T-Mobile "Blocking" WiFi Tethering by Detecting & Denying Browser User Agent

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Just thought I'd share my experience. I was surfing on my G2 (running stock w/ the first OTA update installed, phone was not temp rooted) last night and I got this txt:
Free T-Mobile Msg: Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing access may be blocked unless you add a Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing plan available at my.t-mobile.com

I didn't think anything of it since I am on vacation and didn't even bring a laptop to tether with... until I got another text later that night:
Free T-Mobile Msg: Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing access has been blocked. Please add a Phone Tethering & Wi-Fi Sharing plan available at my.t-mobile.com

Sure enough, as soon as that was sent EVERY page I tried in the Dolphin browser I was using redirected to a generic "buy tethering for $10" placeholder! After a few moments I realized they were trying to detect what kind of browser I was using and seem to be blocking certain browsers from getting online. I was surfing on my G2 with Dolphin's "user agent" set to "desktop." I changed the setting to "Android" and have had no issues since. I am able to visit "full" sites and even stream embeded flash movies, java, etc.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

so u changed dolphins user agent and wifi tethering continued to work without issues? ur last sentence just isn't very clear.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

He is saying that browsing on dolphin browser with user agent set to "desktop" was b being blocked. Changing back to "android" fixed it. He was not using wifi-tether at all.



Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

OP: what rom are you running? Are you stock? I have not had this problem while running Cyanogen 6.1rc

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

If this is the case, t-mobile may remove the block for you on a per-account basis if you complain about now being able to use your device fully..

I just changed my user agent to desktop in the stock browser. If they block me I will call 611 and raise hell, I will not be blocked from using my "unlimited" web plan. I am all stock no root.

Does anybody encounter similar problem with Skyfire?
It appears the problem happens on Dolphin and I heard nothing on Skyfire (and I have no problem).

Odd, I was tethering with Android wifi tether, and have not received that message.

Originally Posted by ruleftbehind

If this is the case, t-mobile may remove the block for you on a per-account basis if you complain about now being able to use your device fully..

there is no possible way to do that.

Why not? Do you work for tmobile? Not challenging you, just saying if this is the case where its now hardcoded into the network, then we should think about raising hell to corporate!

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