The CEO's assistant from AT&T contacted me

[scaredpoet]

I often ask myself the same question. With free HotSpots readily available in so many locations, it makes tethering all but obsolete.

Not at all. While it's true that in heavily populated areas, there might plenty of hotspots out there, I've found that this isn't' the case in even some mid-tier cities and less-populated inland areas, where hotspots are harder to come by. And where they do exist isn't always convenient. Starbucks isn't always the best place to get work done.

Then there are situations where airports may or may not offer free WiFi. If they don't, they tend to offer wifi at a price that can equal or exceed the cost of a monthly wireless data plan. And if they do offer free wifi, it tends to be so overcrowded by other users that it's nearly unusable. The same can be true for busy coffee shops and other locations.

Quite a few hotels are also stingy. I've been to Hiltons, Westins and Marriotts that all charge upwards of $10-$15 per day for their hotel WiFi... and it tends to not be very good WiFi, chronically slow and overcrowded, making it not worth the expense. Ironically, it's the cheaper hotels that seem to offer free wifi, though even they are starting to get greedy.

I will gladly use free Wifi when it's available, but you'd be surprised sometimes at the locations where it doesn't exist. For those reasons, given the work I do and the need for internet access, tethering is a necessity for me.

Then again: I pay for tethering. I have the wireless hotspot plan on my account. Before that, I had a USB data card and a cradle point WiFi router, but the tethering option turned out to be cheaper.

 

[ixodes]

Not at all. While it's true that in heavily populated areas, there might plenty of hotspots out there, I've found that this isn't' the case in even some mid-tier cities and less-populated inland areas, where hotspots are harder to come by. And where they do exist isn't always convenient. Starbucks isn't always the best place to get work done.

Then there are situations where airports may or may not offer free WiFi. If they don't, they tend to offer wifi at a price that can equal or exceed the cost of a monthly wireless data plan. And if they do offer free wifi, it tends to be so overcrowded by other users that it's nearly unusable. The same can be true for busy coffee shops and other locations.

Quite a few hotels are also stingy. I've been to Hiltons, Westins and Marriotts that all charge upwards of $10-$15 per day for their hotel WiFi... and it tends to not be very good WiFi, chronically slow and overcrowded, making it not worth the expense. Ironically, it's the cheaper hotels that seem to offer free wifi, though even they are starting to get greedy.

I will gladly use free Wifi when it's available, but you'd be surprised sometimes at the locations where it doesn't exist. For those reasons, given the work I do and the need for internet access, tethering is a necessity for me.

Then again: I pay for tethering. I have the wireless hotspot plan on my account. Before that, I had a USB data card and a cradle point WiFi router, but the tethering option turned out to be cheaper.

Points well taken. I too have frequented Westins, The W, and other high end hotels that charge heavily.

 

[cynics]

I have a 4g tablet I keep in my vehicle set up for a wifi hotspot since I drive around all day.

I get amazing download speeds, I can talk and use data (can't do that on Verizon iPhone) . It also saves the battery.

My tablets data plan includes hotspot so it's not against any rules. But I could see the usefulness of tethering.

I mean come on I go from .3 mbs down 3g to 25-60 mbs down LTE. Plus mobile FaceTime? What's not to love?

 

[sk1wbw]

I don't understand why AT&T gets to decide how you use data chunks that you paid for. What's next, Michelin saying you have to pay more for tires if your drive to another state?

I have been arguing this point for the longest time. Using data on one device is the same as using it on another. It's still data being transmitted OTA via the cellular network. What difference does it make if that data is going to a phone or a computer?

 

[Mac2012]

Ok youngster. I'll bite.
Please show me proof of your FACT that over 3GB is ....

I'd also like to see your proof that the OP is using torrents over tethering on his iPhone. Otherwise, my statement that you are merely assuming is correct.

Also, to let you know, you can stream video over your 3G connection as well. This uses bandwidth but does not require tethering, torrenting, email, texting, etc. Just normal web streaming.

So please, prove to everyone that you're not making assumptions and that you do truly have facts.

It doesn't apply to me... your the one getting throttled, don't get all mad at me I might get reactive.

 

[sweetbrat]

It doesn't apply to me... your the one getting throttled, don't get all mad at me I might get reactive.

No one mentioned throttling at all...You seem to be confusing throttling with tethering. The OP stated that he/she was warned about tethering before and stopped doing it. Now he/she is being accused of it again. It has nothing to do with throttling.

Lots of people use 3GB or more per month on their phones. I'm not one of them, but I know people that do. It's usually because they're streaming content, which is a completely reasonable thing to do. It doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal or against their contract.

Don't accuse people of things unless you have proof, or at the very least understand what you're talking about.

 

[sjinsjca]

I stopped tethering completely (removed all tethering apps). I don't want justice. I just don't want them changing my plan without my authorization.

Well-lll... you kinda broke your original contract when you tethered "without authorization." It's not quite clear whose side justice falls on in this case. Meanwhile you seem to be getting the best possible attention and consideration. I'd advise to just let events roll as they may at this point. Be sure to ask for the details of that audit when it's complete-- that might be informative.

 

[terraphantm]

They will make you pay more, you DL torrents all day and you don't like to pay for anything so your burnt... get over it! Time to pay the piper he he!

----------


You must be ghetto too... now THAT"S silly he he... ghetto boy... hilarious.

Just PAY FOR IT!

----------


FACT: over 3 GB a month is serious bandwidth for emails and getting information off the net for a CELL PHONE DATA PLAN! The ONLY time you go over is DL'ing and streaming content period! Your one of those data hogs KIDS I can tell.

What's wrong with streaming data? AT&T allows us to do things like watch netflix on standard plans. I went to 3GB in just a couple days when using my iPhone to watch some tv shows while on vacation. I could conceivably use a lot more data watching Netflix or using FaceTime than I would if I just used tethering to browse a few news sites from my laptop.

 

[Mac2012]

No one mentioned throttling at all...You seem to be confusing throttling with tethering. The OP stated that he/she was warned about tethering before and stopped doing it. Now he/she is being accused of it again. It has nothing to do with throttling.

Lots of people use 3GB or more per month on their phones. I'm not one of them, but I know people that do. It's usually because they're streaming content, which is a completely reasonable thing to do. It doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal or against their contract.

Don't accuse people of things unless you have proof, or at the very least understand what you're talking about.

Okay...
I have 32 GB's on my phone to EASILY have A/V UNCOMPRESSED high quality content.. why go to the net?
Because people don't want to BUY the content in uncompressed format and rip it their devices so the networks suffer... and so do the users who have to deal with the stalls etc. because some DORK can't have the mentality to rip his purchased content to his phone. Your pissin' in the wind here.

 

[Jedii]

I often ask myself the same question. With free HotSpots readily available in so many locations, it makes tethering all but obsolete.

Perhaps the tethering argument simply fulfills some peoples love of complaining.

i know there is a lot of rural areas in the US, so this may be useful in this.

 

[scaredpoet]

I have been arguing this point for the longest time. Using data on one device is the same as using it on another. It's still data being transmitted OTA via the cellular network. What difference does it make if that data is going to a phone or a computer?

The difference (I'm US carrier logic, anyway) is that a full fledged laptop or desktop is by design more likely to suck more data than if you stuck to just using your smartphone.

That used to be true, and sort-of still is, but the gap is definitely closing.

Anyway, it's pretty hypocritical that carriers like Verizon and AT&T sell devices that are inherently data intensive, and then limit the data plans because "OMG THESE DEVICES ARE RUINING OUR NETWORK." If they are that detrimental - if the network really can't handle that many iPhones - then AT&T shouldn't be selling and activating them, plain and simple.

The idea that higher cost is a barrier to higher usage totally breaks down when you kinda don't have a choice anymore. If I'm paying more for data, guess what? I'm gonna make sure that I wring out every last byte I'm "allowed" to each month. I actually used less data on the unlimited plan because I viewed it as a flat fee for just using data. But when I got limited on the newer plan when I switched for hotspot purposes, well... I'm paying for 4GB, and I'm gonna use 4GB because that's why I paid for.

 

[sk1wbw]

The difference (I'm US carrier logic, anyway) is that a full fledged laptop or desktop is by design more likely to suck more data than if you stuck to just using your smartphone.

That used to be true, and sort-of still is, but the gap is definitely closing.

Anyway, it's pretty hypocritical that carriers like Verizon and AT&T sell devices that are inherently data intensive, and then limit the data plans because "OMG THESE DEVICES ARE RUINING OUR NETWORK." If they are that detrimental - if the network really can't handle that many iPhones - then AT&T shouldn't be selling and activating them, plain and simple.

The idea that higher cost is a barrier to higher usage totally breaks down when you kinda don't have a choice anymore. If I'm paying more for data, guess what? I'm gonna make sure that I wring out every last byte I'm "allowed" to each month. I actually used less data on the unlimited plan because I viewed it as a flat fee for just using data. But when I got limited on the newer plan when I switched for hotspot purposes, well... I'm paying for 4GB, and I'm gonna use 4GB because that's why I paid for.

I guess if people believe that a laptop, with a bigger screen, can somehow push more data through a set bandwidth than a phone can, you are right.

 

[scaredpoet]

I guess if people believe that a laptop, with a bigger screen, can somehow push more data through a set bandwidth than a phone can, you are right.

It's not just about screen size.

And I for one definitely use more data on my desktops and laptops than I do on my iPhone 4S and iPad.

 

[H2K03]

OP can I get the email address I need to complain about my account being throttled.

Email to your heart's content:

randall.stephenson@att.com


I haven't received a call back as promised as of yet. They must be trying to do the audit. FWIW, I only average 1.8GB/month for the last 8 months so I'm not even a heavy user. Even when I was tethering the highest I ever went was 3.5GB in a month. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens

 

[sweetbrat]

Okay...
I have 32 GB's on my phone to EASILY have A/V UNCOMPRESSED high quality content.. why go to the net?
Because people don't want to BUY the content in uncompressed format and rip it their devices so the networks suffer... and so do the users who have to deal with the stalls etc. because some DORK can't have the mentality to rip his purchased content to his phone. Your pissin' in the wind here.

The OP says he's not tethering, so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Just because your 32GB phone is enough for you doesn't mean it is for everyone. I know a lot of people that would rather fill their phone with apps and stream content than to carry around their whole music library or movies. Streaming content is perfectly admissible under people's data plans. Tethering isn't. They're two separate things. If people streaming data bothers you, that's your own issue. It's their data; they pay for it; they can use it for streaming. How is it hurting you? You seem to have taken personal offense to this, and I can't understand why.

 

[PharmDoc]

Email to your heart's content:

randall.stephenson@att.com


I haven't received a call back as promised as of yet. They must be trying to do the audit. FWIW, I only average 1.8GB/month for the last 8 months so I'm not even a heavy user. Even when I was tethering the highest I ever went was 3.5GB in a month. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens

It's great that you did this. I emailed him last week about not unlocking the iphone for international use even though Sprint and Verizon do. Maybe if more people do this, they can get an actual idea of what their customers want and try to better meet their needs.

 

[testcard]

Why are americans so obsessed with Tethering?

...and what the hell is "grandfathering"?

 

[Jedii]

...and what the hell is "grandfathering"?

I THINK... it's a shared tariff?