AT&T Cracking Down on Unauthorized Tethering

[Howdr]

Additional tethering charge on an unlimited data plan: justified.

Additional tethering charge on a limited data plan: not justified.

I don't care what contract you've signed, any court would agree.

Tethering Charge not justified.
How can you say charging twice for the same Data is justified?

I pay for internet I use the internet. People have been brainwashed to side with the carriers.

You pay for a bottle of water $1
You pour it on your head then the person says Thats another $1 you owe
Why? because you used the same water you just bought to wash yourself not drink.

Its the same issue, Data = Data use is use, how you use should not be charged different since on the supply side makes no difference.

this is so twisted I cant tell you enough.

 

[G5isAlive]

You do realize the phone, aka the system, was designed to do this and that AT&T is going out of their way to charge people double for what they are paying for?

It would be no different if your home ISP tacked on a $20+ charge each month for having a router at home.

I'm waiting for the class action lawsuit as this is wrong. The service that people have bought is not somehow giving them more bandwidth or a higher amount of download data simply because they are tethering through the phone. The phone can only download so fast to begin with so any device you connect to it will still be limited.

I am amazed people keep justifying their actions. Phone companies are like insurance companies, they balance service with costs to make profit. They tailor their plans to do so. Making profit is in the consumers best long term interest. Unprofitable companies go out of business.

They can calculate if they introduce certain plans just how much gets used and not used and base costs accordingly. When people break the contracts to do whatever they want, it eventually costs the rest of the consumers in increased rates. The reason there isn't unlimited data plans is some people would go out of their way to use as much bandwidth as possible just because they could. So AT&T had to put on limits. But they did so with a business model in hand.

 

[Sodner]

Glad I got the AT&T 3G iPad 2.

I was really considering jailbreaking for theathering but unlike some have a problem with stealing.

And YES I do believe that if I buy 2 GIG of data I should be able to use it as I wish. But just becuase I want it that way does not give me the right to do it.

 

[G5isAlive]

Tethering Charge not justified.
How can you say charging twice for the same Data is justified?

I pay for internet I use the internet. People have been brainwashed to side with the carriers.

You pay for a bottle of water $1
You pour it on your head then the person says Thats another $1 you owe
Why? because you used the same water you just bought to wash yourself not drink.

Its the same issue, Data = Data use is use, how you use should not be charged different since on the supply side makes no difference.

this is so twisted I cant tell you enough.

this analogy is so stretched as to make no sense.

but even water, there are residential rates and commercial rates... you can't mix the two .. there are limits and plans.

you arent paying for the same data twice. you are trying to change the agreement after the fact.

dont like the agreement. dont enter into it.

 

[Howdr]

Somehow this doesn't surprise me at all. However, this is one more reason to stick at 4.1.0.

So far, the only real reason for 4.3.0 is Personal Hotspot, but since that is being monitored, then, I'll be happy to stick in 4.1.0 and give the finger to AT&T.

Per the posters on Mod MyI its all IOS's that have been targeted, its At&t system that was upgraded at&t rep stated this was a roll out against the high use people, yet a few got the message who used low data, not sure since it was based on history and not current.

 

[FSUSem1noles]

Bye, Bye, MyWi and TetherMe...

 

[carmenodie]

I went to att's site and 4 gigs of downloads cost 45 dollars. Kiss my @@@!!!
What's next? Charging per effing electron?

 

[Howdr]

this analogy is so stretched as to make no sense.

but even water, there are residential rates and commercial rates... you can't mix the two .. there are limits and plans.

you arent paying for the same data twice. you are trying to change the agreement after the fact.

dont like the agreement. dont enter into it.

Sir it is perfect.

You are paying for the same thing.

I have an unlimted plan

and I never have gone over 5gb

if one has a 2gb plan and never goes over and we both surf on the internet
Tethering whats the difference?

I have no idea why you can't understand Data=Data
Water=Water
both are pure
the logic so you understand

I drink water = use Data on the phone
I pour water over my head = Data through tethering

So its valid. Using the same amount of substance, what we pay for, to do things in different ways, what should not matter.

Amount should be the issue not how I used it.

even my 10 year old son LOL when we talked about this, he said he doesn't understand why you would pay twice for the same thing.

Obviously it escapes you.

 

[vincenz]

I'm just surprised they haven't done this sooner

 

[AppleFan360]

I'm happy to see some of the responsible replies here. I also say bravo to AT&T. It seems like whenever a thread like this comes up, it brings out the MacRumors den of thieves who like to circumvent data plans and steal data that the rest of us our paying for.

I like the teathering plan and don't mind paying for it. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have subscribed. Simple as that. Nobody is twisting my arm.

I will agree that AT&T is taking us to the cleaners. It sucks, but I either don't give them my money or suck it up. We all make choices. Mine is simply that I won't steal to get what I want.

 

[Howdr]

Glad I got the AT&T 3G iPad 2.

I was really considering jailbreaking for theathering but unlike some have a problem with stealing.

And YES I do believe that if I buy 2 GIG of data I should be able to use it as I wish. But just becuase I want it that way does not give me the right to do it.

Its stealing because At&t says so? Really? How about At&t stealing from us? They are charging twice for the same Data, that is stealing from the users.

No offense but I think people are brainwashed.

In Europe and even here in the US there are many carriers who do not charge for tethering because honestly I think charging is not ethical.

Just because a thief (At&t) gets away with it does not make it right.

The law does not monitor contracts, it waits for us to complain and bring it to the judge. Maybe its time for a class action.

 

[LegendKillerUK]

You agreed to a contract. Live with it or pay to get out of it, couldn't be simpler.

 

[LegendKillerUK]

I pour water over my head = Data through tethering

Don't even get me started on how ridiculous that sounds.

 

[FSUSem1noles]

Sir it is perfect.

You are paying for the same thing.

I have an unlimted plan

and I never have gone over 5gb

if one has a 2gb plan and never goes over and we both surf on the internet
Tethering whats the difference?

I have no idea why you can't understand Data=Data
Water=Water
both are pure
the logic so you understand

I drink water = use Data on the phone
I pour water over my head = Data through tethering

So its valid. Using the same amount of substance, what we pay for, to do things in different ways, what should not matter.

Amount should be the issue not how I used it.

even my 10 year old son LOL when we talked about this, he said he doesn't understand why you would pay twice for the same thing.

Obviously it escapes you.

Let's try explaining it this way...

When you subscribe to cable, you pick a package that provides you with the channels that you want. There are various packages, but ultimately it's all just video streaming over a cable (bits in this day and age, not analog)...

Based on yours and others arguements, why can't we all just pay for basic cable and get all 500+ channels plus the premium channels for free? Very simply, you're paying for a package with specific features....

With your cellular service, you chose a package that meets your needs. You have 3 options for data plans at this point, well, 4 technically...

1) Your grandfathered unlimited plan

2) 250mb

3) Data Pro 2GB

4) Data Pro 2GB + Tethering 2GB for a total of 4GB....

Tethering is not the same as using the data on your device, essentially tethering is using your phone as a modem. You data plan (which I'm assuming is either unlimited or 250mb) does not include the feature of using your phone as a modem, that's what the extra charge is for....

If you want to tether, you need to pay for the appropriate package. Just like if you want HBO, Showtime, or HDTV you need to pay for the appropriate cable package...

 

[samcraig]

If you are currently on an unlimited plan, sorry - you can't complain about this new development. You agreed to TOS which stated clearly what you could and could not do with your data. Unlimited data is for PHONE use - not for other devices you can hook up to. ATT and other carrier's bandwidth isn't meant to support as many devices as you want on your unlimited plan.

Now... that being said...

Those who are on a 2gb, or whatever LIMITED plan - should be able to do whatever you want with your data. You've paid for a set allotment - and whether you use that on your phone or elsewhere doesn't matter.

There's a clear distinction between unlimited and capped in terms of what you are ENTITLED to or not.

 

[Howdr]

I'm happy to see some of the responsible replies here. I also say bravo to AT&T. It seems like whenever a thread like this comes up, it brings out the MacRumors den of thieves who like to circumvent data plans and steal data that the rest of us our paying for.

I like the teathering plan and don't mind paying for it. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have subscribed. Simple as that. Nobody is twisting my arm.

I will agree that AT&T is taking us to the cleaners. It sucks, but I either don't give them my money or suck it up. We all make choices. Mine is simply that I won't steal to get what I want.

I'm not a thief, I use my data responsible.

Its appalling that your so righteous to post such.

I have an unlimited plan, $30 a month, I use tether for a few things but do not go over 5gb a month, I have unlimited so it shouldn't matter, but I use much less then the one poster who claims 90gb a month to download movies.

Yes I think thats abuse.

I think anything over 10 to 20gb would be pure abuse.

but occasional tethering and under that 10gb abuse? No way.

I need to calm down because it bothers me that people are so brainwashed these days to accept what ever a company does.

It's just crap. No matter what a Contract says it can be challenged in court and we could be right and At&t wrong.

 

[sawah]

Poor thing... he doesn't realize napster and limewire are history. Also, once the data hits my device, it's mine to do with as I please. Thank you very much.

>laughing_girls.jpg.tiff.

It is yours to do as you please with on YOUR PHONE! Not your computer, or your friends computer. This is why new customers can't get unlimited data anymore.
When you don't follow the rules, and you get caught, don't get mad.

 

[samcraig]

I'm not a thief, I use my data responsible.

Its appalling that your so righteous to post such.

I have an unlimited plan, $30 a month, I use tether for a few things but do not go over 5gb a month, I have unlimited so it shouldn't matter, but I use much less then the one poster who claims 90gb a month to download movies.

Yes I think thats abuse.

I think anything over 10 to 20gb would be pure abuse.

but occasional tethering and under that 10gb abuse? No way.

I need to calm down because it bothers me that people are so brainwashed these days to accept what ever a company does.

It's just crap. No matter what a Contract says it can be challenged in court and we could be right and At&t wrong.

So you're saying that if you steal $10 vs $1 million - it's not stealing? No doubt different levels of crime - but both are illegal.

But see my post above. The long/short of it is - unlimited data is specific to the device as per the TOS. If you're breaking the TOS, you're breaking the TOS - no matter how you or anyone tries to justify it - and ATT can "retaliate" as it's within their right as per that TOS.

I do not support ATT doing anything to those who already have a metered (limited) data plan. THAT makes no sense.

 

[Howdr]

OMG you still done get it:

Let's try explaining it this way...

When you subscribe to cable, you pick a package that provides you with the channels that you want. There are various packages, but ultimately it's all just video streaming over a cable (bits in this day and age, not analog)...

Based on yours and others arguements, why can't we all just pay for basic cable and get all 500+ channels plus the premium channels for free? Very simply, you're paying for a package with specific features....

No no, as long as you abide by the amount of data in the plan it should not matter how you use it.

You can't steal what you paid for, you buy 100 cable channels that is what you get and use

You buy 2gb and use 1gb you have used 1gb no matter if its on the phone or laptop. 1gb= 1gb

With your cellular service, you chose a package that meets your needs. You have 3 options for data plans at this point, well, 4 technically...

1) Your grandfathered unlimited plan

2) 250mb

3) Data Pro 2GB

4) Data Pro 2GB + Tethering 2GB for a total of 4GB....

Ok? the tethering give you 2gb for the money I see that and I have read the tethering and Data pro are added to total 4gb for the charge. So you and At&t prove my point thank you! Data=Data, they add it together and it is the same.

Tethering is not the same as using the data on your device, essentially tethering is using your phone as a modem. You data plan (which I'm assuming is either unlimited or 250mb) does not include the feature of using your phone as a modem, that's what the extra charge is for....

If you want to tether, you need to pay for the appropriate package. Just like if you want HBO, Showtime, or HDTV you need to pay for the appropriate cable package...

LOL no its the same use of Data as on the phone.
Tethering does not do something different to AT&t, its just using Data
you may not understand how Data is used from the source but I assure you there is no difference to AT&t when you tether and when you surf YOUTUBE on the phone.
To At&t Data=Data and its been their words not mine every time its printed by them.

So far I have not seen an argument that proves otherwise.

 

[bnerd]

Hopefully this will lighten the strain on the network.

 

[jmcrutch]

This thread just shows that there are plenty of people in the world who think in self-centric ways - "I don't agree with this and I won't follow it - contract be damned."

Happens everyday - people speed on the highways because they feel that it's their car and they should be able to do whatever they want - they support their speeding by saying that studies show the speed limits are merely to provide revenue streams to municipal gov'ts.

Re: Napster and Limewire ... just delete and replace with things like Demonoid and ThePirateBay and it's all still relevant. The fact that someone isn't aware of the newer piracy sites just means that they've probably steered torwards legitimate pay sites like the rest of the community.

But hey, if we all played by the rules, I guess the U.K. flag would still be flying over our land as we would not have objected to the taxation without representation (whether the SS flag would have eventually superseded it is a different question - the might of this North American body would probably still have been sufficient regardless which flag, the Stars and Stripes or the Union Jack flew).

happy day to all!

[For the record, I think charging extra for tethering is unfair - but charging exorbitant rates for SMS is also unfair --- make that "was" also unfair, since there are plenty of cheaper methods now than using the carrier - hopefully the same will happen with tethering).

 

[samcraig]

OMG you still done get it:



No no, as long as you abide by the amount of data in the plan it should not matter how you use it.

You can't steal what you paid for, you buy 100 cable channels that is what you get and use

You buy 2gb and use 1gb you have used 1gb no matter if its on the phone or laptop. 1gb= 1gb


Ok? the tethering give you 2gb for the money I see that and I have read the tethering and Data pro are added to total 4gb for the charge. So you and At&t prove my point thank you! Data=Data, they add it together and it is the same.



LOL no its the same use of Data as on the phone.
Tethering does not do something different to AT&t, its just using Data
you may not understand how Data is used from the source but I assure you there is no difference to AT&t when you tether and when you surf YOUTUBE on the phone.
To At&t Data=Data and its been their words not mine every time its printed by them.

So far I have not seen an argument that proves otherwise.

Data is Data. And a contract is a contract. If you don't like the terms of a contract - don't sign. Or break it and deal with the consequences. ATT starting to bill for a service outside the contract is a consequence of breaking your original deal.

Again - for those with capped data plans - this makes no sense and I agree it's stupid. For those on unlimited plans - it makes 100 percent perfect sense.

 

[fifthworld]

I believe nobody is abusing the system; instead, it's the system -unlimited, 2GB, 4Gb, whatever- that is unable to cope with the different needs. As AT&T can monitor the usage of the databand, just give us a plan where we pay based in usage, for example $5 for each block of 1GB, and be done with it!

 

[sawah]

The point is, whether or not you feel you SHOULD be able to use it any way you want, YOU signed the contract that says you can't!

No one had a problem with it and was all "Take Apple to court!" when they were tethering for free. But now that you're caught you want to complain about the contract?

Argue all you want about whatever, but the facts come down to you signed that contract. It hasn't changed. You don't get to be mad about it now. And somehow I doubt any of you are getting out of an etf if you want to leave because that's always been in the contract you signed.

 

[Howdr]

So you're saying that if you steal $10 vs $1 million - it's not stealing? No doubt different levels of crime - but both are illegal.

But see my post above. The long/short of it is - unlimited data is specific to the device as per the TOS. If you're breaking the TOS, you're breaking the TOS - no matter how you or anyone tries to justify it - and ATT can "retaliate" as it's within their right as per that TOS.

I do not support ATT doing anything to those who already have a metered (limited) data plan. THAT makes no sense.

Sir what is being stolen?

Data=Data

At&t adds the data together for a month of use in your plan
2=2=4gb of data a month, this has been explained by At&t over and over

So If I use 2gb and use it on the phone or tether its the same

I have unlimited

if I use 3 gb of data next month I have stole nothing

I used data

what is your point?

Crap about TOS, so what If I write a contract that you agree to buy Gas at my station for $2 a gallon when you fill up your car for a year. You then show up with a red gallon gas can I run out and say "The TOS says Car not Gas can" and I want to charge you $4 for the same gas now, this is not crap?

You know companies lie and steal from us everyday doesn't make it right.

I do not support ATT doing anything to those who already have a metered (limited) data plan. THAT makes no sense.

I see you have an issue with those grandfathered, like we are stealing because we have unlimited? At&t has unlimited Data for $45 a month, its called Enterprise I see it in my account every month.

It's not my fault you did not own an Iphone before unlimited was stopped.

Also how about the two years I paid for 3g service and could not get 3g in my area? I disputed this with At&t and won.

Stop making excuses for bad behavior (By At&t)