The "Tether Police" Are Coming

[DaNaRkI]

I would think that if purple have a phonw that can hotspot and be as fast as their dsl our cable they would cancel their isp and make it work with their phone. Especially of they live in areas where dsl doesnt reach and cable costs an arm and a leg.

Thats kinda the opposite of what I was referring to... I will admit I did poorly in collecting and expressing my thought, so I'll try to fix that now.

My earlier mention of the capabilities of DSL/Cable was in reference to their network speeds, and that the cell phone data speeds are reaching those. Yet ISP's don't make their customers count data usage. Because, it became more practical to restrict how much stress any one person can possibly put on system, then letting them us up as much bandwidth as possible and hope no one else comes along also trying to use data.

Personally, for my uses on a phone I don't really need a whole lot faster of a network then now. A little faster yes, but I've got no use for double digit speeds on my phone. If you need faster speeds and a wireless connection they sell devices specifly for that, and they are not phones

 

[gzrecoil]

No offense, but YOU are the type of customer that is causing these issues, tether or not. You should pay a lot more than the average person for hogging that much bandwith

You listen to the 100.3 too much in the car on your way to work. We have to charge you overage fees for listening to too much radio. Are you serious? It's still radio, just a different type of bandwidth. 5GB is NOT A LOT AT ALL! What AT&T is doing is restricting the growth of technology and halting development due to slow networks. Instead of expanding their network with faster speeds and larger backhauls, they impose strict limits which ultimate cripple US. If this merger goes through AT&T and the US better not be buddy buddy, I want to see some very harsh restrictions placed on AT&T.

 

[skramblr]

On the original note about AT&T being crooks, i totally agree. They cap the access at 2Gb of data - so the whole heavy user discussion is mute (will diminish over time as new contracts go into place). They now cap the amount of data and heavy users will pay extra.

The bigger discussion is why are they double-charging us for data we already bought. I pay for 2Gb of data. If I am in a remote area and want to tether to check my email - and I'm under my 2Gb limit - why should they be forcing me to sign up for an additional $45 monthly charge? They even purposely cripple this built in feature (spending money to modify the OS to bilk the customers).

In my opinion, that's why I think they are crooks.

BTW - only reason I am on AT&T is because only thier phones seem to get reception where I work. So I'm stuck.

 

[2manyPHONES]

On the original note about AT&T being crooks, i totally agree. They cap the access at 2Gb of data - so the whole heavy user discussion is mute (will diminish over time as new contracts go into place). They now cap the amount of data and heavy users will pay extra.

The bigger discussion is why are they double-charging us for data we already bought. I pay for 2Gb of data. If I am in a remote area and want to tether to check my email - and I'm under my 2Gb limit - why should they be forcing me to sign up for an additional $45 monthly charge? They even purposely cripple this built in feature (spending money to modify the OS to bilk the customers).

In my opinion, that's why I think they are crooks.

BTW - only reason I am on AT&T is because only thier phones seem to get reception where I work. So I'm stuck.

From what I have read its not an extra $45 on top of the $25 you pay now for your 2gb plan, that $45 becomes your new plan ($25 for your original 2gig plan + $20 for the 2gig "tethering plan")

 

[PSkeptic]

@PSkeptic - Thanks for pointlessly restating something already covered by someone who did a much better job telling us WHY. Also thanks for wasting space in fully quoting me.
As I said in the very first sentence, It's been a Long long time since I had anything to do with networking.

Well, thanks for pointless adding your extra 512 bytes of wasted space then right here. For someone worried about "wasted space" on a forum, you sure seemed hellbent on doing some "wasting" of your own.

If it's been a long time since you did anything with networking, may I suggest you not comment on networking related topics with complete nonsense and garbage. kthanxbai.

 

[fldude99]

On the original note about AT&T being crooks, i totally agree. They cap the access at 2Gb of data - so the whole heavy user discussion is mute (will diminish over time as new contracts go into place). They now cap the amount of data and heavy users will pay extra.

The bigger discussion is why are they double-charging us for data we already bought. I pay for 2Gb of data. If I am in a remote area and want to tether to check my email - and I'm under my 2Gb limit - why should they be forcing me to sign up for an additional $45 monthly charge? They even purposely cripple this built in feature (spending money to modify the OS to bilk the customers).

In my opinion, that's why I think they are crooks.

BTW - only reason I am on AT&T is because only thier phones seem to get reception where I work. So I'm stuck.

I'm a layman, but my definition of "crook" is someone/entity doing something illegal. ATT is not doing anything illegal...nasty maybe but not illegal-until it is shown to be.

 

[fldude99]

From what I have read its not an extra $45 on top of the $25 you pay now for your 2gb plan, that $45 becomes your new plan ($25 for your original 2gig plan + $20 for the 2gig "tethering plan")

True...so essentially they are "pre-charging" those extra 2GB-used or not used. Why not charge $10/gb over the 2GB as used? Because they can

 

[skramblr]

I'm a layman, but my definition of "crook" is someone/entity doing something illegal. ATT is not doing anything illegal...nasty maybe but not illegal-until it is shown to be.

"Crook" may have been too strong of a word. Maybe words like 'unethical' or 'shady' are better...

What's next? Charging us for using Google Maps instead of AT&T navigator?

Note: Sorry if I come across as argumentative. I'm just really disappointed in AT&T's practices.

 

[mnemonicj]

No offense, but YOU are the type of customer that is causing these issues, tether or not. You should pay a lot more than the average person for hogging that much bandwith

You are completely misinformed. How is it considered hogging bandwidth if a customer uses less than the maximum amount? The person using the bandwidth they are allocated is not a hog, they are just using what they have paid for and would be considered a smarter consumer because they pay less per GB than most consumers. If you pay $30 a month for 5GB of data, why can't you use all of it without ignorant people calling you a bandwidth hog?

I am not trying to be a jerk, I just hate the idea that AT&T thinks that everyone should pay for 5GB and use less than 1GB. I have AT&T UVerse and they just announced to the media that they will be limiting all users to 250GB a month. I have had UVerse for 3 years with Unlimited usage and now I get to pay the same amount for 250 GB. Now, I know the naysayers are going to say "250GB is enough for everyone" and they would be wrong. It may be enough for 95% of people today, but the cap won't go up when the average data user uses more. I will easily go through 250GB in one month. I have 6 computers at my house, use Netflix streaming all of the time, and use an online backup service that I have almost 400GB backed up to and family members back up to my computer.

Don't ever side with AT&T or they will take advantage of it.

 

[fldude99]

^^^yea..I realized his post said 5GB, for some reason I saw 50...old eyes I guess. Bottom line is the corporation will try to get away with whatever they can, when they can..I agree with that.

 

[DaNaRkI]

I'm gonna be a lil nit picky here, so bare with me...

You are completely misinformed. How is it considered hogging bandwidth if a customer uses less than the maximum amount? The person using the bandwidth they are allocated is not a hog, they are just using what they have paid for and would be considered a smarter consumer because they pay less per GB than most consumers. If you pay $30 a month for 5GB of data, why can't you use all of it without ignorant people calling you a bandwidth hog?

First lets read one or both of these links to get the terminology correct.
the "#2" definition or Wikipedia - Bandwidth (computing)

Given that right now the system in place is, in a sense an all you can eat buffet of "bandwidth"; every phone tries to establish the fastest possible speed physically achievable. So it's very easy to be called "bandwidth hog" since in fact every person is being one. There is only so much bandwidth available due to the limits of the old 3G systems. Since every phone is competing for the rather small amount available the more data any one person is transferring (and thus amount of time that they are using all available bandwidth) the less there is for everyone else. Think back to when high speed internet for homes was just starting and how everyone noticed slow down during "peak hours." Same thing here, just that the wireless system is much weaker so the results are much more noticeable. So the companies (AT&T) try to scare us into not taxing the system with a data use (2GB) "limit" and an extra fine for ignoring that limit. This is also why we all don't have HSPA+, AT&Ts wireless "backbone" is not strong enough yet.

Something to keep in mind: 3G came out in 2001, our current wave of smartphones started coming out in 2007/2008 and have gotten much more internet/data intensive as they've developed.

Also, "data" is nothing, fake, artificial. We made data out of nothing, it is an unlimited resource. So you can't compare this to water or electricity as they are something real and we currently have a limited means of obtaining such. The real problem here relates to what I said back in post 44 (and 51 to clarify) which is SPEED. When the whole wireless system is fast enough will the companies still care if you are loading a tiny mobile web site or a huge desktop one?

Who here is paying for a 2MB/s wireless phone connection via AT&T, and who is paying for a 7MB/s wireless phone connection via AT&T, and who is paying for a 14MB/s wireless phone connection? hmm..? thats right no body is. We pay to access the data channels, your speed is up to nature and luck. Now how many ppl here can without hesitation tell me what there home internet connection is? Ah... thats right everyone, be it 56k to 20Mb or more.

Lastly, companies have a tendency to do just about anything they want, this is why we have laws to prevent them from doing some really ridiculous things (ie child labor, minimum wage, etc, etc, etc).

 

[evilbastard]

Yep this reminds of of texting. Texting costs carriers virtually nothing, and on att unlimited texting is $20 while 2gb of data is $25. That doesn't seem right.

If I understand correctly on how text messaging works, there are always packets that get transmitted to and from a cellular phone to the towers. There is a gap of 140 characters that used to be filled with spaces. Some one figured out that it could be used to send short messages. So they decided to charge us to replace the spaces with other characters.

Mind you this isn't a guaranteed message delivery system. If you send to a valid phone number, the money you pay doesn't guarantee the message will be delivered.

 

[mnemonicj]

i'm gonna be a lil nit picky here, so bare with me...

First lets read one or both of these links to get the terminology correct.
the "#2" definition or wikipedia - bandwidth (computing)

given that right now the system in place is, in a sense an all you can eat buffet of "bandwidth"; every phone tries to establish the fastest possible speed physically achievable. So it's very easy to be called "bandwidth hog" since in fact every person is being one. There is only so much bandwidth available due to the limits of the old 3g systems. Since every phone is competing for the rather small amount available the more data any one person is transferring (and thus amount of time that they are using all available bandwidth) the less there is for everyone else. Think back to when high speed internet for homes was just starting and how everyone noticed slow down during "peak hours." same thing here, just that the wireless system is much weaker so the results are much more noticeable. So the companies (at&t) try to scare us into not taxing the system with a data use (2gb) "limit" and an extra fine for ignoring that limit. This is also why we all don't have hspa+, at&ts wireless "backbone" is not strong enough yet.

Something to keep in mind: 3g came out in 2001, our current wave of smartphones started coming out in 2007/2008 and have gotten much more internet/data intensive as they've developed.

Also, "data" is nothing, fake, artificial. We made data out of nothing, it is an unlimited resource. So you can't compare this to water or electricity as they are something real and we currently have a limited means of obtaining such. The real problem here relates to what i said back in post 44 (and 51 to clarify) which is speed. When the whole wireless system is fast enough will the companies still care if you are loading a tiny mobile web site or a huge desktop one?

Who here is paying for a 2mb/s wireless phone connection via at&t, and who is paying for a 7mb/s wireless phone connection via at&t, and who is paying for a 14mb/s wireless phone connection? Hmm..? Thats right no body is. We pay to access the data channels, your speed is up to nature and luck. Now how many ppl here can without hesitation tell me what there home internet connection is? Ah... Thats right everyone, be it 56k to 20mb or more.

Lastly, companies have a tendency to do just about anything they want, this is why we have laws to prevent them from doing some really ridiculous things (ie child labor, minimum wage, etc, etc, etc).

tl;dr

 

[fldude99]

^^^huh?

 

[wretchedhorror]

Just by reading every single post on this thread for the last half hour,
it is safe to say that i will stay on my custom rom so that att cannot see if i am tethering or not.

I dont tether personally but like someone else stated, what if theres a power outage or i am traveling and need access.

 

[fldude99]

Just by reading every single post on this thread for the last half hour,
it is safe to say that i will stay on my custom rom so that att cannot see if i am tethering or not.

I dont tether personally but like someone else stated, what if theres a power outage or i am traveling and need access.

The problem with a power outage is that unless you have spare batteries, or a generator to charge your phone with, you won't be able to tether very long anyway

 

[wretchedhorror]

great point

 

[2manyPHONES]

The problem with a power outage is that unless you have spare batteries, or a generator to charge your phone with, you won't be able to tether very long anyway

i have all kinds of outlets in my car. so charging is no problem but im sure att will come up with a premium usage fee for using your phone during a power outage

 

[fldude99]

i have all kinds of outlets in my car. so charging is no problem but im sure att will come up with a premium usage fee for using your phone during a power outage

That's a cynical comment at best...stupid at the least...from personal experience living thru a few post 'cane outages, the operators (ATT, Verizon, Sprint, etc) really step up to the plate...think Katrina, Ivan, Wilma...disaster in Haiti..etc...from calls to data to handing out devices to affected folks. Other thing to consider is if you can't gas your car the battery will last only so long

 

[2manyPHONES]

That's a cynical comment at best...stupid at the least...from personal experience living thru a few post 'cane outages, the operators (ATT, Verizon, Sprint, etc) really step up to the plate...think Katrina, Ivan, Wilma...disaster in Haiti..etc...from calls to data to handing out devices to affected folks. Other thing to consider is if you can't gas your car the battery will last only so long

This is why they need a sarcasm font so some people dont take stuff so literally...

Anyway, back on topic is there any more news on this topic? My friend just got a iphone and the first thing he did wasjb and start tethering so probably too soon for att to notice or what?

 

[fldude99]

This is why they need a sarcasm font so some people dont take stuff so literally...

Anyway, back on topic is there any more news on this topic? My friend just got a iphone and the first thing he did wasjb and start tethering so probably too soon for att to notice or what?

Apologies...I would think that the notice to your friend will depend on data use, unless it's true that att can truly detect the data used during tethering

 

[skramblr]

Just by reading every single post on this thread for the last half hour,
it is safe to say that i will stay on my custom rom so that att cannot see if i am tethering or not.

If AT&T is monitoring your phone's bandwidth on their side - how does a custom ROM help? It should make no difference. Custom ROMs should get flagged for tethering as well.

 

[wretchedhorror]

Are we confirmed that custom roms hide that your tethering?

I guess only one way to find out
Live and learn try it myself!

 

[morganwall26]

at least your tethering still works, rogers and samsung are passing the buck to eachother over here in canada and according to the rogers tech the only way i'm going to get native tethering back is to root and install stock android
anyone know how risky rooting and installing a rom are?

 

[fldude99]

at least your tethering still works, rogers and samsung are passing the buck to eachother over here in canada and according to the rogers tech the only way i'm going to get native tethering back is to root and install stock android
anyone know how risky rooting and installing a rom are?

Is Rogers blocking native tethering? You can probably get it by rooting and freezing (with TiBu) whatever process is preventing tether