So how do you justify to your self stealing?

[Moyank24]

Sounds like a guilty conscious to me. Tell me you called ATT and told them that you are tethering with out paying them and its wrong for them to charge for it. If you cant do that, then your stealing because you know its wrong.

I have called AT&T every time my signal has been so crappy I haven't been able to make phone calls. I've also called them every time 3G has been rendered unusable for some reason or another.

I'm still waiting for them to credit my account.

I switched to AT&T from Verizon when the original iPhone came out. They've been stealing from me for years, and believe me, they don't care.

Why should we?

And by the way, I'm not jailbroken. But if I was, I wouldn't feel bad about using the UNLIMITED data I pay for however I want.

 

[macsimo]

It is supposed to be "mobile broadband"! If everybody and their uncle decides to "tether" simply because they "paid" for it, we can say goodbye to mobile broadband. Did anybody ever consider that people who indeed are tethering are putting additional strain on an already overtaxed mobile network. Many people are using tethering as a way to replace their home based (cable,DSL, whatever). A laptop uses a lot more data than a mobile phone or iPad. Limiting tethering protects the integrity of the "mobile broadband" network. It is in the best interests of all subscribers. Not the selfish few!

 

[silentbob007]

I did not tether when I had unlimited because I couldn't ethically justify it as it would lead to more use. Now that I'm on a fixed MB plan per month, I can justify it ... if I'm paying specifically for that amount of MB, then I can use them however I want and if I go over, I have to pay more. Makes sense to me.

 

[NT1440]

If your not paying ATT for tethering your stealing. They do offer it as a service so its there for you if you really need it. I have not seen any one say how they are different stealing cable or

If you want to use the cable analogy: You pay for the service, unlimited service. You are more than allowed to use a splitter in your house to run into any device you want.

In the case of the phone, you're already paying for unlimited data, with tethering you actually get to use it how you want.

 

[Ca$hflow]

It is supposed to be "mobile broadband"! If everybody and their uncle decides to "tether" simply because they "paid" for it, we can say goodbye to mobile broadband. Did anybody ever consider that people who indeed are tethering are putting additional strain on an already overtaxed mobile network. Many people are using tethering as a way to replace their home based (cable,DSL, whatever). A laptop uses a lot more data than a mobile phone or iPad. Limiting tethering protects the integrity of the "mobile broadband" network. It is in the best interests of all subscribers. Not the selfish few!

Here in Canada it's free. Everyone and there uncle is tethering here and our infrastructure hasn't imploded or the integrity of the "mobile broadband" network failed. I think you've been listening to too many cell phone lobbyists.

 

[chembox]

I pay $30 a month for unlimited 3G access, which adds up to $360/year, which is more than the cost of the phone itself. If the monthly charge was only $5/month, I couldn't justify tethering, but $30/month just for internet ONLY on a phone? No thanks!

 

[Moyank24]

It is supposed to be "mobile broadband"! If everybody and their uncle decides to "tether" simply because they "paid" for it, we can say goodbye to mobile broadband. Did anybody ever consider that people who indeed are tethering are putting additional strain on an already overtaxed mobile network. Many people are using tethering as a way to replace their home based (cable,DSL, whatever). A laptop uses a lot more data than a mobile phone or iPad. Limiting tethering protects the integrity of the "mobile broadband" network. It is in the best interests of all subscribers. Not the selfish few!

Maybe some of our friends in the countries where they have providers that allow them to tether at no extra cost can provide some insight into the integrity of their mobile broadband network.

 

[Ca$hflow]

If you want to use the cable analogy: You pay for the service, unlimited service. You are more than allowed to use a splitter in your house to run into any device you want.

In the case of the phone, you're already paying for unlimited data, with tethering you actually get to use it how you want.

+1, man does AT&T have you in their back pocket. You guys really need some competition there. Here in canada we have 4 cell phone providers offering the iphone. All with tethering for free. Talk about getting the shaft.

 

[someguy]

I think it's easier (as far as ones conscience is concerned) to steal something you can't see or hold in your hand.

Most of us would never steal an iPhone from an Apple store, but many of us (myself included) would hack the phone in any way possible if it meant saving money on our monthly statements, or adding a very nice feature to the phone that isn't available otherwise without paying an additional fee.

For example, I don't have an iPhone, but I do have an EVO on the Sprint network which I've rooted so that I can have wifi tethering without having to give Sprint another $30 a month.

Is that stealing? Perhaps, depending on how you look at it. But what is stolen exactly? I already pay for unlimited data. I didn't steal their software from them, I'm using different software that happens to provide similar functionality. I simply had to modify my phone, at the cost of its warranty, so that I could use software provided by a third party.

Is it wrong? Maybe. Do I lose sleep over it? Most certainly not. Everyone has to draw the line somewhere. I consider myself a good person, and I don't imagine many would look down on me for the confession above. If so, that's their right, but I don't wish to be preached to about it. I make my own decisions, and if they were to result in a negative consequence of some sort, that'd be my burden to bear.

Though I ain't counting on it!

 

[F123D]

I'm jailbroken but I don't tether. But let's say you signed up for unlimited internet service at home and you decided you wanted a wireless router. Well the cable company says, sure, but we'll have to charge you an additional $20 a month for using a wireless router. And oh yeah, we're capping your data so you no longer have unlimited as well.. Enjoy!

 

[ozzyman500]

Sounds like a guilty conscious to me. Tell me you called ATT and told them that you are tethering with out paying them and its wrong for them to charge for it. If you cant do that, then your stealing because you know its wrong.

I don't steal tethering. I used to download apps but I don't anymore and pay for all of them. I used to download music but because of my conscious I stopped and couldn't feel better about it. Sure I don't get more exposure to music, that kind of sucks but there is a lot of free sources out there. I have a pretty good legal library as it is. So there are still some honest people out there.

The only thing I do is go 10 or 20 mph over the speed limit sometimes...damn led foot.

 

[kas23]

Just because there are "laws" stating AT&T can charge more for tethering doesn't mean it is right. It just means they are in the position of power to dictate the terms of the contract. This is because they have deeper pockets and pay lobbyists more than average Joe can. Still doesn't mean it is right. There are many examples of laws that were informed by our govt that were wrong. So, my point is, u cannot just think concretely and say "it's against the law, I can't do it". You need to use your brain to interpret these laws.

So, in the case of tethering. What exactly is one stealing if you tether? You already pay the bandwidth. It's all the same data. How different is it if I use 5 GB on my iPhone than 5 GB while tethering? What am I stealing? From their end, can AT&T even detect I'm using their bandwidth any differently? Is it costing them any more money or resources? So, what am I taking or stealing?

 

[ddavid]

When you pay for unlimited data, you should be able to use that data however you see fit.

Simply put, how does AT&T justify stealing from subscribers?

It's not like stealing cable, because it isn't stealing if you're paying for it!

This is EXACTLY the same argument that people use at an all-you-can-eat buffet when they are caught filling their purse and trench coat with lobster and chicken wings.

Discuss...

 

[dccorona]

Very off topic, but why order a large pizza, if you knew you woudlnt finish it :/

Guess thats Americans

pay $5 for a 4 slice pizza twice, or pay $8 for an 8 slice pizza once, take half home, and eat it later...which sounds cheaper to you?

 

[samcraig]

think of it like buying a pizza.
so you go into to att pizzeria, and you buy a large pizza, one that you could never eat by yourself.
so you eat a few slices while your there, but you don't want this pizza to go to waste. You ask for a box, but your server informs you that large pizza's aren't allowed to be taken to go. only small, or medium pies are allowed to leave the pizzeria.
you're like, WTF! i just paid for this large pizza that i could never finish by myself! so you just leave with it. you already paid for it, it's yours why can't you bring it home, to eat with friends and family?

kinda crappy analogy. but it's kinda the same thing.
we just want to eat our large pizza with more than one plate.....

It's an analogy that is not on par with the issue. A single pizza is still finite. You paid for something that has an end

In the case of unlimited data - you are paying for something with an end,so to speak.

For a server to deny you access to the rest of the finite pizza you ordered would be completely wrong.

A better analogy - you're at an all you can eat buffet. You pay... and fill up. But then you start loading bags to take home. The server stops you. Why? Because what you paid for is all you can eat THERE - not all you can eat whenever and wherever.

You are paying for internet on one device. As soon as you tether - you are now availing the internet to more than one device.

Justify it all you want - if you do that outside of any means set up by your provider - you are stealing.

There's nothing to debate. And it doesn't matter what you THINK you are entitled to. It's against the T&C you signed/agreed to when you started service.

 

[PNutts]

I understand that Ill get attacked for this but Im reading all these ways to tether for free, jailbreak for this or that.

Yes, this is often the wrong forum for common sense. Some people grow out of the behavior, some don't get caught, and others end up with penalties that outweigh what they got.

 

[pdqgp]

So flame away and justify taking a service like tethering for free when there are people out there that pay for it honestly.

I don't feel compelled to justify anything to anyone but myself. If you choose to do it your way, go for it. Don't worry about how the rest sleep at night. Doesn't affect you in the slightest. I'm on an unlimited data plan and am exercising my right to use every last bit of it how I choose. I'm not stealing what I'm already paying for.

Whether I drive my internet connection to my laptop through my iPhone, start and control my car via wireless or control the thermostat in my house, or even stream music 24x7. I"m paying for it according to my contract. AT&T and Apple can try to stop me from tethering, but I don't see their justification for trying to limit how I'm to use my paid for unlimited data plan.

BTW.....I have been to AT&T and the store knows my phone is Jailbroken and I even showed the guy there how tethering works. He could care less and was in the process of JB'ing his own phone.

You probably enjoying paying your iTunes music bill too. It's your money, enjoy it how you see fit.

 

[vachargerfan]

I am currently not jailbroken and neither do I do tethering. But my question to the OP is how is this any of your business. Worry about what you do and not what others do. People need to mind their own business. I could careless if people decide that they want to do any of this. Too many people try to get involved into things that really they shouldn't even care about. Let people make their own choices and suffer the consequences if they get caught.

 

[JediZenMaster]

Well i suppose since it's sunday this is why the OP is preaching at us. But nonetheless i don't tether anything. But if i did it's my business no one on this board has to justify anything to anyone else on here.

We are all adults and we all make our choices. If someone want's to do this or that then what is it to you OP?. I totally respect your right to post your POV but the last thing this board needs is someone being preachy acting like they are perfect.

 

[TheConfuzed1]

Wait. So was the ISP charing for the Internet sharing or was it Microsoft through Windows 98 that was charing for it?

The ISP would charge for each connection.

They had no way to detect multiple connections for Mac users.

It wasn't until Windows 98 SE came along, that the ISP couldn't detect multiple connections for Windows users.

 

[IBradMac]

I don't need to justify it to anyone here. I simply do not care.

 

[samcraig]

I am currently not jailbroken and neither do I do tethering. But my question to the OP is how is this any of your business. Worry about what you do and not what others do. People need to mind their own business. I could careless if people decide that they want to do any of this. Too many people try to get involved into things that really they shouldn't even care about. Let people make their own choices and suffer the consequences if they get caught.

Wrong. There's a ripple effect for everyone. ATT's pipeline is not infinite. And if you are abusing your data it affects other users. And if everyone abused it - it would be even worse. But no doubt you would then blame ATT for not providing better service.

The same people who do whatever they want are also the loudest/most obnoxious when they DO get caught and then they try to come here and justify it like they are doing now.

But I agree - do what you want. But a) don't come on here and brag about breaking T&C's and b) when you get caught - shut the you know what up. You have no basis to complain.

 

[vachargerfan]

Wrong. There's a ripple effect for everyone. ATT's pipeline is not infinite. And if you are abusing your data it affects other users. And if everyone abused it - it would be even worse. But no doubt you would then blame ATT for not providing better service.

Yeah, cause I am sure the 5% or what ever of the iphone community really actually does this. A good majority of these phones are used as is and box stock. MacRumors doesn't mean that every single iphone users comes here to learn about jailbreaking/hard core tethering.

The same people who do whatever they want are also the loudest/most obnoxious when they DO get caught and then they try to come here and justify it like they are doing now.

But I agree - do what you want. But a) don't come on here and brag about breaking T&C's and b) when you get caught - shut the you know what up. You have no basis to complain.

And those are the ones that never get sympathy from the board. If someone came in and said they were getting sued by AT&T for doing this, I bet 90% of the board would say that it sucks, but they also knew the rules. I just think the OP needs to worry about himself and not what others do. These are the type of people that take things to the extreme and try to get BS laws (in general) approved because of things they don't like. Let people do what they want to do and stop worrying about what people choose to do. He/she isn't the general populations mother

 

[samcraig]

These are the type of people that take things to the extreme and try to get BS laws (in general) approved because of things they don't like. Let people do what they want to do and stop worrying about what people choose to do. He/she isn't the general populations mother

Ok fair enough. But that goes both ways. He chooses to care. You choose not to care. He has a right to express his opinion. You have your right to express your opinion. Stop worrying about what he thinks and what he posts

 

[Lamarak]

A lot of you asked why I care? Ill answer.. I pay for the tethering because I signed an agreement with ATT to use their service. I know I could jailbreak my phone and get it for free but its wrong. Because you can get away with it, doesnt make it right nor is the argument that everyone else does it.

No where in the agreement that all of you signed does it say that if you dont agree to these terms, go ahead and do what you want because you feel that your being wronged.

I was just curious how you all justified it and it seems to come down to a couple of things.

1. Att is evil, and though I signed a terms and conditions, I am above those because you should see things my way so I have the right to change my contract with you however I feel.

2. That I should mind my own business because I have no right to complain because of whatever reason that doesnt make you look bad.

This is a forum for discussions and not all of them have to be happy ones.

I'd sure like to know how many of you are owners of business that requires a contract to be followed for you to be successful look at this.