Yes, from what I've gathered from the AT&T T&C, the iPhone 3G users do get unlimited data.
As for which plans do include tethering and which phones you can choose the plan with, the best bet for you would be to ask AT&T.
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AT&T Unlimited Data Plan Not Really Unlimited!
- Thread starter thisisarcadia
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As for which plans do include tethering and which phones you can choose the plan with, the best bet for you would be to ask AT&T.
One last time:
The iPhone Data plan offers unlimited data.
All Smartphone plans without tethering included offer unlimited data.
There is no cap on these plans.
The only plans that have a 5GB cap are:
- Broadband connect plans (the laptop data cards), and
- Plans that specifically permit tethering to a laptop.
Even on plans with the 5GB cap, there is no overage charge if you go over 5GB. If you go over 5GB for two consecutive billing periods, AT&T might contact you to find out what's going on, or you might get a letter asking you to watch your usage.
This has been in place for about a year. I frequent the AT&T forums on other sites, and I can tell you I've not heard of a single person there getting contacted for their usage yet. Take that for what you will.
My question is why would the OP do something as reckless as walk into an AT&T store and wave Netshare in the rep's face? You might as well walk into an arena with a bull and wave a red scarf at it. Not the smartest move.
Got NetShare? Congratulations. Enjoy it. Don't tell anyone at AT&T you've got it.
The iPhone Data plan offers unlimited data.
All Smartphone plans without tethering included offer unlimited data.
There is no cap on these plans.
The only plans that have a 5GB cap are:
- Broadband connect plans (the laptop data cards), and
- Plans that specifically permit tethering to a laptop.
Even on plans with the 5GB cap, there is no overage charge if you go over 5GB. If you go over 5GB for two consecutive billing periods, AT&T might contact you to find out what's going on, or you might get a letter asking you to watch your usage.
This has been in place for about a year. I frequent the AT&T forums on other sites, and I can tell you I've not heard of a single person there getting contacted for their usage yet. Take that for what you will.
My question is why would the OP do something as reckless as walk into an AT&T store and wave Netshare in the rep's face? You might as well walk into an arena with a bull and wave a red scarf at it. Not the smartest move.
Got NetShare? Congratulations. Enjoy it. Don't tell anyone at AT&T you've got it.
I thought you still have the option to 'drop' the data component later on without incurring ETF in other words, you were only required to choose the data plan for activation, but not obligated to keep it for subsequent months has that changed?
No, but the contract you signed will likely have a "we reserve the right to change terms and conditions of service at any time. We will try to advise you of this before changes occur, but this may not always be possible," clause, or something to that effect. Many people just don't really read everything they sign! If you (threatened) to file a lawsuit, you would probably be released from your contract, but nothing more.
Read the thread. The 5Gb limit only applies to plans specifically allowing tethering. How many more times does that bit of info have to be posted before people get it?
yes but but if you have NetShare and you tether, is there a way they can tell you are tethering?!
No I do not think this "unlimited internet" is stupid. It takes a lot to use 5GB of data each month, even when tethering. If you are using more than 5GB of data, than ATT assumes you are just using it to replace your DSL/cable line (which is the case 98% of the time).
Cellular Data is pretty cheap here compared to other countries.
So would you like it if ATT offered a 6GB data plan for $30 and for people like who truly want "unlimited" you can pay $60 a month? I doubt you would pay $60 for a data plan or anyone else as a matter of fact unless your company is footing the bill. Most people would choose the $30 data plan.
The data plans are confusing as it is already.
From: http://www.wireless.att/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp
While it isn't very specific it seems: "If it is determined that you are using iPhone without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee." Is where AT&T can add charges for people that are tethering with the iPhone but aren't paying for a tethering plan. The "unlimited internet" is for usage on the phone not for usage through the phone.
While it isn't very specific it seems: "If it is determined that you are using iPhone without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee." Is where AT&T can add charges for people that are tethering with the iPhone but aren't paying for a tethering plan. The "unlimited internet" is for usage on the phone not for usage through the phone.
Not unless you let the cat out of the bag and you directly walk into a store and tell them. Whoops! You did just that.
You should probably hope that the rep you spoke didn't put a note in your account that you are tethering. And I'd also say it's not a good idea to call them up and ASK if a note is on your account, because if it isn't, then that WILL give someone the bright idea to put it on there.
DO NOT volunteer information like this, especially if you have an inkling that what you're doing is against the agreement.
It's Canadian iPhone customers that are stuck with 5GB limits. Apple almost didn't sell the phone there because of that.
AT&T is unlimited for the iPhone. That's why it's called the iPhone data plan, and is different then any other data plan they offer.
AT&T is unlimited for the iPhone. That's why it's called the iPhone data plan, and is different then any other data plan they offer.
That's beside the point. You may get away with it, but if you get caught, you'll have to pay for the consequence.
What do you mean "unlimited"?!?
Our rep at AT&T told us the $60 data card was "unlimited"...
We just got a $989 bill from AT&T for overage charges!!!
We specially mention that this data card would be used by our small business which corresponds through emails daily...
Had we known that there was a 5GB limit (what a joke that is), we would have never gotten the card in the first place. It's not 'clever' marketing, its down right deceitful!
Our rep at AT&T told us the $60 data card was "unlimited"...
We just got a $989 bill from AT&T for overage charges!!!
We specially mention that this data card would be used by our small business which corresponds through emails daily...
Had we known that there was a 5GB limit (what a joke that is), we would have never gotten the card in the first place. It's not 'clever' marketing, its down right deceitful!
What was their justification for advertising the card as having "unlimited" data access and limiting it to 5GB behind the scene?
Quite honestly, I'm not blaming AT&T but the REP who obviously didn't know much about the service and how we intended to use (basically the best fit for us and our business). HOWEVER, that doesn't change the fact that AT&T has that kind of ambiguity with their plans that causes such confusion.
You are absolutely correct. Someone needs to sue AT&T over this. It's bull **** that they advertise unlimited internet.
This thread is old. And no, there is nothing misleading about saying unlimited because in terms of internet bandwidth there is no such thing. If you rent server space, although it is advertised as unlimited the very thought of having unlimited bandwidth is impossible because servers don't come with unlimited amounts of space (and so naturally there is a limit, although it is not advertised as such). Unlimited is a term that is used to define what is considered to be a more than reasonable amount of data allotment. If it states that unlimited means 5 GB in the contract, then its the end user's fault for not reading the contract carefully. Realistically though, I challenge anyone to actually use more than 5 GB a month of data without tethering.
No one without tethering will ever reach 5GB in a month. Unless you are trying to beat your past month's data consumption record or something of that sort.
That aside, anyone who does consume 5GB of data in a month only thru the iPhone, has one of the following:
a. Too much free time
b. Uses YouTube as a TV
c. E-mails more than 15 people a day with at least 5 emails per person.
d. Doesn't have a laptop and uses the iPhone as primary Internet source.
e. All of above.
That aside, anyone who does consume 5GB of data in a month only thru the iPhone, has one of the following:
a. Too much free time
b. Uses YouTube as a TV
c. E-mails more than 15 people a day with at least 5 emails per person.
d. Doesn't have a laptop and uses the iPhone as primary Internet source.
e. All of above.
That's probably true. In that case, AT&T would be much better off removing the limit to make themselves look good. After all, it won't matter since hardly any would use nearly that much bandwidth anyway.
I see that ATT's contract still officially prohibits Slingbox usage:
"This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited. "
(Sling uses 50-100 MB an hour.)
Most carriers don't cut you off after 5GB, but they sometimes have a built-in software controlled slowdown for those who go over. That means your connection gets lower priority until the next month rolls around.
"This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition devices is prohibited. "
(Sling uses 50-100 MB an hour.)
Most carriers don't cut you off after 5GB, but they sometimes have a built-in software controlled slowdown for those who go over. That means your connection gets lower priority until the next month rolls around.
