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After seeing recent posts that AT&T are sending messages to low data usage people, I'm deleting my tethering apps. I hardly used the tethering apps anyway, but I just had it for a quick connect if wifi isn't available... or if my personal hotspot mifi device was out of battery power. Since I upgraded my Verizon 2200 mifi to the 4G LTE personal hotspot mifi, I rather use that over tethering anyway. I don't want to take a chance of losing my unlimited data over a few minutes of tethering.
 
If you have read this thread, you would know this would not happen.

That's a speculative statement. Some folks have said they've received a notice after brief usage, and there's no real way to determine what kind or level of packet inspection AT&T engineering has in place to identify unauthorized tethering.
 
That's a speculative statement. Some folks have said they've received a notice after brief usage, and there's no real way to determine what kind or level of packet inspection AT&T engineering has in place to identify unauthorized tethering.

There is nothing speculative about it. Please actually read my post. Getting the 'unofficial tethering' warning email/text message does not automatically add tethering to your plan. Continued 'unofficial tethering' after receiving the warning triggers this. Understand?

There's zero risk of losing your unlimited data plan by 'unofficial tethering' until after you are warned via the email/text from ATT.
 
There is nothing speculative about it. Please actually read my post. Getting the 'unofficial tethering' warning email/text message does not automatically add tethering to your plan. Continued 'unofficial tethering' after receiving the warning triggers this. Understand?

There's zero risk of losing your unlimited data plan by 'unofficial tethering' until after you are warned via the email/text from ATT.

I thought his last comment referred to *after* being warned. But in the end, unfortunately it's all the same -- if we use it, our existing plans are at risk, and we end up paying for something that most only need for a few minutes.
 
if we use it, our existing plans are at risk, and we end up paying for something that most only need for a few minutes.

I give up. Some people will believe whatever they want to regardless of the facts.
 
If you have read this thread, you would know this would not happen.

I did read this thread, but did you read this thread?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1146919/

A person only had his phone for 3 to 4 days, and he already got the AT&T text message on unauthorized tethering. He hasn't even reached a gig of data on his new white iPhone yet.

EDIT: same person has another thread saying that AT&T didn't believe his excuse that he wasn't tethering.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1147062/

Not sure if they are still targeting high data usage people anymore.
 
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I give up. Some people will believe whatever they want to regardless of the facts.

Unless someone from AT&T engineering decides to post how tethering is actually being detected (length of use, frequency, or some other variable), no one hear really knows the facts . Sure, someone can tether "for free" until they get a notice, but then the person's plan is at risk (aka potential for exposure) from that point forward.

The free ride seems to be coming to a close, unless someone can devise a method to adequately cloak tethering activity. Per a comment I made in another thread, I'm all for testing out TTL modification to see if that's the solution, but given there's so many potential ways to detect via packet inspection, it's a tough nut to crack.
 
Sure, someone can tether "for free" until they get a notice, but then the person's plan is at risk (aka potential for exposure) from that point forward.

Please explain how 'the person's plan is at risk'. It's only 'at risk' if you keep tethering.

If you want to stay on your $30/month unlimited data plan and want to tether, then spend another $20/month for a 1 gig Verizon MiFi.

I have no idea what '(aka potential for exposure)' means. If you have received the email/text there isn't 'potential for exposure' you have been exposed.
 
To me it sounds like a poker game and AT&T is bluffing.
Sending notices to all very heavy users and assuming they're using all that thru tethering. Then if they dont respond they're put on the 4GB plan and if they continue to use that much data then they'd be paying an arm and a leg each month.
In most cases they're probably right that those heavy users are tethering and in others they might not be.
That's the reason when you call and deny it they leave it alone.
Imagine the hours of work investigating and digging they would have to do to look up and identify all the traffic and what is going for what and to conclusivelly prove you are tethering.
Is it worth it?

Well, on a related note: AT&T just jacked our business phone monthly charges. I think that the CEO has Gulfstream envy and 'Daddy needs a new jet' is in operation here. They are shaking the trees for more money.

Regarding the illegality of any agreements, it's legal when it's tested in court and survives. The SCOTUS has all but removed the ability to class action sue corporations that screw their customers. What part of that doesn't get your attention?

America is turning into a pro-corporate waste land filled with greedy corporations able to do whatever they want to the current inhabitants who have little and in some cases no recourse. We are paying the price for the 'bought and paid for' form of government that has evolved over the decades (and the naked ideology of the courts). Lobbyists and their corporate money rule the day. The legislature now represents the corporation over the people. We can't afford the politicians and they know it.
 
Please explain how 'the person's plan is at risk'. It's only 'at risk' if you keep tethering.

If you want to stay on your $30/month unlimited data plan and want to tether, then spend another $20/month for a 1 gig Verizon MiFi.

I have no idea what '(aka potential for exposure)' means. If you have received the email/text there isn't 'potential for exposure' you have been exposed.

You misinterpreted my reference to what their risk (or exposure) is, so I'll spell it out: "The person's plan is at risk (aka potential for exposure) of having their plan modified and having to pay more $$, should they tether from that point forward."

Bottom line, it sucks.
 
I don't understand why think they think it is fair to charge for tether on the 2GB plan. I really think they should make tether including on all limited plans. If I pay for 2GB a month I should be able to use it however I want. However, unlimited data, and unlimited data to the iPhone are not the same. Unlimited to iPhone for $30 is fair. Unlimited data to anything should be $70ish, or whatever rate the data plan for data connect cards is. I know they got rid of that plan, but they should bring it back. Some people are willing to pay for it.

(I'd totally drop my home internet connection and just get an unlimited data card that I shared between a home router and my iPad2.)
 
My knowledge is based on my 15minute experience with att customer support a few hours ago. LOL

I have had tethering capabilities since the middle of last year but have not used it much. I am a busy pandora user so I dunno.

That's quite a post based upon a 15 minute conversation with a rep who knows less about the ATT process than you do.
 
Perhaps folks can start posting the iOS version?

I'd like to establish if 4.3/4.3.1/4.3.2 have any bearing.
 
Google "iProxy" .... there is no way that they can know you're tethering if you use iProxy. And "excessive data usage" is not be enforceable if you have an unlimited plan.
 
And "excessive data usage" is not be enforceable if you have an unlimited plan.

logandzwon said:
I don't understand why think they think it is fair to charge for tether on the 2GB plan.

Here we go again with 'experts' offering their opinion as to what ATT can and cannot do and what's 'fair' and what's not. :rolleyes:
 
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Here we go again with 'experts' offering their opinion as to what ATT can and cannot do and what's 'fair' and what's not. :rolleyes:

Define unlimited.

–adjective
1.
not limited; unrestricted; unconfined: unlimited trade.
2.
boundless; infinite; vast: the unlimited skies.
3.
without any qualification or exception; unconditional.

Do you really think that AT&Ts use of the word "unlimited" in my dataplan would hold up in court? I'm not talking about tethering. I'm talking about general iPhone data usage Netflix/Pandora/etc... AT&T walks a fine line of not getting people pissed off enough to take action. I wish the politicians would get their heads out of Apples "location tracking" ass long enough to do something about a company who is ACTUALLY messing with consumers. They are on Apple about "privacy and location tracking" but AT&T tracks you too and if law enforcement needs it will pass that information along to the Police/FBI/CIA/NSA etc.
 
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Google "iProxy" .... there is no way that they can know you're tethering if you use iProxy. And "excessive data usage" is not be enforceable if you have an unlimited plan.

A proxy is far more difficult for AT&T to detect, however it's also much more limited in what it can do. Web browsing should be fine, but other apps may have issues.
 
Perhaps folks can start posting the iOS version?

I'd like to establish if 4.3/4.3.1/4.3.2 have any bearing.

the iOS version has nothing to do with the notices, read the thread and you will see people on all versions have received it.

You misinterpreted my reference to what their risk (or exposure) is, so I'll spell it out: "The person's plan is at risk (aka potential for exposure) of having their plan modified and having to pay more $$, should they tether from that point forward."

Bottom line, it sucks.
if you already received the notice, your plan is already "exposed"

It doesn't really matter, att will just tell you that if you continue to tether your plan will be changed, they don't do it when they send the notices.

In fact, I have yet to hear of anyone who has actually had their plan changed.... anybody out there continue to tether and get changed to a data pro plan?
 
I got this link: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...unauthorized-android-tethering-and-may-never/

from https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/12512029/

The first paragraph under "Easy Targets" is their take on how ATT is tracking tethering. I'm not saying it's true or not, just relaying someone's "explanation."

It's an interesting article, but I would take it with a grain of salt. In the comments posters are contradicting the article stating that they have received the txt on their Android devices. If anything it appears to the AT&T is simply prioritizing sending notifications to users with specific data plans.

To a certain extent, it doesn't matter because the method used for detection can be adapted as needed. What matters is AT&T willingness to enforce the term.
 
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