Jailbreak hotspot-ers: AT&T is moving you to a tiered data plan involuntarily

We’ve gotten word from some readers that AT&T is moving forward and removing unlimited plans for users who jailbreak iPhones to tether or hotspot off of AT&T’s unlimited data plans (for those grandfathered):

I was just informed that as of Thursday August 11th 2011, if you use MyWi or any tethering on the phone or using the phone as a modem, AT&T will automatically change ur unlimited plan to a 2Gb tethering plan for 45 dollars without the customers consent. This is for those who received emails or texts about the use of tethering without an AT&T tethering plan.
An AT&T spokesperson has confirmed this, but not August 11th as a hard cutoff date, saying:

Earlier this year, we began sending letters, emails, and text messages to a small number of smartphone customers who use their devices for tethering but aren’t on our required tethering plan. Our goal here is fairness for all of our customers. (This impacts a only small percentage of our smartphone customer base.)

The letters outline three choices:

1) Stop tethering and keep their current plan (including grandfathered unlimited plan)

2) Proactively call AT&T or visit our stores and move to the required tethering plan

3) Do nothing and we’ll go ahead and add the tethering plan on their behalf — after the dated noted in their customer notification

Is this fair of AT&T? Well, it is certainly fair that people pay for the data that they are using and unlimited tethering turns your iPhone into a data sucking monster. AT&T’s service to others is obviously affected, so they have to do something about it and this seems like a reasonable solution. The obvious retort is that some may have purchased their unlimited plans back when unlimited really meant unlimited, jailbroken or not.

The matter doesn’t appear up for debate however. MiWi users: get your free data this week and hope AT&T doesn’t decide to move you over early.

Also: Is the additional $20 for the tethering option fair on top of the already tiered data? Much less so.

*thanks 9to5mac*

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

AT&T going after iPhone users who jailbreak to avoid exorbitant tethering fees? MyWi Users Beware!

It would seem that AT&T is finding new ways to discourage people from jailbreaking their device in order to avoid paying for a tethering plan that come in $15, $25 and $45 a month varieties. Mac blogs are abuzz with a purported text and email messages that the carrier has allegedly sent out to some customers. It would appear the communication targets owners of jailbroken devices running unsanctioned MyWi app that enables Internet tethering over WiFi, USB and Bluetooth, but it’s possible the carrier as well reached out to those using the Personal Hotspot feature via one of the official tethering plans.

AT&T’s text message looks legit to us and even more so their email message included below. The email opens with the sinister-sounding “we’ve notice your service plan may need updating” line. We can certainly imagine AT&T taking this step to protect their business and the technology certainly makes it easy to pinpoint those cheap jailbreakers unwilling to pay for those exorbitant tethering fees through their nose. Here’s that email message.


Dear [Name of Account Holder],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones– a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.

Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
• $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
• $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
• Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,

AT&T

Please update your data plan by March 27, 2011 if you intend to continue tethering

To learn more and update your plan, visit att.com/dataplans

Reach us for assistance during business hours: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. CST Saturday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST at 1-888-860-6789




*thanks 9to5Mac*

We believe the creators of MyWi knew this would happen, if you would have noticed one of the previous updates had a new terms of service where they stated that they would not be responsible if you would be charged for a tethering plan...

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

AT&T Customers Can Activate Personal Hotspot on the Fly

AT&T customers will be able to activate the iOS Personal Hotspot feature on the fly, according to a MacWorld report.

Customers will be able to use the MyAT&T app on their devices to tap into their account and update it with the new hotspot feature. An AT&T representative told MacWorld, "Customers can select and migrate between data plans without penalty or contract implications."

However, there is one caveat. Users who have clung to the unlimited data plan would be required to drop it and choose the DataPro 4GB/$45 data tethering plan in order to take advantage of the iOS 4.3 hotspot feature. While the hotspot tethering can be dropped, users would then have to choose the 2GB or 200MB data plans, and will not be able to revert to the unlimited data plan.

This is good news for those who don't want the hotspot functionality on a daily basis and might only need to make use of it in emergencies.



*thanks iclarified*

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

AT&T Will Support iPhone Personal Hotspot Come March 11th

AT&T has confirmed that it will support the new iPhone Personal Hotspot feature when its released March 11th with iOS 4.3, according to Electronista.

Subscribers will have the same support as Verizon customers when the update pushes out to the GSM iPhone 4 on March 11. Pricing should stay the same as for basic tethering and will need its new DataPro hotspot/tethering plan, which combines 4GB of total data with connection sharing for $45.

Electronista notes that this is the same pricing as Verizon except Verizon users have unlimited data on their device and are capped to 2GB in tethering.




*thanks iclarified*

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

iOS 4.3 Will Bring Personal Hotspot to GSM iPhones?

An upcoming release of iOS 4.3 will reportedly bring the Personal Hotspot feature to GSM iPhones.

The new mobile hotspot feature that ships with the Verizon iPhone lets your phone create a wireless network and share its Internet connection with up to five devices.

Currently the Verizon iPhone is running iOS 4.2.5; however, both iPhoneHellas and iPhoneclub.nl report that the feature will come to existing iPhones via an iOS 4.3 update.

The iPhone 4 CDMA, such as information from the American media, comes with iOS 4.2.5 but according to reliable information, the feature will be added to "our" iPhone 4 in the upcoming iOS 4.3. [iPhoneHellas]

We received this information from a reliable source within the local telecommunications industry, our 100% correct information previously unannounced firmware versions provided. Bij de volgende grote iOS-update (4.3) komt de functie beschikbaar, op voorwaarde dat je operator tethering ondersteunt. At the next major update IOS (4.3), the feature, provided that your operator supports tethering. [iPhoneclub.nl]

No word yet on when this update may become available...




*thanks iclarified*

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

Verizon iPhone Runs iOS 4.2.5 With Personal Hotspot Built Into Settings.app

An Engadget hands-on with the Verizon iPhone reveals that it runs iOS 4.2.5 and has Personal Hotspot built right into the Settings app.

It's unclear if the Personal Hotspot feature will be a Verizon exclusive. Apple writes, "iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also include new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices."

Hopefully existing iPhone customers will also receive the iOS 4.2.5 update which enables this feature.









*thanks iclarified*

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- Posted using my iPhone 4

MyWi Update Brings Support for Bluetooth Tethering

MyWi, a popular applcation that lets you iPhone create a mobile hotspot, has been updated with support for bluetooth tethering.

4.12 Updates
- Bluetooth Tethering Option Added
- Fix to stop "Not Initialized/Reboot Required" message after phone has been on for a few days.
- BETA: Added vibrate/audio on new connection option.

You can purchase MyWi from the Cydia Store for $19.99.










*thanks iclarified*

If I understand this correctly, you can connect your iPhone to a wifi source and then transfer that same wifi through your iPhones Bluetooth to any device for Internet use?

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- Posted using my iPhone 4