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AT&T Cracking Down on Unauthorized Tethering

Here's my take on the whole AT&T tethering issue:


  • I bought an iPhone 4. With it comes free Apple updates and all the necessary hardware to do what I paid for.

  • I purchase data from a carrier. Doesn't matter who. This data can be used in any way, shape or form as long as I do not exceed the amount I paid for.

  • Apple releases an update that allows the iPhone to transmit wireless signals to other devices to use it's data.

  • Reiteration: I purchased the iPhone. The iPhone is capable of transmitting wireless signals through an update. No hardware installation is required.

  • Reiteration: I purchase the data I use.

With how AT&T handles tethering, this is how it is:

  • You have an iPhone, which you purchased. This includes it's features, such as tethering. You purchased data to use with this device.

  • You may not use the data you purchased for tethering. Also, you must buy more data to use for tethering even though tethering is not expensive (resource-wise), nor is it hardware that you have not purchased.

This does not make sense.

I should not have to pay for something which is no different than what I have already purchased.

Some argue that the tethering charge is because "you're paying to use your phone as a modem".

I already paid for my phone. I should not have to pay again to use a certain functionality. I already paid for the network data. I should not have to buy more for a functionality with no discernible difference.

Do I pay to be able to access the App Store? Yes. By purchasing my phone and by paying for internet at my home, this is enabled. So why must I pay further for a similar function for which I have already covered all costs?

Twenty dollars is not what a company should charge for features that were already paid for. This has become an argument of semantics, and AT&T will eventually either change the policy or risk losing customers to those who do not try to exploit their consumers to unrealistic degrees.
 
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Cinemagic said:
I've said it before and will say it again: AT&T is cheating its customers by charging separate for a tethering plan. You pay for data. Period. If you are forced to pay for tethering data in addition to your paid data plan, you're paying twice for the very same data. If AT&T wants more money, then charge more for data. But they shouldn't do it by charging twice for the very same thing. Who cares if someone tethers and someone else doesn't? Does it really make a difference if you watch Netfilx over your iPhone or iPad or computer? AT&T simply sees an opportunity to rob their customers and that's what they're doing. I really wish that an attorney would institute a class action law suit against AT&T for this practice. That day may come.
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I couldn't agree with you more!
 
Zeke- said:
Here's my take on the whole AT&T tethering issue:


  • I bought an iPhone 4. With it comes free Apple updates and all the necessary hardware to do what I paid for.

  • I purchase data from a carrier. Doesn't matter who. This data can be used in any way, shape or form as long as I do not exceed the amount I paid for.

  • Apple releases an update that allows the iPhone to transmit wireless signals to other devices to use it's data.

  • Reiteration: I purchased the iPhone. The iPhone is capable of transmitting wireless signals through an update. No hardware installation is required.

  • Reiteration: I purchase the data I use.

With how AT&T handles tethering, this is how it is:

  • You have an iPhone, which you purchased. This includes it's features, such as tethering. You purchased data to use with this device.

  • You may not use the data you purchased for tethering. Also, you must buy more data to use for tethering even though tethering is not expensive (resource-wise), nor is it hardware that you have not purchased.

This does not make sense.

I should not have to pay for something which is no different than what I have already purchased.

Some argue that the tethering charge is because "you're paying to use your phone as a modem".

I already paid for my phone. I should not have to pay again to use a certain functionality. I already paid for the network data. I should not have to buy more for a functionality with no discernible difference.

Do I pay to be able to access the App Store? Yes. By purchasing my phone and by paying for internet at my home, this is enabled. So why must I pay further for a similar function for which I have already covered all costs?

Twenty dollars is not what a company should charge for features that were already paid for. This has become an argument of semantics, and AT&T will eventually either change the policy or risk losing customers to those who do not try to exploit their consumers to unrealistic degrees.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you, too!

The best analogy I can give you is the old days of cable TV when the company would do a TDR on your line to detect if you hooked up a VCR or TV in another room and attempt to charge you extra for it. The phone company used to test your phone every night to see it you connected an extra telephone. They would come to you home to CONFISCATE it. "It was a convenience that you weren't paying for."

What's next - your WIRED phone company charging you extra when they detect that you plugged it a cordless phone. How about your home ISP charging you extra for using WiFi to let your laptop work, because you "contract" says you can only connect PC that are hardwired.

This whole situation is BULLS**T and they know it and they will continue to do it until enough customer complain to the FCC and their legislators.
 
Zeke- said:
I already paid for my phone. I should not have to pay again to use a certain functionality. .
Click to expand...

Actually you didn't pay for your phone in total. You bought it at a subsidized price. Soooo, AT&T could say "look, we gave you a deal but with this deal come some restrictions that you have to abide by". They put those restrictions in an agreement that you accepted when you got your new shiny toy at a lower price and one of those was no tethering without a tethering plan.

I actually wish that the tethering plans would go away, but as a former network admin I can see why they would want to control and cap it. We have folks in our office that stream media all day long and it causes network saturation and packet loss due to the constant abuse. Some would say "just add more bandwidth" but sometimes it isn't that easy and cost is a huge factor. So I get it....
 
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wpotere said:
Actually you didn't pay for your phone in total. You bought it at a subsidized price. Soooo, AT&T could say "look, we gave you a deal but with this deal come some restrictions that you have to abide by". They put those restrictions in an agreement that you accepted when you got your new shiny toy at a lower price and one of those was no tethering without a tethering plan.
Click to expand...

Ok, but if you have an unsubsidized phone you get the same ****** deal that everyone else gets. How does that make sense?

If I could buy an unsubsidized phone and pay a lower per month charge and get tethering to use with my data (that I already damned paid for) then I'd do it in a heartbeat.
 
rstansby said:
I don't think it is a bad thing for AT+T to prevent people from tethering to a laptop on an unlimited cell phone plan. Those people are just taking advantage of the system, and wasting bandwidth that the rest of us could use.


As far as I'm concerned it is the same as going to an all you can eat restaurant and sharing your food between two people, while only paying for one. It isn't a serious crime, but it is stealing, and you know that if you get caught you will have to stop. I'm not going to feel bad for these people that are using 5+GB per month.
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Sorry but it is nothing like sharing your food with someone else. Maybe you meant to say....it's like paying for an all you can eat meal and taking food home for later. That would be more accurate.


Honestly for how much we pay....(well me at least).....$110+ a month I should be able to share my connection without having to be bent over for more.
 
Xenius said:
Ok, but if you have an unsubsidized phone you get the same ****** deal that everyone else gets. How does that make sense?

If I could buy an unsubsidized phone and pay a lower per month charge and get tethering to use with my data (that I already damned paid for) then I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
Agree, couldn't purchase one quick enough
 
I've said it before, & I'll say it again. I would pay AT&T $20 one time to enable tethering. But they can't take my unlimited data plan away or limit what the signal connects to (no wifi iPads currently).
 
Zeke- said:
Here's my take on the whole AT&T tethering issue:


  • I bought an iPhone 4. With it comes free Apple updates and all the necessary hardware to do what I paid for.

  • I purchase data from a carrier. Doesn't matter who. This data can be used in any way, shape or form as long as I do not exceed the amount I paid for.

  • Apple releases an update that allows the iPhone to transmit wireless signals to other devices to use it's data.

  • Reiteration: I purchased the iPhone. The iPhone is capable of transmitting wireless signals through an update. No hardware installation is required.

  • Reiteration: I purchase the data I use.

With how AT&T handles tethering, this is how it is:

  • You have an iPhone, which you purchased. This includes it's features, such as tethering. You purchased data to use with this device.

  • You may not use the data you purchased for tethering. Also, you must buy more data to use for tethering even though tethering is not expensive (resource-wise), nor is it hardware that you have not purchased.

This does not make sense.

I should not have to pay for something which is no different than what I have already purchased.

Some argue that the tethering charge is because "you're paying to use your phone as a modem".

I already paid for my phone. I should not have to pay again to use a certain functionality. I already paid for the network data. I should not have to buy more for a functionality with no discernible difference.

Do I pay to be able to access the App Store? Yes. By purchasing my phone and by paying for internet at my home, this is enabled. So why must I pay further for a similar function for which I have already covered all costs?

Twenty dollars is not what a company should charge for features that were already paid for. This has become an argument of semantics, and AT&T will eventually either change the policy or risk losing customers to those who do not try to exploit their consumers to unrealistic degrees.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%

For the last few days on tethering a lot of Self Righteous and brainwashed masses have been posting

"your stealing"

I'm so done with that!

I pay a large bill every month ( Due in a couple days in fact!)

This is why we are in trouble in this country, people keep accepting what ever they are told and roll with it.

Apple started as against the establishment but the whole thing is now reversed.

At&t should not be allowed to double charge

tethering is not Data iits a freaking gateway, its a cord from my phone to my computer where my laptop can now have data from the internet.

So what if my Computer and phone can now both access the internet?

If I use a reasonable amount ( At&t says its up to 5GB a month but I would say it's more like 5 to 10 GB a month) 5GB or less then no one and I mean no one has the right to send me a fee............. This is not ethical and we need to grow a Pair and man up and fight this crap.

If At&t want to Buy T-Mobile and be one of the largest Cell carriers in the western hemisphere then let them but the cost is to stop these tactics and provide us with reasonable service.

:rolleyes:
 
wpotere said:
See, that shows how smart you actually are. I did have to give up my plan as that was an IPHONE plan and I no longer use my iPhone. Before you go all "then why are you here", my wife still has one. Guess what, it is unlimited data...
Click to expand...

You easily could have kept the unlimited plan when you got the wmp all it takes is a little persuasive talking with a nice rep. We're not in grade school anymore and not everyone drives 55 mph on a perfect sunny day when no one is on the road. We all know that speed limits, just like data plans, are unnecessarily restrictive at times and those people with matured perspective can learn how to bend the rules without being too excessive.
 
Quit Whining!
Consider yourselves lucky to get away with it this long! Yes you are paying for the data, but you're only paying for your device that the contracted plan is designed for. You are not entitled to unlimited data to a tethered device. Get over it and pay up!
 
Finally....

dukebound85 said:
You pay for unlimited after willingly agreeing to the terms of course




If you violate the terms of the agreement you signed, just don't be surprised if they confront you about it





The thing is.....neither of your "cases" are relevant. There are no such stipulations that I willingly agreed to in those contracts. Now contrast that with the fact for your cell contract, you did agree to abide by their terms

I will say, if those cases were valid, no I would not like it but if I did agree to it and violated what I agreed to, I would hardly be shocked to be called out by them on it
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!!! Someone who understands a contract...
 
wpotere said:
Actually you didn't pay for your phone in total. You bought it at a subsidized price. Soooo, AT&T could say "look, we gave you a deal but with this deal come some restrictions that you have to abide by". They put those restrictions in an agreement that you accepted when you got your new shiny toy at a lower price and one of those was no tethering without a tethering plan.
Click to expand...

I bought my iPhone unlocked, in Australia. I still am forced to add a smartphone data plan (regardless of whether I want it or not), and if I want to use tethering, I'm expected to pay extra for it. It's complete BS.

So. I'm not on a contract. AT&T did not subsidize my hardware. And yet I'm still subjected to all their BS and have to pay the same monthly rates as someone who is. They don't even offer PAYG plans compatible with the iPhone. And as the soon to be only GSM carrier in the US, I really have no choice. They have no competition.
 
Well seeing I use MyWi... and I only used 4.1 GBs since December 3rd... I'm not going to get this message. And IF I do.. I'm gonna get real pissy and yell at them for asking me to switch for just using Netflix? How will they know? Seriously.
 
ghostlyorb said:
And IF I do.. I'm gonna get real pissy and yell at them for asking me to switch for just using Netflix? How will they know? Seriously.
Click to expand...

Since your "just" using Netflix you should be alright! Netflix doesn't use very much data at all! LOL
 
rkahl said:
Might not be the smartest thing to advertise your jailbroken phone and unlimited data plan in your avatar description.
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True, because AT&T knows that the most efficient way to catch people doing this is to get them 1-by-1 via combing all the threads in various apple and cell phone related website forums. They also know which AT&T accounts are tied to which forum user name.

RUN FOR THE HILLS GHOSTLYORB!!!
 
has massive use and download on installous caused anyone to receive these messages from at&t?
 
manman said:
True, because AT&T knows that the most efficient way to catch people doing this is to get them 1-by-1 via combing all the threads in various apple and cell phone related website forums. They also know which AT&T accounts are tied to which forum user name.

RUN FOR THE HILLS GHOSTLYORB!!!
Click to expand...

LOL, as you upload your "how to beat the system" or "look how i did it" video on YouTube!
 
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