AT&T Cracks Down on Tethering With MyWi?

POST

MAIL

Posted March 18, 2011 at 10:41am by iClarified

AT&T is reportedly cracking down on use of MyWi, a Cydia tweak used to create a personal hotspot using your iPhone, according to ModMyi.

One user notes that AT&T first contact him with an SMS saying, "AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans."

The SMS was then followed up with an email that warned he would be switched to the tethering plan if he continue to tether.

-----
Dear [Customer],

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 Cell Phones and Cell Phone Plans - Wireless from AT&T, 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 afterMarch 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 towww.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
-----

We haven't received any reports of this happening but ModMyi has heard from several users with this issue. They hypothesize that perhaps Apple has added something to iOS 4.3 that lets AT&T track which device is using data for the new Personal Hotspot feature.

Let us know if AT&T has warned you...

Read More [via MuscleNerd]

AT&T Cracks Down on Tethering With MyWi?

Follow iClarified

Gregflores - March 22, 2011 at 8:31am

I have gotten the message swell and I'm on 4.1 so it's not only 4.3 But I have stopped using mywi cuz I didn't wanna get charged or anything lol

Reply · Like

Victor - April 17, 2011 at 9:41am

The question will be WHEN will myWi come up with a SOLUTION to bypass this AT&T intrusion of knowing when you are using the internet for other devices. There is always a solution. I am awaiting for them to release a patch, fix or update the myWi App.

Kevin - March 21, 2011 at 2:50am

When customers signed a contract for unlimited data plan it DID NOT state that tethering is not covered and your plan will be change if you break the contract. So I say take them to the court for forcing a law that you did not sign to in your initial contract.

Luis Miranda - March 19, 2011 at 2:13am

Hi I receive the text and the email. But I'm in IOS ver. 4.2.1 and not the 4.3 nothing have to do with IOS 4.3. I like to know if people that don't tether but receive the same email Thanks

Dodgter - March 18, 2011 at 9:00pm

My wife got the same text message and she does not have a jailbroken phone (my phone is the one jailbroken). She uses more data than me because her work does not have WiFi, where I am pretty much always connected to WiFi (seldom use 3G)

Dodgter - March 18, 2011 at 9:04pm

Let me add. Her phone is running iOS4.3, mine is still on 4.2.1. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. Perhaps they just texted the wrong phone since it is her phone that is the primary phone on the account

MyWi lover. Data killer - March 18, 2011 at 7:47pm

I use mywi occasionally. Full paid version. Love it. Saved my ass a few times too. Had everybody connected. Ran it constant for 4 full days. But haven't heard nothing from att.

Mannie - March 18, 2011 at 3:31pm

Man that is crazy. AT&T cracking down on people.

Macsl21 - March 18, 2011 at 2:31pm

Can people getting the warnings please also post how much data you're using and how much tethering you were doing? I tether, but not that much and haven't gotten a warning...yet. At least AT&T is being relatively nice about it and not booting people from their network or back charging them. In other words, tether until caught.

Blackbox - March 18, 2011 at 2:09pm

I received the same text and email I'm running 4.1 on 01.59.00 baseband and I spoketo them it's all just a warning they told me that I according to the amount of data that there communication partners complain they guess I was using another network tower that is partner with att or it's just because of the network upgrade I also explain to them that when I sign my contract 5 years ago I sign for a unlimited plan that that would be a breach of contract and I can close my account and they can charge me the disconnection fee he said that that would have to be spoken with a supervisor I also said that I wasnt tethering (cough bullshit cough) 13 gigs last month thats way they based it on I only said that I got the phone and the plan cuz I wanted to use the feature like my navigon netflix ECt. But according to him I should receive anything else regarding that

iceberg - March 18, 2011 at 2:08pm

My guess is that they are looking at the user-agent string to see if any non-iOS browser shows up. I think the solution may be to use SSL when connecting to those sites, and in case they don't have that option, MyWi should spoof the string on the outgoing traffic to pretend that the connection is for an iPhone, the downside of that being that web pages may come formatted for the iPhone on your laptop/iPad/etc.

Mike - March 18, 2011 at 12:29pm

Recently MyWi just wont work for me now i think AT&T is blocking it. It still connects and everything but if i try to go to a website it wont work.

BTheG - March 19, 2011 at 3:51pm

Mywi works great google your issue and you should find a solution ... If your using Bluetooth connection enable connection then toggle mywi wifi toggle on then off and it will refresh your Bluetooth ip address and you will be connected!

David - March 18, 2011 at 12:06pm

According to an update on ModMyI, it looks like AT&T does NOT know if you're tethering but is instead making an assumption about its heaviest data users.

Ruben - March 18, 2011 at 11:20am

The article said; "something to iOS 4.3 that lets AT&T track which device is using data for the new Personal Hotspot feature." Hmmm, 4.3 so far hasn't be jailbroken, so who is getting that message from at&t will you please say what iOS do you have? I believe they are basing on how much data people is using.... Or?

joao - March 18, 2011 at 11:26am

4.3 has been jailbroken...read iclarified mate! It's tethered tough..

iceblu121 - March 18, 2011 at 11:27am

i heard diffrent that 4.3 was jailbroken just not released to the general public yet so yea now that u mentioned i dunno could att even really change ur data plan by themselves i mean isnt the contract that we signed a legal binding agreement who are they to switch it without our authoriry i hear a lawsuit

JB - March 18, 2011 at 1:13pm

amen! this bullshit makes me wanna switch to a different network.. it's always something with AT&T.. who wants to buy my iPhone4? lol

Xwing - March 18, 2011 at 11:20am

Another one From ATT to stick you with a plan without unlimited data to a limited to monopolize the market we you say ENOUGH!!!

Asim Macci - March 18, 2011 at 11:00am

I have recieved a similar warning here in the UK from O2, nothing more came of it, I just stopped streaming over 3G even when tethering and have not had any problems since.

JB - March 18, 2011 at 10:50am

ya it happen to me too! I got the text message and just yesterday I got the same email. I'm not giving up my unlimited data plan!!!!!!! ha

iceblu121 - March 18, 2011 at 11:06am

that made me mad! att can just change ur plan without ur consent what is that about ! i used 10 gigs last month and i didnt tether once was all slingbox

nkgneto - March 18, 2011 at 11:12am

UM?? Isn't it UNLIMITED? Wouldn't this be considered FALSE ADVERTISING?

Andrew - March 18, 2011 at 11:23am

Unlimited as long as you not tethering. I just not updating to 4.3 has to be connected to that update. Like how Att sent out the update you OS update after I JB 4.2. I was like WTF I Already have it!!

iceblu121 - March 18, 2011 at 11:34am

this is gonan suck big time if this is true about os 4.3 i mean we are gonna have to update sooner or later and when iphone 5 comes out it will already come preinstalled if not os 5.0 unless the hackers can work around it as of right now on 4.2.1 how can they really tell data from data i mean i used 10 gigs this month didnt tether once watched a lot of tv on my way to work etc breaks with slingbox.but hey if i was tethering how would they know any ideas unless like they said os 4.3 has somthing in there that tells att which data is being used