T-Mobile Sensation 4G Android 4.0 Update Ends Free Tethering

T-Mobile USA subscribers using the HTC Sensation will have to choose between free tethering and an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, with the carrier's fine-print revealing mobile hotspot use will no longer be overlooked. "HTC Sensation 4G [users] will be required to add Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot feature in order to use the service after completing this update"the Android 4.0 software update support document confirms, ahead of the new firmware's release on Wednesday this week.

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Ice Cream Sandwich has been long-anticipated by Sensation 4G owners, having been distributed among owners of the European version as far back as February. The new version of Android brings with it a performance boost along with various other tweaks, the most obvious of which – the new 4.0 UI – is hidden by HTC's own Sense interface.

However, until now, T-Mobile USA has not been charging Sensation 4G owners for using their phone as a mobile hotspot and sharing its data connection with WiFi-tethered laptops, games consoles and other devices. That, according to a spokesperson from the carrier, is because pre-ICS there were software issues stopping them from doing so.

"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," the spokesperson revealed. "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."

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That presumably means that those who avoid the 4.0 upgrade will be able to continue using tethering without paying the extra fee every month.

[via PCMag]

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