Verizon Wireless is facing a complaint from the group Free Press. In the complaint, the group Free Press says:
By asking Google to remove tethering applications from the Android Market, Verizon violates the rules under which it operates its LTE network. When the FCC auctioned the C Block of the Upper 700 MHz spectrum–the spectrum on which Verizon has deployed its LTE offering–the Commission adopted important license conditions to protect the openness of broadband networks. It provided that licensees using that spectrum “shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice.”
Last month Verizon and AT&T as well as other carriers have asked Google to remove from its Android Market tethering apps since these apps were in direct violation of their TOS. Google complied as it stated in its own TOS that it will block any apps that violates the TOS of a carrier.
Basically major US carriers are blocking users without tethering plans. Apps like PdaNet allowed you to tether your phone connection onto your laptop or other wireless device. Since this uses more resources and data than what wireless company are expected from a normal data plan, they’ve decided to ban tethering. Unless you pay for it.
Usual tethering plan from AT&T or Verizon costs around $15 to $20 per month. Add this to the normal voice plan and data plan and your monthly bill becomes quite big.
It is normal for any user when paying for a data plan to use it any way he wants to. That includes tethering, since we’re paying for the data. But unfortunately wireless carriers do not see it this way.
In the meantime, side-loading tethering apps is still possible on rooted Android devices, however, depending on how you use it, you may just get caught by your carrier.
Anyone got caught or still using tethering apps? Let us know your story.
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