The mobile app does not connect, and thereby does not incur any data/SMS usage charges. I've tested this on my Android phone.
It's a time-synchronized one-time password (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_p ... nchronized), just done in software rather than hardware.
If you lose your security key generator (phone or keyfob), you can go through Customer Service to get it removed from the account, which drops you back to password/security question level authentication. So you're not out of luck forever if you drop your phone in the toilet or let the dog gnaw on your keyring.
That said, Cust. Service for TOR is a right joke at the moment, with 3-4 business days between opening a ticket and getting a form-letter response that doesn't solve the problem. Calling in isn't much better, as EA has outsourced overseas (India, judging by the accent, but for all I know it could be Elbowinmyheadistan), and the folks you get to talk to are... less than competent, on average. I'm assuming it'll get better as time goes by -- based on the conversation I had with one, they're temp agents staffed for the holiday season and a bit longer, to handle the initial rush. No word on who's handling it long-term.
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs
It's a time-synchronized one-time password (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_p ... nchronized), just done in software rather than hardware.
If you lose your security key generator (phone or keyfob), you can go through Customer Service to get it removed from the account, which drops you back to password/security question level authentication. So you're not out of luck forever if you drop your phone in the toilet or let the dog gnaw on your keyring.
That said, Cust. Service for TOR is a right joke at the moment, with 3-4 business days between opening a ticket and getting a form-letter response that doesn't solve the problem. Calling in isn't much better, as EA has outsourced overseas (India, judging by the accent, but for all I know it could be Elbowinmyheadistan), and the folks you get to talk to are... less than competent, on average. I'm assuming it'll get better as time goes by -- based on the conversation I had with one, they're temp agents staffed for the holiday season and a bit longer, to handle the initial rush. No word on who's handling it long-term.
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs