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AT&T trying to crackdown on unauth. tethering

arstechnica.com

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Re: AT&T trying to crackdown on unauth. tethering

#31

Post by nitrogen »

sukuriant wrote: post #26
eli wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"AT&T may, but is not required to, monitor your compliance, or the compliance of other subscribers, with AT&T's terms, conditions, or policies" And, of course, it's now well-known that the government WAS using deep packet inspection on AT&T internet traffic. I would assume they're just looking at how much you download in a month, though. I don't think AT&T is worried about offending outliers using large amounts of mo…

Could you provide a link to the government using deep packet inspection on ATT internet traffic. I don't remember it/haven't heard about it. Just curious.

Here's what a Google search for "at&t nsa splitter" turned up:

http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/04/6585.ars

Re: AT&T trying to crackdown on unauth. tethering

#32

Post by kpao »

yellowbkpk wrote: post #18

These e-mails from AT&T are almost always smoke and mirrors. I'm on the same data plan I had in the Cingular days and have received dozens of e-mails and texts warning me that I "may be violating my contract" and that they're going to switch me to the $60/mo plan. I've yet to be switched away from my $10/mo data plan.

Same for me, until I got a Nexus One.

I was using an HTC TyTn2 that I didn't purchase at a Cingular Store and I was on the $15 data plan. Never got caught with this phone, probably because they didn't know what phone to map my IMEI to.

I got a Nexus One for AT&T last year, and received an auto upgrade SMS shortly after, saying that my Nexus One required another plan...

Re: AT&T trying to crackdown on unauth. tethering

#33

Post by ajg1977 »

omarqureshi wrote: post #28

There is a greater underlying issue here which seems to be missed. I have paid £x to use O2's (or in this case AT&T's) network, not only that but I also had to partially pay for the handset. O2 should not really give a damn about what device I use to access their network - sure, they may have sold me a handset with an Internet plan, but it is MY DECISION to use whatever device I see fit to use that network. If I am a…

That's a bit like saying "I bought a plane ticket, and if I want to cram multiple people, cargo, or whatever into the seat that's MY decision and the airline should not give a damn".

There's no underlying issue. You accepted their offer of a subsidized handset in exchange for entering into a contract to buy voice & data for that handset, or an equivalent, for a period of time. Your agreement pertains to that type of device only, clearly stated in the T&C's.

Now, if you want to argue that tethering charges to use your bandwidth is a dick move, or that mobile operators should NOT be able to discriminate, or charge more just because you own a certain device, then I completely agree. But neither of those are what you agreed to.

Re: AT&T trying to crackdown on unauth. tethering

#34

Post by chris_j »

ajg1977 wrote: post #33
omarqureshi wrote: post #28

There is a greater underlying issue here which seems to be missed. I have paid £x to use O2's (or in this case AT&T's) network, not only that but I also had to partially pay for the handset. O2 should not really give a damn about what device I use to access their network - sure, they may have sold me a handset with an Internet plan, but it is MY DECISION to use whatever device I see fit to use that network. If I am a…

That's a bit like saying "I bought a plane ticket, and if I want to cram multiple people, cargo, or whatever into the seat that's MY decision and the airline should not give a damn". There's no underlying issue. You accepted their offer of a subsidized handset in exchange for entering into a contract to buy voice & data for that handset, or an equivalent, for a period of time. Your agreement pertains to that type of…

You're absolutely right about the T&Cs. Presumably AT&T are aware that some people are prepared to pay more for tethering and therefore write the T&Cs such that can price-discriminate in order to get more money out of those people for potentially the same service. The sad thing is that people probably signed up in the expectation that the T&Cs would not be enforced and are getting a rude shock.

To slightly modify your airline analogy, this is like going on a business trip and flying economy. The airline scans your baggage, notices that you have packed your suit and other work-related items and demands that you pay the business class fare. "Hold on a minute," you complain, "I am entitled to 20kg of hold baggage and 7kg of hand baggage, so long as it fits with certain dimensions and isn't dangerous!" The airline retort: "Read the small print. Business travellers with certain items in their baggage will be charge the business class fare, which will be charged to your credit card. Now, enjoy the flight and don't forget to pay attention to the safety announcement."

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