• AT&T: Stop Using Unauthorized iPhone Tethering or we will auto-subscribe you to tethering
    105 replies, posted
[URL]http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/atandt-tells-customers-using-unauthorized-tethering-methods-to-pay/[/URL] [IMG]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/03/att-mywi-tethering-03-18-2011.jpg[/IMG] [quote]Been using an app like MyWi to enable tethering on your jailbroken iPhone? Then there's a good chance you've already received a message like the one above from AT&T, or perhaps an email like the one after the break. By all accounts, the carrier is now cracking down on all unauthorized tethering, and it's asking folks engaged in such behavior to either pay up for a proper tethering plan or simply stop tethering altogether -- if it doesn't hear anything back for you after sending the message, AT&T says it will automatically enroll you in a DataPro 4GB tethering plan (at a rate of $45 a month). We should note that all the reports we've seen so far are from iPhone users, although that certainly doesn't mean Android users will simply be allowed to slip by unnoticed. Exactly how AT&T is identifying users isn't clear, however, and we could well just be seeing the beginning of a cat and mouse game as folks try to discover workarounds to go undetected. More on this one as we get it. [quote]Dear XXXXXXXX, We've noticed your service plan may need updating. Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones– a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T's mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan. Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan. If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at [url]www.wireless.att.com[/url], or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan: DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering • $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20) • $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed • Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones If we don't hear from you, we'll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan. If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required. It's easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan's threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to [url]www.att.com/dataplans[/url] to learn about other ways to track your data usage. As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan. Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs. Sincerely, AT&T[/quote][/quote]:saddowns:
Have fun paying for using data you've already payed for just because you used it in a specific way.
forcing you too pay for tethering? seriously? now auto-forcing-you-to-pay for tethering? what the fuck AT&T?
Phone company nazis. This is absurd.
Fuck you AT&T
Wait what? This cannot possibly be legal.
How long till the rest of the members of the "phone company oligopoly" catch on and do this too?
You pay for data, but we're going to make you pay more for data to use it in a similar manner! :downs:
[QUOTE=darkrei9n;28729580]Wait what? This cannot possibly be legal.[/QUOTE] Well according to the American legal systems view on contracts and agreements I think it is.
Another reason why I've used Verizon forever.
MAKE WAY! *runs to Verizon store*
[QUOTE=hypno-toad;28729604]How long till the rest of the members of the "phone company oligopoly" catch on and do this too?[/QUOTE] They won't, so AT&T will buy them all. (See T-Mobile)
AT&T the new Bell.
How the fuck does this even work? I mean it's the same type of data being transmitted. Why do they feel that there is a problem with people doing like this?
Glad I never received these messages on my android device. Their 3g network sucks way too much to pay $45 a month for that shit.
Yeah their network sucks, their data cap sucks, their prices suck, their reception sucks, their plans all suck, etc. I'm surprised no one has filed anti-trust suits against them yet.
Undetectable tethering apps GO!
I guess AT&T doesn't want customers anymore. Its like if EA or Valve made you pay 100 dollars for every game you mod.
I fucking hate it how they limit how you use your data allowance like this on UK networks too, I tethered my Sony Ericsson non-smartphone to my computer when I had moved into a new flat and was awaiting connection to cable and used it for a while when suddenly it started redirecting every page to a message telling me I needed to pay extra for tethering...
pls call
Because tethering was obviously their idea first. :rolleye:
[QUOTE=Killuah;28730973]Undetectable tethering apps GO![/QUOTE] I assume they observe the ammount of data you're using per month, or perhaps which kind of data you're requesting (which, in itself, is scary as fuck because that's essentially spying) meaning you can't "hide" your tethering app. [editline]21st March 2011[/editline] [quote]As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan. [/quote] Derp-a-fucking-herp.
Only reason I use AT&T is because it's the only one I can get good service with around here.
[QUOTE=demoguy08;28731878]I assume they observe the ammount of data you're using per month, or perhaps which kind of data you're requesting (which, in itself, is scary as fuck because that's essentially spying) meaning you can't "hide" your tethering app.[/QUOTE] Couldn't you use a secure tunnel? They won't be able to tell whether you are using the VPN software on your smartphone or PC.
[QUOTE=Robber;28731987]Couldn't you use a secure tunnel? They won't be able to tell whether you are using the VPN software on your smartphone or PC.[/QUOTE] IIRC, they can still see that secure tunnel... just nothing being transmitted within it. I think AT&T will raise an eyebrow if they saw a secure tunnel (ssh/vpn) connected to your phone for very long amounts of time. Even if they're seeing that you're getting websites that aren't in a mobile format (from that website, like m.facebook, touch.facebook whatever), that can't even point at suspicion of using tethering. Since thats 100% user agent. [editline]21st March 2011[/editline] It will still be really shady for AT&T to start charging its users an additional $45 a month, just because it feels that they are tethering. Even if they have all the evidence in the world (Such as doing an inventory of installed applications on your smartphone), none of its valid. And can really hurt them if someone figured out that they were essentially spying on their customers.
So you pay for your data, perform a legal operation on your phone, and use the data, then to use it again they say you have to pay again. Doesn't sound exactly legal. [editline]22nd March 2011[/editline] Surely they can't just auto change your plan legally.
Verizon suddenly looks 500% better.
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28732307]IIRC, they can still see that secure tunnel... just nothing being transmitted within it. I think AT&T will raise an eyebrow if they saw a secure tunnel (ssh/vpn) connected to your phone for very long amounts of time.[/QUOTE] Why? There's nothing wrong with using VPN on your phone. Anyway, I'm so glad I live in Europe where we get free tethering everywhere and much cheaper plans. :buddy: (4€/GB, 4c/text, 4c/minute, 0€/month)
Forget American government reform, they need some mobile phone reforms. or maybe both, they're both pretty shit.
[QUOTE=3com111;28733019]Forget American government reform, they need some mobile phone reforms. or maybe both, they're both pretty shit.[/QUOTE] It's really only AT&T that pulls this sort of shit. Kind of like them switching my data plan off of unlimited (Right before the news broke that they were doing away with unlimited data plans) without telling me. $250 phone bill.
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