yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Sensation] J Raymond:
I hope everyone understands that free tethering ENDS with ICS upgrade!

I hope everyone understands that free tethering ENDS with ICS upgrade!

I saw this on Google and I am re-posting it here:

HTC's upgrade of the HTC Sensation on Wednesday to Android 4.0 will be bittersweet, as a T-Mobile representative said that the company will begin enforcing its $14.99 per month wireless hotspot plan.

That probably means that the carrier's policy of letting some customers use the feature for free will end, making a Wi-Fi hotspot subscription mandatory for those who want the "Ice Cream Sandwich"/Android 4.0 upgrade, and wish to keep using the phone as a wireless hotspot.

T-Mobile's support document on the HTC Sensation upgrade on Monday came with a caveat: "HTC Sensation 4G will be required to add Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot feature in order to use the service after completing this update."

T-Mobile also indicated that ICS would be coming to the HTC Amaze 4G "in the coming weeks". However, that document lacks the Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot caveat that T-Mobile included on the HTC Sensation page. On the other hand, users have reported that T-Mobile has also previously blocked the Wi-Fi tethering feature on the Amaze.

T-Mobile has always officially charged $14.95 per month for Wi-Fi hotspot access. However, some users were given a free pass, leading to confusion about whether T-Mobile actually charged for the feature. Users needed to buy the package, whether or not they used a USB cable to tether the phone to their computer, or a Wi-Fi connection.

"T-Mobile began offering a Smartphone Mobile Hotspot plan in November 2010. However, due to technical limitations with software, customers were not being charged for the feature on select T-Mobile products," a T-Mobile representative said. "Customers who choose to upgrade their HTC Sensation 4G to the optional Android 4.0 (ICS) software update will be required to sign up for the $14.99 Smartphone Mobile Hotspot plan."

Furthermore, some users were also given a grace period of sorts. "T-Mobile may not immediately block you from Wi-Fi sharing until it is verified that you are using your device as a modem...and at that time you may be blocked and then required to purchase a feature to continue using it," a T-Mobile customer support representative wrote last year. "That said, there may be a period of time where you are able to tether without having the feature added on the account."

Although a T-Mobile representative confirmed that HTC Sensation 4G customers who wish to continue using the hotspot feature would need to pay the extra fee, all HTC Sensation owners will be able to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich for free - it's just the hotspot feature that will cost extra.

HTC has a total of 16 phones lined up to get ICS updates, as it said in March, including the Droid Incredible 2 by HTC, HTC Amaze 4G, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G, HTC Incredible S, HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL, HTC Sensation 4G, HTC Sensation XE, HTC Raider, HTC Rezound, HTC Rhyme, HTC Thunderbolt, and HTC Vivid.

For more from Mark, follow him on Twitter @MarkHachman.
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
Yes, but if you have a 5GB data plan it includes hot spot service.
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
Nope. My wife is on a $20 5GB plan that does not include tethering. She is blocked...
[HTC Sensation] AudiHeel:
Just spoke with Tmobile - said I could stay on GB and keep getting free Hotspot or there's a $35 data plan with 5gig and free Hotspot - no thanks

I dont use Hotspot often, but I like it to be there when needed -- looks like no ICS for me

I have $20 Preferred Android data plan which they said does NOT include free Hotspot
[HTC Sensation] Darnell_Chat_TN:
Basically so long as you don't use it very much, they'll probably let you keep getting away with it now and then. They have not stopped me the occasional cases where I've used it. It's people who use is often that usually get shut down.

This is XDA, consider unlocking (the bootloader, S-OFF) and loading up a customized ICS ROM. You could have your WiFi hotspot and other goodies you won't get from stock :) .
[HTC Sensation] ziddey:
Hopefully, VPN won't be blocked anytime soon. It's reasonable to use VPN without tethering, but as long as that's an option, tethering will be possible.
[HTC Sensation] Darnell_Chat_TN:
Even with Sprint, which has been locking down tethering for a LONG TIME, people still find ways around it.

Although carriers want to stop tethering, they have no cost effective means to totally ban it. So we'll always have some back door for now. Long as it's used rarely.
[HTC Sensation] newr:
But do I have to flash a custom firmware? I mean..I am already S-off now...ready to do OTA update...I was under the impression that locked bootloader after the update will still allow me to install custom ROM if i reflash CWM and the superuser file.

So do I really need to flash another bootloader/firmware or can I just use the ones that's on there after OTA?

thx
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
You're fine. Just run with what they give you... If you want you can flash 1.27.1100 after the update just for the peace of mind in knowing that it says "unlocked", but you don't really need to.
[HTC Sensation] AudiHeel:
It's over my head to do all this stuff you guys talk about -- Im stock -- I'd let you do it, but me learn, I'd screw it up

The beach house I use in Charleston has no internet -- so Hotspot is GREAT about 1 week every 2 months -- I need to keep that
[HTC Sensation] ziddey:
Learn or pay. Knowledge is money
[HTC Sensation] jtress:
I am on prepaid plan with unlimited data (throttled back after 2GB). I have never used over 500MB of data in any one month. So I absolutely will not pay any extra to Tmobile for tethering. But I do on occasion, have the need for tethering as some files need to be opened on my laptop. I would say in the past 3 months, I have tethered twice for maybe 10 minutes total.

I guess if Tmobile is removing the wireless tether feature from ICS, I may not upgrade as well.

Does anyone know if EasyTether will work on ICS on the sensation? I purchased that back when I had my Hero and it works well through a USB cable. For as little as I use the tethering option, that could be a possibility.
[HTC Sensation] ziddey:
It sounds like it may just be changes to the native tethering apps. There's no problem with the popular wifi/wired tether apps. Maybe EasyTether works, but either way, the wifi/wired tether free apps work just great, so no biggie, except that you bought EasyTether and want to get your money's worth.

Either way, it's not a big deal. Just a problem with native support. We were all going along for the free ride before. It's ridiculous to get pissed now that TMO is doing something about it. It was never meant to be free. And there's still workarounds. Everyone chill out.

If you guys really feel like an injustice was done, that's pretty silly. But if you're so inclined, switch providers.
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
If you are already S-OFF, you can run the RUU and update to ICS so long as you are stock (there will be no OTA update as this is an optional update). If you are running a custom rom, you cannot use the RUU (at least i wasn't able to - even with supercid). It will not remove S-OFF, but it will lock the bootloader so you can't load custom roms, as well you will lose root. And it will update H-Boot to a version incompatible with revolutionary so you will need to use another method to to root it again to load custom ROMS. The nice thing is, the RUU will update your radio and RIL's.

There is a custom rom which is already rooted (from stock) in the DEV section of the forums, but it doesn't have the radio update - just the RIL's since it's based on the the TMOBUS update. I was running ARHD. I was able to install the Rooted ROM, and then once installed, I extraced the radio.img from the RUU and updated the radio manually. So far so good ( fingers crossed ;) )

Up to you how you wanna proceed.
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
Sorry but I disagree my plan and all the 5GB plans say right in the plan name, for example:

"Classic Unlimited - Premium with Smartphone Mobile HotSpot Service"

When I signed up I asked the rep specifically about hot spot and she said all the 5GB plans include hot spot. So maybe on the old plans it wasn't included with the 5GB high speed but it is now.
[HTC Sensation] Econet:
Does this free wi-fi tethering/ hotspot app OpenGarden work fine? If so then there is no big deal as others have suggested here.
[HTC Sensation] sroach23:
did you get it in writing?
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
I think they are changing their plans. If you have the Classic unlimited-premium plan, you get mobile hotspot included. if you had a different plan (such as an overage plan) you get T-mobile hotspot, but not mobile hotspot. it's as confusing as it can get.

So if your plan was Unlimited + premium, you are just grandfathered in. If you had something other than that, it appears you will get hotspot, but not mobile hotspot
[HTC Sensation] Darnell_Chat_TN:
WiFi Calling Mod is now available!!!

WiFi calling mod, ripped right from the T-Mobile ICS OTA!

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=26117743
[HTC Sensation] AudiHeel:
My plan is called -- "Classic Unlimited - Talk + Text" -- its $59

Services are -

REQ Preferred Android Web -- its $20 for 5gig

Free Wi-Fi Calling

* plus a $10 credit each month for 24 months for resigning with Tmobile

Called today and asked 'anonymously' - said my plan does NOT include Hotspot, with ICS I would have to add Hotspot for $15.
[HTC Sensation] Rackfoo:
I thought that there was not a new radio.
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
There is no radio with the rooted/deodexed rom zip file, but the RUU has a radio. It's just not a new radio, but rather the same one that got launched with the Cincinatti Bell OTA.
[HTC Sensation] SinisterModz:
Out of curiosity how much data do you guys use in an average month.
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
Sooo many false statements, I don't even know where to begin... :confused:
[HTC Sensation] ShaunMichael80:
I use 4 to 4.5 gb per month
[HTC Sensation] ShaunMichael80:
Mostly use that much because I watch MLB At Bat 12,at work
[HTC Sensation] T-Macgnolia:
I use about 1 gig for the most part, but some months I get up to 1.5 gigs. I use my wiFi while I am at home. To be honest with you I use my mobil data connection only when I do not have w available WiFi network, wich you can tell by my usage.
[HTC Sensation] wiswis:
So the sensation ics update will mess up wifi tethering for me (I didn't subscribe) is there a third party app I could use that would work cause I don't wanna root
[HTC Sensation] waxlabo:
if the hotspot problem is similar to the htc amaze, then the fix is quite simple for now. it would just be deleting any new apn added by the ota and creating a new one or editing the existing with the old apn.
[HTC Sensation] T-Macgnolia:
To use any third party tethering app you will hqve to root because they all require root. The TnMobile app has root but the it is one of only a couple of stock apps that hsve root pernissions, funny how OEMs and carriers see the benifit of root permissions but do not want the end user having them.
[HTC Sensation] Humming Bird:
anyone know what time the OTA will be pushed in EST? right at 5/16 midnight?
[HTC Sensation] ziddey:
Maybe it'll be a gradual rollout. Don't see what the big deal is anymore since it's already been leaked
[HTC Sensation] Humming Bird:
Thanks, but yeah i'm still unrooted and un-soff'd so I was just waiting to see if it would be an actual upgrade and retain all my settings and stuff. That's why I want the OTA
[HTC Sensation] Sinistra425:
I have been waiting on this release but I hate to say the crrent rom I am using is faster then the T-mobile rom! so I guess I will stay with ARHD
[HTC Sensation] banderz777:
Hell just try it...... HTC Updates
[HTC Sensation] GMAN1722:
I would just like some clarification please. my wife and I both have sensations. mine is rooted and I am running a custom rom and hers is completely stock. her plan is the $30 premium with smartphone mobile hotspot service (it was a promotion where you get free hotspot tmobile cloud service and 5gb if you upgraded from the $20 2gb plan). in regards to the hotspot service would she be affected by upgrading? also would I be affected if I am not using the ota update and sticking with my custom roms?
[HTC Sensation] AudiHeel:
I'd "guess" the stock phone with the $30 plan would continue working after ICS update - Call to make sure perhaps
[HTC Sensation] newr:
Yeah.. I got so confused about that since it's kinda opposite to what you and some others been saying. So what's the big deal with having a Bootloader locked or unlocked if I can still Root and flashed custom ROM with it?

Also..someone wrote something about the update being not OTA because it's optional? How would we get it if it's not OTA???
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
Ok, so my handset now shows the update as being available.

My phone is stock, only received it a week ago. If I want to after the update be able to use a custom ROM I was told I should S OFF before accepting the OTA TMOUS update. I just want to make sure all I need to do is the following:

Step 1. To S-OFF your Sensation - (You do not need to do this if you have S-off already or done this before) - WORKING NOW for TMOUS users

Visit http://revolutionary.io/

download the application for your operating System. AND EXTRACT IT TO A FOLDER

YOU MAY NEED TO DISABLE YOUR ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM- Norton is flagging up Revolutionary as a Virus when it isn't

IMPORTANT

Fill out the form under the download links with your OS, Device, Hboot Version and Serial number. This will give your beta key to enable you to S - OFF. Make a note of this.

How To get your Hboot Version - 3 methods below

1. Run the revolutionary Utility you just downloaded from http://revolutionary.io/ and if it has found your device it should read

"Found your Device: HTC Sensation Z710* Applications -> Development)

4. With the phone switched on (not in HBOOT, just the regular home screen), plug in your USB cable and select HTC sync mode.(IGNORE any warning messages on your phone telling you it cannot find HTC Sync )

5. Launch revolutionary.exe. It should detect the phone and ask for your beta key. Type it (BE CAREFUL, as its case sensitive) or copy and paste it in.

If Revolutionary fails to find your phone verify you have all the drivers installed, try disk drive mode or charging mode (Linux users can use disk drive mode. Confirmed to be working by others)

6. Once you have entered your beta key correctly, follow any on screen prompts or actions from revolutionary and wait for it to S-Off,

7. You're done. Your Device will Successfully have S-OFF....if it hangs on method 3 and doesn't S-Off. See post 2 below for solutions.

IF REVOLUTIONARY SAYS FAILED YOUR PHONE IS NOT SUPPORTED. Go back and check hboot using the methods above. some users are told its failed and they still have S off now. If you have S-off your hboot will now be 1.17.1011 and revolutionary will tell you now your device is not supported

8. Revolutionary will now ask you to Install clockwork recovery mod after S OFF. Type N and install it manually below (the recovery provided is v4.0.1.4 doesn't charge when device is switched off, the one below v5.0.0.1 does charge)

9. Your Device now is S-off.

Is anything missing from these instructions? I should definitely say N(o) to download to "Do you want to download clockwork mod" ? ?

No need to install that for now, just get S Off and I am done for now?

thank you,

noob
[HTC Sensation] T-Macgnolia:
If you follow those instruction you are good to go. And yes do not install Clockwork Mod Recovery.
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
yes and no. Because ICS requires new firmware to run, the update will install new firmware. During this process, it also updates your h-boot to a version not compatible with Revolutionary. It also re-locks the bootloader. So while you will still have s-off, you won't be able to load any custom roms. You will need to re-unlock the bootloader. There are several ways to accomplish this, just have to choose one.
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
Ok, so that's contrary to what most people have told me. If this is correct is there any point in performing S OFF before the OTA update?
[HTC Sensation] fr0zenblood75:
I would just flash the firmware rom the RUU that is in the dev section, and then the ROM by itself.
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
Forgive my ignorance but I do not know what that means. I just got this phone and am new to android. I wanted to do the TMOUS OTA update but retain ability to later install a custom rom. I was told by many that I should do S - OFF before doing the update.

Does this not matter? Can I do the OTA update without doing S OFF and still be able to install a custom rom later?
[HTC Sensation] realsis:
no its going to be easier if you soff BEFORE the update because the update will give you a boot version that's MUCH more difficult to soff with in the future. So if you soff first your helping yourself.
[HTC Sensation] Over Achiever:
Got the update this morning. 311 MB
[HTC Sensation] rapid1:
Finally; I went through ES File Explorer, found the old one, and updated (authorized deletion through install) ARHD (Revolution Hi Def) radio, then WIFI called my voice mail I also called the wife at work both were stable. I was also able to issue and complete commands etc in VM so it looks solid. One note when I was running the stock radio and the upgraded one before the newest one today wifi calling was severely unstable if it worked at all which it generally did not. SO uninstalling all old radios and replacing them with the one today seems to be the solution as after the first install without uninstalling the old one it still did not work it has to be a full replacement. ;)
[HTC Sensation] Pikeucf:
bypass the $14.99 hotspot service?

Can anyone confirm this advice?

http://www.mobileburn.com/19595/news/htc-sensation-4g-for-t-mobile-loses-free-hotspot-sharing-with-android-4-update

I'm a tmo tech support employee. All HTC devices can bypass the $14.99 hotspot service by going to settings>wireless networks>mobile network>access point names>t-mobile data>apn type. delete anything here, tap ok so that it says "not set." press menu then save. reboot the phone and you should be good to go. The Samsung Galaxy S II is hardcoded and can't be changed unless running a custom ROM, which of course will void your warrant. not certain if the Sensation update will be hardcoded or not but you can try this fix. Other android devices running 2.2-2.3 will be able to do this also, except LG devices due to known issues with hotspot shsring and USB tethering.
[HTC Sensation] Darnell_Chat_TN:
About 1.5GB. I use WiFi whenever possible.

Several have been mentioned in this thread. And just looking around Market or other parts of XDA you'll find no shortage of options to try.

Your wife will be fine. After the OTA, she might not have the tethering app, but can call T-Mobile to be setup. You, on the other hand are simply going to be able to continue "getting away with it" till T-Mobile chooses to identify you and cut you off. The less you use it, the better odds they won't.

Sweet.

And so the drama all ends about how and when this update would come. 6.5 weeks after HTC (not T-Mobile) promised. That's not so bad considering the need to fix WiFi calling (which was probably mostly T-Mobile work rather than HTC). Although T-Mobile wanted to hobble tethering, we know it didn't take HTC long to remove that feature. Also, 2 weeks after the 3/31 date HTC put out their ICS patch. So really it took T-Mobile 4.5 weeks after any work we know HTC had to get right. Not bad.

I've got my Sense 4.0 with ICS and working WiFi calling. I'm good to go :) .

Achiever, after the update were all your settings still in place or did the update do a full wipe of your device?
[HTC Sensation] rapid1:
Not sure I use the Revolution hi def version of ICS (Android 4.0.3 w/Sense 3.6) Android Revolution HD 6.5.0 build number 3.32.401.5 on Baseband Version 11.69.3504.00P_11.22.3504.07_M which I am pretty sure is only the stock ICS baseband/radio file!
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
If you want to be able to load custom ROMS after the udpate to ICS, I would go ahead and S-OFF prior to the update using the revolutionary method (there are other ways out there, just not as simple and some are messy). Since you do not loose S-OFF during the update, afterwards just re-download one of the 3.32 firmware packages from the dev forum, which will have the unlocked bootloader.
[HTC Sensation] SinisterModz:
WiFi tethering working great and not being charged a single dime.
[HTC Sensation] Jimmah555:
For me, default values are as follows:

default,supl,hipri

I'm running InsertCoin 5.5.0
[HTC Sensation] wiswis:
So I am not rooted and I want to update, should I soff first just i n case
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
The RUU is the official TMOBUS stock update for ICS. The difference is you install it from your PC. The OTA will upgrade (i believe it only upgrades) while the RUU is going to factory wipe instead of the upgrade (though I do not believe it's been confirmed or denied).

S-OFF using the revolutionary way before updating because your Bootloader will be locked after the TMOBUS stock updates (OTA or RUU); but you will retain S-OFF. If you wait until after updating to ICS to get S-OFF, you won't be able to use the revolutionary way (h-boot incompatible after upgrade) and will have to choose one of the messier ways to S-OFF the phone.

Even though the bootloader will be locked, if you already have S-OFF, you just have to download one of the 3.32 firmware from the dev forum which already has the bootloader unlocked and re-flash the firmware.
[HTC Sensation] vibe2.0:
That is the consensus - yes S OFF before the OTA update
[HTC Sensation] T-Macgnolia:
It has been my experience with the last two OTA updates for the Sensation that you e retain all of your apps and the way you have your device set up. This is because the OTA is flashed via Recovery and the recovery makes a back up and then flashes the ROM then restore your data and stuff from the back up. The RUU does a full wipe of your de ice before installing the ROM package, but does not make a backup first so it can not restore any of your data. The RUU is often suggested to be used to fix strange issues because it does this wipe, or what is referred to as a Task 29 or Task 28.
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
Confirmed! :D
[HTC Sensation] LPChris47:
I have a question!

Is it "better" to use the RUU to get ICS + factory wipe?

Or is that the same as doing the OTA, then manually factory resetting the phone?

Also, can I obtain the RUU straight from T-Mobile?
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
On a whole system upgrade like this I prefer to start fresh, and that's what the RUU will do for you. There's no need to factory reset after the RUU.

No, T-Mobile does not provide the RUU. Not like it matters because we have it available thanks to Steve0007.
[HTC Sensation] LPChris47:
Ahhh I see. But an OTA update, then a factory reset should give me similar results to a RUU install, I'd guess.
[HTC Sensation] waxlabo:
my ota went fine w/o factory reset. if some apps force close just try to update them.
[HTC Sensation] GROGG88:
In theory, but it's hard to say with a full system upgrade such as this. I'm not certain if there would be ANY remnants of the GB system...
[HTC Sensation] wiswis:
Ok to soff with revolutionary what hboots does it support
[HTC Sensation] LPChris47:
You've been a big help. Thank you, sir! :)
[HTC Sensation] rhirne12:
S-ON and hboot ≤ 1.18: Your bootloader can be unlocked via revolutionary tool.
[HTC Sensation] argcdm:
Official Update with S-Off?

Can anyone confirm that the official OTA update has worked if your phone is S-Off? I want to use Revolutionary to S-Off before I go ahead with the update, but I want to make sure I can still get the OTA update after I have S-Off. Thanks.
[HTC Sensation] 11hani11:
I'm s-off and downloading OTA right now. I'll let you know when done. I'm at about 70% now.