T-Mobile USA gets dicey about handset-based Internet usage
If you're an avid T-Mobile USA data user (handset-based, that is), you may be aware that the GSM carrier has started to become very stingy in the last year or so on which pieces of software can have full access to the Internet (factory apps and browsers on branded handsets) and which cannot (all others). There have been quite a few knowledgeable T-Mobile users paying for the carriers' "t-zones" or "T-MobileWeb" handset browser service but then using third-party apps like Opera Mini, Google Maps and others to get 'full access' to the web and download larger and larger amounts of data. Well, rumor (and some proof) has it that T-Mobile caught on to this quite a while ago and has started blocking certain ports on its branded phones to disallow data access for just about all applications beyond the standard xHTML browser found on its phones and other T-Mobile-branded apps. The "port blocking" seems to be coming in regionally as well, as opposed to nationally. Nothing new about the concept, as all carriers cripple branded phones (some much worse than others). But here, it appears that T-Mobile wants heavier handset-based data users to upgrade to a $20 or $30 unlimited data plan instead of trying to get all that bandwidth from a $5.99 plan meant for light handset usage without third-party software. If you find that T-Mobile's only allowed ports and proxy won't work for you soon on its EDGE network, be prepared to be frustrated -- and then ready to make an upgrade (or carrier switch) decision.[Thanks, Eric D.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Creon @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:13PM
So, in other words, they're enforcing the policies that they've always had in place because the policies are being abused, after years of being lax about them? It seems like a perfectly legitimate thing to do, don't you think?
I was one of these people with a RAZR and T-MobileWeb service who'd hacked the Java Web sessions files to allow access to Opera Mini, but I knew all along (especially after explicitly asking customer support about it) that this was not the intended usage of the T-MobileWeb service. So now I have a Blackberry Pearl, pay the $20 (still a savings over Cingular or Verizon) and happily use many more mobile apps than I ever could on the RAZR.
Pete @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:37PM
I think its dishonest of T-Mobile to say that users can use the web on their phones with unlimited data, and then turn around and block most useful apps. In addition to the port blocking and disallowing Gmaps and Gmail, they also disable the POP3 email client on their phones which you can use to get email from any POP3 provider.
The problem is that many people (including me) are using T-Zones to get their laptops connected to the Internet. The speed is slow, but still faster than two years ago. T-Mobile has removed the $20 data plan and replaced it with a $30 plan, which is frankly too much for most people.
I really enjoyed having unlimited data for $5, but I guess my motivation for "sticking together" with T-Mobile is gone and I must now make a decision - do I want slow data for $30 or fast data for $15 (Sprint)?
I am having my contract expire on the 19th of March and will be taking my money to either Cingular or Sprint, both of which have nicer phones and faster data. No sense in paying for pricey data when the speed is so slow. I don't use the data with my laptop much, I just like to have it for quick Google maps checks and such.
userofalldevices @ Mar 2nd 2007 6:07PM
For one think that this should be on engadget's main page, as I believe many of your readers use tmobile's unlimited t-zones as such described. Please, lets start a uproar. I am now waiting for Skype to win their case with the FCC. I think this should be a major staple point in the wireless world of tomorrow which offers true consumer based handsets, fully unlocked and no restriction to use. Seeing as I am in Chicago, I will be awaiting for Sprint to roll out WiMax later this year, as Voip, and internet based needs could be done all in one package with no or little carrier minutes used.
monal @ Mar 2nd 2007 7:15PM
i hope u guys know that the 20 dollar plan still exists, just switch ur phone to a blackberry on ur tmobile web profile and pick the unlimited blackberry plan.........I've been using that for the MDA for 10 months now, no issue.....................
mroach @ Mar 2nd 2007 8:15PM
I'm glad my phone's not branded. OEM imports are the way to go.
am @ Mar 2nd 2007 10:21PM
i've had an unlocked, un-carrier-branded nokia on t-zones for a while, and when i first tried around 6 months ago to use the mobile Gmail and Google Maps apps, they could not connect to the network. i was told i had to upgrade to the full data plan to get access to these services. i hope that option still exists for me in case i ever decide i want it. i just point this out so that no one thinks that having an unbranded phone is a total solution to the crippled t-zones issue. (that is to say, if there is a workaround for unbranded, unlocked phones, i'm not sure what the workaround is.)
midnightblade @ Mar 2nd 2007 11:56PM
Hmm, my Opera Mini was working fine with T-MobileWeb for a while, like 3 weeks and then it stopped. so is this why that happened? I'm rather disappointed because the built in browser on the Razr is really freaking slow.
Ken Wind @ Mar 4th 2007 9:25AM
The $30 doesn't sound unreasonable at all if that includes usage of their 3G network (when it finally goes live).
John @ Mar 5th 2007 6:33AM
$29.99 gets you Unlimited Data on the Blackberry/PDA plan. $49.99 Gets you Unlimited Data, T-Mobile Hotspot at Starbuck's and other partners, and 300 text messages per month. If you're talking a phone with stock features you'll get more with a PDA or Blackberry than you will with a regular WAP phone so it makes sense that you'll pay more for the former and the latter will offer less. Nothing to complain about folks. Move along.
Milty @ Mar 5th 2007 7:43PM
I agree.
Using personal broadband shouldn't be any more difficult or costly - - that is, eventually. But you'll have to wait of course.
Those who feel the need to jump in early pay the tuition for the rest of us who can wait.
mathiastck @ Mar 8th 2007 2:55PM
It's silly of T-Mobile to discourage content providers from providing apps for popular handsets. It's insane to discourage people from using google.