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For those that think Tethering shouldn't incur an additional fee....
- Thread starter samcraig
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Not quite true, because I bought my new iPhone 3GS with OS 3.0, which introduces native built-in tethering straight from Apple. I now have a phone that can tether. And I have an unlimited data plan.
So I have the plan and I have the feature, but I can't marry the two without paying more?
That's not entirely true. You aren't looking at a web page, or whatever, on BOTH devices at the same time. You're either going to be surfing on your phone OR on your computer. Passing data off from one device to another IS NOT the same as having two devices accessing data. The rationale most telcos are using for charging for tethering is that data usage goes up because; a) it's easier to browse/download on an actual computer and b) you are able to download larger files.
I have the data plan and I have the feature. What you're referring to is the cost of coupling the two. Even if AT&T announces an extra-cost tethering plan, it is the SAME data plan we already have, except that we'll be charged more for it.
I can understand extra charges for an Air Card, where the cost of the card is being amortized over the contract period. But we're already paying for the iPhone itself and the data plan. There is no extra hardware.
The assertion that "tethering" is special and distinct from a pure-data plan is purely artificial. Certainly many of the Canadian and European carriers agree. Now I will again offer a compromise: 10 to 20 GB tethered data at no extra charge, and premiums beyond that. That sounds reasonable to me.
Indeed, I don't disagree with it, either. I just don't think that $30 for data pass through is a very good deal. It would be like your ISP charging you an extra fee for every computer on your network at home. 1st computer is standard price, every additional computer is $15. How well do you think that would go down?
I'll help you
DataConnect 5 GB $60.00 5 GB 0.00048/KB 0.0195/KB (overage)
a) that's $60 not $30 AND has a cap
If anyone should be moaning it's aircard users griping how cheap the data plan is on phones AND is unlimited
Arguing the opposite seems silly.
It well may be you'll pay up to $60 and get unlimited data + Tethering up to 5 gb.
That's actually a deal.
DataConnect 5 GB $60.00 5 GB 0.00048/KB 0.0195/KB (overage)
a) that's $60 not $30 AND has a cap
If anyone should be moaning it's aircard users griping how cheap the data plan is on phones AND is unlimited
Arguing the opposite seems silly.
It well may be you'll pay up to $60 and get unlimited data + Tethering up to 5 gb.
That's actually a deal.
According to their website, Time Warner Cable officially limits how many devices you can connect to their service, but I don't know how strictly they enforce it.
I think much of that has to do with (a) historical economies of scale (which were lower) and (b) historical lack of viable alternatives. Do you think those Air Card rate plans are reasonable in today's market? They seem to have kept the historical prices intact.
When Apple entered the mobile phone business, they wanted to change the rules. I am hoping the rules change. It will take time, but without people crying out for fair prices, nothing will change.
im not going to argue if tethering should be free.
What i am going to say is that i have a big feeling that ATT will charge an additional $30 a month for tethering. I think that for iphone users or just tethering users in general this is a HORRIBLE deal.
ATT could come up with a much better deal.
A) Make tethering free if i don't go over 500mb/month or 1GB/month what ever doesn't matter! AMAZING DEAL and it probably wouldn't hurt the network at all. ATT would make many ppl happy.
B) Give me more pricing options don't rip me off with a $30 plan when i would only need the $10 month plan.(tethering)
I'm sick of these providers horrible pricing/use plans. give the people more options it can't hurt. I think thy would make more business that way.
What i am going to say is that i have a big feeling that ATT will charge an additional $30 a month for tethering. I think that for iphone users or just tethering users in general this is a HORRIBLE deal.
ATT could come up with a much better deal.
A) Make tethering free if i don't go over 500mb/month or 1GB/month what ever doesn't matter! AMAZING DEAL and it probably wouldn't hurt the network at all. ATT would make many ppl happy.
B) Give me more pricing options don't rip me off with a $30 plan when i would only need the $10 month plan.(tethering)
I'm sick of these providers horrible pricing/use plans. give the people more options it can't hurt. I think thy would make more business that way.
I would agree with you. An unlimited data plan should not be void if you are piping it into a different device. I pay for internet at home, but Comcast shouldn't charge me for the 5 computers i have hooked up via my router.
Just go to AT&T's wireless website and you'll see that BB is $65 per month for unlimited data with tethering 5GB limit.....
That's really not a good argument. Not saying this would happen but if AT&T came out with 10-15 a month tethering then that would be a good thing for all phones (because the prices of tethering on all phones would have to come down). Your argument is essentially "It's been this way since forever so we should just take it".
if the price is reasonable i'll pay or i'll hack the phone. I don't agree that they should charge, its unlimited and i'm using the phone to connect to the net. There is no way for them to tell if its the phone browsing the net or the phone passing it off to a computer, i'm paying for the connection.
Its also not like i'm going to replace my home connection with my phone, but if i have my laptop and my phone and no open wifi i should be able to use that connection.
Its also not like i'm going to replace my home connection with my phone, but if i have my laptop and my phone and no open wifi i should be able to use that connection.
Let's play devils advocate Brendon -
ATT is able to detect a jailbroken phone and/or tethering on their network on accounts that aren't set up for it.
You get billed.
Do you argue and try not to pay?
Do you accept that you broke their pricing structure and pay?
Other?
ATT is able to detect a jailbroken phone and/or tethering on their network on accounts that aren't set up for it.
You get billed.
Do you argue and try not to pay?
Do you accept that you broke their pricing structure and pay?
Other?
then get an air card.
I have pointed out time and time again the teathering cost is the same as having an air card for your laptop. If and when ATT catches you and you get billed for it enjoy paying it.
do you use both devices for the internet concurrently?
no
therefore your reasoning is flawed
but the user is only using one device to browse internet
he is not using the iphone to browse as he is also browsing on the laptop
I am surprised to hear this. Care to name some of those companies charge extra for it? That doesn't make any sense to me though. As we all know, you can still set up your computer as a bridge that allow other computers to access internet through. There is no way that ISP can know what's accessing the Internet. However, my ISP does require me to register me to register the MAC of the device that's directly connecting to their server, in my case, a wireless router. That's totally different issue though.