To ATT's credit, a representative of their "complaint escalation team" responded to an email I sent to ATT's Pres/CEO.
Basically, here's what she told me:
They are aware of the customer concerns -- and have received many complaints.
They acknowledge that other devices sold by ATT sling video to the phones BUT they cannot control what those owners put on those devices as they can with the iPhone.
Their position is that slinging video is a violation of their terms of service, no matter the device upon which it is being done -- BUT they cannot enforce it against any owners except those with iPhones.
They acknowledge that there are many who are violating the TOS.
In addition, they say that the iPhone is a computer, not a phone, within their TOS.
To them it is not a "bandwidth issue" -- their network is sufficient. I asked why, if there was no bandwidth issue, they cared. "Because it is a violation of the TOS". I asked why the TOS didn't allow slinging and she said "Because."
I asked why it was OK to use 3G to view other video, off the 'net, like YouTube or network program feeds and she said because it is not slinging video -- a pretty circular answer in my eyes.
At one point, as I pressed on what was wrong with slinging, she said it was "stealing a cable signal". I told her that I paid for that signal, that the cable company knows I have a Slingbox and has never told me not to use it. ATT's position is that it is stealing, anyway.
Finally, she said that ATT will not remove this restriction "at this point" but that she cannot say it will not do so in the future. I cannot tell if this is a sop to make me feel better or if they are getting enough pressure to force them to change their policy.
Here's what I get from the discussion. It you believe ATT, the key is to get a Sling application that is not run through the Apple store. Their position seems to accept those who run Sling on software loaded "beyond ATT's control".
ATT's control translates into ATT's ability to control the Apple Store.
This makes Apple the culprit because if Apple were to sell the Sling application as it was originally developed -- including 3G -- it seems ATT would do nothing to punish the iPhone users who used it. People have been blaming ATT, but Apple, by giving in to ATT's demands, is complicit. In fact, it is in Apple's best interest to allow 3G slinging -- the restriction may turn people away from the iPhone toward another choice.
And, it will turn iPhone users toward solutions, outside of Apple's control, like jailbreaking -- which is not good for anyone.
Although I am not satisfied with the answer or ATT's position, I do give ATT a lot of credit for calling back and explaining their concerns to me.
sjh
Basically, here's what she told me:
They are aware of the customer concerns -- and have received many complaints.
They acknowledge that other devices sold by ATT sling video to the phones BUT they cannot control what those owners put on those devices as they can with the iPhone.
Their position is that slinging video is a violation of their terms of service, no matter the device upon which it is being done -- BUT they cannot enforce it against any owners except those with iPhones.
They acknowledge that there are many who are violating the TOS.
In addition, they say that the iPhone is a computer, not a phone, within their TOS.
To them it is not a "bandwidth issue" -- their network is sufficient. I asked why, if there was no bandwidth issue, they cared. "Because it is a violation of the TOS". I asked why the TOS didn't allow slinging and she said "Because."
I asked why it was OK to use 3G to view other video, off the 'net, like YouTube or network program feeds and she said because it is not slinging video -- a pretty circular answer in my eyes.
At one point, as I pressed on what was wrong with slinging, she said it was "stealing a cable signal". I told her that I paid for that signal, that the cable company knows I have a Slingbox and has never told me not to use it. ATT's position is that it is stealing, anyway.
Finally, she said that ATT will not remove this restriction "at this point" but that she cannot say it will not do so in the future. I cannot tell if this is a sop to make me feel better or if they are getting enough pressure to force them to change their policy.
Here's what I get from the discussion. It you believe ATT, the key is to get a Sling application that is not run through the Apple store. Their position seems to accept those who run Sling on software loaded "beyond ATT's control".
ATT's control translates into ATT's ability to control the Apple Store.
This makes Apple the culprit because if Apple were to sell the Sling application as it was originally developed -- including 3G -- it seems ATT would do nothing to punish the iPhone users who used it. People have been blaming ATT, but Apple, by giving in to ATT's demands, is complicit. In fact, it is in Apple's best interest to allow 3G slinging -- the restriction may turn people away from the iPhone toward another choice.
And, it will turn iPhone users toward solutions, outside of Apple's control, like jailbreaking -- which is not good for anyone.
Although I am not satisfied with the answer or ATT's position, I do give ATT a lot of credit for calling back and explaining their concerns to me.
sjh
