latest news on tethering charges

sorry but so far the answer is still the same

"yes you can, your probably not supposed to, you can get away with it anyway, you risk getting caught and charged some indeterminable amount"

but i wasnt happy with the extent of info i found on using your phone as a modem, and how you get charged for it. so i did some heavy research (without much hope of an answer). I think i found more info than any posts on here have divulged so i thought i would post it and start a topic for any updates (tell me if this is sticky worthy)

so we all know you can tether your phone as a modem.

this page says the impression is compatible:
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/solutions/wireless-laptop/laptop-connect-devices.jsp

this page tells you how:
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesssupport/laptop-connect.do?handset=Samsung_Impression%28A877%29_Phone&connectionMethod=usb

the problem is that att does not offer a package that includes tethering for this phone. Contradicting their own website ATT also says the impression cant tether.

this page has some very interesting info on it:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/solutionDisplay.jsp?solutionId=KB58758

i talked to an ATT rep and he said that the unlimited data plan for the impression falls under the mMode/MEdia Net/Smartphone Connect section under MEdia Net.

it reads
"mMode/ MEdia Net/ Smartphone Connect rate plans are designed for accessing the internet via the device browser. Use of the phone as a tethering device, or use of the SIM in a modem card or PDA may be subject to charges at an out of bucket data rate. For more information, please contact AT&T Customer Service for wireless customers."

the ATT rep says the "out of bucket data rate" refers to the pay per use option and wouldnt come into play if you have the unlimited package.

this page:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/solutionDisplay.jsp?solutionId=KB99250

states:

AT&T has a 5GB cap on all data usage.  It's important to note, approximately 1% of our laptop plan users exceed 5 GB in a month.  However, running certain types of applications for extended periods of time can cause a customer to exceed the 5GB bucket.

so the word "unlimited" really isnt (another instance of ATT contradicting themselves)

another rep stated that the unlimited data package does not distinguish how the data is sent or received, just like the messaging package doesnt distinguish between text/picture/video messages. so that if you install a third party browser like opera onto a phone with only a mobile browser, it is no different. full web pages are larger than mobile web pages but it makes no difference to the network.

???can anyone who tethers verify that on their bill the session from tethering shows no different than a session of phone browsing? unlike messaging, even though they are billed the same, texts and AIM message show differently?

i have found info that the IPhone can tether, however ATT does not allow it yet (probably common knowledge). i have a theory that maybe they will come up with a tethering package for all phones when they allow the iphone to tether.

which is really the whole point of this post. (and why i hope it gets sticky's maybe)
please post any updates, your data useage while tethering and you still havnet gotten caught, or if you have gotten caught, called by att, or charged. while i havent come to any definite conclusion in this research i thought it might be nice to have it all in one place.

It is stated right in the policy that 5GB is the fair share limit and you shouldnt go over it. They probably won't charge you but send you an email or text saying to stop using so much bandwith.

ya but who reads that

I formerly worked at best buy, with geek squad, and i had 2 customers with a situation to where their bill was more than it was supposed to be, (both with att aircards) they exceded their 5gb cap one by a few humdred megs, the other by around 20gb both bills was more than they was supposed to be, they track data usage like they do mins and txts, if you go over you pay a pay per use fee.

Now that sounds really nice right there would of never thought of that. Would make it great too for those who had unlimited calling bc then they wouldnt have to worry about using too many minutes

What is the data rate on the Edge network?

I use satellite internet at home and "slow and unreliable" may well mean two different things to different people.  :-)

I haven't used my impression to tether, but I also have a Sony C905a that I firmware modded to a C905. if you've read on the C905, you'll know why. but yeah, I tether with that phone and get the 1.7mbps that is available in my area even though sony PC suite says it's going through GPRS and not HSPDA. 1.7mbps is the regular 3G and I wish I could get actual HSPDA in my area and get that elusive 3.2mbps-7.2mbps =D but it works fine. I usually keep my data use at under 3gb/month and it just looks like a regular data usage (using the $10/mo unlimited family data) the bill shows the same except the data use is crazy high cuz they list it in Kb.

Well, in that case, more the reason to despise the iPhone.

Anywhos, I just got my bill for April, and man, was I shocked! I ended up using 17GB of data, more than I ever had for tethering. I guess its easy to do it when used as a main connection in a high-speed area (i.e. rural area with speedy tower like 3.5mb+ down).

See for yourself:


Are the AT&T popo's gonna get me, or did I skate by this time? I am almost afraid to start up Vuze again (I don't like the uglier uTorrent or its sisters).

FireBert