MyWi Tethering: Anyone Charged by AT&T?

[Cinemagic]

At the end of the day, regardless of your feelings of the legality (it's illegal to tether under the contract: FACT)

Sorry, this is definately NOT fact. There is nothing in state or US statutes that says you are forbidden to tether AT&T iPhones under penalty of law. Therefore, tethering is not illegal. If AT&T says in their contract that you cannot tether and you agree to this contract, then you might be in breach of contract. AT&T could sue in CIVIL court and be awarded damages (or they could also lose - it's not clear cut). Doing something illegal gets you into criminal court. Breach of contract gets you into civil court. Big difference between the two.

That being said, is tethering through a hack stealing, making it truely illegal? Jailbreaking is not illegal, we all know that. If MyWi was a program designed solely for the purpose of stealing service, then the creators would be liable criminally. I refer to the early days of DVD encryption bypass programs and satelliteTV hackers and their hardware bootloaders. MyWi would be no different. However, no one is going after MyWi. To be stealing, it can be argued that you would be developing a method whereby you would get service without paying. Since people here are paying for their service and are paying for data, the only thing they're doing is using the data they paid for in a manner not in accordance with their contract. So are they truely stealing? Or simply violating their contract? While you can argue that you are stealing the fee that would be generated from a tethering plan, you cannot argue that you are stealing data that you paid for. If AT&T is charging you twice for the same data, aren't they stealing from you?

Since legitimate points can be made on both sides of the tethering arguement, and there is no clear statute that would prevail, the case would remain in civil court.

 

[IBradMac]

Then it sounds like the $45 a month Data Pro package might be a good idea then. I know it's $15 more a month, but if it's really your primary internet, and you stay below 4GB a month, then $15 more a month is probably not a bad deal.

Probably not, but it's nice to know now if I go over I won't have to pay more since I'm on unlimited.

 

[flashgj]

This is something in the existing contract that must be changed, and I believe with some "encouragement" from the customers, will change. The real crooks are the cell phone companies that are trying to double charge us for something we already pay for. If Person A has the 2GB plan and uses 1.8GB strictly with his iPhone, then no complaints by ATT. If Person B also has the 2GB plan and only uses 1.2GB split between iPhone and tethering with his iPad, then ATT wants to charge Person B more money, even though he is still under his 2GB limit. Tell me how this is fair for the consumer?

If some people who tether consume more data, then make them pay for unlimited or even a 4GB, 8GB, "whatever" plan. Not EVERYONE who tethers use more than their current 2GB limit, so why should they be lumped in with those that do?

Just because ATT puts it in the contract does not make it fair and equitable for the consumer. We must stand up and fight or we will continue to be racked over the coals by companies that are trying to squeeze every penny they can out of us.

 

[sawah]

You think we're getting raked over the coals now?? Just wait until at&t buys t-mobile!

 

[flashgj]

You think we're getting raked over the coals now?? Just wait until at&t buys t-mobile!

Yea, things could get worse before they ever get better.

 

[rans0m00]

You think we're getting raked over the coals now?? Just wait until at&t buys t-mobile!

At least in my area TMO really does not compete with ATT... You want budget go TMO... You want faster data and nicer phones go ATT... I really doubt this merger will change cost... It just might shaft TMO customers quite a bit though.

 

[HA5TY]

If I only use mywi to tether to my iPad will ATT notice?

I was thinking that since the iPhone and iPad use the same browser maybe it would be impossible for ATT to see that I'm tethering.

 

[APtalent]

At least in my area TMO really does not compete with ATT... You want budget go TMO... You want faster data and nicer phones go ATT... I really doubt this merger will change cost... It just might shaft TMO customers quite a bit though.

*Sprint.

 

[drummingcraig]

This is something in the existing contract that must be changed, and I believe with some "encouragement" from the customers, will change. The real crooks are the cell phone companies that are trying to double charge us for something we already pay for. If Person A has the 2GB plan and uses 1.8GB strictly with his iPhone, then no complaints by ATT. If Person B also has the 2GB plan and only uses 1.2GB split between iPhone and tethering with his iPad, then ATT wants to charge Person B more money, even though he is still under his 2GB limit. Tell me how this is fair for the consumer?

If some people who tether consume more data, then make them pay for unlimited or even a 4GB, 8GB, "whatever" plan. Not EVERYONE who tethers use more than their current 2GB limit, so why should they be lumped in with those that do?

Just because ATT puts it in the contract does not make it fair and equitable for the consumer. We must stand up and fight or we will continue to be racked over the coals by companies that are trying to squeeze every penny they can out of us.

Mind you that one counter-argument is that it is not just about the amount of data, but rather how quickly it is consumed. Most computers have the ability to suck through larger amounts of data vs. an iPhone/mobile device in the the same time frame. This can add to network congestion, slow downs, etc.

I'm not saying that I agree with AT&T's flat rate tethering scheme. But just just that's more to it then the amount of data one uses.

 

[Rajani Isa]

For those asking question, yes tethering through the hack and not the correct data plans and allowances is stealing.

The Terms of Service (ToS) specify so and clearly say so. AT&T can place the correct data allowances and plans to your line if they catch.


However, that said, I still tether because I do not want to loose the 3G unlimited plan and I think Tethering should have been included free with a limit on Tethered data, not iPhone data. That would have been a great win. Yet AT&T dropped the ball and ruined it.

That said, yes, I am stealing from the very company I sometimes defend.

I would even be fine with something like 250mb for free, and 5/10 for 2GB of tethering with the unlimited. The only good thing I've to say about AT&T tethering at the moment is at least they finally included extra data with the tethering plan.

I use mywi when I'm at a conference and don't want to cough up money for the hotel Internet. I go to maybe 3-4 conferences a year, so I hardly need a full-blown tethering plan.

I have not received a notice. I'm on the 2GB plan and never even come close to my limit.

And for people like you, i say you're fine with MyWi and such. I think they should go ahead an allowed the metered data plans free tethering.

 

[simple20]

First, I don't tether, but I constantly use 3g unrestrictor. And since I pay for unlimited data, I don't ever use wifi. I do agree the worst people are the people who download ridiculous amounts. Like one cat here said he use 90GB in one month. Grow up bro.

HOWEVER I think its incredibly ****ed up that ATT can charge fro unlimited data and charge an extra 20 a month on unlimited texts. Thats some serious ********.

 

[QuarterSwede]

First, I don't tether, but I constantly use 3g unrestrictor. And since I pay for unlimited data, I don't ever use wifi. I do agree the worst people are the people who download ridiculous amounts. Like one cat here said he use 90GB in one month. Grow up bro.

HOWEVER I think its incredibly ****ed up that ATT can charge fro unlimited data and charge an extra 20 a month on unlimited texts. Thats some serious ********.

What really pisses me off is that texting (not MMS) uses absolutely no extra data from the carrier. It's piggy backed on the carrier wave that is aways being used. So we're getting ripped off big time.

 

[The Highlander]

any updates to this?

 

[JohnDoe98]

Mind you that one counter-argument is that it is not just about the amount of data, but rather how quickly it is consumed. Most computers have the ability to suck through larger amounts of data vs. an iPhone/mobile device in the the same time frame. This can add to network congestion, slow downs, etc.

I'm not saying that I agree with AT&T's flat rate tethering scheme. But just just that's more to it then the amount of data one uses.

The problem with what you just said though is that the computers aren't directly connected to the network. They connect through the idevice and so the bottleneck remains with what that devise is capable of doing. Therefore, someone tethering cannot add more congest to the network than they could if they simply did everything from the idevise itself. You will need a better argument than that one.

 

[The Highlander]

Mind you that one counter-argument is that it is not just about the amount of data, but rather how quickly it is consumed. Most computers have the ability to suck through larger amounts of data vs. an iPhone/mobile device in the the same time frame. This can add to network congestion, slow downs, etc.

I'm not saying that I agree with AT&T's flat rate tethering scheme. But just just that's more to it then the amount of data one uses.

Then the next step is ATT verify that I AM using a jailbroken iphone and cancel my agreement? It can be argued that a jailbroken iphone is capable of consuming a LOT more data. Which is true.

Its a tad ridiculous that I can't change my SIM card to the ipad and be ok with the TOS. What if I swap iphones? I thought the freedom of the GSM system was to change my data\connection to whichever phone I wish. In the end... Its still data and they want to charge you twice for it.

 

[Spike Lightfoot]

The Solution

This link is a post on The Register (UK) which supposedly tells how to prevent AT&T from telling if you are tethering:

http://forums.theregister.co.uk/post/1016691

The method, which is for Windows, involves setting your computer's TTL (time to live for IP packets) to 65. Presumably there is a way to do this on Mac as well.

I have no idea whether this actually works.

It seems to me that if you:
1) Set your computer's TTL to DefaultTTL+1 as per the hint above, and
2) Route all your iPhone's traffic through a VPN server on your home computer so as to obscure browser agents and snoopable information

there would be no way for AT&T to know whether you're tethering or not. Comments?

 

[steven5210]

It seems to me that if you:
1) Set your computer's TTL to DefaultTTL+1 as per the hint above, and
2) Route all your iPhone's traffic through a VPN server on your home computer so as to obscure browser agents and snoopable information

there would be no way for AT&T to know whether you're tethering or not. Comments?

No, does not work I've done that myself and only tethered 100mb. 3 weeks later I get a text of them switching my data plan.

 

[Spike Lightfoot]

The real thing

No, does not work I've done that myself and only tethered 100mb. 3 weeks later I get a text of them switching my data plan.

From arstechnica: "...tethered data shows up under an entirely different APN. So very easy to spot."

Greek to me. Anyway, apparently PDAnet works around this somehow, but MyWi doesn't yet.

 

[irishloveguines]

i just upgraded to an iPhone 4s, i still have an unlimited data plan since i've been grandfathered in, but in my last bill (since using the iPhone 4s) i've seen this on my bill

check this out:


Data Unlimited
DATA ACCESS 2,297,314 2,297,314 $0.00/KB $0.00
DATA ACCESS INETV6 463,222 463,222 $0.00/KB $0.00

 

[billy3785]

I have been warned by ATT three times for tethering. I DO NOT use a lot of bandwidth and do it 2-3 times a week. Im usually under 3-4 GB per month. A few months back I started getting warned via text and email after every time i would tether. So I knew they were on to me. So I then found PDANET, which has a private tethering function with two levels of security for safe tethering and problem fixed.I have not heard from them regarding tethering again. Hope MYWi will come out with a "hidden tethering" option soon.

 

[lavrishevo]

Same here. AT&T can tell you are tethering but the process of whom they track & warn to stop no one knows for sure. Took them 3 + years before I received my warning...

 

[irishloveguines]

the guy i spoke with on the phone after getting the email about tethering, said that their system knows when you plug your iPhone into you car stereo via fm transmitter, and that's considered tethering to them. is this true? or is he just trying to scare me? how could they tell if you have your iPhone plugged into an fm transmitter for your stereo???

 

[mantic]

I just want to clarify for a few of you that still seem to believe accounts are flagged for tethering by the amount of data being used. This idea is simply false. It doesn't matter if you tether a little or a lot--you are still tethering. So, to resolve a myth, do not think that by cutting back on your tethering time decreases the likely hood of your account being flagged.

Also, from account that I've read, AT&T customers who have jailbroke their devices and used PDAnet with the "hide" feature enabled have also received emails and texts messages from AT&T notifying the customer of their awareness of their actions, and some have actually been forced into the tethering plan as a result. It appears that, as of now, there is no way around it; so tether at your own risk. Don't ignore all the confirmatory evidence.

I may be wrong, but it seems that the answer may lay in software for the tethered device that tricks it into sending or seemingly sending information as if it were your actual iPhone.

 

[Shenaniganz08]

I am one of the sad cases where I have not tethered since august ( when i received the text about tethering) but recently Nov 16 had my plan switched to the 4gb + tethering for $45

Kept telling at&t i stopped tethering once they asked me but they didnt care, I asked them for proof they provided none = complete bullies about this even after I complied to their request to stop tethering

in 10 days i have already used up 3gb of data ( i stream radio, check email etc)

so it seems my only option will be to have to leave AT&T cause 4gb a month is just not going to cut it for me

 

[agentmikeyd]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/6.5.1.23995/26.1192; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/10.54)

Write your Senator, if you really did stop when they told you to. Then, these thugs will back off when your senator responds on your behalf to them.