An idea for AT&T: start a plan with a data cap and free tethering
We still have no news from AT&T regarding tethering. All we can figure out is that they're probably afraid of what that would mean for their already ****** network.
Now why don't they go and offer a new iPhone plan with a data cap, but with tethering included? I bet you can put 80-90% of iPhone users under a data cap they'd never go over.
As for the others, charge them just enough to keep the network afloat. $70 for tethering as some rumors put the price point at is ridiculous. In not so long their business model will have completely shifted to being almost an ISP, so why not start learning how to do it with the first phones that are actually working in that way?
We still have no news from AT&T regarding tethering. All we can figure out is that they're probably afraid of what that would mean for their already ****** network.
Now why don't they go and offer a new iPhone plan with a data cap, but with tethering included? I bet you can put 80-90% of iPhone users under a data cap they'd never go over.
As for the others, charge them just enough to keep the network afloat. $70 for tethering as some rumors put the price point at is ridiculous. In not so long their business model will have completely shifted to being almost an ISP, so why not start learning how to do it with the first phones that are actually working in that way?
I think this is a good idea.
I'm on 3.0.1 so I've got the "free tethering"... but over time, sooner or later, sub-3.1 users will somehow be forced to update firmware... so a REASONABLE tethering option needs to be in place.
AT&T can go f*ck themselves on the $55 fee widely mentioned for tethering. Forcing that price with iPhone users will cause DROVES of AT&T customers to migrate to Verizon IF the iPhone becomes available on that provider in 2011 after AT&T's exclusivity contract expires in 2010.
I'm on 3.0.1 so I've got the "free tethering"... but over time, sooner or later, sub-3.1 users will somehow be forced to update firmware... so a REASONABLE tethering option needs to be in place.
AT&T can go f*ck themselves on the $55 fee widely mentioned for tethering. Forcing that price with iPhone users will cause DROVES of AT&T customers to migrate to Verizon IF the iPhone becomes available on that provider in 2011 after AT&T's exclusivity contract expires in 2010.
I am a little confused. My Verizon phone was able to roam on GSM because they used TDMA. Tell it was shutdown. The phone recognizes it as Analog. If PCS has TDMA, It could be technically be used on GSM.
Originally Posted by Tabla
Y'know, I'm used to hysterical 14-year-old ******** on the internet, but this is exceptional. Never before in human history have so many nerds hyperventilated so publicly over so little.
AT&T: Tethering on iPhone Still Needs Work
Today, 10:15 AM by Eric M. Zeman
AT&T has verified that despite its Tuesday announcement to allow VoIP services transit its 3G data network, AT&T is still fine-tuning its network and isn't going to offer tethering for iPhone customers until the network is ready. It wouldn't commit to a time frame.
Tethering a regular smartphone is $60 and that comes with a 5GB cap. If they finally offer tethering on the IPhone the price will probably be the same.
They should offer a cheap tethering plan for those that won't use it much at all. I would only use it while traveling.
And lets have a reality check:
AT&T data plan $30
Home Internet $80
Now they want to charge another round of Internet?
Come on guys, someone offer an Internet for everywhere package. How many times do I have to pay for Internet a month? I could almost lease a car.
Put your document shredding to good use. Recycle your shreds from your paper shredder, there are a variety of ways. Make crafts from the paper shreds, use it for shipping, or in the compost pile....
They should charge data by the MB (tiered data plans) and not worry about how someone uses it, whether they consume the data on the handheld or on a PC or on a netbook or on a laptop.
**** ever having a cap, we already have an invisible line of 5gig like every other smartphone. There is no way the price point we pay should ever reduce the amount of data we are given currently. I could only see a slightly cheaper plan with a bit less data being the only real option att should be able to offer based on the **** service we get currently.
I am trying to exceed the 5GB data use every month for last few months. I have come close to 4GB, but never crossed it... this is with everything - I am so pissed off at AT&crap network in my area and with numerous complains and network ticket nothing is being done. So I use my phone data a lot when I am at home where I have full 3G...
I am trying to exceed the 5GB data use every month for last few months. I have come close to 4GB, but never crossed it... this is with everything - I am so pissed off at AT&crap network in my area and with numerous complains and network ticket nothing is being done. So I use my phone data a lot when I am at home where I have full 3G...
Yeah, I'm sure that'll teach 'em!
Actually, you're only degrading the experience of other users on the same sector. Grow up a bit!
Since they already have a 5GB soft cap I don't see how this would be any different than any other AT&T data plan. I would gladly pay $5-10 a month for a ~250MB tethering plan but I refuse to pay an extra $30 for something I use maybe 10-15 times a year. So I resort to the tether hack instead. If they truly are concerned about bandwidth hogs than charge by the MB or offer an a-la-carte data pricing plan but keep it reasonable or force us to break the rules.
Pacific Bell Wireless / Verizon Wireless / T-Mobile USA
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Originally Posted by maverick.sp
I am trying to exceed the 5GB data use every month for last few months. I have come close to 4GB, but never crossed it... this is with everything - I am so pissed off at AT&crap network in my area and with numerous complains and network ticket nothing is being done. So I use my phone data a lot when I am at home where I have full 3G...
Nothing will happen since the iPhone data plan is unlimited and not 5GB like the laptop conmect. Its probably crap because of the data hogs, in that case they shouldnt fix it since the problem is user related. thats probably why they havent fixed it since the problem will reappear in the future. Cant blame AT&T.
Maybe AT&T should add a congestion charge for using data during peak periods for certain markets so they can use the extra money for upgrades.
I have an aircard that costed me $70 per month ($60 data + $10 line) that I was only using 1gig per month with. When 3.0 came out I enabled tethering on my iPhone and all worked well. Eventually I dropped the Aircard. Then I made the huge mistake of updating to 3.1 and lost tethering. That sucked. I was able to restore to 3.0 and tethering is back.
If AT&T had a $60 per month iPhone COMPLETE data and tether package I would happily pay it. Until then I'm forced to tether in the "unapproved" manner and keep my data usage low.
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Originally Posted by planktonika
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