Tag: T-Mobile

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Does Android KitKat Detect Unauthorized Tethering on T-Mobile USA Network?

According to a few Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 users, Android KitKat now detects unauthorized Tethering on T-Mobile USA network.

A colleague of ours noticed that after upgrading to Android KitKat on a Nexus 4, Tethering & portable hotspot no longer works. Devices connected to the Wi-Fi hotspot are redirected to T-Mobile login page.

Android Kit Kat Tethering Carrier Login

When an iPhone is connected to the Wi-Fi Hotspot from a Nexus 4 running Android KitKat, options to “Auto-join” and “Auto-login” appears.

IMG_2063

The iPhone then tries to connect to a T-Mobile login page, but the page never loads.

IMG_2066

We then use a Nexus 5 which came with Android KitKat pre-installed to create a wi-Fi hotspot. The result was the same, it forces connected devices to log in.

Another colleague of ours still has a Nexus 4 running Android Jelly Bean 4.3. The Nexus 4 is connected to T-Mobile USA network and without tethering plan. Devices connected the Wi-Fi hotspot created by the Android Jelly Bean-running Nexus 4 were not asked to log in.

We then inserted a working AT&T micro-SIM card into the Nexus 4 with Android KitKat. We had no issues using tethering through this phone.

At this point, it seems that Google has added codes in Android KitKat that detect unauthorized tethering. So far, it only affects Nexus phones (4 and 5) on T-Mobile USA network. We purchased the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 from Google Play SIM-free and unlocked.

Is it possible that Google has added this “feature” to appease T-Mobile?

After all, Google has partnered up with T-Mobile (and Sprint) to sell Nexus 5.

Google Nexus 5 T-Mobile Sprint

We recommend users to wait from upgrading to Android KitKat on their Nexus 4.

 

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T-Mobile USA: Un-carrier, Contract Free and iPhone 5

As expected, T-Mobile USA announced the Un-carrier event, saying goodbye to the mobile contract.

Instead of signing customers to contracts and subsidizing the phones, T-Mobile offers payment plant on the phones.

New phones are also coming to T-Mobile USA such as:

  • BlackBerry Z10
  • HTC One
  • Samsung Galaxy S 4

In addition to that, T-Mobile USA will be carrying iPhone 5 starting April 12, 2013. All four major Mobile Carriers in the US will carry iPhone 5.

T-Mobile-USA-iPhone-5

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Unauthorized Cell Phone Unlocking becomes Illegal Starting Today.

Starting January 26, 2013 unlocking cell phone without carrier authorization is illegal under DMCA in the United States. Any handsets purchased before this day can still be unlocked without violating DMCA.

T-Mobile released a statement regarding the issue.

T-Mobile recommends customers contact the device manufacturer or AT&T directly to request the unlock code for their device. Customers would then purchase a SIM card, select a T-Mobile SIM card only Value plan that suits their needs and T-Mobile will help the customer configure their device for its network. T-Mobile offers step-by-step instructions at retail and on the T-Mobile customer support forums online.

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AT&T to Acquire T-Mobile USA From Deutsche Telekom

The news breaks on Sunday March 20th, 2011 that AT&T has come to agreement to buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom AG (FWB: DTE) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.

Both AT&T and T-Mobile USA are working on next generation networks using HSPA+ and LTE. Even though both companies are currently on GSM and UMTS/HSPA network, they are using different frequencies for the 3G network.

Previously Bloomberg reports that Deutsche Telekom and Sprint are discussing merger of T-Mobile USA and Sprint. Such merger would have been an interesting move since T-Mobile is operates GSM while Sprint operates CDMA network.

What would the future brings with the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA? AT&T would become America’s largest wireless carrier.