Mobile hotspot 9900 and PB?

**gadgetier** · 05-11-2012, 05:24 AM

Hi all, ive been using my PB tethered to my 9900 to search the internet at work however after getting my bill from my SP i was horrified as I dont use it that much.

in the UK we just this week got the 7.1 os update for the 9900 and now have mobile hotspot.

as I understand this is cheaper that tethering how I have been.

can someone confirm this and how do I do it?

Rgds Lee.

**kbz1960** · 05-11-2012, 06:25 AM

Why don't you just use bridge and save some money?

**byul** · 05-11-2012, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by kbz1960

Why don't you just use bridge and save some money?

Ditto...

**Chaddface** · 05-11-2012, 07:46 AM

If you go over your allotted data each month your going to pay the same no matter how you use it. All three connections are using the same data.

If your paying an extra fee for tethering then you can remove that from your plan and use the bridge connection.

**chaddeus** · 05-11-2012, 08:53 AM

Hotspot (tethering) and Bridging (Blackberry Bridge) is very different.

Surfing through the BB Bridge is free (unless you are on AT&T) but not all application has access to the internet. However, speed is limited to the speed of your bluetooth connection which is about 1MB/s. It should be enough to surf the web, youtube etc.

Hotspot on the other hand is uses your WIFI connection. Its like connecting your Playbook to a WIFI router. All application has access to the internet BUT will most probably uses outside your BIS data plan. Your carrier will most probably charge you extra for this.

- Charles

**kbz1960** · 05-11-2012, 09:07 AM

Yes some apps do not work over bridge. Maybe my 3G carrier but wifi hotspot is only slightly and not much at all faster than bridge.

**rotorwrench** · 05-11-2012, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by chaddeus

Hotspot (tethering) and Bridging (Blackberry Bridge) is very different.

Surfing through the BB Bridge is free (unless you are on AT&T) but not all application has access to the internet. However, speed is limited to the speed of your bluetooth connection which is about 1MB/s. It should be enough to surf the web, youtube etc.

Hotspot on the other hand is uses your WIFI connection. Its like connecting your Playbook to a WIFI router. All application has access to the internet BUT will most probably uses outside your BIS data plan. Your carrier will most probably charge you extra for this.

- Charles

A little clarification here. Yes, using data on your PB (internet use) through bridge is free as far as not requiring another data plan for that access, but the data is still being used and not free. It is coming off of your phone data allotment. There is no free data. If you have a "true" unlimited data plan, then the data usage isn't an issue anyway.

**DoctorNeutron** · 05-11-2012, 09:35 AM

In the US with Verizon, it's $20/mo for 2 GB. Up to 5 WiFi devices can be supported. Not convinced of its usefulness. I had assumed that I could utilize older apps on my Storm 2 more effectively, such as Garmin and Skype. It's not happening: both apps crank but belly up whining about no 3g on my Storm 2. Do get to fetch email and surf on Storm 2, though. Garmin tech support is being evasive. Big picture: Verizon is hurting for 3g (and 4g) bandwidth / throughput and will do whatever it takes to force RIM to effectively throttle both with all kinds of Mickey Mouse rules for bluetooth and WiFi usage. Doc Neutron.

F2 · 05-11-2012, 10:54 AM

In summary, if you use the phone's data one way or the other, it will come out of your data allowance. From what I've read, many locations do not have UNlimited data but a specific allotment. If the user goes beyond that allotment, they will pay!!!

I've also read that some Canadian plans include tethering as part of their plan. That is not the case, at least, for Verizon. Tethering is an add-on and costs monthly.

KNOW your plan before using any of these features.