Secret $20/month Tablet UDP with 10 GB Hotspot

[kevink1]

Is it safe to use this SIM card in a hotspot?

I would assume no, since ATT seems to be auditing usage more than they used to.

And since this is a postpaid account, it is harder to get away with things than it used to be. So what if the $35/month prepaid tablet plan was cancelled, you could signup with a different email account. Or buy an active SIM on ebay.

Main reason I use it is because, for $23.49/month, it is more convenient than tethering through my phone. I'm on the rate this month of about 10GB of data, so I could live with hotspotting through a phone.

[Jack T. Chance]

Only if you spoof the IMEI and use a VPN.

I've been needing to look into a VPN anyway for other reasons, so is there one you recommend?

[VVivian]

I use VyprVPN normally, but I use KeepSolid VPN Unlimited for Netflix because Netflix detects and blocks VyprVPN.

[Jack T. Chance]

I use VyprVPN normally, but I use KeepSolid VPN Unlimited for Netflix because Netflix detects and blocks VyprVPN.

Very interesting about Netflix and Vypr. I'll definitely look into those 2. How do they work with this tablet plan? Do you find that either one prevents AT&T from seeing how much Mobile Hotspot Data you used?

[VVivian]

I rarely use mobile hotspot, so I wouldn’t know.

A VPN is only for hiding what your traffic is. It isn’t enough to hide the origin of your traffic, i.e. on-device versus via hotspot. That requires TTL tinkering.

[Jack T. Chance]

I rarely use mobile hotspot, so I wouldn’t know.

A VPN is only for hiding what your traffic is. It isn’t enough to hide the origin of your traffic, i.e. on-device versus via hotspot. That requires TTL tinkering.

Now that I think about it, there used to be an Android App that worked for much older VZW phones (Galaxy S5 was the newest one it worked on) that enabled Hotspot Mode on phones Verizon had blocked it on, and made it appear to be On Device Data. I wonder if there's anything like that for modern tablets and phones?

[robbyrobby]

Now that I think about it, there used to be an Android App that worked for much older VZW phones (Galaxy S5 was the newest one it worked on) that enabled Hotspot Mode on phones Verizon had blocked it on, and made it appear to be On Device Data. I wonder if there's anything like that for modern tablets and phones?

FoxFi and PDAnet

[Jack T. Chance]

FoxFi and PDAnet

I've used one or both in the past to be able to use my Verizon Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan the way I wanted, but it's been ages. I haven't got a clue if either one will work on a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro 10.1" tablet to keep AT&T from knowing when I'm using Mobile Hotspot Data.

[tetranz]

Now that I think about it, there used to be an Android App that worked for much older VZW phones (Galaxy S5 was the newest one it worked on) that enabled Hotspot Mode on phones Verizon had blocked it on, and made it appear to be On Device Data. I wonder if there's anything like that for modern tablets and phones?

EasyTether still works well for me. I've used it on a Samsung S5e tablet running Android 11 with this.

Unfortunately it seems to be abandoned with no update since 2018.

[Jack T. Chance]

FoxFi and PDAnet

Total BUST for me. I installed PDA Net+ on my Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro, then I downloaded & installed the PDA Net+ Windows App on my Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha 13.3" QLED Touch-Screen Laptop running Windows 11. The Windows App just sat there trying to connect for several minutes and never established a working connection with the correct password typed in. A total waste of my time.

Guess I'll have to try Easy Tether...

[Jack T. Chance]

So, I've noticed something now that Hockey Season has begun: Even WITH Stream Saver turned OFF, AT&T is turning my video quality to absolute GARBAGE when I'm using Hulu+ Live TV to watch the games. AT BEST I'm getting 480p. I verified this by putting my tablet into Airplane Mode, then turning only the WiFi back on and connecting to WiFi at work that runs at 30 mbps download... AT&T was 2-3 times faster, BTW... and on WiFi, boom, full HD video. Turn WiFi off, and Cellular Connection back on, and KER-FLUSH, video quality is back down the toilet. Again, with Stream Saver turned OFF!

This is some straight up Bull Crap that AT&T is pulling here on this plan...

[Jim1348]

I have the AT&T Unlimited Tablet plan for $20 per month. I removed the AT&T SIM card from my Samsung tablet tonight and inserted it in my Netgear MR1100. It is connected, via CAT-5 Ethernet, to my laptop computer and I am streaming a Netflix movie.

I wasn't sure if it would work in my Netgear MR1100, but it is working fine.

Is it possible that I will have an issue when I reach 10 GB in this configuration?

[Orlimar1]

I have the AT&T Unlimited Tablet plan for $20 per month. I removed the AT&T SIM card from my Samsung tablet tonight and inserted it in my Netgear MR1100. It is connected, via CAT-5 Ethernet, to my laptop computer and I am streaming a Netflix movie.

I wasn't sure if it would work in my Netgear MR1100, but it is working fine.

Is it possible that I will have an issue when I reach 10 GB in this configuration?

It should work fine. The only issue is does AT&T see it’s a m1? If so in the future there are a number of things the Death Star could do.

The could just shut that individual line down. Most likely scenario.

Or maybe you have multiple lines on other plans? Could they shut everything down with your name on it and ban you as a customer forever? Highly doubtful.

Since this is not a prepaid line they could charge you a set price per gb used. Say you used 1tb? Then say ATT says that will be $1 per gb since you violated our tos? $10 per gb? Highly doubtful they’d do this.


I’m guessing the first option is what may happen if they ever decide to go nuclear like they did with the $35 prepaid tablet plans back in February of 2020.

[Joeybutts]

So, I've noticed something now that Hockey Season has begun: Even WITH Stream Saver turned OFF, AT&T is turning my video quality to absolute GARBAGE when I'm using Hulu+ Live TV to watch the games. AT BEST I'm getting 480p. I verified this by putting my tablet into Airplane Mode, then turning only the WiFi back on and connecting to WiFi at work that runs at 30 mbps download... AT&T was 2-3 times faster, BTW... and on WiFi, boom, full HD video. Turn WiFi off, and Cellular Connection back on, and KER-FLUSH, video quality is back down the toilet. Again, with Stream Saver turned OFF!

This is some straight up Bull Crap that AT&T is pulling here on this plan...

Did you restart the router? When I changed plans I had to restart phones after turning the stream saver off.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[tetranz]

Since this is not a prepaid line they could charge you a set price per gb used. Say you used 1tb? Then say ATT says that will be $1 per gb since you violated our tos? $10 per gb? Highly doubtful they’d do this.

That always worries me a little about doing something non-legit with a postpaid plan. It doesn't get mentioned much on the various forums but the fine print on most plans has something like "we reserve the right to move you a more appropriate plan".

The "appropriate plan" with AT&T is probably the 100 GB for $90 prepaid data only plan (recently gone back up from $55). It would be an expensive month if you've used a TB. You really would be on the hook for it. I also doubt that they'd do this but ... you never know.

I believe prepaid is safe from this. You're not under any obligation to pay anything more so all they can do is cancel.