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Tethering with Tilt

I have the unlimited data plan (no tethering) with AT&T. If I tether my laptop to my phone, can AT&T tell what am I doing and charge me extra?

they can't tell what you are doing directly. if you are downloading gigabytes of crap on a monthly basis, they will certainly notice that
DLD

I know a friend who was on vacation for 2 weeks using tethering on his phone and they sent him an excess data charge, I don't know all the details because it wasn't me but it seems like they don't track tethering as much as insane use.

as long as you have an unlimited plan then I don't see how they could charge you extra since that wouldnt be unlimited now would it and I'm pretty sure you could beat it if they tried. I have the unlimited PDA plan and teather all the time and never got something like you say your friend did. I also download Gigs with my Kaiser alone though

RacerX10 said:
they can't tell what you are doing directly. if you are downloading gigabytes of crap on a monthly basis, they will certainly notice that
DLD
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That is pretty much what will throw up a red flag. Right now I don't mess around with cheating the system when it comes to tethering. I have to be able to tether for business reasons, and I pay an extra $20 a month to do so. Just one bill could negate the 12 x $20 a year savings of not using the right plan.
Before I "really" needed to tether, which was maybe 5-10 minutes at a time to send/recieve email, I never got hit with excess data charges. If you start streaming, or up/down loading large files, get ready to be slammed.

It is $30 different. The unlimited data with tethering is $69.99 vs $39.99.

saint168 said:
It is $30 different. The unlimited data with tethering is $69.99 vs $39.99.
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That is for a PDA tethering plan that includes messaging. I use Data Connect, which is $59.99.
See here for the table of data plans. I use the one for laptop cards.

GWelker62 said:
That is for a PDA tethering plan that includes messaging. I use Data Connect, which is $59.99.
See here for the table of data plans. I use the one for laptop cards.
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Thank you, I got it.

Tethering how could they say anything for $40.00 bucks a month

I read on here how people are afraid to tether and wonder if you're gonna get in trouble. AT&T harrased the bejesus outta me when they tried to hand over a rediculous $7000.00 phone bill that I hadn't even tethered once. NOT ONCE. What did I do, well nothing. The phone bill was all their fault and they appologized and peaid dearly for it. All is forgiven. But what stands out about the situation is how much they asked me if I was just on my PDA for internet usage. I said, DAMN IT YES. I listen to the internet radio and use orb to access my files from home. The internet radio thing is probably what really did it. So, how can they say anything about usage and what you are doing when you are paying for unlimited access. Screw the machine I'm gonna tether my little heart out.
p.s. these are the speeds i'm getting from Barnes and nobles on USB... bluetooth is just as fast but why use BT when pluggin in your USB charges the phone at the same time... DUH
Oh and one more thing. I am at Barnes & Nobles doing it too. Take that At&T

What plan or the the lack there of were you on wnen you got the 7000 dollar bill and where the hell are you that you get 1.7 mbits I can only get 1.1

How hard is it carriers, you make 1 and only 1 unlimited plan and you stick to it. Screw this Unlimited but can't tether crap.
I just read an article about a candian dude who got a $8000+ bill from Rogers. He talked them down to to like 1700 or something like that and he was just using what he thought he was allowed to do. he thought UNLIMITED meant UNLIMITED.

sprice82 said:
What plan or the the lack there of were you on wnen you got the 7000 dollar bill and where the hell are you that you get 1.7 mbits I can only get 1.1
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Ummm, you see, what had happened was. LOl, no seriously, what happened is I had a business account, that got switched to a national business account so I could have phone numbers for anywhere in the U.S. Didn't know they had seperate business accounts for that but ok. When they switched me over they stripped my entire plan naked. I was thinking I was on my regular unlimited plan and really was on NO plan. All the internet radio streaming was just RACKING up my phone bill.
Ha, one poster said talked them down to 1700.00. I flipped out so bad I swear to you I haven't paid a bill in about a year. The reason was mostly because even when they were supposed to refund everything they kept messing that up too shutting off all my phone lines. They just kept refunding and refunding. They also sent me four new tilts. TALK to managers only the other idiots in customer service know nothing.
I am in florida for the speeds I am getting. I am super happy with this new tether thing.
Cheers.

smittyofdhs said:
How hard is it carriers, you make 1 and only 1 unlimited plan and you stick to it. Screw this Unlimited but can't tether crap.
I just read an article about a candian dude who got a $8000+ bill from Rogers. He talked them down to to like 1700 or something like that and he was just using what he thought he was allowed to do. he thought UNLIMITED meant UNLIMITED.
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wow.
then what does unlimited mean? lol

yea IMO companies are going to far with this crappolla

Hey christian15213, Ive been thru the similar situations with cingular/att about 3 times. To make a long story short. In store reps kept tampering and slamming my account on 3 different occasions. I found out when i recieved a $3500.00 bill due to very large data consumption. Went without paying my bill, and argued with reps and managment for about 6months or more on refunding my account, how the charges got there and, and replacing my gf plan(19.99=unlmtd data, 1500 txt, 150 mms). Well after I finally got them to make my account whole, I made them note onto my account not to make any changes on my account without customer permission! Since then I've been streaming movies and downloading like crazy, and no one has ever harrassed me about it! I monitor my data usage on a monthly basis, and i tell ya, its extremely high, as if i was tethering!

Christian, what browser are you using speedtest.net with? I can't get it to work with IE or Opera.

i am using internet explorer 7. I am tethering via bluetooth or USB... the Speed I got up top was posted via a usb connection while sitting off Glades and 95 in Barnes & Nobles sticking it to Att and the Man. YEA baby.
Yea, I don't know if that site has a way of getting on your mobile device you're gonna have to tether to use it.

Internet Sharing Experiences

I know this has been addressed already, but I was wondering what every one's experience has been with Internet Sharing with AT&T. I'm wondering if you don't have tethering added on to your account will they charge you extra on you bill for using internet sharing. I have heard some people say yes they do (On this forum) and some people say no they don't (On this forum) so I am just trying to figure out which one is true hopefully the latter of the two

well, i've got the $15 media net package on my phone, and they have never complained about that (since you are supposed to have the $30 pda personal plan).
And occasionally I tether to my laptop when I absolutely need to. (I always connect to the wap.cingular access point)
I think as long as you don't go completely crazy with your data usage, they don't complain. I think I average 100 to 150 MB per month.
But if your data usage is big (over 1 GB?) I think that raises some flags.

I've used my 19.99 media max package for downloading large files from my PDA as well as tethered to my laptop. The previous poster summed it up quite nicely. However there are some rumors that AT&T will be changing their whole unlimited data system, but it's unclear when.

Ok, that gives me a better understanding of what the other posters were talking about. I think at&t already changed their media max plans, but if you already have the old one they wont make you change it. (or at least they didn't make me I have unlimited.)

I forgot to say thanks for you guy's help. Thanks

I have the $30 "Unlimited" package, but it's the same story with all the providers (as far as I know, or at least Verizon and AT&T) where there is a limit of 5gb a month. If you go over that they have the right to terminate your service as well as then charging you the $200 dollars or so for an early termination. In all honesty though you'd have to be trying to go over 5gb.
The other plans that aren't "Unlimited" have a specific limit per month that they will straight out tell you.

wizardlizard111 said:
I have the $30 "Unlimited" package, but it's the same story with all the providers (as far as I know, or at least Verizon and AT&T) where there is a limit of 5gb a month. If you go over that they have the right to terminate your service as well as then charging you the $200 dollars or so for an early termination. In all honesty though you'd have to be trying to go over 5gb.
The other plans that aren't "Unlimited" have a specific limit per month that they will straight out tell you.
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Thank you thats the plan I have and thats info I needed.

Overages and $15 plan

ok i had the media net unlimited ($15) with my kaiser for like 6months w/out a single problem or xtra charge. i used the upgrade option i had and ordered a fuze but to be used on another line in the fam plan, yesterday i used about 60mb with slingplayer.. today i got a text saying data disconnected due to high charges i called and they told me i didnt have a data plan and i was going to be charged about $1000 i added the $30 data plan and was wondering is there a way to fight the upcoming bill?

I did something like that once with my Razr but I was only like $80 in data that I had to pay. I dont really belive theres a way out of it other than not paying and trashing your credit.

yea call customer service and play stupid and say you didnt know and that if you would have known it uses internet you would have op'ed for the data plan... i'm sure they will work with you, if not ask for a manager... just be calm thoughout the entire ordeal. Its not like you did irreversable damage that needs to get paid for...
Also, was that unlimited data plan on the line u used the phone? If so, just say you didnt know that unlimited data plan dropped off...
Like i said play stupid, but be kind and pleasant to talk to, you'd be surprised how far a smile on the phone will get you... I've gotten outta $900 worth of roaming charges like that (back when they had regional plans)
Also asking questions that make them agree will gain you sympathy, like asking the rep "how would you feel about this if this happened to you? wouldnt you just rather pay the $30 a month rather than $1000 for one time use" etc.... basically manipulating their thoughs

Guess you should have swapped sims before downloading all that data. How could you not know that you didn't have a data plan on the fuze line?

So was the $1000 charge for using the Slingplayer for the Fuze (with no data plan) or the Tilt (with $15 plan)? Also, do you still have the $15 plan onm the Tilt or did that get taken away in the process?

cesar2010 said:
ok i had the media net unlimited ($15) with my kaiser for like 6months w/out a single problem or xtra charge. i used the upgrade option i had and ordered a fuze but to be used on another line in the fam plan, yesterday i used about 60mb with slingplayer.. today i got a text saying data disconnected due to high charges i called and they told me i didnt have a data plan and i was going to be charged about $1000 i added the $30 data plan and was wondering is there a way to fight the upcoming bill?
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Speaking from experience [family, not me ], I can tell you that playing "dumb" and then offering to sign up for a data plan will lead to AT&T dropping the overage charges.

It also might be helpful to tell them on the phone that'll you'd like to sign up for the 30 a month data plan. I've heard others say this was helpful.

NotATreoFan said:
Speaking from experience [family, not me ], I can tell you that playing "dumb" and then offering to sign up for a data plan will lead to AT&T dropping the overage charges.
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i strongly agree, works like a charm, give it a shot...sooner the better

well i used the upgrade option on my tilt, but da was just to get a discount. My line with the Tilt was never changed for anything das why i didnt worry about using the media net since it was working perfectly it just seems like when i did the upgrade my media plan got removed, the fuze is being used in another line and i added media net to that line... I called att and added the 30 plan..after being disconected and notified. Just gotta wait for the bill and call back the lady said just wondering whats good to say .

cesar2010 said:
well i used the upgrade option on my tilt, but da was just to get a discount. My line with the Tilt was never changed for anything das why i didnt worry about using the media net since it was working perfectly it just seems like when i did the upgrade my media plan got removed, the fuze is being used in another line and i added media net to that line... I called att and added the 30 plan..after being disconected and notified. Just gotta wait for the bill and call back the lady said just wondering whats good to say .
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So were the charges for data you used on the Tilt, or data you used on the Fuze?

the tilt...i wouldnt trade it for the fuze...i like the tilt way better...

Here's a warning about the Media Unlimited plans and roaming. It is a violation of the terms of the unlimited data contract to exceed 6mb of data 'off network' in a month. If you exceed 6mb off network two months in a row you are invited to get off AT&T (without early termination fee) or they will place a roam restriction on your specific account (tied to your SSN) that will never go away. The restriction locks down all lines in a family plan. This restriction means no calls or data off network, and also prevents any future discounted phone purchases via 'upgrades'. Nasty, nasty. Apart from the 'triangle display' for voice signal, there often is no indication on a TILT that you are off network, the H, 3G, and E look the same on or off netwrok, and the carrier name displayed in plug ins like Homescreen ++ shows the carrier name from the SIM, not from the tower. So let's be careful out there!

I think the real sin here is that the carrier can charge $1000 for 60 MB of data. At that rate, it would cost around $83,000.00 to download a single movie.

Jim_R said:
Here's a warning about the Media Unlimited plans and roaming. It is a violation of the terms of the unlimited data contract to exceed 6mb of data 'off network' in a month. If you exceed 6mb off network two months in a row you are invited to get off AT&T (without early termination fee) or they will place a roam restriction on your specific account (tied to your SSN) that will never go away. The restriction locks down all lines in a family plan. This restriction means no calls or data off network, and also prevents any future discounted phone purchases via 'upgrades'. Nasty, nasty. Apart from the 'triangle display' for voice signal, there often is no indication on a TILT that you are off network, the H, 3G, and E look the same on or off netwrok, and the carrier name displayed in plug ins like Homescreen ++ shows the carrier name from the SIM, not from the tower. So let's be careful out there!
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I love ATT...never had a "roaming issue". The simplest thing to do is get their national plan........ then roaming is null and void lol
As far as the data usages go, did you get them to refund the charges? I would blame it on an att rep that you got the phone from for not pointing it out....or even yet, tell them the rep put the sim in the wrong phone

Vungtau said:
I think the real sin here is that the carrier can charge $1000 for 60 MB of data. At that rate, it would cost around $83,000.00 to download a single movie.
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Yep, ATT is stuck in the stoneage. It's really disturbing they can get away with this robbery. 20 bucks a month for texting? they're barely moving any data, it's text! Ahh, don't get me started

Overages and $15 plan (lololol)
Same thing append to me. I stil have my tilt and got a Fuze for my Girlfriend.
I payed $197.XX.
That sucks cuz I have 3 lines in my account and now I'm paying over $280 a month for all of this. At the end of the day I mainly use the WiFi anyway cuz its a lot faster.
Man Obama should do something about this. Bad economy and this BS.

Love
AT&T...
But those ridiculus charges have got to go
$20 unlimited text, pic, that's BS
Sprint has that included in their $99 plan
Unlimited EVERYTHING,,,, right??

I got bumped to the 2gb data plan? what to do

i got the text yesterday and got the same old thing from the CSR. smartphone blah blah.
I was on the 30$ everything plan and now its 25$ for 2gb and $20 for unlimited texts.
Is there anything I can say to the rep tomorrow when I call back? I was on that previous plan ($30) for a long time, couple years I think.
Been at att for 13 years.
I have a tmo N1 also, I could switch but I don't know about their coverage down here.
I don't I'm beating a dead horse, I'm sorry. I did do some searching before hand.
any advice?

I can't help you but to say that I received the exact same awful news this week. I can't understand how they feel justified in doing this since I am not under contract and my plan was grandfathered in. I am going to call them tomorrow and let them know how I feel but I doubt it helps. I guess I'll just have to take my four phones elsewhere.

I literally had nothing to say to the guy after he came back from having me on hold. 30$ was the smart plan back two years ago wasn't it? So now it's not and we need $15 more dollars from you?
I'd rather pay google for good VOIP.
I can't find prices for tmo even more plus plans online anymore, I know they use to be there?

Legally, because they changed your plan, you can back out of their service without an early termination fee. That's probably the best thing you can do.

They do periodic scans... Once it happens automatically there's nothing you can do to get the cheap unlimited plan back. If you ask nicely you CAN get the unlimited data plan, but of course you'll pay $30 for it.
What can you do to mitigate it? I suppose you could use Wifi more, if you listen to streaming music a lot perhaps instead buy a bigger SD card and listen to music from there? Don't stream videos to it?
Personally I have only gone a hair over 1G since I've had my Nexus One, but I stream music only a few hours a month and otherwise it's market updates, email, data syncing etc.
I got switched back a few weeks ago myself too, but this time instead of exploding I figured there's nothing you can do about it, at least in the long term, except for talking from your wallet. When you contract is up, move somewhere else and tell AT&T why.
They keep giving us broader access to fast cellular data, keep making it faster, but continue to reduce what we can use of it. Same with home broadband, friend has 20mbit cable broadband at his house but it drops to like 1mbit/sec if he uses more than 5G/month.

I don't have a contract. I'm going to check a tmo sim in my house and see how the coverage is. Maybe switch after a final call to att. I have atmo n1 also.
silly thing is I've never went over 250mb a month. BUT what's the point of watching or keeping track of how much data you've used when you pay these Fu**s 1200 a year?

jbrinkley said:
I don't have a contract. I'm going to check a tmo sim in my house and see how the coverage is. Maybe switch after a final call to att. I have atmo n1 also.
silly thing is I've never went over 250mb a month. BUT what's the point of watching or keeping track of how much data you've used when you pay these Fu**s 1200 a year?
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exactly ! and, when the advertisement says UNLIMITED, by god that's what I'm paying for. if/when a telco throttles my account for using "too much" i'm suing.
so far this month, 4Gb. i'm on tmo, and while the out-of-town coverage isn't great, i'm never too far off the interstate for it to matter.
vote with your money. not like they care, with 20 million iphone users coughing up whatever amount they are told to. ;-)

well, there ain't jack the retention people can do. Been at att for 12 years now.
It's impossible to go back I guess. Also you can't just have voice voice or data alone. Thought about having two sims active at the same time, one from tmo and one from att.
According to him there is only 200mb or 2gb plans no matter what you had before they auto switch you.
What he did do was switch me to a 29.99 voice with rollover instead of the lowest advertised 39.99 450 rollover plan.
Drop to 1500 texts a month for $15 instead of unlimited for $20. (which I'm slowly swapping people over to my GV number)
and 2gb data for whatever that price is, I don't remember. But at least my bill is within $5 of what it was the other day.
Att just doesn't really care to much about what they're doing to customers.
I'm still going to go check out tmo and coverage at my house when I have time.
retention guy was cool. I recommend not hanging up or cussing these people.
Att is the devil.

wow, glad i'm on T-mobile i'm using a grandfathered G1 unlimited data/400 texts plan, but if i ever needed unlimited texts i could just upgrade to the even more plan and i would end up with 200 more anytime minutes and unlimited texts along with unlimited data, i currently pay 55 dollars a month total and the current even more plan (no contract plan) is 60 dollars a month.

jbrinkley said:
I literally had nothing to say to the guy after he came back from having me on hold. 30$ was the smart plan back two years ago wasn't it? So now it's not and we need $15 more dollars from you?
I'd rather pay google for good VOIP.
I can't find prices for tmo even more plus plans online anymore, I know they use to be there?
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The EM+ plans are still available, but you have to go to a store or call T-mo to sign up for that plan.

ohgood said:
exactly ! and, when the advertisement says UNLIMITED, by god that's what I'm paying for. if/when a telco throttles my account for using "too much" i'm suing.
so far this month, 4Gb. i'm on tmo, and while the out-of-town coverage isn't great, i'm never too far off the interstate for it to matter.
vote with your money. not like they care, with 20 million iphone users coughing up whatever amount they are told to. ;-)
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You realize the irony here is that the users who use hoards of data are part of the reason why they keep clamping down? How can you possibly use 4G of data doing semi-normal things? Must be tethering or doing nonsense (like one poster in the past; he was doing daily ROM downloads of multiple ROMs and associated packages...)