BAD ESN used tablet?

[the86d]

With T-Mobile, I have tethering included, so I will probably never drop a SIM in a tablet, and I see pretty-good deals on BAD ESN tablets.

Anyone buy bad ESN tablets and tether this way, WiFi only?

Good luck, bad luck?

Please advise.

[Robotron2k84]

Isn't the usual reason the IMEI/ESN is burned is because the device was stolen or used illicitly?

[gaberaynes]

Some devices once hooked to any internet notifies service providers its bad and will freeze account

[gorn5150]

T-mobile tethering is slow. I bought an international samsung tab 3 and put a sim in it from an extra phone on my account. Since it is a phone sim and not a tablet sim in their database slows your speed to a crawl. Same with tethering. The tethering is next to useless unless you pay them a fee for upgraded tethering.

Be careful with a "bad ESN". If it's bad because the device is stolen it may phone home and you may get a knock on your door from the local PD. Or the manufacturer may kill it. But then again it may work. A toss of the dice.

[the86d]

T-mobile tethering is slow. I bought an international samsung tab 3 and put a sim in it from an extra phone on my account. Since it is a phone sim and not a tablet sim in their database slows your speed to a crawl. Same with tethering. The tethering is next to useless unless you pay them a fee for upgraded tethering.

Be careful with a "bad ESN". If it's bad because the device is stolen it may phone home and you may get a knock on your door from the local PD. Or the manufacturer may kill it. But then again it may work. A toss of the dice.

Just tested WIFI tether from my house, and that got me 20/5, and 17.4/4.75 on 2 different servers. That is good enough for an ssh tunnel with running RDP over it, and pushing and pulling files... not to mention great for checking Tdameritrade at work. I will admit, Data speeds in Temecula can Suck, where they get their wires crossed, and give higher up than down (like 1.5/12).

[Robotron2k84]

^ I have T-Mo One+ for two phones and the primary line's hotspot is unlimited. I get full 70Mb/s speeds on average to my laptop when tethered.

I don't think it's T-Mo's fault that your Intl tablet is slow. Did you check which bands are in common with the provider? You may only be running on a compatibility band and your data access is slower due to limited bandwidth.

[gorn5150]

^ I have T-Mo One+ for two phones and the primary line's hotspot is unlimited. I get full 70Mb/s speeds on average to my laptop when tethered.

I don't think it's T-Mo's fault that your Intl tablet is slow. Did you check which bands are in common with the provider? You may only be running on a compatibility band and your data access is slower due to limited bandwidth.

Try running it without One+. That is what I meant by saying you had to pay for faster service. All of the phones, tablets and computers I've tethered to without paying for upgraded speed have been slow. The brands I've tried are Apple, HP, Dell, Samsung (both international and US) ASUS, Amazon and Acer.

[Robotron2k84]

Gotcha. Yes, I do remember something about hotspot on the other plans now.

One+ seems to be pretty good, full HD streaming (VPN HD streaming doesn't need their retarded DayPass), unlimited data, access to Digits, VM to text and free Gogo internet on flights.

[gorn5150]

I wish I would have added the One + when it was offered for $5 extra. That would be worth it to me. Last I checked it was $20 per line.

[the86d]

I really can't complain about T-Mobile's tethering speeds, as I have used it when traveling, Hotels, while at lunch, at my desk, when at the airport, etc. all with few issues.

When I am only paying ~$120 for 4 lines on a grandfathered plan, and never any overages, it is pretty-good. 4GB per line (3GB that is extended for loyalty?) is all I need. With ~1.5GB used for all 4 of my lines (right now), and I still have a few days left until it resets... no real problems here.

I have noticed that it works better when I use 5GHz WiFi tethering, due to less interference (with 2.4GHz WiFi really only having 3 usable channels, as those 3 channels are usually pretty saturated these days, everywhere, especially in a Hilton Garden).

I need to get me an AC tablet, to support 5GHz (as 802.11N doesn't officially require 5GHz support).

Gorn, are you using 5GHz WiFi tethering, or 2.4GHz?

[ac398]

If you never want to be able to use a sim card and youre okay with your tethering speeds you should be good to go

[gorn5150]

Gorn, are you using 5GHz WiFi tethering, or 2.4GHz?

I'm not sure which is used by my phones. Never looked that close at it. I just turn on the hotspot function on the iPhone and the Samsung. But I have tried it when I was in areas with no 2.4g interference. Like camping on a mountain with nothing around me.

[the86d]

I did buy a used phone to try this certain model at a hell of a discount.

Turns out the phone was most likely stolen, and would not allow my to even drop my Gmail account in, as it was asking for the prior owner's login, even after a factory reset. My SIM was dropped in prior to "trying" to activate, but I never got a knock at the door.

The eBay seller kept saying "AS-IS", but stated the phone was fully functional in the listing. Needless to say I did get a refund (minus shipping back), due to buyer protection and false advertising, and shipped that beast back.

[Robotron2k84]

Knowingly receiving stolen property is a crime:

CA Penal Code 496 - https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...sectionNum=496.

eBay may get a pass because they are unable to verify their sellers information, but if the IMEI is listed in the Vendor's DB as stolen, you can be arrested under the above statute.

Be careful. If you suspect it isn't legit, steer clear.

[the86d]

I'm not sure which is used by my phones. Never looked that close at it. I just turn on the hotspot function on the iPhone and the Samsung. But I have tried it when I was in areas with no 2.4g interference. Like camping on a mountain with nothing around me.

Just curious what your signal strength was, and if it said 4g (I don't know if iPhruity devices say 4G, as I have never owned anything past 1st gen, and gave said useless-device away, and now they are collector's items ).
On Android devices, the default is 2.4GHZ, but you can switch it in the Tethering options, but I am not sure if this is even relevant in the sticks (w/no interference).

Knowingly receiving stolen property is a crime:

Copy, we (here on CGN) typically know the law better than the Gen-Pop, and I had the listing as proof I bought it w/out prior knowledge, if it was hot...