Wishy Washy Answers From MTS - Q's about tethering/Using unlocked phones

**dieselRocks** · 02-06-2012, 10:26 PM

THE QUESTIONS:
-Is there a specific dealer that will give straight answers, assistance with outside phones, and you actually support?
-How does MTS handle tethering on the new network? This is a deal breaker...I need cost-effective tethering. I'm not saying I'm downloading blueray movies; I need it for downloading drivers and firmware for equipment I work with.

I've been bounced around at the MTS Connect stores I've been to and I have almost had it with the answers I've received so far. It seems that showing up at a dealer looking like a tradesman suggests I have no grasp of the technical aspects of how a cell phone works. I stumbled on this site while doing my research, thank goodness. /rant_off

Quite basically, I'm looking for a smart phone I can tether with. I've been told pretty much flat out that I should get an iPhone because RIM products don't allow tethering....meanwhile, my old man uses his 8830 for tethering all the time.

Personally, I don't care for Apple products nor the hype. I was a RIM guy back in the day when I had a rogers 7100. Now, however, my support for them in waning. I also really dislike their internet browser.

It seems the Galaxy phones are popular with you guys, and they seem like a well made product with good reviews. As far as importing an unlocked phone, my only fear is that MTS won't like it. Through the research I've been doing it seems that MTS isn't opposed to it and, as long as a GSM/HSPA phone is brought in, it should work.

I've been at this, off and on, for a few months now. I firmly believe it's possible that I can have my cake and eat it too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Geoff

**jamesi** · 02-06-2012, 10:50 PM

I have had two unlocked Android phones on the MTS network since the "4G" network launched, a Samsung Captivate (originally Rogers, SIM unlocked by code) and my current device, a Galaxy Nexus. I didn't even have to bring in my Gnex to a MTS connect store when I bought it, just popped in the existing SIM, fired it up, put in the APNs and I was off to the races in five minutes flat. I have used both phones with wireless tethering on a limited, need-to-have basis and have had no issues with MTS at all.

If you're super wary about it, my suggestion would be to bring it to an IDC communications store, as I've found the 4L guys to be flaky as to knowing how to get things right, and the activation fee is cheaper by $15 at IDC.

**dieselRocks** · 02-06-2012, 11:03 PM

Jamesi, hanks for the reply.

I managed to hit all the 4L locations, only by coincidence, on my rounds. This explains a lot.

I wouldn't say I'm worried....I suppose I'm just looking for a little confirmation before I sink a good chunk of money on an "outside" phone.

When you used the tethering, did MTS bill you separately for the use or included it with the data plan?

Thanks,
Geoff

**Derfel** · 02-07-2012, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by dieselRocks

When you used the tethering, did MTS bill you separately for the use or included it with the data plan?

Thanks,
Geoff

With an unlocked phone (of the Android variety), there will be no separate bill for tethering. It all comes from the same "bucket" of data, which is unlimited in Manitoba.

**codwif** · 02-07-2012, 09:22 AM

I second the suggestion to go to IDC Cellular instead. They are great and know what they are doing. I unlocked a Galaxy Captivate and they had it running in under 10 minutes. And they didn't even charge me for it. I've since used my SIM in a Sony X10, and it worked just fine.

As for tethering, I've done a decent amount, say a few hundred megabytes in a month, and never had a problem.

**gbittner** · 02-07-2012, 02:22 PM

Does your work keep you in Manitoba all the time or do you work in other provinces some of the time? If you do consider Rogers for a HSPA phone. their data plans automatically include tethering with no hassles if you select a plan with 1 GB or more and their phones work on the same towers as the MTS phones do in Manitoba. A MTS phone is a better deal if you stay in Manitoba. And from my experience the MTS Reps don't seem to know much about tethering although i have not had to deal with IDC.

**dxintel** · 02-07-2012, 08:11 PM

I have had 2 different Android phones Nexus S and now Galaxy Nexus. I tether too it with my Tablet, laptop, and once in a while a Squeezebox and I have never been build separate for any data. (But this could change someday) When I first went to the MTS store back last march, I told them I need tethering, they told me they could only sell tethering on iPhone plan. I left the store went to bbuy and picked up my first android. Took it to MTS got the new sim card (unlimited data plan) and had data working. I then asked them if they wanted to see something cool, they said sure. I turned on tethering and pulled out my iTouch and tethered it to my new phone and started playing streaming radio. Asked if they could explain that.. they were all puzzled. Its the same for SaskTel. I don't think with an unlocked android they can stop it. Now I have read a couple of articles that claim if the providers where too look into the packets closely they could tell the data is leaving the phone by it using a different Mac address but its anyone's guess if they ever will. Heck they still haven't setup the roaming agreement with SaskTel yet. But yet SaskTel can roam on MTS.

Good Luck. Hope this help you out in your decisions.

Sent from my A500 using HowardForums

**dieselRocks** · 02-08-2012, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the help gang. I really appreciate it.

So the synopsis is MTS is cool with this practice of using unlocked phone, tethering is no big deal, and to deal with IDC. Perfect.

Thanks,

Geoff

**Sighter** · 02-09-2012, 10:38 AM

Yes, I too have an android and you can torrent off that beast if you want. 7 gigs in one month was my highest so far, but I think I shall conduct the 10gig study before the billing date in 2 days. I'll report back.

**stuntboy** · 02-10-2012, 03:45 AM

I have been using my nexus s with mts for almost a year now. I tether to my tablet running netflix, usenet, etc.... daily. Have yet to run into any billing issues.

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

**rewandy5** · 02-23-2012, 07:12 PM

I have an unlocked rogers captivate running android 4.0 and the wireless hotshot works great. It is very fast, I just haven't used it much for fear of being charged for it, but it appears that's not an issue. It will be nice to have data on my tablet without needing another plan. As for mts locations I am a fan of Grant Park, which I think is IDC...?