So which cellular company let's you tether for free? NONE so at&t is going after people who are and are not paying for the feature and this is somehow wrong?
Yes it is wrong. Just because everyone else does it doesn't make it right.
The feature is "internet access" (aka data plan).
Tethering is not and should not be a "feature".
What if every (no exceptions) gas station charges you an extra 10 cents a gallon for gas if your car has four seats instead of two? What if your electric utility charges you more for the same amount of electricity used for TV vs cooking?
Hey, you signed an agreement. The same kilowatt of electricity to the TV put more "stress" on their network. That same gallon of gasoline put more "stress" on their infrastructure.
You may not think this is a reasonable analogy. But it is. Tethering is something artifical that is completely made up. They're charging me for nothing. For a "feature" with a name. Like that extra 10 cents a gallon. It's just a made up charge for cars with four seats. I am already paying for bandwidth. It's none of their business how my phone uses it. I'm already paying for gasoline, it's none of their business how my car uses it. I'm already paying for electricity, its none of their business how my house uses it.
I'm sure you are also one of the first to complain the network has issues and is slow they should do something, but God forbid they charge for the extra data and.stress that tethering puts nonna network and actually A. Make a profit.as a company does and B. Use that money to continue to upgrade their network.
I am sure you are also one of the first to complain that consumers have issues and want to do something, but God forbid customers should want to save money for something that puts no additional stress on the network and actually A. Save money as a customer does and B. pay a fair amount for the data they use so the company can continue to provide service.
Newsflash for you: it is in my best interest as a customer for AT&T to be profitable so they can continue to provide service.
Just be honest about what I'm paying for and charge me a fair price. None of this deceptive "tethering" nonsense.
You all seem to forget its a privilege to use their network not your RIGHT. stop feeling entitled to.something that you don't deserve
You all seem to forget its a privilege to have me as a customer not your RIGHT. Stop feeling entitled to charge for something artificial you made up that costs you nothing to deliver.
Also: I do deserve tethering. I am paying for data on my phone.
Please answer this question:
Which of the following puts more stress on the network?
1. My phone sending a 1 kilobyte packet to the nearest cell tower.
2. My phone sending a 1 kilobyte packet to the nearest cell tower.
(Note that in the case of number 1 the packet came from my mobile browser, and number 2 the packet came from my laptop browser connected to my phone.)
Which packet was more "stress" on AT&T's network?
Which packet cost AT&T more to route?
There is a reason public utilities are heavily regulated. It is because of nonsense like this tethering. Just because you have no choice but to agree to an unconscionable contract does not make it right. Consumers can and will fight this. And make no mistake it is our right to do so.
As your last sentence said, I'll repeat it right back to you (and AT&T):
stop feeling entitled to.something that you don't deserve