Database Info

At&the now detecting tethering by packet type value

Is it possible to change the tethering application built into most roms so that it won't deincrement the ttl value?

where did you get this info at?

http://osxdaily.com/2011/03/17/att-cracking-down-on-unofficial-iphone-tethering-mywi-users/
http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/03/18/att.clamps.down.on.unofficial.tethering.users/

If you dig through the comments on those articles, it appears that the people who receive the letters are using in excess of 5GB on their unlimited data plan.
Case in point: One of the comments was from a guy who said that his wife was sent the notice from AT&T. From what he says, she hasn't ever tethered, but she's always listening to streaming audio or watching streaming video.
This is nothing new for AT&T. They have long held that 5GB is 'effectively unlimited' for a smartphone, and that anyone who uses more must be using a computer tethered to the phone. With the phones we have now, that simply is not the case anymore. But AT&T is using that as an excuse to try and get people off of the unlimited plans and on to something where they can charge customers more money.

Krynn! said:
If you dig through the comments on those articles, it appears that the people who receive the letters are using in excess of 5GB on their unlimited data plan.
Case in point: One of the comments was from a guy who said that his wife was sent the notice from AT&T. From what he says, she hasn't ever tethered, but she's always listening to streaming audio or watching streaming video.
This is nothing new for AT&T. They have long held that 5GB is 'effectively unlimited' for a smartphone, and that anyone who uses more must be using a computer tethered to the phone. With the phones we have now, that simply is not the case anymore. But AT&T is using that as an excuse to try and get people off of the unlimited plans and on to something where they can charge customers more money.
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I hope you're right.

Also just saw this......I personally dont tether much but have used mobile AP. Might be worth looking into for those that do tether.
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2011/03/18/att-shutting-down-unauthorized-tetherers/

cnigro1279 said:
Also just saw this......I personally dont tether much but have used mobile AP. Might be worth looking into for those that do tether.
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2011/03/18/att-shutting-down-unauthorized-tetherers/
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If they are using ttl to detect tethering, then mobile ap would be effected. I'm not sure if usb tethering does deincrement ttl. All the reports seem to be mentioning WiFi tethering.

i think its a scare tactic.
I don't think they are detecting tethering. I think they are targeting people going beyond a certain threshold of usage as suspected tethereres (4gb or 5gb or more likely)

bames said:
i think its a scare tactic.
I don't think they are detecting tethering. I think they are targeting people going beyond a certain threshold of usage as suspected tethereres (4gb or 5gb or more likely)
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+1
Just a scare tactic. I'm on my 11th day of this months cycle, and between tethering, mobile ap, and downloads, I'm sitting at 9gb of data usage and haven't heard anything from AT&T. Yet

vunuts said:
+1
Just a scare tactic. I'm on my 11th day of this months cycle, and between tethering, mobile ap, and downloads, I'm sitting at 9gb of data usage and haven't heard anything from AT&T. Yet
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WOW what are you doing to use 9gb of data lol.
Even though i think its more of a scare tactic i think it can be done...its just not cost efficient to do it wide scale unless their is a huge red flag...like oh say 9gb of data usage . I won't be surprised if you get a letter if your usage rates continually reach anywhere near that later as i suspect that is the type of red flag that may cause them to actually take the time to audit the account and look at the ttl/packet data more closely.
if you have a 2gb or even unlimited and tether never going over 2gb i seriously doubt you would received letter or raise an eyebrow.
This goes back to my initial thought on how stupid their marketing team and management decisions are.
ALLOW FREE TETHERING
Pay for the extra data you need. It breaks down to the same cost...they are just being short sighted and greedy hoping people will think oh...2gb more data for 20bucks and then continue to not even fully use the 2gb they already had paid for on their smartphones plan (they are playing on peoples ignorance of how much data they are actually using). Part of good business and sales is fitting the client with their needs so they can afford it and continue to be a good longterm customer rather than bilking them for services they don't need or use (much like requiring all smartphones to have data plans when some smartphone users could be completely happy with a smartphone and wifi only usage).
If i have $25 2gb plan and want to tether and don't go over 2gb DON'T CHARGE EXTRA or REQUIRE TETHERING. If i go over charge me by the GB just like you would if i used all the data on my smartphones. 2gb Plan + 2gb overage =$45 for that months data (shouldn't matter whether it was used tethered or untethered). If i have a 2gb plan and tether and only use 3gb for the plan why not allow my to pay for 3gb data instead of forcing me to pay for 4gb/tethering. Let people police and pay for their usage. DATA IS DATA and it doesn't cost more for att to deliver 4gb to a tethered user than it does to someone using the 4gb downloading torrents or streaming movies on their smartphone.
Seems like it would be great customer relations, marketing, and a blow to verizon if ATT and came out with a marketing campaign that said Free Mobile AP/Tethering. Use as much data as you need....pay for the data you use. If those still grandfathered under unlimited plans are the concern you could easily audit those accounts if the usage is excessive and either throttle or require tethering for unlimited plans only which might encourage more people to give up the unlimited and take one of the tiered plans. They talk about tethers using all the data while i suspect those doing a combination of significant streaming and downloading torrent using in an untethered state.
A good question is why is one industry being allowed wipe their A** with net neutrality (with so little backlash)

bames said:
WOW what are you doing to use 9gb of data lol.
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Lol, I just opened my own auto shop, and we have yet to get internet hooked up in there, so I'm tethered to my desktop there for about 5-8 hours a day. I wouldn't be surprised if I do hear from AT&T, but they can't do anything to me. They've tried before and I fought them and won. I have unlimited text and data and I'm going to use it to my advantage. If they want to try and blow smoke up my ass, go for it. I'll blow it right back

Funny how this coincided with the new bandwidth cap for cable customers... AT&T is slowly trying to eliminate all unlimited customers. I wish they spent as much time working on increasing signal strength across the US as they do finding ways to squeeze more money from their customers.

vunuts said:
+1
Just a scare tactic. I'm on my 11th day of this months cycle, and between tethering, mobile ap, and downloads, I'm sitting at 9gb of data usage and haven't heard anything from AT&T. Yet
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I thought my 3 -4 gb / month was a lot.
Isn't a byte of data still a byte of data no matter how you view your porn.

what they are doing with tethering would be akin charging us $10 per month to use google navigation.
They could say "hey our navigation per att nav with your device is $10 per month.....if you want to use navigation on your phone you must have a navigation plan add on and if you try to use another free navigation program we can tell and will change your plan without your permission"

I don't get any letters, but I get a "friendly call" from AT&T about every other month asking why I use so much data. I've been on unlimited since it first came out and I'm taking full advantage of it. When I get the call about my usage, I start downloading on my phone, just to eat more data. I've downloaded several ISOs of Linux distros and MS ISOs from the MSDN. Is it my fault I signed up for 'unlimited data' or is it there fault they didn't look into the future? ComCast tried to complain when I pulled down over 300gb in a month and wanted to charge me for it. Sent off a copy of the original contract and there was no bandwidth cap in it. It becomes a breach of contract if you haven't physically signed anything new accepting and agreeing to the new changes.

If you don't mind switching carriers (which isn't that attractive because they all suck and use the same ploys pretty much)
but if they change your plan (for example adding a tethering plan to your account) you have 30 days to cancel your contract WITHOUT penalty no matter how many months you have remaining.

bames said:
If you don't mind switching carriers (which isn't that attractive because they all suck and use the same ploys pretty much)
but if they change your plan (for example adding a tethering plan to your account) you have 30 days to cancel your contract WITHOUT penalty no matter how many months you have remaining.
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This is true. You can avoid any early termination fees and essentially end your contract in good standing credit wise.

pbclst said:
I don't get any letters, but I get a "friendly call" from AT&T about every other month asking why I use so much data. I've been on unlimited since it first came out and I'm taking full advantage of it. When I get the call about my usage, I start downloading on my phone, just to eat more data. I've downloaded several ISOs of Linux distros and MS ISOs from the MSDN. Is it my fault I signed up for 'unlimited data' or is it there fault they didn't look into the future? ComCast tried to complain when I pulled down over 300gb in a month and wanted to charge me for it. Sent off a copy of the original contract and there was no bandwidth cap in it. It becomes a breach of contract if you haven't physically signed anything new accepting and agreeing to the new changes.
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For every time they call and ask you you should place 20 calls to their customer support line asking them why someone called you again and telling them you just wanted to make sure they knew you had an unlimited data plan because someone keeps calling.

vunuts said:
Lol, I just opened my own auto shop, and we have yet to get internet hooked up in there, so I'm tethered to my desktop there for about 5-8 hours a day. I wouldn't be surprised if I do hear from AT&T, but they can't do anything to me. They've tried before and I fought them and won. I have unlimited text and data and I'm going to use it to my advantage. If they want to try and blow smoke up my ass, go for it. I'll blow it right back
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I'm sorry, but this attitude just rubs me raw. Cell phones were never designed to be ISPs. It's abusers like you that have made it hard for the rest of us by forcing AT$T to eliminate unlimited plans and by slowing down the network with your extreme usage. Why do so many feel the need to squeeze whatever they can however they can out of a company? If you think they're screwing you then simply take your business elsewhere.

People receiving the letter today are iphone users? am i correct? Did any android user receive it?

Is anyone being throttled?

Killed 17GB last month. Now my tether kicks on, I start a download, it drops slowly and crashes. My phone browser even looses internet and I still have "4G." I am just curious to see if anyone else is having the same issue.

AnalyzeFaith said:
Killed 17GB last month. Now my tether kicks on, I start a download, it drops slowly and crashes. My phone browser even looses internet and I still have "4G." I am just curious to see if anyone else is having the same issue.
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you probably are. none of what i'm going to say is verified but my friend told me that verizon will give you 5GB of 4g and then drop you down to 3g. in addition, if you are in the top 5-10% of users of data for a month you will be throttled and they will probably look at what you're doing too.
using 17gb on your phone is not a smart thing to do and you shouldn't do it again. all it does is take bandwidth from others and cause verizon to go to tiered data plans

I used 34gb last month and the month before I used 26gb. I'm not being throttled. My billing month just started and ive burned 6gb already too.
But I wouldn't be surprised if they started throttling me. Lol. Its definitely possible.
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streetlightman said:
you probably are. none of what i'm going to say is verified but my friend told me that verizon will give you 5GB of 4g and then drop you down to 3g. in addition, if you are in the top 5-10% of users of data for a month you will be throttled and they will probably look at what you're doing too.
using 17gb on your phone is not a smart thing to do and you shouldn't do it again. all it does is take bandwidth from others and cause verizon to go to tiered data plans
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Do you work for verizon?
Why is downloading 20gb+ of data bad? If I'm paying for unlimited data that is what I should get. I will take full advantage of it unitl they force us all onto the tiered plans. They can look around all they want at what I'm downloading, I don't care.

Ever hear, "takes on bad apple to ruin it for the rest?"
Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.
It's uwhy prices are the way they are. I hope they are throttling abusive users.
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you can and should because you pay for it. the prices are rising, because companies need to find ways to make shareholders happy by making more expensive crappier services. if what netflix says is true then that 17GB cost verzion less than a dollar.

With 4G phones it will be commonplace to use that much data. Look at all the streaming media services that come preinstalled and others that are available like netflix. Peoples data usage will continue to increase and the carriers know it.

blahdc said:
Do you work for verizon?
Why is downloading 20gb+ of data bad? If I'm paying for unlimited data that is what I should get. I will take full advantage of it unitl they force us all onto the tiered plans. They can look around all they want at what I'm downloading, I don't care.
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You are paying for unlimited data for your PHONE not unlimited data for whatever you feel like downloading from whatever device you have. If you were downloading more then 3-4GB on your phone in a month, I'd love to know how you did it, even with 4G. If you have a tethering plan and it is unlimited, then go for it, but if you're going to complain about the data caps and throttling when being part of the problem, GTFO.

I am currently at 41 gb, no problems so far. I did sign up for the unlimited tethering the day it launched though. It was a no brainer for me.
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A whole bunch of tornlogic going on in here. From people I would not expect it from either.
IMO download as much as you want.anyway you want. Throttling is BS.
Its your right to try and screw them and if course they are taking full advantage of their right to screw you.
But we will find a way around these tier data plans just like we find a way around everything else they shackle us with.
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A single movie stream could be more than a gigabyte. If i watch one movie a day i could easly hit 30+ gigabytes. That is just streaming to the phone. Correct me if im wrong but that's the point right.
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mohsseni said:
A single movie stream could be more than a gigabyte. If i watch one movie a day i could easly hit 30+ gigabytes. That is just streaming to the phone. Correct me if im wrong but that's the point right.
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If the bold statement is true, then I wholly agree with this argument. With all the services being offered for the mobile devices, it will be much easier to burn through GB of data. A phone doesn't have to be tethered to anything to stream media.
HBO Go looks like it is streaming low quality video, sometimes worse than YouTube. Netflix, however, looks very crisp and clear and I suspect uses much more data. Sometimes even YouTube HQ looks superb. The last two streaming services probably use a boatload of bandwidth, all legally of course.
This hasn't even taken into account streaming audio with high quality from services like Pandora or Slacker Radio. And yes, the difference between low quality and high quality is very noticeable.
With that said, I really do not know for a fact exactly how much data a movie stream is using. It is just easier these days to use more data with access to high quality streaming media. The service providers probably realize this, and it is probably their justification for going into tiered plans and protecting their assets. This way, when their infrastructure does catch up to the demand, we the users are used to paying more. At this point the service providers might not feel the need to lower prices back to what they once were - it's all just profit.

Got my charge the day before the tiered pricing on data started and am grandfathered in on the unlimited plan. Still lookin for loopholes on how I can keep it that way.
In the three days of having the phone, I had racked up 1.2gb in data. That was just from downloading a few apps and themes as well a moderate pandora usage. Lately, I have been turning off my mobile data and using wifi anytime it's available.
VZW has been talking about moving to a tiered pricing structure for quite some time now. It's rather sad that they push all of the benefits of blazing fast data, then jack up the prices once people are hooked. Fact of the matter is, that from a coverage standpoint, I have nowhere else to go, and they know it.
The ball is in big red's court now. They may lose customers. They may not. But, until I have a more viable solution, I will have to pay.
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Could you legitimately rack up several GB/mo streaming media? Yes. Are you going to? Doubtful. Who watches 30+ movies on their phone in a month? You're going to tie yourself to a wall outlet, and given that everyone already complains about bad battery life, you aren't watching that many movies, or that many YouTube videos on your phone.
I could see streaming high quality Pandora, but then again, it seems that everyone here is to cheap to pay for Pandora, so after your 40 hrs are up, there goes your usage, and I doubt you'd get over say 10GB using Pandora for 40 hrs as I can't see even their "high quality" stream being to significant in terms of the bit rate.
Can we use more data now? Most certainly, and 4G only lets us do it faster, but be reasonable in your assumptions. Who has time to watch a movie on their phone every day of the month, or would even want to do so? I'd rather watch a movie on a crappy tube TV before I sat and watched one full movie on my phone. Streaming music is about the only reasonable excuse people have, even with the nice display on the Charge making video look good. Even then, there is no way you're going to use 30+GB every month just on your phone unless you have it constantly plugged in.

does Verizon need tiered plans? Honestly I agree with the fact that you pay for unlimited you get unlimited, no matter how you achieve it. Verizon should just make their hotspot free and then throttle that and put a cap on that is more reasonable than forcing everyone into a data plan that doesn't fit their needs... Verizon is out to screw people so is att and all the rest. Verizon wouldn't have gone to tiered if it weren't for their competition doing the same. One company does one thing all the rest follow suit. Come on verizon! what i pay $100 for insurance or something and if my phone breaks i still have to pay 100$ for a new phone?( I'm sorry refurbished..someone elses broken fix POS) What the heck good is insurance then? The economy is falling apart because of companies doing this. And people pay because they cant get out without a fee and they have no where to go because all the other companies either lack in service or are doing the same practice. Companies are suing each other for millions sometimes billions like its toy cash. That's proof they are ripping off the end user. Where does alll this money come from that should be used to invest in their company not throw it around in other companies faces. Heck was this a common practice even 10 years ago? NO. Cell phone companies have users by the nads and are not going to let go anytime soon

I agree with the OP. If Verizon sells unlimited data, it is their responsibility to provide it. Reaching over ten gb a month is easily achievable (I had one gb in my first day). Just because customers like the OP take advantage of their unlimited data does not mean they should be punished for it with a throttle. IMO, throttling is false advertising. Now, I can see throttling for those who tether through root and rack up an excessive amount of data. However, as long as it's on the phone, its rudiculous to throttle.

wow this is a heated thread.
I have both the unlimited on phone and unlimited on the hotspot and ill keep this phone forever if i have to do that to keep it.
I am a truckdriver so i dont have the option of jumping on the house internet everyday and i pay for my netflix so im going to use it and that uses alot of bandwith.

does Verizon need tiered plans? Honestly I agree with the fact that you pay for unlimited you get unlimited, no matter how you achieve it. Verizon should just make their hotspot free and then throttle that and put a cap on that is more reasonable than forcing everyone into a data plan that doesn't fit their needs... Verizon is out to screw people so is att and all the rest. Verizon wouldn't have gone to tiered if it weren't for their competition doing the same. One company does one thing all the rest follow suit. Come on verizon! what i pay $100 for insurance or something and if my phone breaks i still have to pay 100$ for a new phone?( I'm sorry refurbished..someone elses broken fix POS) What the heck good is insurance then? The economy is falling apart because of companies doing this. And people pay because they cant get out without a fee and they have no where to go because all the other companies either lack in service or are doing the same practice. Companies are suing each other for millions sometimes billions like its toy cash. That's proof they are ripping off the end user. Where does alll this money come from that should be used to invest in their company not throw it around in other companies faces. Heck was this a common practice even 10 years ago? NO. Cell phone companies have users by the nads and are not going to let go anytime soon

mrtruckincowboy said:
wow this is a heated thread.
I have both the unlimited on phone and unlimited on the hotspot and ill keep this phone forever if i have to do that to keep it.
I am a truckdriver so i dont have the option of jumping on the house internet everyday and i pay for my netflix so im going to use it and that uses alot of bandwith.
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Hope you aren't using that Netflix/Mobile Hotspot while driving your trucks

mrtruckincowboy said:
wow this is a heated thread.
I have both the unlimited on phone and unlimited on the hotspot and ill keep this phone forever if i have to do that to keep it.
I am a truckdriver so i dont have the option of jumping on the house internet everyday and i pay for my netflix so im going to use it and that uses alot of bandwith.
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This is how I racked up the majority of my gb's. Netflix on the big screen in hd.
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AT&T Says it will Move Unlimited Data Customers Who are Tethering to a Tiered Plan

AT&T Says it will Move Unlimited Data Customers Who are Tethering to a Tiered Plan
http://androidcommunity.com/att-say...-who-are-tethering-to-a-tiered-plan-20110804/
AT&T has said that starting as soon as August 11th, it will start moving those customers whom they’ve contacted about tethering without a specific tethering plan on to one. Those customers in question will be moved onto AT&T’s Data Pro plus Tethering, giving them 4 GB of data to use for $45 a month.
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You mean they will actually enforce their terms of service all users agreed to?
Shocking. You don't like it, don't agree to it. Simple.
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Hold your horses there hotrod and lose the holier than thou facade, I could care less since I don't tether, I just despise the fact that they rape you for the use of data transferring. Data is data is data no matter how you cut it.
I personally believe the carriers should be taken to the cleaners over this issue on principle alone.
/rant

Tx Redneck said:
Hold your horses there hotrod and lose the holier than thou facade, I could care less since I don't tether, I just despise the fact that they rape you for the use of data transferring. Data is data is data no matter how you cut it.
I personally believe the carriers should be taken to the cleaners over this issue on principle alone.
/rant
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Whoah Nellie, that wasn't directed at you at all. My fault. It was directed at those who are sure to complain. I'm with you 100% on this, but I did sign an agreement so i can't complain about it.
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..........

As i've said before in a thread somewhere...I definetly use wifi tether....when i absolutely need it. IE, i'm out of town and not around a wifi hotspot. I do not use it to download, like some others do. I've been using wifi hotspot since February, and not once have i been contacted by AT&T about "illegally" using the hotspot. The difference is...when you are doing something youre not supposed to, common sense says to stay low key and keep a low profile to stay under the radar. This decreases your chances of getting caught. So as far as I am concerned, for those who abuse this feature deserve to get caught and get sent to a tiered plan.

Corporate Greed

I also tether lightly occasionally and have not been contacted ...
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ThEiiNoCeNT said:
I also tether lightly occasionally and have not been contacted ...
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Same here...

Is this the same threat they were spouting about three months ago, when those mass emails went out?

i still have my grandfathered unlimited data plan, and honestly i will fight to keep it. i dont tether. but when the highest plan is $25 for what 2gb i think, and i pay 30 for unlimited i will keep it thank you. but dont really see a reason to tether anyway... where arent you nowadays that doesnt have a free wifi hotspot? hell the grocery store has one here because there is a starbucks inside...

Data is data is data is not correct. Data cost money no matter how u want to look at it. Yes u are paying for a plan with a certain amount of data, lets say 2gb. First they are a company for profit not a non profit company, Most people dont use all there data, not even close to it, and they factor this in before pricing it. Data isnt cheap, while u feel like your paying for 2gb of data, that u should beable to use it how u want, doesnt mean you can tether and increase the amount of data u use.
if everyone who has a 2gb plan for 25 dollars uses 90% of there data or more every month, u would be paying alot more than 25 dollars for internet.
Do u really think when they created unlimited plans they also can give unlimited amounts of data away and it doesnt cost them any extra? while u feel you are being cheated, the ones actually being cheated are the ones not tethering paying high prices for data.
What you are saying is the same thing as saying a bank can give everyone all there money back, or that a insurance company can afford to pay claims for every person that has insurance, its not feasable. If u truely want it that way they would probaly more than double the current price for data if everyone used there max but they count on alot not using it so there cost is down and so is yours.

A couple of things-first off I too have unlimited data and if they decide to alter my plan in any way I will leave and not look back. As far as unlimited data goes, I guess I don't know what it means. If I pay for unlimited I expect to have unlimated why does it matter how I use it. Is there a differnece from downloading something on my phone vs my pc, if not than who cares.
When I stopped at att today the chick was viewinf my account and noticed I don't use that much data on my 3 lines, she was begging me to switch to a 2gb plan, I laughed in her face. Side note- att has no idea of any attain coming.
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@jc,
I read an article a few weeks back that the average cost for an ISP to support 1GB of network traffic is $0.10. Let's say it's double that for a wireless provider even though it's all 1's and 0's, that would mean on average what we pay $25 per month for 2GB of traffic generation only cost the $0.40 to serve.
I agree that they're in it to make money and don't fault them for it, but their profit margin is GROSSLY disproportionate to the Co's most folk like to piss and moan about(Exxon Mobile..).
Tx

http://gigaom.com/broadband/mobile-data-costs-to-jump-7x-for-operators-to-370b-by-2016/
its not as cheap as u think.mobile data is alot more expensive than cable internet or dsl
Btw all major isp's have caps on there unlimited plans, mine is 450gb a month, comcast i think is 250gb. There was also a story recently of a guy that got suspended by cable isp for a few months after exceeding cap, and after he exceeded cap for a second time was suspended for 1 year.
It is your right to switch to a different mobile carrier, but fact is they all have caps. and with att buying tmobile who is left? not many choices.

I use tethering when I really need some Internet in the middle of nowhere where there is no free wifi or free with aircrackng. Att has never said anything because I use less than 400mb of data per month with occasional 1 to 3 gb spikes if I'm tethering or I look down and notice I have ridiculous reception and run a ****load of 200mb tests from testmy.net
If they do say anything about my infrequent tethering resulting in the loss of my unlimited I think I will give testmy.net money so I can have it run the huge test repeatedly for a month.
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I posted the same info in the other similiar thead. For those that don't know it or never read it, there was a 5GB fair use clause for your unlimited data plan. So that might be the magical number to watch.

Ok guys I am gonna close this up. On a side note if you look at the TOS everyone agreed to when then signed the contract it states that as long as ATT sends you an email or a text to notify you, they can change your account to the proper plans.
But no one will know for sure till it hits. Could be they are gonna bring this policy over from tmobile with the merger but till then no one knows for sure.
Thread closed

Throttled data equals useless sensation

Lets be serious newer smart phones are becoming bandwidth hoggers and a lot of companies throttle at 5gb. I easily use 5gb a day on my home's network streaming, surfing and torrenting. The increase in bandwidth requirements for a smooth videochat conversation on skype requires a lot of bandwidth. Auto sync eats up bandwidth like crazy I had to turn mine off. Streaming a live event demands huge amount of data, and Theres netflix too.
Im currently paying $46mo on my home internet without any capped I use about 100-200gb mo of a total combine bandwidth. Im paying $20mo for 5gb data with unlimited dial up speed after 5gb. Technically $5 per gbit. Rip off much?
I'm using 5gb within 2 weeks 1/2 managing my data with watchdog in a week and 1/2 I'm throttle to dial up speed.. My data plan is from G1 era supposedly I've android data preferred plan? I doubt it. But I hear that its starting to get capped..
My rant is that its foolish for cellphone company to capped data at 5gh.. After they capped they lower it to dial up speed rendering your smartphone useless for the duration until the next cycle. Why can't they cap the speed at 1mbit down and 500 up instead of 30-60 down and 100 down? It's going to be worst after the merge.. Once the merge happens I'm leaving tmobile..

I use quite a lot of data also, but I have my acct set to 200MB Unlimited. It may sound silly but at work and home I'm on WiFi and in between I just have music playing from my SD card while I drive.
I do agree though that the throttled speed is extremely slow. Maybe 7 years ago it wouldn't have mattered but everything is large these days.

Well I have a 5gb data and also tether and use it as home connection and use a little over 5gb.
The problem is that u use ur phones data too much. I have no idea how anyone uses that much data on just their phone. If you have a home connection, use that at home.
And I like the prices they are cheap on tmobile. I'm getting throttle right now and don't mind it on my phone. But tethering it is bad.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

i got throttle 1 time cause my internet was down at home so i tetherd my phone with my pc and ate 5gb up in three days never again, my phone dookie slow. also if you got 200mb plan starting tomorrow if you go over its $10 a gb and they only let you go $30 over

Then pay more or switch to a different provider or move to another country, etc. Realistic or not, there are solutions. If you are unsatisfied with your service, then speak with your money. You have the choice to not pay for overpriced services and if enough people choose to follow you, maybe companies will change their policies. Until then, they are charging a lot for a mediocre amount of bandwidth because people are willing to pay for it.

I'm thankful TMO throttles you. It means I'll never experience what happens on AT&T with their iPhone hammering.

Dude? 5GB a month?
In germany normal data flats only have 1(!!!)GB included. And for 5 or even 10 ur paying ur ass off. I know it sucks, but do u really need to do skype calls or live streaming with ur mobile data?
I thought i am a heavy user and I am using exactly 1GB/month... Now i know im not

+1 to what lianw said.
I am running push facebook, twitter, and an exchange account and I only start getting throttled towards the very end of the billing cycle of my 200MB plan. Fact of the matter is, 200MB is enough for what a majority of users need to do with their phones. Carriers will not cater to a niche group that requires 5GB of data a day.
Nonetheless, tmobile actually does offer an unlimited plan through their loyalty program: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192020

Man, data plans are cheap there and you are throttled LATE. I live in Germany and pay 25€ for 1GB. (Worthless to mention that I just need ~800mb although I'm sometimes streaming webradio)

I completely agree with the OP. T-Mobile and the like sell these phones promising this.fantastic multimedia experience, and yet, because they are too blinded by the profit motive to innovate, take chances, and find new ways to make money, they dangle something pretty in front of you, promising an exceptional media experience, then treat you like a child and try to limit the very thing they sold you, in every way possible.
And the treatment I have received by T-Mobile is disgusting. Calling me an extreme user for using 5g a month, yet they INSTALL ON THESE PHONES AND MAKE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE apps such as TMobile TV, rhapsody, slacker, Pandora, etc. If you stream music like I do, daily on my public transportation, you will hit 5 G VERY quickly.
And let me stress, these assholes at TMobile don't just "throttle" data to edge speeds as they claim, if only that were the case. Data becomes UNUSABLE when they throttle. Unusable.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

moh0 said:
Carriers will not cater to a niche group that requires 5GB of data a day http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192020
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This kind of bull**** is exactly what these companies try to do- frame users like me as niche, extreme, whatever the euphemism you choose...its meant to degrade and put down my use.
I'm not out there hosting torrents and doing big video downloads or streaming. I never do. I stream music from apps T-Mobile embeds in their devices-thats it. Yet they have been able to paint data use as some sort of wrongdoers who are clogging networks.
Their lack of capital layout because Deutsche Telecom has them under discontinued operations since January, which BY LAW precludes the parent company from investing in them, is the reason_if there is any-of their need to throttle, NOT users using their phones as they were meant to be used.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

bqd37340 said:
I completely agree with the OP. T-Mobile and the like sell these phones promising this.fantastic multimedia experience, and yet, because they are too blinded by the profit motive to innovate, take chances, and find new ways to make money, they dangle something pretty in front of you, promising an exceptional media experience, then treat you like a child and try to limit the very thing they sold you, in every way possible.
And the treatment I have received by T-Mobile is disgusting. Calling me an extreme user for using 5g a month, yet they INSTALL ON THESE PHONES AND MAKE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE apps such as TMobile TV, rhapsody, slacker, Pandora, etc. If you stream music like I do, daily on my public transportation, you will hit 5 G VERY quickly.
And let me stress, these assholes at TMobile don't just "throttle" data to edge speeds as they claim, if only that were the case. Data becomes UNUSABLE when they throttle. Unusable.
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Those are some great points. But in the end, you're the one who signed the contract and thus accepted the data cap. Also your hatred of tmobile is very surprising. They are the most supportive carrier I have ever dealt with. You should try getting the android preferred data plan before at&t steps in. Now I hate those guys with a passion.

You think tmobiles bad!!!!!! Try sprint!!!!!!
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e

bqd37340 said:
This kind of bull**** is exactly what these companies try to do- frame users like me as niche, extreme, whatever the euphemism you choose...its meant to degrade and put down my use.
I'm not out there hosting torrents and doing big video downloads or streaming. I never do. I stream music from apps T-Mobile embeds in their devices-thats it. Yet they have been able to paint data use as some sort of wrongdoers who are clogging networks.
Their lack of capital layout because Deutsche Telecom has them under discontinued operations since January, which BY LAW precludes the parent company from investing in them, is the reason_if there is any-of their need to throttle, NOT users using their phones as they were meant to be used.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://blog.validas.com/index.php/2...erizon-wireless-smartphone-data-usage-up-150/
Sorry, you are in a niche group. That's from June 2010-June 2011.
EDIT: Actually the above link doesn't post total data used per month, this article however: http://blog.validas.com/index.php/2...-data-on-the-table-with-your-smartphone-plan/

I have unlimited unthrottled data. Even with my wifi broken on my n1, I never go over 2 gigs a month, not even when I was watching football on nfl network. Wtf are you doing that uses so much bandwidth when not at home?

Being throttle does suck.
The is pretty much useless unless I'm at home connected to my home network.
I am being throttle by mistake.
It has been almost 2 weeks.
They can easily turn the throttle on.
But to get it back on is little harder in my case.
It is supposed to be fixed today.
Well see.
I believe tmobile does have a 10gb plan.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

man this throttle thing is bad i got this phone on the 26 of july took me a five days to hit that cap and all i did was watch a couple of 5 min videos on youtube and when at home id use wifi or my tablet....

5gb is fine with me for now. My cable went out once a few months ago and I used 4gb watching movies over hotspot on Netflix. Other than that I never get close to 5gb cuz I use wifi most of the time. If I never was near a broadband connection it might bother me but then I would have to pay more for a higher throttle or try Sprint.
Yeah they're being dirty but not as dirty as Verizon or ATT. Don't blame them. Blame the idiots who live around you.

i used up my 5gb in the first 7 days of the month doing bittorrent on my phone
nah im joking ive never used my phone for that
i do like to watch justin.tv and about an hour of that is avg 360 mb on medium quality about 100 kilobytes per sec
id rather pay a little more for unlimited even though the cost for bandwidth isnt justified
*edit* my throttled speedwas under 9 kilobytes per second like 8.9 was the max i got and that isnt even 2g its like gprs or lower

I think it's exactly as others have posted. If you use 5gb in the first day you are a niche user. Whether or not that's fair, it's true. The carriers aren't going to cater to a very small percentage of the population. I also dislike the throttling, though, because I'm on a 2gb plan and almost always go over a few days before the end of the cycle and that's with me already restraining my use. I would love to be on that $20 5gb android preferred plan, but I have no access to my account because my parents do.
Personally, I think you should know what you need. If 5gb a month won't be enough for you, then don't sign a contract for only that much. Take the 10gb option, or go to a different carrier that offers more data.

Att unlimited data

Just a heads up for everyone who has unlimited data, a good freind of mine that works for att told me today that att is gonna get rid of everyones unlimited data within the next few months and put them on a data plan. She told me that there keeping it quiet so after they change everybodies plan itll be too late to go back to unlimited. Just a heads up for the people who havent heard about it since I havent seen anything about if myself
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Here I come T-Mobile.

Who wants to be on the unlimited throttle plan anyways. I came off that throttle crap years ago.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

they cant remove it without consent.

Tinag379 said:
they cant remove it without consent.
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You already gave them consent in the contract. You'd know this if you read the contract.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

toxicpaulution said:
You already gave them consent in the contract. You'd know this if you read the contract.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
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Yes. KIND OF. If "THEY" decide to change your plan from the unlimited data plan they are voiding your contract. So "IF" this is the case buy as many NEW phones as you have unlimited Data plans on asap. Then when "THEY" change your contract then you are free and clear of your commitment. Read the print.
So in my case I too will be saying BYE BYE ATT and Hello TMobile. I am just waiting for the chance to leave them over bs like this over the years. I was FORCED onto a Unlimited Data Plan with my first smartphone (really a dumb phone by today's standards). The ONLY reason I have stayed with them is call quality and data has been pretty good in my area. But now T-Mobile data and call quality in my area is just as good if not better. So eventually this will be my route.
Now IF they do not do this change I will NOT be buying the S5 from them anyways with locked bootloaders. So I was gonna have to buy either international or T-Mobile S5 anyways and then possibly stay with ATT until my contract runs out for all my lines. Which is about a year or less away anyways.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

RockRatt said:
Yes. KIND OF. If "THEY" decide to change your plan from the unlimited data plan they are voiding your contract. So "IF" this is the case buy as many NEW phones as you have unlimited Data plans on asap. Then when "THEY" change your contract then you are free and clear of your commitment. Read the print.
So in my case I too will be saying BYE BYE ATT and Hello TMobile. I am just waiting for the chance to leave them over bs like this over the years. I was FORCED onto a Unlimited Data Plan with my first smartphone (really a dumb phone by today's standards). The ONLY reason I have stayed with them is call quality and data has been pretty good in my area. But now T-Mobile data and call quality in my area is just as good if not better. So eventually this will be my route.
Now IF they do not do this change I will NOT be buying the S5 from them anyways with locked bootloaders. So I was gonna have to buy either international or T-Mobile S5 anyways and then possibly stay with ATT until my contract runs out for all my lines. Which is about a year or less away anyways.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
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not if within the contract it says they can chagne your plan to whatever whenever they feel like it.

i just reviewed my contract. nothing in it states they can change anything at any time.

toxicpaulution said:
not if within the contract it says they can chagne your plan to whatever whenever they feel like it.
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Click to collapse
If that was the case they would have forced us all of it years ago when the decided to start throttling you as "in the top 5% of data users". They were trying VERY HARD to get us off of unlimited data. I have been through two phones since they implemented this. With the S2 and huspa+ plan you are throttled at 3Gb, on my S3 with LTE I am throttled at 5Gb, and same on the S4. So IF they were gonna attempt something like this they would have already.
Also if they want to keep losing customers to T-Mobile then go at it. I am not sure if you have seen all the commercials, but once Tmobile makes some cool changes to their service ATT/VERIZON didn't change anything. But as T-Mobile keeps chipping away at ATT/VERIZON customer base then these two companies are starting to play catch up and make some changes. Like T-Mobile being able to upgrade when you want, now ATT and Verizon have their own crappy versions of this. T-Mobile has unlimited data so ATT/Verizon are trying to fool people with unlimited text and call and raise the download limits with some of their newer plans. But they keep refusing to just five in and make a unlimited data plan, seems like out of spite at times. Because they cannot get rid of enough grandfathered Unlimited data plan users.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

RockRatt said:
If that was the case they would have forced us all of it years ago when the decided to start throttling you as "in the top 5% of data users". They were trying VERY HARD to get us off of unlimited data. I have been through two phones since they implemented this. With the S2 and huspa+ plan you are throttled at 3Gb, on my S3 with LTE I am throttled at 5Gb, and same on the S4. So IF they were gonna attempt something like this they would have already.
Also if they want to keep losing customers to T-Mobile then go at it. I am not sure if you have seen all the commercials, but once Tmobile makes some cool changes to their service ATT/VERIZON didn't change anything. But as T-Mobile keeps chipping away at ATT/VERIZON customer base then these two companies are starting to play catch up and make some changes. Like T-Mobile being able to upgrade when you want, now ATT and Verizon have their own crappy versions of this. T-Mobile has unlimited data so ATT/Verizon are trying to fool people with unlimited text and call and raise the download limits with some of their newer plans. But they keep refusing to just five in and make a unlimited data plan, seems like out of spite at times. Because they cannot get rid of enough grandfathered Unlimited data plan users.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
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Click to collapse
People abusing "unlimited" by using exceptional amounts of data tethering is the reason the true "unlimited" plans went away and will not come back to the major carriers. Sure, there are people that use a lot of data on their phone alone and there are people that tether some, but not all of the times. They are actually a small part of the overall users. A little tethering from time to time or a month of high data use due to watching the play-offs on the phone is not an issue The problem is the people that tether all of the time using their phones as their main internet connection. Mobile data was not meant for this. Basically, a few people keep finding ways to screw the system so no one else can benefit from it.
Of course, the major carriers should be providing plans at a better price and, for now, that seems to be happening because of T-Mobile's changes. However, the unlimited demise is definitely the fault of the abusers.

@scott14719 I do know what you are saying and do believe this to be the case as well.
But as technology on these phones grow so will the demand for more data. With streaming being more and more capable (and i am not just talking about netflix, youtube, and such) then the providers need to upgrade their data networks to accommodate for the future. T-Mobile seems to be doing just that as of right now. So I am happy that T-Mobile is changing things and forcing the other networks to change a bit. I hope they keep pushing the issue.
I am totally cool with paying full price for unsubsidized phones and less for better/faster data.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

I dropped my unlimited for the new 10 GB shared plan. On three phones I will get more data than I have ever used in a month, no throttling, and I save $60 per month. If 10 is not enough I will go to 15 and still save $30 every month.

I thought about "BRIEFLY" doing the same but I usually do at least 10Gb a month on my S4 already. Let alone the three other smart phones on my plan.
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337

Capt said:
Here I come T-Mobile.
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Click to collapse
Already there and I love it

Been thinking about switching. Never really use data though. Mainly I think because I have to live it and watch myself. I assume you find more use for it if it's more readily at your disposal.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Id like to see them try haha
They might make it mandatory for phone upgrades, etc.. but from last time they tried to do it they can't just change you. If they wanna break my contract I'm fine with that, I've been looking at cheaper carriers anyways. Even if they put it somewhere in the contract that they can break it my papers say "unlimited data" as the name so you can get the contract broken easily if it's no longer unlimited data.
Unlimited Data/Voice for a fee is the future anyways, they should stop trying to nickle and dime us as the change gets closer.
Only time I need my unlimited is when I travel and watch lots of movies but still it's the ONLY reason I am still with them as everyone has better prices, and signal with any carrier is not a issue in socal.

I am wondering what AT&T has up their sleeve.
Could it be that they will finally get rid of voice over cellular? That would mean that the unlimited text and talk comes out of your data.

scott14719 said:
People abusing "unlimited" by using exceptional amounts of data tethering is the reason the true "unlimited" plans went away and will not come back to the major carriers. Sure, there are people that use a lot of data on their phone alone and there are people that tether some, but not all of the times. They are actually a small part of the overall users. A little tethering from time to time or a month of high data use due to watching the play-offs on the phone is not an issue The problem is the people that tether all of the time using their phones as their main internet connection. Mobile data was not meant for this. Basically, a few people keep finding ways to screw the system so no one else can benefit from it.
Of course, the major carriers should be providing plans at a better price and, for now, that seems to be happening because of T-Mobile's changes. However, the unlimited demise is definitely the fault of the abusers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not trying to start a flame war, so don't take this the wrong way. I do get where you are coming from. But if you think about it, if you pay for unlimited data, shouldn't you receive "Unlimited data"? Yes, it puts that much more stress on carriers trying to provide users with reliable data, but it also pushes them to become more efficient, and improve towers, resulting in a better user experience. It makes sense to want to cut the extra expenses from a carriers perspective. That said, It's still sad to see unlimited data go, whatever the reason.

willblake13 said:
I am not trying to start a flame war, so don't take this the wrong way. I do get where you are coming from. But if you think about it, if you pay for unlimited data, shouldn't you receive "Unlimited data"? Yes, it puts that much more stress on carriers trying to provide users with reliable data, but it also pushes them to become more efficient, and improve towers, resulting in a better user experience. It makes sense to want to cut the extra expenses from a carriers perspective. That said, It's still sad to see unlimited data go, whatever the reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlimited data for your phone, not for your household internet provider. There is a difference. If you use 50 gigs a month on pure phone usage...it should be ok, but if you tether and use 50 gigs for your entire house, it is not. And that is where the problem is.

I love hearing those say "I'll just switch to T-Mobile."
What's the point in having unlimited data if it only works in certain spots?
I'd recommend some hands-on coverage experimentation, and you'll realize why AT&T and Verizon get away with some of the crap that they pull.
Sent from my Hyperdriven S4