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I hope Verizon is not going after Tetherers

S

Skang

Well-Known Member
Sad for AT&T users. Hope this does not apply to other carriers.

http://gizmodo.com/#!5783386/att-tells-jailbroken-iphone-tetherers-to-pay-up

Originally Posted by ZDNet
Kyle VanHemert - You think you're a real smooth criminal, don't you, using the Cydia app MyWi to tether your jailbroken iPhone free of charge? Well, it looks like your joy ride might be over. AT&T has apparently been sending MyFi users texts telling them to pay up or fall back:
AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans.
​
Subsequent emails alert unauthorized tetherers that if they continue using the feature without opting for the upgraded plan, AT&T will just go ahead and do it for you:
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 was a good racket while it lasted.
Click to expand...
http://gizmodo.com/#!5783386/att-tells-jailbroken-iphone-tetherers-to-pay-up
 
I saw this as well. I use Easy Tether Pro and I don't transfer large quantities, just some surfing and VNC. I would hate to have to get an additional plan when all I'm doing is making the phone a DHCP server. However, those that attempt to download movies and use BitTorrents in my opinion are the ones that cause companies to take notice.
 
Can they really tell? I mean really... Seems to me like however they could tell would be an invasion of privacy of sorts. I mean, I have pdanet on my phone but ive only used it like once and I dont think its any of verizons business if I let it sit on my phone or not.
 
Unlimited data means unlimited data, what else can Verizon do about it? I download songs tethering sometimes. I don't see how they can be like...don't do that, because I already voided my warranty on the phone by rooting it in the first place.
 
Leonard1818 said:
Can they really tell? I mean really... Seems to me like however they could tell would be an invasion of privacy of sorts. I mean, I have pdanet on my phone but ive only used it like once and I dont think its any of verizons business if I let it sit on my phone or not.
Click to expand...

I'm sure they can, it wouldn't suprise me if it is easier to check on the iphone seeing as how reliant they are to itunes, but google can forceably remove apps deemed unsafe from your phone I would expect someone can monitor to see what you are using the phone for.

nklenchik said:
Unlimited data means unlimited data, what else can Verizon do about it? I download songs tethering sometimes. I don't see how they can be like...don't do that, because I already voided my warranty on the phone by rooting it in the first place.
Click to expand...

Your warranty is not part of the contract you signed. The contact specifies you are outside of the ToS by tethering and offers an alternative if you wish to tether. Unlimited mean unlimited (to an extent) to your phone; not unlimited access to any PC you wish to connect the phone to.
 
The articles I have seen are just talking about the iphone, however comments show android users on AT&T are also affected.
 
Anything you do on a network can be monitored and tracked, so yes, they can tell.

ATT is probably doing this as another step toward reducing network congestion. The problem is the very small percentage of users who abuse a resource and ruin it for everyone else.
 
Funny that ATT is cracking down, I can tether but hardly ever use and what makes me giggle is over the last year ive turned on tether twice, both times were so a person on ATT could get their email because they had no signal ;)
 
I don't think that it has anything to do with congestion.
There have been engineers for these carriers and ISPs that have posted things around calling it BS.

Carriers and ISPs are looking to tap a new revenue source, plain and simple.
That revenue source is metered data.
They realize that they cannot just come out and say that so they need to tell little white lies while their lobbyists do a flank and before you know it... it's all over.

AT&T is spearheading this effort like they are with DSL.
They are only following in the footsteps of Comcast and others that have imposed caps.

If you believe it's congestion.... fine.
Most of us know better.

Get grandfathered in so you can ride the wave as long as you can.
But I know what the future holds and that is metered data.
We will be paying by the gigabyte within 5 years I guarantee it.
 
According to fine print it is a breach of contract. B sure to see my post( ! ATTENTION) in this section for related info. Also in news section about others.
 
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