Net Neutrality Organization Accusing AT&T of Violating FCC Rules With FaceTime Data Plan Requirements

[roland.g]

I'll be leaving AT&T for several reasons:

1) this FaceTime thing.

2) they do drop more calls than Verizon.

3) I live in a fairly major market (Denver) and not only do they not have LTE here (and continue to claim that their HSPA+ is 4G) but they won't even announce when LTE will be here. Up until now it was ok b/c their data was faster than Verizon but LTE should level that playing field. And no LTE when the new iPhone should have it will mean no biz.

4) I better get free mobile Hotspot like Verizon does b/c on rare occasion I'd like to use my iPhone to tether my WiFi only iPad or MBA to it without the need for a separate data plan or an iPad that cost $130 more.

And I'll pay the Early Term Fee to leave them without blinking.

 

[faroZ06]

Yep, so there is very little incentive for AT&T to keep grandfathering. Do this, and the little incentive they had probably won't be enough for the incentive to just say no more.

If I wanted my 4G to be fast, I'd be rooting for AT&T and Verizon when they force people out of their unlimited plans or throttle them. It slows the whole network down when people have "all you can eat" data. Except in my case, it's better if it's slow. 200MB data plan.

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I'll be leaving AT&T for several reasons:

1) this FaceTime thing.

2) they do drop more calls than Verizon.

3) I live in a fairly major market (Denver) and not only do they not have LTE here (and continue to claim that their HSPA+ is 4G) but they won't even announce when LTE will be here. Up until now it was ok b/c their data was faster than Verizon but LTE should level that playing field. And no LTE when the new iPhone should have it will mean no biz.

4) I better get free mobile Hotspot like Verizon does b/c on rare occasion I'd like to use my iPhone to tether my WiFi only iPad or MBA to it without the need for a separate data plan or an iPad that cost $130 more.

And I'll pay the Early Term Fee to leave them without blinking.

Sounds like you're making a good decision, but be aware that HSPA+ is technically 4G, and it's quite fast (almost as fast as LTE).

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Do you really believe the lies that these companies were saying that the bandwith cannot keep up with the demand. In other countries this is a non-issue, they don't even charge for tethering. Some third world countries don't charge incoming text messages, 8 years ago international text messages is part of your text messaging plan. Now they charge $.25 per outgoing international text messages. These US providers are the most greedy companies and they are dragging us. They are the reason why US is behind when it comes internet speed compared to some Asian and European countries.

Consider another obvious factor: The US is big, and the Americans use more data. The big US cities are spread out with a lot of land in the middle, and the people in those cities eat bandwidth all day. And distance is the biggest challenge to bandwidth.

 

[spazzcat]

Even if the FCC shoots them down on FaceTime data plan requirements, at&t will find another way to impose a limit. Much like how the banks made things more expensive for the rest of us once Congress said they can't impose certain fees on deadbeats.

There's no free lunch.

Except I am paying for the data already...

 

[NoExpectations]

Here is what I fear...

Here is what I fear...the all-knowing, all-powerful FCC will force all Carriers to support Facetime on their Unlimited Plans. Next, all Carriers will drop their Unlimited Plans because there simply isn't enough bandwidth to support 50 million concurrent video calls.

In short, we will lose our Unlimited Plans because the teenagers can't live without making silly faces at each other across the wireless network....even though they are probably just a few steps away at their local mall.

 

[profets]

I think the best question is, why did Apple build in the functionality for carriers to control this?

AT&T seems to be the only carrier who cares. But if the FCC is going to force their hand then why the heck was this control allowed at all?

 

[Nicksd84]

its even more redic considering Skype etc work just fine

This is incredibly accurate. All other video chat options work. Remember when the iPhone first came out and we were all excited about how apple finally broke the code of cell carrier bs and their software restricting u to their options. Slowly but surely they've taken it back. Just wish I had an alternative.

 

[AaronTheYoung]

Enter your complaint to the FCC here.

http://www.fcc.gov/complaints

Select Open Internet (net neutraility) <click NEXT>
Select Blocking of Internet content, applications, or services <click NEXT>
Click on "Complete the form"

This is an excellent, easy way to get the FCC to look at this. I'm filling out a form now and also when i get my new iPhone 5. Moving two a shared data plan makes NO SENSE for me as a single user of a single device. I would love to use FaceTime when I'm out and about the city and I'm more than willing to pay if I exceed my monthly quota.

This doesn't make any sense and that is why I'm submitting my complaint to the FCC.

If you don't agree with this, DO IT too!

 

[ConCat]

The Soviet Union collapsed twenty years ago buddy, there are no communists hiding under your mattress any more trying to control your brain through your microwave or whatever. It's safe to take off the tinfoil hat.

For you to say this with certainty, you would naturally be able to define a communist. Go ahead, define it. There are powerful people in our government who match the generally accepted definition, so I would like to hear it from your mouth. Chances are you will not be able to.

 

[bushman4]

This is a ploy by ATT to get people to switch to their new plans. ATT has no respect for its customers. They use and abuse. Why limit the facetime feature to only its new plans.....simple $$$$$$$.
Shame on ATT for not treating their customers with the respect and dignity they deserve. ATT can learn from Apple what a customer means and is worth.
Enough said.

 

[AaronTheYoung]

Complain to the FCC here

https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form2000.action?form_type=2000F

Here is the reason I put in complaint section. Someone can probably write a better one.

--------------

I believe that AT&T is inappropriately denying me access to Internet services on my iPhone because they stand to have reduced profit margins if they don't. I have a 5GB quota of data that I specifically pay for and they are denying me the right to use that data in a way that I feel is appropriate. They are specifically planning to deny me the right to use FaceTime on this tiered data plan and won't allow me to use this TCP/IP application unless I change to a shared data plan, which makes no sense with the wireless equipment I have right now.

 

[msteffer]

Not a bandwidth issue

There's no way this is a bandwidth issue. First of all, we know it's not because Skype works just fine. But AT&T is also admitting this by even agreeing to offer FaceTime over cellular. If they didn't think the network could handle it, then they wouldn't allow it. Period. This is clearly a net neutrality issue because data is data.

I'm surprised AT&T hasn't pulled the same crap they did with 3G - make you upgrade to a more expensive 3G plan from the Edge plan. If AT&T was to only allow FaceTime over cellular on LTE, and force people to upgrade to an LTE data plan to use it, then they would have a legitimate case. This is what Apple does already with its iOS updates - make your buy a new phone to use it.

Forcing me into a shared data plan makes no sense. What if I only have one device? Why would I want a shared data plan? It really discriminates against the people with one device who are not on an unlimited plan.

 

[levitynyc]

AT&T is one of the greediest companies in the US. We should all report them to the BBB.

In all seriousness, people do realize that the BBB is powerless to actually do anything right?

 

[coolbreeze]

There's no way this is a bandwidth issue. First of all, we know it's not because Skype works just fine.

Bu-bu-but soccer moms don't know how to use Skype! In all seriousness, many people don't know about Skype, and all know about Facetime.

In short, it's a money grab, plan and simple. And a parallel boardroom ploy to put a nail in the unlimited data coffin. Sneaky.

 

[hirshnoc]

Might be switching to Verizon if AT&T really requires a new data plan for FaceTime.

No way --Verizon has data caps too. Sprint is therefore the only choice. And I believe if you're on 4G on the CDMA networks, you can still talk and go online at the same time.

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Report as spam.

 

[troop231]

No way --Verizon has data caps too. Sprint is therefore the only choice. And I believe if you're on 4G on the CDMA networks, you can still talk and go online at the same time.

I had Sprint awhile ago, no way I'm ever going back to them.

 

[huntermaclean]

**** at&t.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Except I am paying for the data already...

We're paying for "unlimited" data yet they throttle them. Still no free lunch.

 

[WatchTheThrone]

WOW!!!! Att is pissing on its subscribers and they also have the nerve to laugh about it straight to your face!! "FaceTime is available to our customers over wifi". Ooooo ok I thought att was screwing you guys but that comment made it all better!! I wish I was on Att to use FaceTime over wifi but here I am on sprint....shucks!!!!


And some of these people on here have the nerve to defend att saying apple is greedier?? I dont get it?? Apple makes products and if you like them, you can buy them. How is that greedy?? Because they charge more for quality laptops and desktops instead of giving you a piece of **** pc made out of plastic??
I say att is greedy because they are making its subscribers move to something with less data because they "lose sleep over unlimited data" and want everyone to not use their service and rake in billions in profit from its "subscribers!! Isn't that why people pay att so that they can use it,not just have it, and be scared of att ****in' with their plan!!

Phew!!!! I FEEL BETTER NOW

 

[noteple]

American Technical Tyranny, the wrong choice

 

[olegandbuster25]

Might be switching to Verizon if AT&T really requires a new data plan for FaceTime.

What is the point of that exactly when verizon has already switched to data sharing plans
And REQUIRES you to have only that plan (you don't get to stay on the old one if you want)
AND its more expensive then ATT's?

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WOW!!!! Att is pissing on its subscribers and they also have the nerve to laugh about it straight to your face!! "FaceTime is available to our customers over wifi". Ooooo ok I thought att was screwing you guys but that comment made it all better!! I wish I was on Att to use FaceTime over wifi but here I am on sprint....shucks!!!!


And some of these people on here have the nerve to defend att saying apple is greedier?? I dont get it?? Apple makes products and if you like them, you can buy them. How is that greedy?? Because they charge more for quality laptops and desktops instead of giving you a piece of **** pc made out of plastic??
I say att is greedy because they are making its subscribers move to something with less data because they "lose sleep over unlimited data" and want everyone to not use their service and rake in billions in profit from its "subscribers!! Isn't that why people pay att so that they can use it,not just have it, and be scared of att ****in' with their plan!!

Phew!!!! I FEEL BETTER NOW

Lol hit the nail on the head

 

[roland.g]

Sounds like you're making a good decision, but be aware that HSPA+ is technically 4G, and it's quite fast (almost as fast as LTE).

ok. Do you have download speed data. I hadn't heard that. I was under the impression LTE was considerably faster than AT&Ts current network. Now I am still on an iP4, not a 4S, so I don't have any real experience with their 4G since I only get 3G, but I thought I got the 7.2 3G+ that came along with the 3GS and 4. Not sure what the 4G speed of the 4S is suppose to be or how fast LTE is.

 

[olegandbuster25]

It's about time someone goes after these f***heads

 

[Kavok]

In the end it's all about bandwidth.

No actually it's all about the bottom line. If it WERE about bandwidth, they would be doing something about it to support more customers. The whole bandwidth argument is a red herring, designed to distract people from what they don't want you to find out about.

In reality everyone would be better off if the carriers went with a pay-per-speed model (much like the cable internet, dsl, etc.) but they are trying to keep a 1987 business model (pay-per-unit) relevant in today's world. The thing that sucks is technological innovation is currently being hampered by these morons. Hopefully the technology will eventually get around the road blocks the carriers are putting up and force them to rethink their strategy.

 

[olegandbuster25]

ok. Do you have download speed data. I hadn't heard that. I was under the impression LTE was considerably faster than AT&Ts current network. Now I am still on an iP4, not a 4S, so I don't have any real experience with their 4G since I only get 3G, but I thought I got the 7.2 3G+ that came along with the 3GS and 4. Not sure what the 4G speed of the 4S is suppose to be or how fast LTE is.

Don't know where the other guy gets his info from but AT&T "4G" is not much better then 3G at all in my area (San Antonio Tx)
Lte on my iPad on th other hand is wayyyyyyyyy faster.

 

[Revivalution]

Customer Loyalty Job 1 At AT&T

I've been with AT&T since the iPhone first arrived. I have an unlimited data plan and I've kept that for 3 of my 4 phones since it's inception.

Having FaceTime cellular would be a big help to me and I would use it. But I'm not going to one of these crappy shared data plans.

Keep it up AT&T and you'll push me to a competitor for the shared Data Plan and probably a lower monthly payment.