I thought that getting HTC touch for $0 is a great buy, however. I got my first bill for $284 CND and the second one for $280. When i called to check "after hours of conflicting saying" they said that there is a data charge on one day for 12mb. That cost alone $182. they charge me $15/mb.
Of course i thought i have unlimited internet access, and using my phone as a modem wouldn't count as a data plan. "I think there is a similar story they charged another one $85, 000". Anyhow, i made few investigation from my end and i found that they have two networks, 1-EVDO, 2-1X.
1x is their old voice data, and also can be used for packet data "such as browsing internet and cell as modem".
EVDO is their new high speed internet data, which is almost free to use.
Now, you can configure your cell to use EVDO only, 1x only or Auto (default).
if you put the cell phone as EVDO you get a warning that no voice call will be received, which is good to know. however.
if you set the cell phone to use 1x or auto, there is no warning message, so what is the problem in this setup?
1- for 1x only, if you used the cell phone for voice calls, you're ok, however, if you try to use internet browser, it will work but using data over 1x which is very very expensive, and you might end up with hundreds of thousands of dollars assuming that its free internet browsing.
2- The second problem, if you swet the phone as auto and used their software to use the cell phone as a modem so you can connect your laptop to internet, without any warning, the modem driver software will switch the cell phone to 1x network and starts using data packets over 1x, and of course you will get that whopping charges.
Issue 2 above is due to no updated modem driver to use EVDO network when using CELL Phone as a modem.
I think first, they should warn people of using the cell phone as modem and how much they will be charged.
Second, no 1x only setting allowed, or internet browser uses EVDO network or stop connecting.
Third, freeze the account after expected specific charge say $200 can be set by their customer.
Fourth, refund all charge to me and all other victims.
Thanks
Moe
Stittsville, Ontario
Canada
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