I come home today and find a letter from AT&T and open it up (thinking this outta be good)...Apparently they finally figured out the way they're gonna force us (those in grandfathered unlimited data plans) off. Their letter goes as following:
"Dear (My Name)
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 you 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 www.wireless.att.com, or call us 866-975-0003, Mon-Fri, 6am-midnight or Sat-Sun, 8am-9pm CT, by the end of this month sign up for a plan that allows tethering. Viable plans include the DataPro 5GB for Smartphone plan, the DataPro Enterprise plan, or any of our AT&T Mobile Share plans."
They then go on to list both plans priced $50 and $65 then go on to say "If we don't hear from you, we'll plan to automatically enroll you in one of the above individual Smartphone DataPro 5GB plans in an upcoming bill cycle........If you discontinue tethering by the end of the month, no changes to your current plan will be required."
Funny thing is I don't tether and any usage has been me watching netflix, youtube videos, downloading files from threads here and browsing the web. I wanna complete listing of these alleged "records" they speak of because I'll be damned if they get me off my unlimited data plan!
I got the same letter today. Also got a text
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
It's based strictly on usage. I routinely use my phone as a mobile hot spot for my laptop, but only when absolutely necessary and only for a few MB at a time. I've never once heard from AT&T. Meanwhile, I know someone who never tethers to their phone (why would they when they have a mobile wifi router FROM AT&T?). They do, however, smoke through 3-4GB of data per month, as they use their phone in lieu of a laptop when on the road. Now, not that I would ever piece together what I've learned through casual conversation with an AT&T employee or two, but they've both suggested that something like this might resolve the situation if you're ever presented with it:
1. Call AT&T. Ask for supervisor right away--don't waste time with the peons.
2. Ask for the supervisor's name and number. Write them down. Inform supervisor that you received the letter, but do not tether and never have. Ask what "records" they're pulling from. You'll probably get a "usage" reply. If so:
3. Ask them how simple data usage can indicate whether you're tethering or not. They'll most likely say that the amount of data you're using is indicative of tethering.
4. Ask whether your plan contains unlimited data. The answer, of course, is yes. State once again that you do not tether, and as your plan has unlimited data linked to it, they cannot use the amount of data you consume as evidence of tethering.
5. Without giving the supervisor a chance to talk, quickly state that unless they can produce for you documentary evidence of cell data traffic being generated by a device tethered to your phone (here's a hint--they can only see your phone's data, they can't see anything connected to it), you expect them to honor the unlimited data agreement you have with them, and any attempt on their part to move you onto a different plan will be seen as a breach of that agreement and handled as such. Tell the supervisor that you expect a call from the call center's manager within 24 hours to acknowledge that your plan will not be changed absent documentary evidence of tethering, which you are not engaged in in the first place. Confirm the supervisor's name and number with them, "just in case we have any discrepancies when I talk to the center manager".
Not that I would've ever relied upon friends in the right places to detail such an approach for me or anything, but I have heard through the grapevine that the tethering letter consistently goes out to unlimited data users in certain "usage brackets", and they're banking on us not knowing that their towers can't tell whether the data is coming from our phone or from a laptop tethered to it.
Att did the same thing with Iphone users but it wasn't a bluff.. They knew in fact you were tethering...
I wouldn't be so quick to assume they are going only on data usage..
I'm willing to bet they know the second you tether...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
T.J. Bender said:
It's based strictly on usage. I routinely use my phone as a mobile hot spot for my laptop, but only when absolutely necessary and only for a few MB at a time. I've never once heard from AT&T. Meanwhile, I know someone who never tethers to their phone (why would they when they have a mobile wifi router FROM AT&T?). They do, however, smoke through 3-4GB of data per month, as they use their phone in lieu of a laptop when on the road. Now, not that I would ever piece together what I've learned through casual conversation with an AT&T employee or two, but they've both suggested that something like this might resolve the situation if you're ever presented with it:
1. Call AT&T. Ask for supervisor right away--don't waste time with the peons.
2. Ask for the supervisor's name and number. Write them down. Inform supervisor that you received the letter, but do not tether and never have. Ask what "records" they're pulling from. You'll probably get a "usage" reply. If so:
3. Ask them how simple data usage can indicate whether you're tethering or not. They'll most likely say that the amount of data you're using is indicative of tethering.
4. Ask whether your plan contains unlimited data. The answer, of course, is yes. State once again that you do not tether, and as your plan has unlimited data linked to it, they cannot use the amount of data you consume as evidence of tethering.
5. Without giving the supervisor a chance to talk, quickly state that unless they can produce for you documentary evidence of cell data traffic being generated by a device tethered to your phone (here's a hint--they can only see your phone's data, they can't see anything connected to it), you expect them to honor the unlimited data agreement you have with them, and any attempt on their part to move you onto a different plan will be seen as a breach of that agreement and handled as such. Tell the supervisor that you expect a call from the call center's manager within 24 hours to acknowledge that your plan will not be changed absent documentary evidence of tethering, which you are not engaged in in the first place. Confirm the supervisor's name and number with them, "just in case we have any discrepancies when I talk to the center manager".
Not that I would've ever relied upon friends in the right places to detail such an approach for me or anything, but I have heard through the grapevine that the tethering letter consistently goes out to unlimited data users in certain "usage brackets", and they're banking on us not knowing that their towers can't tell whether the data is coming from our phone or from a laptop tethered to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! I literally haven't tethered and my data usage did surpass 5GB last month ( I got the infamous text the very last day literally minutes before my billing cycle resets) but is around 3.5 this month....this is a pathetic move on their part to bank on people not opening that letter and change their plan without notice. Once the subscriber notices the call will go something along the lines of "Oh I'm sorry there's nothing we can do as it's a system change and we can not reverse or restore that previous plan." As if I don't pay enough for my monthly plan as it is......corporate greed at its best.
waiters said:
Att did the same thing with Iphone users but it wasn't a bluff.. They knew in fact you were tethering...
I wouldn't be so quick to assume they are going only on data usage..
I'm willing to bet they know the second you tether...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
T.J. Bender said:
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either that is 100% false or I'm very lucky.. I get throttled from att every month still and in my protest have reached 30gb+..
The only time I got a letter from att I was on an Iphone and was in fact tethering.
I do believe att knew this whole time about tethering but didn't care because they had bigger fish to go after.. Android will eventually level the playing field and att will be concerned with our data usage also.. That might be what you see going on now.. Att trying to go after tethering android users before it becomes a bigger problem...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
T.J. Bender said:
Based on what those in the know have told me, they have no way of knowing and go solely by usage on Android platforms.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't. They just rely on usage patterns to determine if you're a "data hog" and look for backhanded ways to penalize you based on that data ( really only applicable to those remaining unlimited data folks ) If I was on a tiered data plan they could give two ****s what and how I use up data they'd encourage me to rack up all the GB of data I can and smile at the end the billing cycle cause they know I got ****ed good and hard.
Not the first time I have received the letter, all times I had in fact tethered in the month prior.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Part of me hopes they pull this with me so I can get out of my contract...I used 16 GB a few months ago and no letter though. Oh and I never tether.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
They know if you tether. That's why certain tethering apps have spoof capabilities to mask your ID.
Sent from my SGH-I727 using xda premium
It's all in HOW the tethering is done. If the app or ROM just simply says to use the built in tethering, then it's very trackable. If the tethering is spoofed to look like the normal data connection, then it can't be tracked.
dakpluto said:
It's all in HOW the tethering is done. If the app or ROM just simply says to use the built in tethering, then it's very trackable. If the tethering is spoofed to look like the normal data connection, then it can't be tracked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
00mred00 said:
All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fine print isn't automatically legally binding. That guy sued AT&T for throttling and won.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Sheolrock said:
Fine print isn't automatically legally binding. That guy sued AT&T for throttling and won.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That guy won simply because it was proven they were throttling him at a lower usage than an equally priced capped plan.
00mred00 said:
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legally, you are correct.
However, if you speak to the right people, anything is possible; ESPECIALLY if you've been a customer in good standing for a long time.
Not saying it could happen, just saying it's possible. I missed out on unlimited data, but I do agree with the person on page 1 who numbered out the steps. That is definitely the right way to go.
liquidzoo said:
Legally, you are correct.
However, if you speak to the right people, anything is possible; ESPECIALLY if you've been a customer in good standing for a long time.
Not saying it could happen, just saying it's possible. I missed out on unlimited data, but I do agree with the person on page 1 who numbered out the steps. That is definitely the right way to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with post on page 1 for sure. I wouldn't be very optimistic on being released from contract obligations though
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
00mred00 said:
All I use is foxfi and got the letter FWIW
And no, you can't get put of your contract with att on something like this ....its in the fine print that they can change pretty much whatever they want.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used foxfi too... first time this month. Probably around 30mb only, decided to try it to see if it works. I received the exact same mail.
Wonder if I should call or not because it says if you stop they will not switch you over. Now, I'm thinking maybe I should. I spent 3gb last month (our area is not LTE but my phone is LTE). What's the best advice on how to go about calling them? SHould I admit to using it or pretend I didn't.
droidbabyxda said:
I used foxfi too... first time this month. Probably around 30mb only, decided to try it to see if it works. I received the exact same mail.
Wonder if I should call or not because it says if you stop they will not switch you over. Now, I'm thinking maybe I should. I spent 3gb last month (our area is not LTE but my phone is LTE). What's the best advice on how to go about calling them? SHould I admit to using it or pretend I didn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last time I got the letter I just told them I downloaded some app , was unaware of it being an issue, thanked them for the warning and let them know I wpuldnt do it again
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
Att probably targets high usage customers for data profiling. When your WoW user agent pops up... bam, they send the letter.
Replace "WoW" with your favorite easily-profiled bandwidth-sapping client, Windows time request, etc.
And that's ignoring any differences between Windows/Linux/android networking stacks that can be finger printed...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Related
http://www.bgr.com/2011/03/18/att-cracks-down-on-tethering-cheaters/
how do they know? think it's purely based on how much data you are using at once time?
Think they are really doing this or just trying to scare people out of tethering?
There's a big thread on this on another iPhone site, but I'm curious how many android users have gotten this email.
Hmmm I could see a class action lawsuit coming from this. Along the same lines as when Apple tried to make jailbreaking illeagal. Personally I don't see a problem we are using the data we pay for. It should be up to us how we use it.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
what about a class action lawsuit about att 4G BS??
on att map, it shows i have 4G coverage in bayarea, CA but my speedtest never go higher than 4mb! speedtest on inspire 4G is the same as any 3G phones!
I tether once in a while, usually while on vacation. I did not get any notice. I seem to think this is triggered by data usage. I only use about 1GB a month.
Those of you that got notified, how much data do you use in a typical month?
Wow. I too think it's a 5GB or so trigger.
It's more the gateway than anything else. MyWi enables the broadband or ISP.cingular gateway. If we ensure we are going through the wap.cingular gateway then it is less likely. In addition, I would suggest anyone running anything close to stock edit your database in /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.DB and ensure that anything in the area of 410310 doesn't say broadband or ISP.cingular, but wap.cingular or phone instead.
bedwa said:
It's more the gateway than anything else. MyWi enables the broadband or ISP.cingular gateway. If we ensure we are going through the wap.cingular gateway then it is less likely. In addition, I would suggest anyone running anything close to stock edit your database in /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.DB and ensure that anything in the area of 410310 doesn't say broadband or ISP.cingular, but wap.cingular or phone instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good info, so if you changed your APN to wap.cingular would that do it?
The email in the link says AT&T sends text messages when we hit certain percentages of data used. I have never received such a message. Are they supposed to be automatic, or do I have to enable them?
gunnyman said:
http://www.bgr.com/2011/03/18/att-cracks-down-on-tethering-cheaters/
how do they know? think it's purely based on how much data you are using at once time?
Think they are really doing this or just trying to scare people out of tethering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say it is a little of both. This is nothing new, not even for AT&T.
Ultimately what it comes down to is, the amount of data you move at one time, services requested and types of packets sent/received. Everything which can be monitored on an automated basis.
For thethering I try not to over-do it, but only use it when I need it.
As far as I am concerned, I already pay for data usage and I should not be restricted on how I use it.
I have read people using 20+ gb a month. Those people deserve to be capped. They are the reason why capped data plans came in the first place. With that said how At&t is detecting this through browser Id's or Ttl is a mystery for now.o
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
I've consistently used more than 5 gigs a month the last few months and I don't even tether much at all. The vast majority of my data use occurs on my device.
*Haven't seen the aforementioned text or email btw
Via the XDA app for the HTC Inspire
Simba501 said:
I've consistently used more than 5 gigs a month the last few months and I don't even tether much at all. The vast majority of my data use occurs on my device.
*Haven't seen the aforementioned text or email btw
Via the XDA app for the HTC Inspire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto what they said.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Simba501 said:
I've consistently used more than 5 gigs a month the last few months and I don't even tether much at all. The vast majority of my data use occurs on my device.
*Haven't seen the aforementioned text or email btw
Via the XDA app for the HTC Inspire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
7.5-8 for me, mostly Pandora.
I know this is the Inspire thread but I've been thethering with my HTC pure for months now (between 3-8gb) and have never heard anything... I wonder if it's because I'm directing my data through MediaNet or if I've been lucky so far.
Everything I'm reading says iPhone owners are the only ones getting notices.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
I wonder if they built something into the stock ROM that allows them to track and if by using custom ROMs we avoid detection.
$10 per GB is to much. I see if you upgrade your phone you can not keep your unlimited plan. 4GB is not enough if you do everything from your personal communication device.
I don't think it's unfair for AT&T to bump users off of unlimited plans if they are tethering with their device...the Smartphone data plan is for the phone...not for devices attached to the phone...they did have a 60 dollar tethering plan back in the day that was unlimited on the phone and 5GB for connected devices...I disagree more with AT&T capping DSL/Uverse more than I disagree with Mobile broadband caps...since a smartphone isn't supposed to be a person's primary source for internet
steezee said:
I don't think it's unfair for AT&T to bump users off of unlimited plans if they are tethering with their device...the Smartphone data plan is for the phone...not for devices attached to the phone...they did have a 60 dollar tethering plan back in the day that was unlimited on the phone and 5GB for connected devices...I disagree more with AT&T capping DSL/Uverse more than I disagree with Mobile broadband caps...since a smartphone isn't supposed to be a person's primary source for internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree completely. That's like saying a loaf of bread is $3, but if you're going to use it for grilled cheese it's $10. Both loaves make sandwiches, who cares what kind it is. In the end, you'll eventually run out of bread (unless you were grandfathered in).
http://arstechnica.com/#!/gadgets/n...tethering-customers-may-violate-fcc-rules.ars
I'm at work and cannot confirm that vzw is now redirecting all 3rd party teathering apps to its sign-up page for teathering. Can anyone confirm this?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
not sure if you're refering to just wireless or all tethering, but PDA Net still works just fine.
Funny that the article discusses a "jailbroken" Droid X and pictures and iphone.
Nevertheless, this is why I decided to pay for unlimited tethering, no more looking over my shoulder. With my wife's discount on service it was a great deal.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Meh, let them try. I tethered all weekend driving from DC to Philedelphia and back
There is absolutely no way they can call tethering a provided "service" beyond simply providing data to the phones. What we do with that data is none of their dam business. If you are forced into a tiered data plan, it should not be up to them how you may use that limited data. If you want to tether and use your whole allowance on day one of the month, that should be your right.
No issues. Its working fine on mine.
Sent from my PUR3 A05P using Tapatalk
my "jailbroken" Thunderbolt is in tethercity with no concerns.
in fact, that's how I'm posting this.
-sent from my massive e-persona in which I attempt to convince you everything I do is Like A Bo$$
Good luck trying to block it. They can request the apps removed from market. We'll just download them elsewhere. They should be spending their energy on something more customer friendly, and stop trying to punish people.
Ita impossivle for verizon to determine if u are downloading bigass files on ur phone or through thetering.
Sent from my PUR3 A05P using XDA App
kevenrivera said:
Ita impossivle for verizon to determine if u are downloading bigass files on ur phone or through thetering.
Sent from my PUR3 A05P using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To them it doesn't matter. If you're downloading 80GB+ per month, which some are, you're abusing the network.
They'll more than likely develop a throttling system for extreme users. It's not fair for them to suck up all of my bandwidth if they're too cheap to pay for regular internet or the hotspot feature.
200th post...FTW!!
I had heard with LTE they have more control over the network and would actually be able to tell if it was your phone or if it was a PC attached to the network through tethering.
rommel500 said:
I had heard with LTE they have more control over the network and would actually be able to tell if it was your phone or if it was a PC attached to the network through tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will never be able to tell those things unless inspecting your packets.....which is an obvious violation of privacy
Using Barnacle and traveling around the country at the moment, no issues here.
rommel500 said:
I had heard with LTE they have more control over the network and would actually be able to tell if it was your phone or if it was a PC attached to the network through tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they can tell, but apparently its a PIA to do it. I would expect for unlimited users to start getting throttled if they use a huge amount of data (which is already in your contract).
scook9 said:
They will never be able to tell those things unless inspecting your packets.....which is an obvious violation of privacy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
umm, they are providing the data. Good luck winning a lawsuit saying they didn't have the right to verify you weren't breaking the TOS.
As far as the OP, I really think they got confused. AT&T can tell if you are tethering your iphone using the mifi cydia program. Apparently the program tells at&t that its tethering. But isn't that the dev that apple hired anyways so he probably added that on purpose?
There's no way to tell what "kind" of data is being used other than what the phone reports. On my Dinc, it was the ol' "dun" fix. I don't use it enough anymore to justify the extra expense, considering how many free WiFi locations are available. Also, I rarely even use my laptop anymore, I do 99% of my browsing from my phone.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
CanesDrew said:
To them it doesn't matter. If you're downloading 80GB+ per month, which some are, you're abusing the network.
They'll more than likely develop a throttling system for extreme users. It's not fair for them to suck up all of my bandwidth if they're too cheap to pay for regular internet or the hotspot feature.
200th post...FTW!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They already throttle too users. No one is Sucking up your bandwidth either. I was sold an unlimited data plan and they gladly took my money.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
eallan said:
They already throttle too users. No one is Sucking up your bandwidth either. I was sold an unlimited data plan and they gladly took my money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were sold an unlimited data plan for phone data, with the condition that the top 5% of bandwidth users could be throttled. Read your contract.
This isn't news.... We've known about this for months....
Sent from my HTC GingerBolt powered by Gingeritis 1.2.1
lrs421 said:
Funny that the article discusses a "jailbroken" Droid X and pictures and iphone.
Nevertheless, this is why I decided to pay for unlimited tethering, no more looking over my shoulder. With my wife's discount on service it was a great deal.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, same as you. Except for the wifey thing.
eallan said:
They already throttle too users. No one is Sucking up your bandwidth either. I was sold an unlimited data plan and they gladly took my money.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's semantics. From a technical point of view there's no such thing as unlimited data. Multiply the download speed times the number of hours in a month and that's the theoretical limit. Of course, no one can go the full download speed all the time. It's just not possible.
What you get promised is that they won't cut you off at a specific number of bytes. However, unlike cable companies, I haven't seen any phone carrier advertise or even mention the download speed. They can't. Unlike your cable modem, your phone moves around.
So, not having promised any kind of speed performance it's easy for them to just slow you down if you eat too many bytes.
And, as an "average" user I'm THRILLED that they throttle the heavy users. I don't want to be on a network that averages 500kbps because there are hundreds of people in my cell eating up the bandwidth all the time.
EDIT:
AT&T's method of tethering detection has been settled.
AdamOutler said:
AT&T is monitoring the data traffic for the browser identification string.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can easily change your browser identification string by following this:
infernus1986 said:
Firefox has a plugin to change browser string, user agent switcher
You can add custom strings to mimic the phones browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sfernandez said:
download USER AGENT SWITCHER add edit, add new then use this
"Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Andriod 2.3.4; en-US; SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 Build/GINGERBREAD) AppleWebKit/533.1(KHTML, like Gecko)Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1"
If you want to use Chrome Just right click then properties and and on TARGET right after chrome.exe paste this --user-agent="Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Andriod 2.3.4; en-US; SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 Build/GINGERBREAD) AppleWebKit/533.1(KHTML, like Gecko)Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1"
AND if you tether this will make your browser look like a captivate
infernus1986 said:
http://whatsmyuseragent.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this and you will see it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Original Post:
So, I called AT&T about an hour ago to get my rate plan adjusted, they had some information on "usage patterns"
The AT&T rep told me that the system within the last 2 months had detected tethering. Basically read to me which part of the contract I was violating and that if I continued using it, they would remove my unlimited data plan (which I am grandfathered in) and place me in the 4gb tethering package (or something of that nature). He said AT&T is going to be sending out text messages to those who have been tethering starting tomorrow and will receive documentation in their bill about it.
I had been tethering through a MIUI rom, not that it seems to matter what method tethering occurred through.
The AT&T rep was even able to tell me that I had been tethering a 'laptop', not that that information is valid or backed up by AT&T data. I'm not sure how they would know that I was tethering a laptop (which is not the only thing that I had tethered in the last 2 months) or any other device, but by the way he told me the information, it sounded as if AT&T can tell what type of device I tethered too. I used to think it was impossible to tell, but I don't know.
Plus, I haven't gone over 2gbs in at least 4 months, tethering or not, so its not even like I am an abusive customer (even though in the past I have racked up 7gb)
I hope you didn't admit to anything. You should have called their bluff.
I said I hadn't. Ever.
And then the guy on the phone said, "well it says here that you have tethered your laptop."
I then said how I have an older phone, Samsung Eternity, that came packaged with tethering software, which it did and AT&T at the time encouraged me to use freely, might be causing tethering, but that I had never done it before.
He called my bluff. I don't want my unlimited data taken away.. so yeah.
I got a text message today concerning high usage data patterns. I wonder if anything has changed.
The problem is that their greed will pave the way for the little guy they are trying to monopolize with tmobile buyout so i think alot of people are sick of att and how they charge for anything im not suprisrd
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I've been tethering my touchpad with my captivate since I got it. Haven't heard anything from AT&T yet, once I connect my laptop I bet that will change. I think a way around this will connecting to a VPN on the phone then tethering through the VPN. Is the possible? should stop att from inspecting the packets.
I would have said "What is tethering? I don't own a laptop. How dare you make these accusations? What is your name and let me speak to your supervisor immediately." Etc. And then tell the supervisor the guy is making ridiculous accusations. Tell them they are bordering on defamation making these claims and you make have to take legal action if they don't cease and desist.
you people who got the txt how much data do you normaly use ? i tether almost daily but i have not gotten a txt ...
---------- Post added 20th September 2011 at 12:01 AM ---------- Previous post was 19th September 2011 at 11:58 PM ----------
nh5 said:
I've been tethering my touchpad with my captivate since I got it. Haven't heard anything from AT&T yet, once I connect my laptop I bet that will change. I think a way around this will connecting to a VPN on the phone then tethering through the VPN. Is the possible? should stop att from inspecting the packets.
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If they are packet inpecting we got a lawsuit coming ... not for me but for "other" reasons .. I think ATT is blowing smoke frankly .
There was actually an article about this on Phone Arena a few months back that I read but at the time they were only doing it to iPhone users.
It would be helpful for OP and those who got notice from AT&T post your average monthly data usage. Otherwise, I'd say it is pure BS.
Mine wasn't anything too serious, they just let me know that I was in the top 5% of data users and that next month they will be throttling me if I go that high again.
I agree. Because I use a lot. Sometimes 7 gigs
foxbat121 said:
It would be helpful for OP and those who got notice from AT&T post your average monthly data usage. Otherwise, I'd say it is pure BS.
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Sent from my unbrickable cappy *bam*
7 gigs isnt alot some people do 50 gigs once i called custumer support couz my phone broke and he was like i see high data usesage 2.3 gigs and i told him i use cloudmedia for movies and pandora so he shut up. Couz they think if u use a lot of data u tether. Also if u want to be a **** just tell then i got cable and its a lot faster then ur connection. He should get the point
PS. I assume all the people who got the text are unlimited users if so at&t trying to make a switch for u because they want more money.
Sent from my CM7 Motorola Atrix 4G
Double post srry
BenKranged said:
I would have said "What is tethering? I don't own a laptop. How dare you make these accusations? What is your name and let me speak to your supervisor immediately." Etc. And then tell the supervisor the guy is making ridiculous accusations. Tell them they are bordering on defamation making these claims and you make have to take legal action if they don't cease and desist.
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Good post!
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BenKranged said:
I would have said "What is tethering? I don't own a laptop. How dare you make these accusations? What is your name and let me speak to your supervisor immediately." Etc. And then tell the supervisor the guy is making ridiculous accusations. Tell them they are bordering on defamation making these claims and you make have to take legal action if they don't cease and desist.
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Click to collapse
The problem with this line of approach is that AT&T customer service reps are required by company policy that any time you mention taking legal action against them to transfer you to their legal department and have you immediately begin dealing with them. Had a friend who was a customer service rep for AT&T (and Cingular before it), and he sent many a people to legal for doing things like what you mention here. AT&T have some nasty lawyers so dealing with them is not something that should be high on your list.
Here's the run down of my data usage.
Averages for months
15 months: < 2.5gb/month (as far back as AT&T lets me see other than 1 month that I had 0kb for some reason)
10 months: 3.02gb/month
5 months: 1.68gb/month
3 months: 1.8gb/month
2 months: 2.3gb/month (this is for Aug-Sept)
1.95gb/month (this is for July-Aug)
The rep had said "based on the the last couple of months"; assuming couple is 2, those are the months AT&T is looking at for tethering. Those are mighty low averages imo.
Peak at 7.2gb per month, low of .1gb, normal low is .8gb.
And although its not on the chart, for my billing cycle in September, I used 1.5gb
http://i51.tinypic.com/3178aon.png
Honestly to tell AT&T I have never tethered is a bold faced lie. Back on Cingular, I was encouraged to tether, and I did often. I had a Sony Ericsson T616 and I would tether over its blutooth connection to my laptop. I had the 20$ unlimited data plan and tethered to watch streaming footage of Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. I eventually dropped unlimited data (which seemed too pricey, wish I had kept it). I got back on Unlimited data but for feature phones and tethered on those devices as well on AT&T from 2007-2009. AT&T provided software for it. I bet I can find it too. Also, my Samsung Eternity came prepackaged with tethering software, that was in 2009. And honestly, I never even surpassed 2gb until I got my Captivate.
I guess my stance is, if they didn't want me tethering, why include it in phone bundles, and why target me now? I wouldn't say that an average of less than 2.5gb a month is 'abusive' or causing significant strain. I guess its all pointless to argue anyway, it is what it is.
They must be packet sniffing... and I like the VPN idea, but you won't catch me trying it until some brave bastard does first. 30$ for data, restricted 'unlimited'-nontethering data, is fine with me.
Yeah I wouldn't actually follow up on the legal action. If they still wouldn't back down I would probably just change carriers. Though they are all the same for most intents and purposes. Maybe telling them you want to cancel your account because you don't like being accused of things when you are the paying customer would be a better approach. Have them transfer you to retention.
I just meant take the same approach to tethering as flashing roms. If they ask you about it just say "what does that mean?" and act like you don't understand technology at all.
mymansionisabox said:
Honestly to tell AT&T I have never tethered is a bold faced lie
Click to expand...
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So is selling unlimited data that isn't unlimited.
I'm pretty sure anytime your data usage near or over 2GB mark, you're on the top 5% as majority of the smartphone users are probably on 2GB limited plan and spent no where near 2GB/mo. I'm a pretty heavy data user but I don't stream anything. My average is 350 to 500 MB/m and highest I've ever used is 1.5GB/mo that is because I streamed couple Netflix movies on a long trip.
If you're on top 5%, you'd bet AT&T will try anything possible to determine what you are doing using so much data.
Guys it is really not that hard for them to find out what is using the connection. Not only can you see a mac address from the device using the connection but the data traffic is different. We all knew this was gonna happen, and now that it has we will all have to live with it.
Well I finally got called out on my data usage in tethering and was threatened to get put on the $45 a month plan on top of what I have already. As soon as I get into the top 5% of the top data users I get throttled back... There was an app that I had a long time back that used to give me options to turn on Wi-Fi when I plug the phone in or turn it on and off at certain times as well as mobile data.. any ideas of what the app is called or a similar app? (not power manager by x-phone software either because all it does is crash)
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Tasker will do that for you. I use it, for example, to turn on my WiFi when I get home and turn off the cell data. When I leave, it automatically turns off the WiFi and turns on the 3G/H+ data and GPS. Be warned though that if you have Tasker monitoring a lot of things, it can cause a battery drain.
TNPaparazzi said:
any ideas of what the app is called or a similar app? (not power manager by x-phone software either because all it does is crash)
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I used to use Tasker, but like djeaton said, it can be a battery drain. Instead, I use an app called "AT&T Smart Wi-Fi". You can find it on the Android Market. Pretty simple to set up and easy to use. Give that a shot before you try Tasker.
Thanks guys I'll give em both a try
If you don't mind me asking, how much data did you use in order to be top 5% by At&t?
I ask this because I also tether and would like a heads up hehe...
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
over 11.5 gigs lmao.. They caught me tethering on a completely separate thing though... Just be careful with the tethering, they'll send you a lovely text message and warn you before they do anything though
TNPaparazzi said:
over 11.5 gigs lmao.. They caught me tethering on a completely separate thing though... Just be careful with the tethering, they'll send you a lovely text message and warn you before they do anything though
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I got a text saying the same thing today and plan on calling at&t after the holiday to give them a piece of my mind because how can they say I'm in the top 5% when i only use around 2.1GB a month. They just really want everyone to be on the limited data plans.
blitzer320 said:
I got a text saying the same thing today and plan on calling at&t after the holiday to give them a piece of my mind because how can they say I'm in the top 5% when i only use around 2.1GB a month. They just really want everyone to be on the limited data plans.
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hmmm that's good to know because I haven't really noticed any throttling yet either.. Maybe it's just a scare tactic.. I don't want to push my luck and attempt to tether again... If they threaten me again with that and I know they're bullshitting, then it's really gonna hit the fan and they will get a piece of my mind
I've been tethering for years and have never heard anything. I've also been using tons of data streaming several hours of audio daily from spotify in addition to my normal web usage. I wouldn't be terribly upset if they canceled my account....
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
blitzer320 said:
I got a text saying the same thing today and plan on calling at&t after the holiday to give them a piece of my mind because how can they say I'm in the top 5% when i only use around 2.1GB a month. They just really want everyone to be on the limited data plans.
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Click to collapse
It's the tethering that they don't want you to do. It's even in the contract you sign so calling them out is just going to allow them an avenue to show you what you signed. Just don't tether and they will leave you alone. I use over 5-10gb sometimes a month and have never tethered and I don't get throttled or get any nasty letters.
Gizmoe said:
It's the tethering that they don't want you to do. It's even in the contract you sign so calling them out is just going to allow them an avenue to show you what you signed. Just don't tether and they will leave you alone. I use over 5-10gb sometimes a month and have never tethered and I don't get throttled or get any nasty letters.
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Actually I have never tethered and I got this message saying I was in the top 5% data users
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blitzer320 said:
Actually I have never tethered and I got this message saying I was in the top 5% data users
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's strange. I thought you were tethering. Maybe you live in a high congestion area. I live in a small town so maybe they don't care how much I use, because I use a lot.
Gizmoe said:
That's strange. I thought you were tethering. Maybe you live in a high congestion area. I live in a small town so maybe they don't care how much I use, because I use a lot.
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Click to collapse
Yeah I guess that's could be it since i live in manhattan but I also think its about the phone you have. Me and my sister are on a family plan both with unlimited data but she has an iPhone so they don't mess with her at all.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Its people like you who abuse data bandwidth as to why carriers crack down on it. Being respectful of others on the network, you should only use tethering when you absolutely have a need to get on the internet to check email, send a message, get info off the web, etc. And your phone should not be the only device you have for an internet connection. And if it is, you shouldn't be downloading or streaming that much data from a phone anyways. So i would like to personally thank you for ruining it for everyone else by being apart of the real problem.
According to TechCrunch, "heavy users only make up a small percentage of those consuming bandwidth – 14.3%, to be precise." That means 85% of the problem belongs to the rest of us.
djeaton said:
According to TechCrunch, "heavy users only make up a small percentage of those consuming bandwidth – 14.3%, to be precise." That means 85% of the problem belongs to the rest of us.
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If it was only that much then ATT wouldn't care. Alot of the issue started with the IPhone and people streaming stuff all day long. Now comes android and every kid gets one and guess what they do? Same as the iPhone users. They take unlimited as just that and because they didn't read the TOS they don't understand reasonable usage. You would be amazed after working for ATT and helping people with their accounts how many really due use a dumb amount of data all the time. I saw this coming a few weeks after the iPhone hit. To be honest I am surprised it took so damn long lol
I'd hate to see what those unlimited data abusers could do to an all-you-can-eat buffet
I recall reading somewhere recently that AT&T has started throttling speeds to customers that are in the top 5% of data usage. Problem is, what criteria are they using to determine "top 5%"? Metro area? Nationwide? Neighborhood?
---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------
Found it!
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=20535&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=32318
The point of the article was that the folks abusing the bandwidth are not the biggest cause of speed degradation. ATT cares because the few that make up the 14% are using more than they are paying for when they tether their phones without the tethering plan. If you pay for using their service on your phone and then want to use it on your laptop, they want you to buy their little USB thingy and another data plan to do it. Should they require more money based on where you view the data? Probably not. But we shouldn't conflate ATTs desire to squeeze folks with it being the primary cause of slow speeds. If they all cut their data usage back to a more reasonable amount, it would only increase the rest of our speeds by a couple of percentage points.
cavsoldier19d said:
Its people like you who abuse data bandwidth as to why carriers crack down on it. Being respectful of others on the network, you should only use tethering when you absolutely have a need to get on the internet to check email, send a message, get info off the web, etc. And your phone should not be the only device you have for an internet connection. And if it is, you shouldn't be downloading or streaming that much data from a phone anyways. So i would like to personally thank you for ruining it for everyone else by being apart of the real problem.
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Click to collapse
I've only used tethering one time and that was because their garbage DSL which I'm cancelling soon wasn't working. Other than that, I normally don't use any higher than 6gb except for that one time which was still lower than a bunch of people I personally know. They have yet to receive a letter.
I don't tether and I just got this text from at&t saying I'm in the top 5 percent
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I've been using mobile hotspot on my inspire for about 4-5 months after rooting the phone. All was well... I was using my laptop and speed was decent to check emails, youTube, general browsing.
But I just a mail from at&t saying that "we noticed that you have been using the hotspot feature but you don't have the feature addon on your account. If you continue to use the hotspot feature, your account will be billed $45 automatically on your next billing cycle. If don't use the hotspot, you will not be billed". Hmmm... Anyone using hotspot on at&t get something similar notification from at&t?
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I have never heard of this before. Can they do that? Being Sarcastic
Got that back in October. Yes they can do that. I just stopped tethering.
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Yeah. I stopped tethering now. It was kinda weird that at&t sent the letter now.
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This has been covered all ready. ATT is cracking down on all teathering.
Yep, I posted something about this like a month or so ago.. I got the same letter. I just stopped tethering and have yet to hear anything about my data usage since. And I haven't noticed any throttling either except when they were threatening me about the tethering and such
I also got the same message. I'm actually guessing it was because I jumped from light tethering to a temporary massive download session with it. Gonna lay off for a while and see what comes of it.
Do any of the apps out there (like WiFi Tether for Root Users) actually allow you to tether without them noticing?
voyagerfan99 said:
I also got the same message. I'm actually guessing it was because I jumped from light tethering to a temporary massive download session with it. Gonna lay off for a while and see what comes of it.
Do any of the apps out there (like WiFi Tether for Root Users) actually allow you to tether without them noticing?
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Click to collapse
No. There are some that are saying ATT is watching the packets that are being sent. Unless there is a way to make your PC send packets like a mobile device then there is nothing that can be done short of getting a tethering plan.
zelendel said:
No. There are some that are saying ATT is watching the packets that are being sent. Unless there is a way to make your PC send packets like a mobile device then there is nothing that can be done short of getting a tethering plan.
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Adding a tethering plan when you already have an unlimited data plan is really stupid to be honest. But I guess that's American greed for you.
voyagerfan99 said:
Adding a tethering plan when you already have an unlimited data plan is really stupid to be honest. But I guess that's American greed for you.
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Does nobody read the TOS? This has been gone offer alot as of late.
But you are right. The standard of society is motivated by greed.
voyagerfan99 said:
Adding a tethering plan when you already have an unlimited data plan is really stupid to be honest. But I guess that's American greed for you.
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Click to collapse
American greed? Maybe you better look at non-American cellular plans before you jump on that wagon. You are fortunate to be on a so called unlimited plan. Second your plan was technically never unlimited. 5GB fair use clause in the TOS that you never took the time to read.
ATT has let users slide for years with tethering and I can't remember ever being allowed to tether on an ATT plan without a tethering plan. It is one thing to use it for occassional email or browsing, but it is another to use it for streaming or online video games. It is that abuse that ruins it for everyone. So where is the greed? Is it the US cellular companies which are trying to keep it fair for everyone to enjoy fast and reliable service or is it in the consumer that is given an inch and takes a mile and then calls foul.
There is nothing wierd that anyone tethering, whether small amounts or massive amounts, is getting a letter. How many threads like this have been started? It is well known. ATT and the other major carriers have made it clear. No tethering without a plan. And they are cracking down and they mean it.
Agoattamer said:
American greed? Maybe you better look at non-American cellular plans before you jump on that wagon. You are fortunate to be on a so called unlimited plan. Second your plan was technically never unlimited. 5GB fair use clause in the TOS that you never took the time to read.
ATT has let users slide for years with tethering and I can't remember ever being allowed to tether on an ATT plan without a tethering plan. It is one thing to use it for occassional email or browsing, but it is another to use it for streaming or online video games. It is that abuse that ruins it for everyone. So where is the greed? Is it the US cellular companies which are trying to keep it fair for everyone to enjoy fast and reliable service or is it in the consumer that is given an inch and takes a mile and then calls foul.
There is nothing wierd that anyone tethering, whether small amounts or massive amounts, is getting a letter. How many threads like this have been started? It is well known. ATT and the other major carriers have made it clear. No tethering without a plan. And they are cracking down and they mean it.
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I totally agree. 10chars
Only thing that gets me is everyone releasing all this new online crap, cloud storage, music/video streaming etc and now they're capping you on data usage. It's almost like its 1997 again and we're paying for AOL by the hour lol... At least having a 5gb package instead of the normal 2gb would be a bit more reasonable
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I've been warned before for something from AT&T I had hacked facetime on my iPhone 3gs they sent me a text saying that my phone wasn't registered for a facetime plan and then after that I guess there were characters my phone didn't recognize and half the message was in squares. The first day I had my iPhone though I had gotten a text and email pretty much telling me to stop tethering even though my iPhone wasn't even "set" up -.- it got me worried but I never got a price change
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PDANET hides the fact that you are tethering and you do not need root. It only works with bluetooth or USB cable, you can not use hotspot.
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If you think that's bad, I got booted off my unlimited plan today for tethering when I havent tethered since October and got the warning text in November :/ The lady at at&t said something about third-party apps using tethering without my knowing and to delete all of them off my phone. Don't know who they are trying to fool
ATT is removing the unlimited plans by any means they can. This is not surprising as they stated publicly that this was the plan. They use the tethering ploy as in common use there is no reason one should be using that much data to be honest with work, family and personal lives. Then add in the fact that wifi is just about everywhere.
AT&T is rubbish.
ATT and sprint belong in the rubbish bin.
Rasa11 said:
AT&T is rubbish.
ATT and sprint belong in the rubbish bin.
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And you think big red is any better or T-Mobile? They are all doing it. It is about money plain and simple. This is nothing new or surprising
Donate me a few million and I will build us a satellite and we can have all our own service running 15g jkjk I'm tired of restrictions is all... I mean the new T-Mobile commercial says hey you get unlimited everything for 50$ a month then in fine print it says " after 100mb of 4g you're speeds get dropped to 2g" like wtf really? What's the point of having unlimited 2g? I mean I am on a plan with 2gigs of data but only have edge where I'm at I'm glad to have wifi where ever I'm at so it doesn't bother me too much but for companies to say they give us the best and then only give us a taste and tease us with it should be illegal -.-
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