[badhangover]

First off, I apologize for belaboring this point one more time. It is my hope that this thread focuses on the one thing still muddled in many people's minds: Will Verizon care if I purchase and use the 3rd party tether app, and will they charge me enormous fees and disrupt my service for using it (whether it be for only a tiny bit of usage or daily extra long porn download sessions)?

I've read the TOS wherein it states tethering to a laptop is a no no unless using Verizon's own brand of tether. That's a pretty convincing argument for the don't use it camp. However, I've also seen the 3rd party tether app sold through the marketplace in Verizon's very own VZStart home page. It is also sold through RIM's appworld (Verizon's business partner) as well as right here on Crackberry (granted, not affiliated with Verizon, but surely a cease and desist order could end those sales fairly easily). The seemingly sanctioned, however so passively, 3rd party sales of tether make a compelling argument for the it really is okay to use camp. And I don't think the one sold through the VZStart page "get apps" icon is passive at all - it's as solid a link as one can get.

But yet all the warnings of the potential massive phone bills that could cripple the common man's wallet and other dire warnings have many of us in doubt about this product. Vague stories about someone who knew someone who heard about someone getting charged $$$$$. Apparent Verizon employees often repeating the mantra that it is not allowed.

But are they true? I would love for this thread to encompass actual first hand known facts of specific people getting charged for using this service. And the main details and resolution of those charges, if known, would be helpful. Not another rehashing of interpretations of could I/Should I, but cold hard cases of actual usage penalties. 'Cause, honestly, I think at least some of the people procuring 3rd party apps are internet savvy enough to have figured out there are internet forums. You'd think there would be rampant "it happened to me" stories abounding if the penalty hammer of doom was swinging away at suspiciously high amount data users. I've yet to run across those stories.

[Chrisy]

i have never been charged extra nor do i know anyone personally who has.

In the 2 years i worked for VZW, never came across anyone caught using Tetherberry. Anyone who claims to have been charged outrages fees for using Tether should post their bill.

Urban legends from VZW reps if you ask me.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[IDsweetcheeks]

To be completely honest I've never gotten a freaked out call from a customer or transfer from care regarding these kind of fees.
I called tech support when I got the IP modem link on my DTM and inquired.
The rep openly admitted that they knew people were using 3rd party tethering.
I specifically named tetherberry to the rep as well.
He behooved me to use vzam and pay the tethering fee... but said he never saw anyone with the big charges either.
I'm not willing to risk my bill to find out though.

[badhangover]

Thank you for your honest and genuine response, IDsweetcheeks. It is a confusing topic. Hence, my desire for this thread to focus on known charges only. I had posted in another thread about an experience I had in calling Verizon to query about this and specifically being told by a customer service rep and a tech support rep that this specific 3rd party tether app was okay to use without any fear of any penalty whatsoever. And yet I'm still a sissy to use it! Man, I wish I recorded that call.

[IDsweetcheeks]

You are welcome. I dont have a lot of open access here at work, but I am sure I can do some digging around later today after work on some other forums to see if I can come up with some specific examples if there are any.

[bluerskyes]

You're routed to a specific dept for that type of thing, customer care would never get those calls.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[akiva7777]

I, like sweet cheeks have never gotten a call about it....... and while i have not been asked specifically about the program, i have been sure of its use on a couple of calls....... it seems like (to me at least), that it would be well documented about charges, and posted all over this, and other forum sites.

that being said, i too, will not use it. Mainly because I have the net at home fairly cheap, and Im on my father in laws plan and there is no way im screwin up that sweet deal like my brother in law did!!!!

[IDsweetcheeks]

I'm sure we'll get calls on this eventually... with DTM now offering the feature which apparently works w/out the plan attached.
I'm bringing my laptop in on Sat to show everyone at our team huddle. I think its something they need to see.
Plan on adding the tether feature though. I'm a chicken.

[badhangover]

Cool beans. I don't even know about the new DTM feature. But could you also show your round table how the "Get Apps" icon on the VZStart home page leads to the tether purchase too? And also on BB's Appworld. I'd love to hear the collective response.

[akiva7777]

I'm sure we'll get calls on this eventually... with DTM now offering the feature which apparently works w/out the plan attached.
I'm bringing my laptop in on Sat to show everyone at our team huddle. I think its something they need to see.
Plan on adding the tether feature though. I'm a chicken.

wow, i hadnt heard that....... yeah, well be getting some calls, i like it when it picks up that the feature isnt present, and fails......... i was kinda shocked when i first started taking calls a year ago how many tried with out the feature........

[lastraid]

If memory servers me correctly, there were a couple of post last year, one more meorable than then the other, was a college student. This thread caused a lot flack for a bit. This person, do to the use of tetherberry had his entire shut down and had a huge bill. Dad was pissed

One other that was short lived where a user reported a large data bill.

If this is true, it is hit and miss.

[Chrisy]

That's just another "i know someone who knows someone that this happened to."

i've read every page of that thread and it seems to be a fake. No evidence, no specifics, and had a mysterious ending where the OP had his bill paid in exchange for going back to the church..

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[IDsweetcheeks]

"Repent your sins and your bill will be paid!!!!"

[IDsweetcheeks]

I'd like to know exactly WHY there are currently THREE threads regarding the SAME thing...
Cant someone DO something about it!?

and learn how to use search.

I believe we've come to a consensus that it is unknown exactly what will happen if you use tether/tetherberry or IP modem link.
Everyone is too chicken to try it who hasnt yet.
Those who do; dont get charged and even a rep cant get a straight answer from another rep regarding how it works...

Bottom line: Yes there are 3rd party tether apps. Reps are aware of it... most have never seen the adverse repercussions of using them personally and all accounts are all second hand. Until I see visual proof with a customer bill... I will have to say that its an urban myth. This opinion is coming from a rep... I'm going to stay neutral on this and agree; you SHOULD subscribe to tethering to be safe... but if you roll like madmax... go for it.
Personally... MY OPINION... is vzam is a decent program and I like it... but now that IP modem link is avail; I will most likely use it.
Free is the way to go...
When they open up GPS to use then we'll know the answer I guess.

[Super_Mario]

Oh sweet gosh in heaven, another thread on this.

[IDsweetcheeks]

see thats what I thought!?

[earlyretirementz]

Yes it does happen. I just got a $2,700 bill from T Mobile. They told me I could tether but neglected to mention that it costs $15 per MB when you are outside of the USA. I don't know if there is anything I can do.

[Xpimp]

To put it simply never

[jlb21]

You know, one of these days, someone with the time, $, and cohones will try and take VZW to court over this. Look at it this way, you pay for "unlimited" data on your BB. Why shouldn't you tether. Why is it any different from a load perspective. It's not. And if in court VZW tried to say "but we are worried about load on our network", well, then, why do they sell the same damn thing in their store. It's all about $$$ for VZW. Until the FCC or some other agency says tethering has to be free, they will continue to make $ and continue to put the fear of Go....er....The Big Man in Red into us.

And it is for that last reason that as much as I want to try it, I will not.

[gotblackberry]

Yes it does happen. I just got a $2,700 bill from T Mobile. They told me I could tether but neglected to mention that it costs $15 per MB when you are outside of the USA. I don't know if there is anything I can do.

Roaming is never free did you think tethering would be different?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[IDsweetcheeks]

You know, one of these days, someone with the time, $, and cohones will try and take VZW to court over this. Look at it this way, you pay for "unlimited" data on your BB. Why shouldn't you tether. Why is it any different from a load perspective. It's not. And if in court VZW tried to say "but we are worried about load on our network", well, then, why do they sell the same damn thing in their store. It's all about $$$ for VZW. Until the FCC or some other agency says tethering has to be free, they will continue to make $ and continue to put the fear of Go....er....The Big Man in Red into us.

And it is for that last reason that as much as I want to try it, I will not.

Good call.. but I'm a lowly girl with no money... so I wouldnt have the stuff to do that. I dont even have the stuff to test the theory that one WOULD get charged.

[gotblackberry]

I've taken escalations on extra charges for data and it was obviously tethering charges because the customer had an unlimited data plan.

He didn't admit to it, they didn't shut off his phone, he just got a huge bill.

[vatothe0]

You know, one of these days, someone with the time, $, and cohones will try and take VZW to court over this. Look at it this way, you pay for "unlimited" data on your BB. Why shouldn't you tether. Why is it any different from a load perspective. It's not. And if in court VZW tried to say "but we are worried about load on our network", well, then, why do they sell the same damn thing in their store. It's all about $$$ for VZW. Until the FCC or some other agency says tethering has to be free, they will continue to make $ and continue to put the fear of Go....er....The Big Man in Red into us.

And it is for that last reason that as much as I want to try it, I will not.

A BB on its own will typically not impose the same load as a PC. You said it right though, you ARE in fact paying for unlimited data ON YOUR BLACKBERRY, not on your pc.

Also, the "VZW Store" is actually just a portal to Handango. Not entirely under VZW control.

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[FF22]

A BB on its own will typically not impose the same load as a PC. You said it right though, you ARE in fact paying for unlimited data ON YOUR BLACKBERRY, not on your pc.

Also, the "VZW Store" is actually just a portal to Handango. Not entirely under VZW control.

Okay, I go to the Verizon Page on my BB Browser. A nice GREEN icon appears (graphic down arrow) titled "Get Apps." That is right there on the Verizon HomePage. Now presented with a screen "Get Applications" and under it, Number 3 is "Get apps for fun & work."

That then takes me to another page which at the top shows a Verizon Logo (saying Verizon) and Handango. It already knows my device and calls it: "For Verizon Blackberry Tour 9630"

Now I click on Best Sellers. Another Page where, I presume, the Number 2 in the right column refers to order of best sellers and "Tether for Blackberry" is listed.

Please. Verizon led some down this garden path filled with tether flowers.

This, of course, has been hashed and rehashed but really "it is powered by Handango" absolves Verizon..............

[badhangover]

I've taken escalations on extra charges for data and it was obviously tethering charges because the customer had an unlimited data plan.

He didn't admit to it, they didn't shut off his phone, he just got a huge bill.

Thank you. This is exactly the type of first hand experience I was hoping to garner. And the sole reason why I initiated another thread on an already tired subject. I've read all the legal and the moral arguments. I'm looking for real world first hand experiences of penalty charges.

May I ask you if you could provide any more particulars? I mean, you typed it was an escalation for extra charges on data - for an unlimited data plan. Did he grossly go over the average customer's data usage? Some kinda mobile IP flags?