Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AT&T Cracking Down on Unauthorized Tethering

Howdr said:
This is just not true there is no extra load, I'm tired of this Myth.
It has not been proven,
Click to expand...

I just don't see how you can possibly think that data overload is a myth? :confused: I PROMISE you that if we sat side-by-side, you with just an iPhone and me with my laptop tethered to my iPhone, and we both use each device as much as possible I will be able to eat thru several factors more data than you - EASILY! AT&T is already struggling with folks just trying to use their iPhones legitimately. Imagine if they just opened the gates and said "have at it folks"...it would be a nightmare unless they spent millions & millions to beef up the network.

It's just the argument At&t has and I have to tell you, The FCC better step in if the Largest Cell company can't handle less then 5% high use Internet. At&t will have 100 million users and want us to believe 300,000 scattered across the whole USA will eat all the bandwidth?

It's not true
If it is then At&t should be kept from buying TMobile
Lol
Click to expand...

Where are you getting your numbers from?

Do you live in/have you visited a city like New York or San Francisco and tried to use the data connection on your iPhone? I can tell you that I have (in both cities actually) and the experience was abysmal compared to the speed of the network where I live. Reason being is that there (obviously) is such a high concentration of people who live in those cities, own smartphones and are all trying to use them at the same time. Now take half of those folks and have them start tethering with medium to heavy usage. It just snowballs from there.

Tethering isn't going to cause issues in smaller cities with fewer users. The problem is in areas where there is a large concentration of people with smartphones, mobile laptop cards/hotspots and laptops/tablets. Add to that the folks out there who given the opportunity will download GB after GB of media and it *is* a problem.
 
drummingcraig said:
I just don't see how you can possibly think that data overload is a myth? :confused: I PROMISE you that if we sat side-by-side, you with just an iPhone and me with my laptop tethered to my iPhone, and we both use each device as much as possible I will be able to eat thru several factors more data than you - EASILY! AT&T is already struggling with folks just trying to use their iPhones legitimately. Imagine if they just opened the gates and said "have at it folks"...it would be a nightmare unless they spent millions & millions to beef up the network.
Click to expand...
The Data stream is the same rate if you stream videos on the phone or I use my laptop. Thats the problem, we have so many non IT people here claiming crap. You cannot make the Data flow faster through the phone because its tethered, the phone's modem is the phone's modem.
This argument is based on emotion.
You use 400mb if streaming on the phone or the laptop, the movie will play either way.


Where are you getting your numbers from?
Click to expand...
I'm not going to go through all the articles just for your sake.

The numbers
At&t claims 15 million Iphone user July 2010
At&t claims that 2% abuse the Data programs (this includes Android)
2% of 15 million is 300,000 ( if all 2% is Iphone)

At&t had 71 million customers in July 2010

At&t is buying TMobile they have about 30 million customers and many with $10 unlimited Data plans and many tether also

At&t has a potential for 100 million customers thats almost 1/3 the population of the USA!

I'm OK with saying 200,000 Iphone Data tether's across the whole USA, you are then saying less then 2% of all the Iphones out there cause the network to fail. Really? If so then At&t needs to sell to a company who can run the network properly.

New number, Currently about 71million At&t wireless customers, 300,000 is only 0.004%, we are in trouble if 0.004% can bring down the system!

Do you live in/have you visited a city like New York or San Francisco and tried to use the data connection on your iPhone? I can tell you that I have (in both cities actually) and the experience was abysmal compared to the speed of the network where I live. Reason being is that there (obviously) is such a high concentration of people who live in those cities, own smartphones and are all trying to use them at the same time. Now take half of those folks and have them start tethering with medium to heavy usage. It just snowballs from there.
Click to expand...
I have not only lived in NY NY but also London, Have you? As far as problems with the network, it has nothing to do with tethering, its an excuse, AT&T needs to make the system work and people that keep up this stupid "Tethering" is causeing the problem is just missing the real problem, other networks do just fine and allow it, AT&T philosophy of buy buy other's and not fix their own service is the real issue.

Tethering isn't going to cause issues in smaller cities with fewer users. The problem is in areas where there is a large concentration of people with smartphones, mobile laptop cards/hotspots and laptops/tablets. Add to that the folks out there who given the opportunity will download GB after GB of media and it *is* a problem.
Click to expand...
What about these GB after GB streaming people without tethering.

You can't prove that someone using a GB in an hour ( I have done it on just the phone) and someone tethering GB in an hour is different.

I don't buy it the physics makes no sense.
The phone's modem is only so fast

Tethering causing the Data load verses Phone only not causing the Data load when using the same amount of Data is a MYTH.

I have not seen any real proof (Like a real study) so far, just claims.

Good try At&t employees :cool:
 
Last edited:
Howdr said:
What about these GB after GB streaming people without tethering.

You can't prove that someone using a GB in an hour ( I have done it on just the phone) and someone tethering GB in an hour is different.

I don't buy it the physics makes no sense.
The phone's modem is only so fast

Tethering causing the Data load verses Phone only not causing the Data load when using the same amount of Data is a MYTH.

I have not seen any real proof (Like a real study) so far, just claims.

Good try At&t employees :cool:
Click to expand...

Ummm you still do not get it. it is based on a models. A iPhone teathering is going to have a higher usage average per day than one who does not.
While the streaming might be the same per hour difference is the iPhone only one can have it quality lowered with no noticeable effect effect so it is more likely to be reduced compared to a computer. This is due to smaller screen and speakers that are not as good.

Also you need to look at things other than just streaming in usage. Computer is going to be loading and moving threw web pages at a much higher rate of speed and can multi task web pages much easier than a phone. On top of that you have all the other things a computer can do that will pull data off the internet.

It is not about max amount of data pull down for a limited amount of time but total average usage per day. A teathering iPhone vs no Tethering iPhone the teathering iPhone will have more.

Simple proof of this is lets look at them. the Iphone part of a tethering use iPhone will pull down the same data per day as a non tethering iPhone but the difference is the teathering iPhone now also has the data pull down of hte computer or other devices added to it.
 
Howdr said:
The Data stream is the same rate if you stream videos on the phone or I use my laptop. Thats the problem, we have so many non IT people here claiming crap. You cannot make the Data flow faster through the phone because its tethered, the phone's modem is the phone's modem.
Click to expand...

talk about claiming crap.

stream a video to an iPhone, you just need enough quality to display it on a 3.5 inch screen. Stream the same video to your computer and you need a higher data rate to get a good picture. So stream from youtube, suddenly you're selecting the HD version of the same video (something that isn't even an option on the iPhone) so it will look good on your much larger screen and are thus streaming in a much higher data rate. Some of these resolution adjustments are made automatically. For example, Netflix will most likely stream a higher resolution version of a movie to a large display than it does to a smaller display.

And on your computer you can switch to another window and load more web pages, some of which may have embedded video, all while that first video is still playing. On the phone the first video pauses and thus stops streaming data when you switch to another page or app.

The computer absolutely allows and uses higher data bandwidth than the phone. And most certainly having both connected at the same time takes more bandwidth than having the connection limited to one device.

At&t is buying TMobile they have about 30 million customers and many with $10 unlimited Data plans and many tether also
Click to expand...

also, where is this $10 data plan that includes tethering? I can't find it. All I can find is people abusing T-Mobile by getting a $10 plan that isn't for smart phones, then breaking their agreement with T-Mobile by switching their SIMM to an Android phone (which breaks one term of their contract) and enabling tethering (which breaks another term of their contract). I've asked in this thread and haven't gotten an answer yet, where is the T-Mobile plan that allows unlimited data and tethering on a smart phone? I believe the plan I saw costs $45/month for that.

Somehow because people are stealing service from T-Moble makes it okay to steal service from AT&T?
 
Last edited:
Howdr said:
What about these GB after GB streaming people without tethering.

You can't prove that someone using a GB in an hour ( I have done it on just the phone) and someone tethering GB in an hour is different.

I don't buy it the physics makes no sense.
The phone's modem is only so fast

Tethering causing the Data load verses Phone only not causing the Data load when using the same amount of Data is a MYTH.

I have not seen any real proof (Like a real study) so far, just claims.

Good try At&t employees :cool:
Click to expand...

If tethering makes no difference, and streaming higher quality content doesn't make a difference and increased load on the iPhone's modem doesn't have a negative affect, then why does Apple hinder certain apps when they are running on 3G/EDGE (ie iTunes, Youtube & Facetime)? :rolleyes:
 
TheRealTVGuy said:
Option 3; STOP trying to cheat the system
Click to expand...

Yes, because them wanting to charge you MORE $$$$ for the same data you legitimately paid for (only used differently) is fair ??? Bullcrap. We the people need to start taking back this country/world. We let all these corporations rip us off financially day in and day out and then when they crash the entire system like with this mortgage and financial meltdown, THEY get bailed out while we get HOSED. :mad:

I think it's time people started taking back this planet away from the greedy corporations and made it a place where people don't feel like greasy weasels that just got screwed six ways till Sunday every time you deal with one of these companies. Them and their "unlimited data" that doesn't not mean "unlimited" in ANY sense of the word. What a crock. These companies should get SUED every time they misuse words like that. I'm tired of small print in advertising that basically says "See that garbage we're saying on the screen right now? Those are ACTORS LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH. Our products don't work as advertised and haven't been shown in testing to do anything but separate you from your hard earned money!" :mad:
 
It is interesting to note most of the criminals in this thread who steal from AT&T, come across as not even being legally able to sign a contract.

So from that perspective i guess they got check and mate.

So congrats to you guys for stealing from AT&T. Just hope your parents don't get into any trouble.
 
marksman said:
It is interesting to note most of the criminals in this thread who steal from AT&T, come across as not even being legally able to sign a contract.

So from that perspective i guess they got check and mate.

So congrats to you guys for stealing from AT&T. Just hope your parents don't get into any trouble.
Click to expand...

I like how you keep referring to everyone as "criminals" when there is nothing "criminal" about tethering using a Jailbroken iPhone (jailbreaking is legal) and using a third party app to access additional features of your phone, which is also legal.

At most it is breaking the TOS, but it is in no way illegal.
 
HeyItsRaymond said:
I like how you keep referring to everyone as "criminals" when there is nothing "criminal" about tethering using a Jailbroken iPhone (jailbreaking is legal) and using a third party app to access additional features of your phone, which is also legal.

At most it is breaking the TOS, but it is in no way illegal.
Click to expand...

it is stealing service, which is illegal.

you go to a drive in movie, pay your admission, park your car, then unload your kids hidden in the trunk. You argue you are only taking up the same 1 parking space and you already paid to watch the movie from that spot. Isn't that illegal? How is this any different? The answer is it isn't - in both cases you are stealing service you didn't pay for.
 
As I mentioned before, I have no axe to grind either way, but my take on it is that your iPhone can only ever receive data at "x" speeds/rates.

For example, in my iPhone I have a Vodafone (UK) SIM and at home for example I get about 2.5Mbps down on any given speed test.

Now, if I were to download at full pelt on my iPhone for an hour I could only download "x" amount of data in that 60 minutes due to the network I'm on and my location.

So, if I were to tether my phone to my iPad and my laptop for example, I am still only able to download at that same speed for that 60 minutes, so what's the issue (apart from the contract saying that I'm not allowed to tether)?

Connecting 2 x extra devices to my iPhone's data connection isn't going to magically make Vodafone increase the speeds I get (and therefore increase the amount of data I can receive).

Just my 2p's worth. :)
 
marksman said:
It is interesting to note most of the criminals in this thread who steal from AT&T, come across as not even being legally able to sign a contract.

So from that perspective i guess they got check and mate.

So congrats to you guys for stealing from AT&T. Just hope your parents don't get into any trouble.
Click to expand...

high_horse.jpg


I have Verizon and personally hate AT&T (aka A Fee & Fee) so I could care less what they do to alienate their customer base. If I had AT&T and paid $45 each month for 4GB (plus $10 each additional GB) of data and tethering plus extra $$$ for a voice plan and gave up an unlimited plan then their network better be damn reliable at all times. And all of us ex AT&T customers know that it is 100% reliable 24/7/365 right?

The more they screw with their customers the more people will migrate over to Verizon. And I don't see the AT&T / T-Mobile merger making it pass anti-trust anytime soon so hopefully the other carriers will eventually get the iPhone and then we'll all have a greater choice.

I only pay $40 a month with Verizon for my voice and unlimited data because I never use the voice part. (I have a secret voice plan that's not advertised and my friend that works at Verizon got me. I get 50 peak and 250 off-peak minutes a month for $9.99) I use Skype over the data portion when I need to make calls. I have 4 "Skype-in" numbers that I use for my business and it's good to have them all ring to one phone.
 
Last edited:
alandail said:
it is stealing service, which is illegal.

you go to a drive in movie, pay your admission, park your car, then unload your kids hidden in the trunk. You argue you are only taking up the same 1 parking space and you already paid to watch the movie from that spot. Isn't that illegal? How is this any different? The answer is it isn't - in both cases you are stealing service you didn't pay for.
Click to expand...

This analogy makes no sense. I'm the only one using the phone data. I'm not broadcasting it to 4 people.

Imagine that you went to buy a DVD and they asked you at the register how many DVD's players you had in your house because you can only play it on one DVD player for $19.99 but if you want to play it in any other DVD player it is going to cost you $9.99 for each additional player you own and want to use to watch the DVD. Same scam.
 
Last edited:
HeyItsRaymond said:
This analogy makes no sense. I'm the only one using the phone data. I'm not broadcasting it to 4 people.

Imagine that you went to buy a DVD and they asked you at the register how many DVD's players you had in your house because you can only play it on one DVD player for $19.99 but if you want to play it in any other DVD player it is going to cost you $9.99 for each additional player you own and want to use to watch the DVD. Same scam.

I don't buy DVD's anymore. Thank You RipIt and Netflix. I currently have 8TB of movies at an average file size of 600MB each ;-)
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Isn't it the same as connecting a router to your home BB connection and allowing 4 (or more!) computers in the house to use that single connection?

I know that home ISPs normally have a fair usage policy, so if more than your allowed amount was downloaded through the connection in any given month they would probably make you "aware", but the principle is the same isn't it?

I guess what I'm trying to say I'd that adding devices to any Internet connection doesn't give you the ability to download any extra data that you're not paying for...
 
I guess when you get a email, letter or test message from AT&T about you tethering your phone then you should worry. AT&T might automatically add tethering to their plan. Especially with the merger coming up and they being the big bully.
 
The idea of AT&T asking to pay for a service that in reality doesn't give an "extra" data or increased speed, but just allows you to attach a laptop is as ludicrous as the banks making a customer pay $5-$15 to talk to a teller or $5 to talk to a customer service rep on the phone.

They are making way more interest off our money they they pay out in return (mostly on risky home loans and other B.S.) and they have the nerve to charge those fees.

The frightening thing is that American's are so stupid, lazy and passive that they just bend over and accept it, without lube.

Next time Chase or Bank of America says that they are raising or creating some BS fee all the customers (aka victims) should go down to the local branch and close their accounts and ask for cash. But that will never happen and the banks know that.

If every single person that got a "warning" text or letter went down and paid the ETF and let AT&T know why, I bet they'd be begging to keep them.

I don't use a major bank that charges fees and I don't have AT&T so it doesn't affect me. Just like I don't shop at Borders, Barnes and Nobel or Best Buy because their "policies" are crap and I can get a better deal without sales tax and with free shipping from Amazon. No inept employees and saving money? Gotta Love it.
 
Haha....AT&T is unbeleivable.

Yet another way to get out of your contract. We should all go buy iPhones and then call customer service, drop a few F-Bombs and get our contracts cancelled. It could be a lucrative side business. Buy a phone for $199 and sell it on Craigslist for $500

They really are arrogant idiots aren't they?

Read More Here:

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/?p=70652
 
Last edited:
Azzin said:
As I mentioned before, I have no axe to grind either way, but my take on it is that your iPhone can only ever receive data at "x" speeds/rates.

For example, in my iPhone I have a Vodafone (UK) SIM and at home for example I get about 2.5Mbps down on any given speed test.

Now, if I were to download at full pelt on my iPhone for an hour I could only download "x" amount of data in that 60 minutes due to the network I'm on and my location.

So, if I were to tether my phone to my iPad and my laptop for example, I am still only able to download at that same speed for that 60 minutes, so what's the issue (apart from the contract saying that I'm not allowed to tether)?

Connecting 2 x extra devices to my iPhone's data connection isn't going to magically make Vodafone increase the speeds I get (and therefore increase the amount of data I can receive).

Just my 2p's worth. :)
Click to expand...
Theoretically that's correct. The phone can only pull down so much bandwidth. The issue is that the iPhone, most of the time, isn't going to be maxing out it's bandwidth. A computer tethered to it can do that much easier. That's the real issue.
 
HeyItsRaymond said:
Haha....AT&T is unbeleivable.

Yet another way to get out of your contract. We should all go buy iPhones and then call customer service, drop a few F-Bombs and get our contracts cancelled. It could be a lucrative side business. Buy a phone for $199 and sell it on Craigslist for $500

They really are arrogant idiots aren't they?

Read More Here:

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/?p=70652
Click to expand...

How old are you? Seriously?
 
I like how the title of the thread says unauthorized, not illegal, tethering. I think that is because it isnt criminal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back