new iphone 5 + $70/month limited tiered 2gb/month plan = no hotspot ?? FCC rules violation?

[electronicsguy]

Hello all,

I got a new iphone 5 from the verizon store in michigan. I chose the $70/month plan with 450 minutes + 2gb/month data. So it is a LTE capable phone offered by Verizon on a limited tiered data plan.

Now according to the FCC decision, Verizon is not supposed to block hotspot tethering on this plan on a phone which uses the LTE spectrum. (details here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-315501A1.pdf)

However, I am unable to enable the hotspot or tethering feature. When I try to enable personal hotspot, it shows a popup on the screen saying "contact verizon" by either going to the website or calling them.

This is contrary to the verizon obligations under the FCC requirements. I have written a letter to verizon but haven't heard back from them. Its obvious that the hotspot has not been provisioned on this account but why I don't know.

Is anyone else having the same problem? If so, did you get it resolved?

thanks,

[#2]

FCC said Verizon couldn't block tethering APPS. They didn't say Verizon couldn't charge you for tethering. What's the point of tethering if you only have 2 GB anyway? Share Everything has tethering included in the price. Should have gone that way I guess.

[electronicsguy]

Why its necessary is my problem, not anybody else's. IF I want to use 2gb thru the PC, I should be able to.

note: they are indeed blocking - otherwise the hotspot button once clicked would not show that pop-up, it would go into hotspot settings.

They DID say that verizon cannot charge for it. IS this not clear from the official FCC documents:

" the company recently revised its service offerings such that consumers on usage-based pricing plans may tether, using any application, without paying an additional fee"

so your argument is false. not including the hotspot in this plan just seems to be an oversight on their part, because according to the rules as i understand, they do not have the luxury to block it.

[rcschnoor]

vzw-tempname-503ba8e7-ce3e-4723-a54e-0a807dc86e6a wrote:

However, I am unable to enable the hotspot or tethering feature. When I try to enable personal hotspot, it shows a popup on the screen saying "contact verizon" by either going to the website or calling them.

Did you "contact verizon" by  either going to the website of calling them. If not, how do you know you are unable to enable the hotspot or tethering feature?

[electronicsguy]

I already replied that yes, I wrote them a letter, as in black n white.

I know I am 'unable' to enable by clicking on the hotspot button on the iphone and seeing that pop-up instead of the hotspot being enabled.

Is that more clear?

[dimap52]

Verizon has a very inconsistent business model regarding tethering. Tablets on a 2 Gig data plan CAN tether/hotspot but smartphones CAN'T. Tethering has always been borked on my 2 Gig plan, whether 3G or 4G. I think it's outrageous that you can put a ONE gig data plan (for FIFTY DOLLARS no less) on a Share Everything plan and tether, but NOT on a 2 Gig individual plan. I just upgraded my plan to 4 Gig to test the tethering and hotspot functions on my new Razr M and I'm delighted to find out all 3 tethering pipes (USB, WiFi, BlueTooth) work on my Linux box but as a matter of principle that I don't feel tethering is a service that carriers should have a LEGAL right to charge for, I won't be keeping it very long.

But Brian68 is right in that the FCC did NOT say Verizon couldn't charge for tethering although I strongly wish they had, particularly for usage-based data packages. So your only options are:

1 Switch to Share Everything Plan, Tethering is included, data allowances are the pits for what they charge, considering the line access fees.

2 Switch to 4 Gig data w/ Hotspot plan (extra $20 a month, maybe you can use the extra data, waste of money if you can't)

3 Call and b**ch like crazy, I've read somewhere that sometimes they will give you a $0 cost tethering SKU to shut you up, but I have no idea how effective that is.

Tethering fees are a total crock to me, especially when you are already paying for a capped amount of data, with tethering possibly pushing you into lucrative overage charges. Double dipping at it's worst. Makes me MAD like nothing else.

[electronicsguy]

They DID say that verizon cannot charge for it. IS this not clear from the official FCC documents:

" the company recently revised its service offerings such that consumers on usage-based pricing plans may tether, using any application, without paying an additional fee".

I only want them to follow what they promised to the FCC. This non-offering just seems to be an oversight.

[dimap52]

Not an oversight at all. However, the iPhone is at a bit of a disadvantage since my understanding is Apple won't allow any tethering apps in the iPhone store. If you use a third party app, verizon will no longer prevent you from using it or charge tethering fee for doing so. If you feel the ruling entitles you to use th app on the phone, then challenge verizon in a court of law and test the legitimacy and extent of the ruling. As it is, Verizon has filed an appeal contesting FCC authority to make these rules.

[electronicsguy]

Apple already has the tethering hotspot app installed in the phone. They blocking is because of the specific carrier settings set by verizon. No app needs to be installed extra in addition to whats already there. IF they allow a 3rd party app, then they should anyways allow the default hotspot app.

I will write to them again because according to my understanding they are in the wrong. Its so sad that this pseudo-monopolistic behavior of US telecoms still doesn't change in the 21st century. 'Pipes' should do what they are good at, and not try to peek in into content or put restrictive barriers.

They are free to contest all they like, but they must follow the rules as long as they are in place.

[21stNow]

electronicsguy wrote:

They DID say that verizon cannot charge for it. IS this not clear from the official FCC documents:

" the company recently revised its service offerings such that consumers on usage-based pricing plans may tether, using any application, without paying an additional fee".

I only want them to follow what they promised to the FCC. This non-offering just seems to be an oversight.

What is written here is true.  Verizon Wireless did recently revise their service offerings so that consumers on usage-based pricing plans may tether.  This usage-based pricing plan is the Share Everything plan.  Note that the writing from the FCC does not say "all usage-based plans".  Since VZW is no longer offering your plan to new customers, they can probably get away with this because all new customers have to be on Share Everything and existing customers have the option to switch to it.

[electronicsguy]

first of all I am a NEW customer. I signed up as a new verizon customer on oct 19. So how does it not apply to me?

secondly, the rule says you cannot block period. its doesn't talk anything about not blocking only on share plance. Verizon doesn't have the luxury to pick n choose what plans they can block it on and what they cannot.

Can a carrier say tomorrow - hey you know what - we'll offer the 911 call location only on share plans not other plans. even though FCC rules say it is a compulsory service, we'll pick n choose.

WIll you be ok with that?

ps: btw, any contract binding on another party is always favourable to the party which did not draft it in the first place. So if the rules don't explicitly say "all" plans, they do not rule it out either.

[Ann154]

Have you called Verizon Wireless customer service to ask about the message you get? Since you have clarified you are on the Share Everything plan then your plan already included the mobile hotspot feature. It might just be a warning messages built into the phone to cover all the possible plans used on Verizon Wireless or other carriers.

[electronicsguy]

I am not on the share everything plan. When did I say that?

Secondly, to clear confusion - I don't HAVE to be on the 'share' plan. There is no such regulatory requirement.

[Ann154]

If you are a new customer as of October 2012, then you should have the Share Everything plan. It is the only plan offered for new customers since June 28, 2012. If you don't have this plan, then WHAT is the EXACT NAME of your plan?

[21stNow]

We, in the community, are having a difficult time following your situation.  Any new customer on October 19, 2012 would have been set-up on the Share Everything plan, unless there was AOL/TOBR done from an existing line.  So either you have a Share Everything plan and have access to mobile hotspot/tethering, or you have assumed someone's old account and would have to pay extra for mobile/hotspot tethering.

The concept of grandfathering applies to services offered to consumers and what businesses have to provide.  Tidbits gave one example earlier.  Another example is in the realm of ADA requirements.  Owners of buildings built before a certain time did not have to change their existing structure just to meet ADA requirements, but any substantial new renovations would have to meet ADA requirements.  The same thing applies to VZW's plans.  They came up with new plans that included mobile hotspot/tethering, but did not have to change their existing plans.

The bottom line is that if you don't like it, you are free to go to another carrier that meets your needs.  There is even a plan on VZW that meets the requirements of what you are asking for.  I don't understand why you would rather argue about it than switch to a plan that has what you want.

[electronicsguy]

please see my post below with the plan details.

Its not a grandfathered plan

its not a share plan

it is a new plan. offocial offered  in a store. you have to ask for it.

the bottom line is i am entitled to things which Verizon promised to FCC in the first place.

[electronicsguy]

Does the ruling from FCC say "NO" so-called older 'non-share' plans.

or does any document from Verizon say they agreed to only share plans?

there arguments don't make any sense.

[#18]

electronicsguy wrote:

Does the ruling from FCC say "NO" so-called older 'non-share' plans.

or does any document from Verizon say they agreed to only share plans?

there arguments don't make any sense.

The FCC ruling I posted clearly mention Verizon's "revised" plans.

[#19]

dimap52 wrote:

Verizon has a very inconsistent business model regarding tethering. Tablets on a 2 Gig data plan CAN tether/hotspot but smartphones CAN'T. Tethering has always been borked on my 2 Gig plan, whether 3G or 4G. I think it's outrageous that you can put a ONE gig data plan (for FIFTY DOLLARS no less) on a Share Everything plan

1 GB is a NOT $50. Unless your're admitting that minutes/texting and tethering are free? Fact is a tablet only plan 4 GB is $30. With a smartphone it's $70. So right there that shows you that minutes and texting are $40 value.

[gina7239]

On the old plan you can do a combination teathering /reg data for example 7 for $70. This plan was not available to new customers to my understanding after that decision. Technically your kindov paying for the convience of hotspoting with the new plan the data being so much more. $50 for 1gig I think. Technically hotspotting is included so you are paying for it somewhere. $40 for mins then data more money. Verizon can do what they want.

Things change like unlimited customers can't upgrade without changeing there plan or atat saying no 3G FaceTime without changeing from unlimited or something to new plans. They do things for there interest although they say its for us.

[gina7239]

That 7 for $70 is 3G I don't know 4g.