Just a general complaint about ATT's policies on tethering

[chuckj11]

Yes, the name of the game is making money. Period.  I understand that.  But I also must say that ATT's policies on texting and tethering over due it when it comes to screwing over its customers, whom already pay plenty a month to use their services.

Tethering-

Its a con job to force users to pay more to use data they already pay for. If already pay for a 3 GB a month plan, (and dont even use even close to that much by the way), then I should be able to use the data even through tethering.  I only need tethering a couple times a month and its only when I am out working at sites that do not have WIFI.  Sometimes I need to get email from somewhere that contains an attachment and get it on my pc.  However, my phone does not download all attachments. So my only other options is tethering. 

We're talking MB's a month barely, yet I cant use it with my 3 GB plan.  I should not have to pay more for a 5 GB plan when 1) I dont even use 3 GB a month and 2) Im already paying for a data plan.  ATT, I know you dont give a dang, but this is an obvious screw over move to do this. I will surely take this into consideration next time my contract is up.

We pay for this data already, and should not be forced to pay more to use it a different way, as long as we dont use more data than our plan allots. It really is that simple, and while you can charge what ever you want for this or that, there is nothing you can say to justify this as being anything but greedy.

[kinghdmi]

Agreed !   Big red does the same thing.  They do it cause they can.  They want you on the family share plan (which allows tethering).  IMO you should be able to you your data as you wish so long as you pay for it.

[harryspar]

I think millions of people agree with you. Unfortunately it's not our network, it's ATT's and they can make any policy they want, at least until there's a bit more competition in wireless. ATT and Verizon match each other step by step every time one of them raises prices, upgrade fees, throttling, etc. It's as close to collusion as they can get without a Federal smackdown.

That's just how it is, and complaining on the forum won't change it, unfortunately.

[chuckj11]

And the thing is, I dont have a family. Its just me. And I sure as heck dont need 5 GB of data.  I dont even need 3 but got it just in case. Now I find out I cant tether.  Total scam job. I dont need a hot spot, I just want to use my phone's data that I pay for occassionally when Im out working on at a site that doesnt have wifi.  Making you pay extra for something that isnt even an extra service or cost for ATT is garbage.

I guess Ill just wait for a hack or custom ROM for my phone so I can do it.  And before someone calls it stealing, I already pay $90 something bux a month for my data plan, I should be able to use that data, even through my computer.

This is like your internet provider charging you extra to use a wireless router with your internet. Its a pathetic scam.

[kinghdmi]

Just be aware they can detect your (unauthorized) tethering.........

[Heinrich]

Due to poor management, AT&T lost 3 billion dollars when they TMOBILE merger failed.  They're now proceeding with many customer-hostile polices in order to recoup some of those lost dollars.

that's the bottom line:

The consuemr is paying for bad management decisions

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Heinrich wrote:

Due to poor management, AT&T lost 3 billion dollars when they TMOBILE merger failed.  They're now proceeding with many customer-hostile polices in order to recoup some of those lost dollars.

that's the bottom line:

The consuemr is paying for bad management decisions

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sorry that statement is incorrect, their 2012 3rd quarter earnings for very strong, a little flat as compared to the previos years but that is easily attributed to the overal growth economy of not only the US but for the entire world, all financial martkets are taking a beating right now. Not a lot of companies turned in flat or increased results for the 3rd quarter of this year and a lot of them have closed their doors.

this would be a pretty good place to start tio look at their results for the 3rd quarter of 2012

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23448&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35518

[harryspar]

The Tmobile debacle actually lost them $4,000,000,000, or about $37 per customer.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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harryspar wrote:
The Tmobile debacle actually lost them $4,000,000,000, or about $37 per customer.

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pocket change in the world of big business, bottom line proof is their 3rd quarter financial report, dividends to stock holders were strong, that is what matters.

[harryspar]

Ain't that the truth. The stockholders are the real customers of ATT. Cell phone users are the cows to be milked. Hand over your $37, everyone - it's just pocket change.

[Heinrich]

AT&T lost 3 billion dollars out if their bank account. Don't be an apologist for a large corporate monstrosity that developed even MORE customer hostile policies after thy sent 3 billion to Tmobile. If that's peanuts, why can't I upgrade my iPhone yet as I have done for 4 years and where are the cheaper text messaging plans?

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Heinrich wrote:
AT&T lost 3 billion dollars out if their bank account. Don't be an apologist for a large corporate monstrosity that developed even MORE customer hostile policies after thy sent 3 billion to Tmobile. If that's peanuts, why can't I upgrade my iPhone yet as I have done for 4 years and where are the cheaper text messaging plans?

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Apologist? Not on your life, business owner and one that understands quarterly financial reports.  3 billion dollars in the overall outlook is not a lot, take teh time to read the first 3 quarters of the year to see how it "affected" thier EBITA. Besides most of it will be written off. Curious exactly what "customer hostile policies" are you speaking of? Would love ot see your documentation on this. another thing to remember - prety much most of it will be written off at the end of year filings

You get to upgrade your phone when your states you can, if you want to do it before then pay full retail for the device. You do have a choice for cheaper texting plans - pay per use. New ciustomers to veizon don;t even have a choice of text plans - you get it added on on the only plan that have - mobile share.