[arnaldocabral]

Hey guys..

I was previously using the BB Data Plan (44.95) and a CSR by the name of Yulanda Williams told me i can still teather, for free, with the Data Plan that is 29.99. She said they are the SAME EXACT PLAN and that the 44.95 is for a different model phone actually.. I was somewhat confused because i read a few threads stating that you will be charged for tethering on the 29.00 plan, which i explained to her.. She said that i will NOT be charged for it... BUT, Cingular is in the process of blocking the ports that enable you to tether for free.. so soon all of us Cingular users will have to resort to the 79.99 Tethering Plan : ( so guys, use it as much as you can before they double up on us.. anyone hear anything else from Cingular regarding this issue?

[Pizzle]

Well, for starters, the rep you talked to is an idiot. The plan differences have nothing to do with the phone model. The $50 plan is for BES/Corporate Users, and the $30 plan is for BIS/Personal Use. This pricing structure applies regardless of BB model.

I pretty much tuned out everything she said after that. She obviously has no idea what she's talking about.

[snowskier79]

Originally Posted by Pizzle

. . . I pretty much tuned out everything she said after that. She obviously has no idea what she's talking about.

Nice!

[option94]

Wirelessly posted (Cingular 7130c: BlackBerry7130/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Its definetly not free with the $30 dollar plan.

[ItsAllVerbatim]

Originally Posted by option94

Wirelessly posted (Cingular 7130c: BlackBerry7130/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Its definetly not free with the $30 dollar plan.

I'll second that. I have my own rep, and the they will hit you right away if you start tethering on the $29. They're no morons, OK?

Signed,
An everday tetherer (It is my sole broadband connection, I move around a lot)

[mymitsu3kgt]

I hate that when reps give out false information. When I got my first BB on Tmobile, I asked two reps on the phone and two reps in the store if the OZ AIM client is part of the data plan. Two of them said yes, and two of them said no. Obviously it is not part of the data plan so I made them take fifty percent of the SMS charges off my bill since fifty percent of their reps told me I could use it for free.

[arnaldocabral]

Thats what i figured... she's an idiot.. she gave me her direct line in case they charge me for Data Overage, which she also said i wouldnt have to pay for.. hmm.. so what is the damn difference between the 29.99 plan and the 44.99???? According to her, nothing.. that cant be true.. grrr.

[snowskier79]

The $44.99 plan is for BES users . . . neither plan has free tethering.

[arnaldocabral]

Originally Posted by snowskier79

The $44.99 plan is for BES users . . . neither plan has free tethering.

as of right now, its free.. have you not read the HOW TO TETHER YOUR LAPTOP thread? They are slowly, but surely, blocking access.. FORCING you to use the new, 79.99 plan... so until then, they cant charge me for it (i have unlimited usage and i will contest the sh*t out of any overage data charge).. its not my fault there are loopholes in their systems that allow it..

[trigga15]

haha that sounds like a cingular rep...one of the reps told me that the 29.99 mediamax was the same thing as the 29.99 BIS data plan and i laughed

[DallasFlier]

Originally Posted by Pizzle

Well, for starters, the rep you talked to is an idiot. The plan differences have nothing to do with the phone model. The $50 plan is for BES/Corporate Users, and the $30 plan is for BIS/Personal Use. This pricing structure applies regardless of BB model.

I pretty much tuned out everything she said after that. She obviously has no idea what she's talking about.

Uhh, yeah, and the $50 plan is $45, but you knew that...

[coral]

I have just spoken to a Cingular tech-support person:
The $ 44.99 plan is for BB unlimited if you want the enterprise version. If you don't have enterprise, the $ 29.99 personal plan is for you. If you want to use the BB as modem, you need the unlimited BB-plan for $ 74.99.
I said I am already using the BB as a modem and they said it would be impossible. I said yes I do, and what would you charge me if I was not on a $ 74.99 plan, they said 1 cent per byte.
I signed up for that plan, to avoid outrageous charges.

Now, what is the truth???

[paulbblc]

I have tethered withouth the tethering plan just fine without being charged a dime extra on my bill. I know there is another user on these forums that has done so as well. We had a nice little chat about it. It is possible to do so without Cingular finding out.

Want info on it? Prove to me you don't work for Cingular and we'll talk. Pete - care to back me up on this if you see this since I'm sure there will be numerous non-believers flaming away on me.

[DallasFlier]

Originally Posted by paulbblc

I have tethered withouth the tethering plan just fine without being charged a dime extra on my bill. I know there is another user on these forums that has done so as well. We had a nice little chat about it. It is possible to do so without Cingular finding out.

Yes, as others have said, its possible currently to tether without Cingular "finding out" - because they haven't been focusing on "finding out." Its a loophole, and one that they *can* close with current technology, should they choose to do so. Whether they will or not, and if so exactly when - is anyone's guess.

[paulbblc]

Right "finding out" was a poor choice of wording I suppose.

I haven't used it to tether for quite a few months now so that option is somewhat useless to me, however maybe they will keep letting it slide for awhile.

[MERK350Z]

well let me start off by saying that the 29.99 plan for cingular is only and only BIS (blackberry internet service) and does not inclue BES
as for tethering it can be done but i am not sure if you are going to get charged for it because theres really no way to find out of you were or not remeber your blackberry has a browser that has full internet access so. i used to have the 44.99 plan and the 30 doller add on for tethering it was great but since doing more research and downgrading to the new 29.99 plan i am saving alot of money . also if anyone has a nokia 9300 or 9500 you can tether using your bluetooth connection , which also works great i have been using it for a few month and no extra charges on account.

[Scarlett]

Changed to the 29.99 plan a couple of months ago and tethered last night same as I always have. Will let you know if charges show up.

[jeevessnsv]

It looks like you (previous posters) may be running into Cingular's TOS (= Terms of Service).

Furthermore, unlimited plans (except for DataConnect and Blackberry Tethered) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/pda-to-computer accessories, Bluetooth, or any other wireless technology) to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose.

Service is not intended to provide full-time connections, and the Service may be discontinued ... etc etc

It's interesting that they implement it in such a hit-and-miss manner, and what the reps have said in response to inquiries. With a company as large as Cingular, a lot of people can probably fly under the radar, at least for awhile, but some are going to get caught and charged more, I suppose. But I'm also curious about how they would go about figuring out who might be tethering "illegally", whether they would use automatic methods to detect it, etc.

[snowskier79]

Updated data from Cingular's website regarding BB tethered plan:

Get Started | Cingular Wireless

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by jeevessnsv

It's interesting that they implement it in such a hit-and-miss manner, and what the reps have said in response to inquiries.

Meh. It's Cingular. If you've ever talked to their CSR's it wouldn't be surprising... :P