|
|
02/05/2005, 02:12 PM
#802
shinoSetsuna,
I think what everyone is saying is that we you to get a good deal and don't want see you to pay more than you have to. I appreciate MisterEd and HelperMonkey and their expert advice on EDGE and data plans. 
 Originally Posted by MisterEd
All I can say is "YMMV" and make sure you check you bills after using tethered data. You will have no problem with HTTP or POP3 or IMAP but as soon as you get into VNC or SSH or anything that uses other then those non-standard ports WHILE TETHERING you are flying in very questionable territory. While I can't personally attest to those issues in Cingular Orange I can on Cingular Blue.
With all due respect to your local store manager (or any for that matter)many of them have 1/200th the "actual life experience" knowledge of some of the folks here or on the other boards. These managers usually just spout what they think they hear at their meetings, and at times 17 diiferent variations of the same theme. You can't take as "gospel" what many of them say just as you get 20 different variations of the same theme when you call the "knowledgeable" B2B reps on the phone. Did he UNDERSTAND what the specific types of data use you planned on using are or did he just say .... yea, it's unlimited PDA data so you can do unlimited things with it? I'd bet he never even read the exclusions of each various plan but heard ... Yes, a $39 unlimited PDA plan.
As for the plans. The $39 PDA PLAN is just that. A PDA PLAN and has the same data exclusions as the lower price MediaNet plans but it's for PDA's and not plain handsets. The difference (if I remember from what I read) is the APN it uses. It's for PDA use and not tethering (modem use) or any client/server application. Their "data connect" plan ($79) is meant for laptops with PC Card data devices and is also used where someone wants to use any other device as a modem. The fact he isn't aware of that plan is itself a warning (ask him what the "plan" is for the PC card he has on display next to his old Treo 600 in the back of the store).
In any case, it is very possible you may never get charged for any tethering (beyond http and pop3 and imap), or they may suddenly enforce it and you may in the future. My experience is on the BLUE side and from my experience there (and others as well) you are swimming in dangerous territory as to possible being billed doing the stuff you're planning on doing. They do look at port use. Plus, since he said tethering is DEFINATELY included you have some recourse (or not).
Just keep an eye on your billing online and you'll be OK. The PDA plan is only 3 or so months old so there is still unfamiliarity with it.
Originally Posted by helpermonkey
Interesting. I would be surprised if what the manager said could be backed up technically. I have never heard such talk before, and I think I am going to have to look into myself. Anyone have even the slightest idea how the data use could be pooled differently for different plans? BTW, the cruch is going to be felt most at peak hours anyway, because voice preempts data in most cases (sites have very few dedicated data slots - more data on demand slots).
|
|
|
