone? I am on call 24x7x365 except when Im on vacation. I don't even need it. And if my job required that I respond super quick, well then they can pay for the equipment for me to do that. But having it to surf the internet on your tablet at any moment is overkill IMO especially if you already have home internet service. Not even the Disboards warrant paying extra for it.