AT&T cracking down on unauthorized tethering

[jtvang125]

**Update**

Just got off the phone with them. They explained what tethering was, and asked if I wanted to upgrade to the tethering plan. I declined. I asked why am I getting these messages when I'm not tethering. Rep said their network is detecting some form of connection when this is "happening". I got a text message yesterday immediately after I watched an episode of tv off netflix so that's a complete BS. I asked if it was because of my usage since I stream a lot of stuff and she said no. Suggested I upgrade to 4.3 to wipe any possible tethering software on my phone.

As a test I'm streaming off netflix right now to see what happens as I continue to rack up more usage.


Have a steady high amount of data usage? According to AT&T that must mean you've been tethering and now it's time to pay up.

Somehow my 5gb a month usage got me flagged so I received one of these emails yesterday. If I don't reply back to this accusation they're going to automatically enroll me in their $45 tethering plan. Not sure if they realize this but there are apps out there, such as netflix streaming, pandora and others that can quickly rack up your data usage. So now I gotta call and deal with this BS.

 

[AstroManLuca]

lol, AT&T

so glad I'm not with that failure of a mobile company, not that the others are great either but AT&T is definitely the worst.

 

[gorcorps]

I had heard they were going to try to go off of browser signature data or something like that. So you're saying you haven't tethered a single time so you're 100% they're only looking at your usage? I'm just trying to gauge if the old info was wrong or not.

 

[s44]

What device are you on? I'd heard that this has only happened to iPhone users who tether, because their method is easy to spot.

 

[shortylickens]

If you use a cheap phone to tether your dream phone they will never know.
If you are using a laptop and streaming HD netflix then I got no sympathy for you. Thats just asking for trouble.
Use hotspots, no one will give a damn then.

 

[shabby]

So now I gotta call and deal with this BS.

Let us know how this bs turns out, would love to hear their proof that you used tethering when you didn't(right?).

 

[Anteaus]

I'm not going to judge whether the OP is tethering just form his word, but I'll add that detecting tethering is not all that difficult. Your phone is basically acting like a router and it isn't a stretch to determine whether the data request originates at the phone or on another device.

I'm personally against ATT charging for tethering since in my opinion you pay for bandwidth to be used anyway you see fit, but if the OP is legitimately breaking ATT policy then he shouldn't be surprised that they bite back. Just because you don't think they can detect tethering doesn't mean they can't. It just makes you naive. They wouldn't force you to purchase tethering without proof, because they would be inviting a lawsuit.