Confused on Sprint Bill? HELP? Sprint says I'm using Bluetooth as a modem? What does this mean?

Question

I working on a Sprint Bill for my work, on 2 of our phones we have an additoinal usage charges for wirless web anytime minutes. One is over $700.00. Even though our plan has unlimited text and web use. When I called on this they told me the phones were being used as modems to connect to a computer when I asked more questions they said it was a Bluetooth connection being used as a modem. One of these phones doesn't even have a bluetooth on it. Does anyone know what can be causing this and can bluetooth connection be accessed from any bluetooth? I'm basically asking for tech info on the Bluetooth . Any info will help

Answer 1

What they're saying is that your phone was connected to a computer or other device and the computer used the phone as it's modem.
(example, using the laptop in some place with no access to dialup, cable modem or DSL .. you could either connect the laptop to the phone and still get online)

Your plan includes unlimited web minutes from your PHONE, not from a computer attached to your phone.

There is a separate charge on your phone plan for doing this. If you don't have that option on your phone plan, it is expensive.

I'm not sure how they know it was a bluetooth connection. (same charges would apply if you used a cable from the phone to the laptop btw, it isn't just a bluetooth issue) but if true, I suspect that Sprint can monitor a lot more about what you do with the phone that I realized.

Bluetooth isn't like typical wi-fi where someone could sit in the parking lot and tap into your wireless network without you knowing. They say it's got a range of 30 feet. Personally, I think that's only the the vaccum of deep space. I've never gotten more than 8-9 feet before the static makes the connection unusable. More likely, the person would be close enough to punch.

You'd have to pair the devices (the phone would have to authorize the bluetooth connection and put in a password) and this wouldn't happen by accident.

Contact Sprint again, and let them know you are sure that this is an error. I have heard others say that they were unaware that this was such an expensive option and Sprint made an allowance ONE TIME. (much like the phone company when your kids discovered those 900 numbers) I'm not saying they'll wipe the charges, but it can't hurt to inquire.

Then let everyone know that they can't do this without incurring heavy charges. Or look into adding the option to the phone plan.

Answer 2

You need to have a serious heart-to-heart with the person using the Bluetooth-capable phone. Some bluetooth phones can connect to a PC and be used as an Internet connection.

Sprint charges $29.99 a month for this service. They can tell the difference between a phone call to a phone or cell phone and a data connection between a phone and an Internet server. The only way to get a charge like this is to use the phone as a modem for a computer.

This is different from using the phone itself to view web pages or check e-mail. That service starts at $15.00 a month.

The fact that it is only the Bluetooth-capable phone that attracted these charges is enough proof that the user is pulling a fast one and costing your company serious charges.

Answer 3

negative normally means you've overpaid. Keep trying to reach sprint to see if it's a computer mix up