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And how much do you think AT&T should be charging for this?


I am currently paying them $174+ for two iPhones and another 69.- for DSL at home.... That's close to 3 grand a year. Me & my wife are not even using 1GB of data on the phones together per month and I'm sure so are most users....

So do you think I should pay another $ 700.- a year just to tether once in a while?


Why on earth should it be free? You're "unlimited data" was for use on your iPhone! ...not your laptop when you're out and about or your home or business or who knows where else people will try and milk the network for all it's got.
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No I don't think you should pay $700 to tether. I don't think you should tether AT ALL.

You're paying $70 a month for DSL? Seriously!? I have a 1.5mbps connection which is pretty fast I think - unless you're downloading massive movies which I am not) for $30 a month. So that's bad shopping on your part. But as for the 1gb data usage a month--okay, fair deal, I DO think AT&T should have a non-data option for the iPhone for people who are fine with just using wi-fi when they need to do some web because it sounds like either you or your wife or both are casual internet users. Yeah $30 a month is ridiculous and it WOULD make more sense for you to look at your plan in terms of the 5GB cap. But each person is different. Somebody at the top took a look at everyone and decided that X was the plan they were gonna offer. Do I like it? No way! I have a minutes plan that's $59 bucks + $20 for texting (that's your rip off there - talk about MINIMAL data usage to send a text--that's what you all should be harping on) + $30 for data which I'm like you - maybe a gig a month? I have some corporate/FAN discounts so probably I'm at $90 a month taxes included but still that is ridiculous. I'm not disagreeing there.

But I'll be even more ticked if I'm paying $90 a month and my internet starts slowing down because of people on their laptops tethering!

I RESTATE MY ARGUMENT that the web experience you get on your iPhone requires far less bandwidth than what your laptop would be using because of two factors: 1) iPhone sites formatted for the phone - and alot are; they aren't as media rich and much smaller in size so they aren't that many kb in size... and 2) on your computer you're going to have people downloading stuff and file sharing and facebooking and uploading pictures and all that stuff. If it was just checking e-mail only it's a no brainer...very minimal affect on the network but the question then is how do you regulate that? How do you separate average Joe user from Hackmaster Gamer who's going to find every way possible to take advantage of his tethering, sharing the connection with the college apartments in every direction from his and downloading torrents like they're going out of style. That's my whole premise. This is just asking for trouble if they just enable tethering, no questions asked. There has to be regulation and terms and guidelines and knowing AT&T they will add those long after the fact because that's the kind of crisis mode planning that they do.
 
AT&T charges 69.- for DSL if you need a static IP address which I need...

I have no problem staying under the capped limit but I should be able to use it as I see fit or do not force me to take the unlimited $30.- data plan for the iPhone..

Don't get me started on Tex charges:D

No I don't think you should pay $700 to tether. I don't think you should tether AT ALL.

You're paying $70 a month for DSL? .
 
I am currently paying them $174+ for two iPhones and another 69.- for DSL at home.... That's close to 3 grand a year.

I know, isn't it insane? Ten years ago we didn't all have cell phones, had less cable and didn't call long distance very much. Total, like $30-60 a month. Now, we pay almost another car payment's worth just for communications.

Me & my wife are not even using 1GB of data on the phones together per month and I'm sure so are most users....

Well, of course they count on that. Like I said, "all you can eat" prices are predicated upon people not actually sitting down for days and eating.

So do you think I should pay another $ 700.- a year just to tether once in a while?

No, and I honestly don't think they'd mind if you tethered once in a while.

What they're probably partly afraid of, are all the students and other people who would immediately try to tether their whole dorm or house and replace cable or DSL with their phone. I'm sure you can think of other abuses as well.
 
Don't get me started on Tex charges:D


Well, texting is the bigger ripoff, that's all I'm trying to say. ...because $30 for the iPhone data, while I think it is expensive, is cheaper than the data for any other phone AT&T sells and cheaper than the web/data plans for any phone Verizon sells too. ...I'm assuming Apple dictated the terms?

But $20 a month for unlimited texting? $15 for 1500 messages? $5 for 200? That's ridiculous! $10 unlimited $5 for 1000 that should be the price points right there. It costs them next to nothing in bandwidth/data for texting but again this could be one of those things where they're milking the cash cow but also discouraging people like that nutjob on youtube that send 660,000+ texts in one month on his iPhone 3GS (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY9ktFGA7lM).

Who knows - I'm over talking about this now anyway. Bottom line is the cell phone companies all rip you off - but we all know it and we're addicts because we keep coming back for more. I love my iPhone and I'm keeping it so I can talk about how bad it is and what I want from AT&T but does it really matter? It is what it is.
 
What they're probably partly afraid of, are all the students and other people who would immediately try to tether their whole dorm or house and replace cable or DSL with their phone. I'm sure you can think of other abuses as well.

That's what my premise has been all along.
 
Love the Verizon "there's a map for that" ads

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune...att-theres-a-map-for-that/?source=yahoo_quote

"If you want to know why some people have spotty 3G coverage," goes the voice over, as a scruffy-looking character frowns at his iPhone. "There’s a map for that."

screen-shot-2009-10-06-at-4-34-07-am.png
 
...because $30 for the iPhone data, while I think it is expensive, is cheaper than the data for any other phone AT&T sells and cheaper than the web/data plans for any phone Verizon sells too. ...I'm assuming Apple dictated the terms?

No sir, $30 a month is what all smartphones on either AT&T or Verizon pay. You probably looked at data plans without voice.

But $20 a month for unlimited texting? $15 for 1500 messages? $5 for 200? That's ridiculous! $10 unlimited $5 for 1000 that should be the price points right there. It costs them next to nothing in bandwidth/data for texting ....

Texts are hugely misunderstood. First off, they're not data (although they can use that too if they're MMS).

A text is a phone call, where the system has to track the recipient down, often via other carrier networks who must be paid, and deliver your messaging page... sometimes after being held for days in a messaging center which has 24/7 backup power and support staff. How much do you pay for a single minute's worth of voice calling? Right. Same thing. And that's without being held for delivery.
 
I'm not sure I understand how tethering would make the network slower. Doesn't it use just as much data as you normally could if you were doing the same things on your iphone?
 
Yeah ok maybe the Chinese censorship is a bit too political an example but I don't see it as all that different. You see.. To me there is no difference in phone internet and computer internet. And that's because there is no difference. The phone has much more power than laptops had not that many years ago and the actual services used are exactly the same. You're not using a different internet on the phone.

I might like to point out how VERY VERY wrong you are there.

On the iPhone you are limited two 1 web page at a time, you are limited to the iPhone rendering power and limited on what it can use.

On a computer it can render web pages faster. You can navigate web pages faster, you can and run torrents files (huge bandwith) and other multi tasking. No matter how you cut it on you can multitask a lot faster and a lot easier on a computer.

Thinking that the data usesage on a computer would be the same clearly shows you are not thinking it all the way threw.
 


The Wall Street Journal reports that, given AT&T's recent move to allow VoIP services over its wireless network for the iPhone, users are wondering whether support for Internet tethering via the iPhone may also be launched in the near future. Tethering and MMS were promised as future features by AT&T when iPhone OS 3.0 was launched in mid-June, and MMS was finally enabled late last month with no update on the tethering situation at that time. AT&T is continuing, however, to reiterate its position that additional network upgrades are required before it can support tethering via the iPhone.Tethering is officially supported on wireless networks in some countries, and allows users to connect their computers to the Internet via their iPhone's mobile connection via Bluetooth or USB.

Article Link: AT&T: 'Fine Tuning' Still Required Before Offering Internet Tethering Via iPhone

Before they offer tethering does anyone else think they should take care of all the dropped calls?

I was driving home tonight on I-94 where they supposedly have great service and the call I was on dropped 8 times in 27 minutes! I finally gave up and told the other party that I'd call from the home phone....

AT&T needs to seriously consider fixing their network before loading it up with more services that will undoubtedly suck long donkey dong.

I despise them & I'm starting to resent my iPhone because of them.
 
That may be true..... I would just like to know how much data I can consume for my monthly plan and then would like to decide for myself how to use it.

If that can not be done I would like to be able to use the iPhone without a data plan, get myself one of those MiFi routers and be done with it....

I don't think this is to much to ask.




I might like to point out how VERY VERY wrong you are there.

On the iPhone you are limited two 1 web page at a time, you are limited to the iPhone rendering power and limited on what it can use.

On a computer it can render web pages faster. You can navigate web pages faster, you can and run torrents files (huge bandwith) and other multi tasking. No matter how you cut it on you can multitask a lot faster and a lot easier on a computer.

Thinking that the data usesage on a computer would be the same clearly shows you are not thinking it all the way threw.
 
Using tethering full-time

don't think anyone would use tethering as their primary internet connection so there's no point in paying monthly for it.
At work, I tether my personal laptop all-day to my HTC Windows Mobile Professional smartphone and WMWiFiRouter software. Our IT folks block our network from so many sites that using my own PC and my own Internet connection is the only way I can get my work done.
 
That may be true..... I would just like to know how much data I can consume for my monthly plan and then would like to decide for myself how to use it.

If that can not be done I would like to be able to use the iPhone without a data plan, get myself one of those MiFi routers and be done with it....

I don't think this is to much to ask.

I couldn't have said it better. If you buy say, 3.6Mbps unlimited plan then it sure should be unlimited. You should be able to stream YouTube or whatever 24/7 with full bandwidth. As long as its legal. If you've got 5Gb cap then until that cap is reached, and of course it's not an unlimited plan anymore, if its called that then it's a scam. Or pay extra for over-the-limit data.

I'm certainly not saying one should be able to share the connection with the whole neighborhood. That's what contracts are for and if you're caught you pay for it. Not every driver should be sent to jail because a car can be used to drive over pedestrians.
 
No, I haven't read all the pages of this thread. But has anyone seen this?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/173320/atandt_wireless_ceo_hints_at_managing_iphone_data_usage.html

I predict AT&T will NOT offer tethering until they have a policy of some kind implemented in their term of service for throttling. Can't have you using your iPhone as a wireless modem for regular usage now can we?

Yeah, or even the normal smartphone usage the device was made for :eek:. I guess it's quite clear the network needs more capacity. But i.e. throttling legal, payed for usage is not the right way to deal with the problem.
 
I might like to point out how VERY VERY wrong you are there.

On the iPhone you are limited two 1 web page at a time, you are limited to the iPhone rendering power and limited on what it can use.

On a computer it can render web pages faster. You can navigate web pages faster, you can and run torrents files (huge bandwith) and other multi tasking. No matter how you cut it on you can multitask a lot faster and a lot easier on a computer.

Thinking that the data usesage on a computer would be the same clearly shows you are not thinking it all the way threw.

Yes, I agree :). I'm not arguing that iPhone usage and computer usage are the same. I was just trying to make the point that the phones and computers use the same network. They should be governed under the same rules. Would you say something if your wired phone company / ISP would tell you you can't use VoIP on their network ? Probably. Or that you can only use the home connection on one computer (i.e. no tethering). The consumer connection contract limit is about 5 computers around these parts.. And I think it's quite fair for home use.

Once again, X Mbps per second Y Gb per mo.. And no bitching* if someone calls their bluff and actually dares to use said service.

* The company selling the service, not the other commenters :D.
 
That's what my premise has been all along.

Yeah, I'm sure they're afraid of something like that. And I agree it would be wrong.

Here the issue has been dealt contractually, there's a clause specifically denying the sharing of connection (wired or wireless for that matter) with third parties. As for how or if the companies are trying to catch anyone, don't know. Probably not that much because I haven't heard of anyone actually sharing a connection or it being a problem. There's no need, and it would be just more trouble than its worth.
 
I don't know if this has been mentioned. The few times I tethered using the stealth .ipcc (6.0 carrier file), I noticed on my bill that it had "wap.cingular" under the to/from instead of "phone" for internet use. So, there does look like there is a way for AT&T to differentiate between tethering or not tethering.
 
I used to be able to tether, make voip calls from my N95 with my $15 medianet plan on AT&T. I am using the same sim with my jailbroken iphone 3gs running 3.01 and I can finally do all the functionality that my N95 provided, again on the $15 plan. So all of you just jailbreak your phone and say a big f.u. to AT&T like I did.
 
it should be free, but we know it won't be. i bet it won't be out until next year

What makes you say that ? It is free here in Canada. It is free everywhere else.

Seriously, what are your sources for this ? Here, it just tags onto your Data Plan. Data is Data.
 
....just go to your local ATT store and get a free 3G card for your computer. I'll bet that the monthly costs (tethering versus separate 3G card) are going to be the same.


Having a separate card means that you can talk on your iPhone and surf on your computer at the same time.

You can do that already. I talk and tether no issue. One of my friends set up my iphone in less than five minutes to tether to my laptop. The only thing I needed to do was revert to an older version of iTunes (I think it's 10.2.0.23... or something similar).
 
You can do that already. I talk and tether no issue. One of my friends set up my iphone in less than five minutes to tether to my laptop. The only thing I needed to do was revert to an older version of iTunes (I think it's 10.2.0.23... or something similar).


Is there anyway you can find out how he or she did this?
 
Me either, but they will. I had Bluetooth tethering for years on my old Nokia phone via GPRS/EDGE and never paid extra. I'm not sure why it's all of a sudden a "plan feature."

I would be interested in what the lawyers would say. Charging for this feature is crazy stupid. Any one with a data plan and bluetooth capable PDA type phone on ANY cell provider, can tether. You pay for your data plan, and bluetooth phone, so no way you can charge for this. Only legal option is to jack up the price for data plans for no real apparent reason.

Data network traffic will not change. In fact you will download at same speed as your phone (3g or edge depending on location). This is crazy and typical of messing with consumers. I had sprint three years ago and could tether on my HTC. Other co-workers have verizon and can tether. It is not some majical feature that AT&T network has to work on. It already exists. Apple just needs to turn the feature on within iphone software.

If we are charged for tethering....and Verizon gets new contract in 2010, plan on most people leaving. Think it over AT&T and apple.

NOW before i get the why not just surf internet on iphone and no need to tether comments....from a business perspective, somethings need to be done on laptop like downloading files and updating data on laptop etc...so it has a geniune purpose.

John
 
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