Tutor
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2 Messages
Got a threatening letter regarding tethering and my unlimited data package for my iphone
I received a text message, an email, and now a letter from AT&T saying if I didn't stop using tethering on my iPhone, that my unlimited data plan would be removed and I would be signed up for a 4 gig limited + tethering plan.
1) Wouldn't I have to HAVE a tethering plan before I could tether??? HELLOOOoooOO!!! AT&T- pull your head out of your butt and get with the program here.
2) Is it legal for a cell phone company to change your plan without your consent?
3) If they do, I would imagine that would break the contract since that would not be the terms you signed the contract under.
4) Anybody else being threatened with this? Looks to me like AT&T just wants to get rid of all of us old-timers that still have unlimited plans. [Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].
crashmw
Contributor
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1 Message
10 years ago
Got my notification yesterday.
I admit that I have used tethering in the past, but not in the last month, and only to check emails when travelling domestically -which is very rare and could not have consumed more than 10 to 20 MB, yes -Megabytes. This billing cycle I am sitting at maybe 160MB data usage. -And ZERO tethering.
But I do sense a common theme here. I just got the new GNote 3 just over a month ago, and I am on unlimited data.
Seems that ATT is trying to remove unlimited data all around. Again, typical monthly usage is no more than a couple hundred MBs...and I have stopped with any tethering, though I suspect it was not the actual tethering that is causing the email notification, but that I have my browsers set for desktop mode since I use browsers for checking emails as I have a yahoo email account that does not end in yahoo.com, so I cannot use the default email client to access that account -hence I go through dolphin HD, and it is set for desktop.
When visiting flipboard or Pulse, when I open stories that either have video or take me to web pages to view content, I select Dolphin as browser -which again, is set as desktop...which I am not about to change.
Either way, before changing phones, I was travelling domestically quite a bit (May through August) and tethering all the time (but not much data usage) and never received any threatening emails. but 1.5 months into my new phone contract comes this email.
Something smells...
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loganic
Former Employee
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636 Messages
10 years ago
Att, in a passive way doesn't like the unlimited plans. No doubt about it, but AT&T will try to honor the plan it offered, as close as possible (throttling aside).
I suspect the emails are sent after relatively recent usage, which probably can mean within the last month or two.
When I had to try to speak to the tethering specialists on behalf of another customer, I was told that the notice was sent if there the system noticed repeat discrepancy between the access device and the requesting/ending device.
In theory, I can imagine any connection to any other device where information is transfered my cause that discrepancy, screen sharing.
If you have had tethering in the past, but not anymore, and you get not just one notice, but repeat, then the only reccomendation I can make would be to wipe the phone. Start over, don't install any hacks or service that would allow it.
-Alex
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bluckau
Contributor
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4 Messages
10 years ago
"It's spelled out pretty clearly that 5GB is the limit of even the "unlimited" data plans"
Wow. I guess people who look at other people and instead see dollar sign$$ can rationalize anything, and even get themselves and others to believe it.
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r.ashley
Teacher
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13 Messages
10 years ago
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kdfederer
ACE - Expert
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13.1K Messages
10 years ago
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wingrider01
Expert
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12.2K Messages
10 years ago
In addtion to the above post, the data plan is not part of the contract, it is a feature that is only required if you add a smartphone. Any changes to features are not eligible for the get out of etf free card. You can put a basic phone on the number, remove the data feature code at anytime during the 2 year contract with no reprecussions.
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arnisking
Contributor
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1 Message
10 years ago
My question is: if they are Capping or throttling service because of excess usage on unlimited plans, are they throttling or Capping overages that occur with people who have a capped Plan already? Surely they are doing this to avoid overages on their network as well. They wouldn't want to charge those customers all those overage charges, now would they . . . ?
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wingrider01
Expert
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12.2K Messages
10 years ago
the only plan that is throttled is the no longer available unlimited data plan, for LTE it is 5GB per month all others it is 3GB. The plans such as the new mobile shared or the older 300MB/3GB/5GB are not throttled, if the end user exceeds the allocation they pay a overage charge.
Bottom line discontinued and grandfathered unlimited data, att monitors your usage, you exceed they throttle the line down until your next billing cycle, with the other plans it is your responsibilty to monitor your usage, you exceed and your checkbook will be the throttle cap.. Your personal responsiblity is to control the usage so you don't get overage charges, not the carriers.
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loganic
Former Employee
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636 Messages
10 years ago
6.1 & 6.2 especially. http://www.att.com/shop/en/legalterms.html?toskey=wirelessCustomerAgreement#whatAreTheGenTermsApplyDataMsgPlans
It's actually pretty comprehensible.
Highlights:
1) A data plan designated for one type of device may not be used with another type of device
2)AT&T reserves the right to terminate your data services with or without cause.
3) AT&T’s wireless data services also may not be used with high bandwidth applications, services and content . . .
4) AT&T’s Rights to Ensure Compliance. You agree that AT&T has the right to take any and all actions necessary to enforce this . . .
5) If you are a grandfathered AT&T unlimited plan data service customer . . . “unlimited” does not mean that you can use AT&T’s wireless data service in any way that you choose or for any prohibited activities.
Given the terms, AT&T is rather lenient of enforcing it. AT&T has the right, but if you try to follow it, then usually they try to work with you.
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drobinson15
Contributor
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1 Message
10 years ago
Yes, I got the same threats. I just now had a concerstation with Debbie at AT&T and explained that my phone has NEVER been used as a 'Hot Spot' nor tethered to anything...EVER (phone never leaves my sight). I have five AT&T phones and am a long time customer.
She demanded that AT&T could 'see' that data had been send from my phone as a hotspot but sent back to my phone and not to another site. I asked how they could see this when it did not happen. She said, "Well, since you are no longer using your phone as a hotspot you will not be billed this time BUT if you use it again you will be billed.
I asked her wasn't that calling me a liar. She continued to say they could see I had used it as a Hotspot.
My feelings are this is a ploy. I am currently looking at other providers as this kind of insult is unacceptable. I am very sad.
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