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Tethering Android in Ubuntu

First off, I think you can tether any Android phone to create an Internet connection no matter what computer you have, though the methods differ slightly by type (search for PDANet, Barnacle, EasyTether in the market). Legally and technically, it appears possible. Verizon won't give you support to do it and if you ask for help, Verizon will likely want you to pay an additional $50 a month for some kind of a mobile data plan (yikes!). In terms of xfer cap, I've heard you have up to 5GB per month free on the "unlimited" data plan (yeah. I know. Seems contradictory, right?). After that, it's $0.05 per MB, I believe. That total includes any xfers you make on the phone alone. Not bad, I wouldn't think... I don't see most people hitting huge xfers with the mobile phone and hopefully the tethering is used as a backup, not the norm.

As for info from Verizon on this, if found this post on their forums:
http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Android-Devices/TOS-limitations-on-tethering-Citation-needed/m-p/146162#M9721

Here is the response I got. A little more detailed than the other. Basically I got out of it what the guy above me says. Don't abuse it and if you have problems don't complain to Verizon about it cause it ain't their problem.

Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are happy to assist you with your question about using a Verizon Wireless device as a tethered modem.

We will assist you by providing information on our Mobile Broadband Connect feature. This feature enables a device to be used as a tethered modem.

Dear [Valued Customer],

To use a Verizon Wireless device as a tethered modem, the following requirements must be met:

1. You will need a device that supports our Mobile Broadband Connect feature

2. You will need our VZAccess Manager software

3. You will need to add the Mobile Broadband Connect feature to your account

The Motorola Droid does not support our Mobile Broadband Connect feature. Because of this, VZAccess Manager software is not available. Also, the Mobile Broadband Connect feature cannot be added to the account. Because the Motorola Droid does not meet the requirements that we have for tethered modem usage, the device should not be used as a tethered modem. While we apologize that tethered modem usage is not available with the Droid, please note that we are unable to advocate the use of a third party application, such as PDAnet (Windows or Mac only).

We hope you find this information helpful. More information on the Droid device can be found at the following website:

http://support.vzw.com/clc/features/data_services/android_os.html

Other troubleshooting tips and helpful product information can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/data. It has been a pleasure assisting you today. We make it our personal goal to resolve all of your concerns. We sincerely hope that you feel we have done that today. Should you feel your current concerns are not fully resolved, please reply back to this email or call us at 1-800-922-0204 and we will happily address them for you. We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.



So, looks like it can be done for $30 (one time fee) on Windows/Mac without much headache. PDAnet doesn't seem to be avail for Linux. :( However, the Linux solution seems pretty sound as well and is completely free:
http://www.humans-enabled.com/2009/12/how-to-tether-your-verizon-droid-as.html

I've tested this on Ubuntu 9.04, 9.10, and 10.04. It worked flawlessly an all three with my Droid Incredible and my dad's Droid OG.
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