Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MattWylde

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 17, 2009
162
0
Please become a fan and spread the word!

It's been 10 months since the 3GS was released and we don't even have a date from AT&T as to when the feature/function that we were SOLD with our iPhones will be enabled. Meanwhile, many other countries across the world are enjoying their iPhones as Apple meant them to be enjoyed, and as we the consumers expect.

If AT&T's service is capable of handling 3G iPads, there is no reason why it can't handle tethering our iPhones. Their network is far less taxed than Sprint or Verizon, and yet you can tether with those company's smart phones. I'm tired of waiting patiently for AT&T to come through. They were late with MMS and we're already seeing rumors of a new iPhone. I repeat, A NEW iPHONE.....when I didn't even get to use the features on the soon to be "old" model (3GS).

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!...834736?ref=search&sid=730432291.1918650733..1
 

MattWylde

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 17, 2009
162
0
I realize that it is going to come at a service fee. But, at least we have the option.

I, for one, want to update to OS4.0 when it is released. I don't want to have to worry about jailbreaking and tethering illegally.
 

Alchematron

macrumors 65816
Jan 22, 2007
1,012
24
Maui Hawaii
If ATT and the new iPhone don't deliver this Summer

It's hello Sprint HTC EVO 4G

American Telephone & Telegraph?

Anyone using a telegraph these days???
 

master-ceo

macrumors 65816
Sep 7, 2007
1,495
3
The SUN
I been out of contract with ATT for almost 2 years. If iPhone 4G don't deliver, its the EVO for da summa.

I'm signing the petition.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
10,721
5,144
192.168.1.1
Good luck with the petition.
I honestly don't think AT&T cares. Least amount of service for the highest price... We're the new AT&T.
 

jtara

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2009
2,008
536
I honestly don't think AT&T cares. Least amount of service for the highest price... We're the new AT&T.

Um, actually, the iPad unlimited data plan is the cheapest available from any carrier, if you consider the iPad a "notebook". Most carriers get $60/month for a similar service, or double the cost of the iPad plan.

That said, it's likely Apple TOLD AT&T how much they'd be charging for iPad data, LOL.

I would like to see tethering as well, but of course it will come at an extra cost. I know a lot of people here will bitch about that when/if that comes, but it's necessary. The amount of data that a typical notebook user consumes is WAY more than the amount of data that the typical iPhone user consumes. You can't expect them to give you unlimited notebook data on top of unlimited iPhone data for the same price.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
10,721
5,144
192.168.1.1
Um, actually, the iPad unlimited data plan is the cheapest available from any carrier, if you consider the iPad a "notebook". Most carriers get $60/month for a similar service, or double the cost of the iPad plan.

That said, it's likely Apple TOLD AT&T how much they'd be charging for iPad data, LOL.

I would like to see tethering as well, but of course it will come at an extra cost. I know a lot of people here will bitch about that when/if that comes, but it's necessary. The amount of data that a typical notebook user consumes is WAY more than the amount of data that the typical iPhone user consumes. You can't expect them to give you unlimited notebook data on top of unlimited iPhone data for the same price.

I have no doubt Apple held AT&T by the short & curlies and told them if they wanted to keep the iPhone that they'd better charge $15 for the basic data plan for the iPad. In exchange, I also have no doubt AT&T said that iPhone data tethering would be a long, long way off.
 

GoCubsGo

macrumors Nehalem
Feb 19, 2005
35,741
153
Ah a good old facebook fan page. Nothing is less effective than a good ole online poll ... oh wait, there is ... a facebook fan page!


Dear Facebook User,

You're not going to change the world.

Regards,

Steve
 

2002cbr600f4i

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2008
489
0
If you really want tethering from AT&T is going to be $70.0 bucks, just like any other phone that tethers costs $70.0

Yes, but at I (and probably the OP and many other people) feel:

Why is it that AT&T is perfectly willing to sell you a tethering plan for their other phones and smartphones?

Why is it that AT&T is perfectly willing to sell you a USB 3G device to hook your laptop/network to the 3G network?

BUT

Their top of the line, flagship jesus phone, the iPhone 3GS, which is perfectly capable of supporting tethering - Nope, Screw you customer...

I'm sorry, but based on the fact that they'll happily sell you tethering for other phones and/or a USB dongle device, their whole "The iPhone users will slam our network" excuse is 100% complete BS. bandwidth is bandwidth, whether it's an iPhone, a 3G USB dongle, or a cheap POS tethered...

I'm PERFECTLY willing to pay the same $40 I'm paying now for the 3G dongle if it means I wouldn't have to carry another device, and could use that service on whichever devices I want (iPad or Macbook). Do we get that option? No...

You can bet that if they don't offer it on the next iPhone, there's no way in heck I'm continuing with this 3G dongle - I'll drop AT&T for that and go get an Overdrive or MyFy and use one of their competitors.... I might not even get another iPhone and instead might go with one of their competitors...
 

Cinemagic

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2007
390
1
I realize that it is going to come at a service fee. But, at least we have the option.

I, for one, want to update to OS4.0 when it is released. I don't want to have to worry about jailbreaking and tethering illegally.

Is it illegal to jailbreak? I think not. Is it illegal to tether from a jailbroken phone? I also think not. DevTeam is not that annonymous and they're not in jail. But there is nothing illegal about jailbreaking. My AT&T contract says I have unlimited data usage. I already pay extra for this. AT&T won't allow Apple to enable tethering, but that doesn't make it illegal to find a work around. AT&T made advertising claims that tethering would be enabled. Many people might have bought an iPhone and AT&T service because of this. AT&T made false advertising claims for the purpose of getting clients and generating revenue. They reniged on their advertising claim and made no compensation to their customers for their false advertising claim. Apple is complicit in this act. I have no moral problem what-so-ever about jailbreaking and tethering. I'll update to 4.0 when (and if) the DevTeam can provide a jailbreak for this version. Because of AT&T's false advertising, I'd much rather give my money to support DevTeam than to give additional money to AT&T.
 

2002cbr600f4i

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2008
489
0
Ok, so maybe one of our international users who CAN tether with their iPhone can chime in here...

Does the iPhone's tethering just lump the data used all together (tethered along with the phone itself) or is it somehow split up on your bill so you can see what you used tethered vs the phone itself?

Do you have to pay extra to tether? Or is it just rolled into your bill?

Just trying to get some idea why AT&T has the issue with tethering... I SUSPECT it's a case of the iPhone not showing any difference between tethered data vs phone data, and of course AT&T wants to keep people who didn't pay extra for tethering from being able to do it. If there's no way for them to 1) lock it out, or 2) meter it, there's no way they're going to allow it to happen on their network...
 

RunOverProducti

macrumors regular
Dec 26, 2008
232
1
Yes, but at I (and probably the OP and many other people) feel:

Why is it that AT&T is perfectly willing to sell you a tethering plan for their other phones and smartphones?

Why is it that AT&T is perfectly willing to sell you a USB 3G device to hook your laptop/network to the 3G network?

BUT

Their top of the line, flagship jesus phone, the iPhone 3GS, which is perfectly capable of supporting tethering - Nope, Screw you customer...

I'm sorry, but based on the fact that they'll happily sell you tethering for other phones and/or a USB dongle device, their whole "The iPhone users will slam our network" excuse is 100% complete BS. bandwidth is bandwidth, whether it's an iPhone, a 3G USB dongle, or a cheap POS tethered...

I'm PERFECTLY willing to pay the same $40 I'm paying now for the 3G dongle if it means I wouldn't have to carry another device, and could use that service on whichever devices I want (iPad or Macbook). Do we get that option? No...

You can bet that if they don't offer it on the next iPhone, there's no way in heck I'm continuing with this 3G dongle - I'll drop AT&T for that and go get an Overdrive or MyFy and use one of their competitors.... I might not even get another iPhone and instead might go with one of their competitors...

yawwnnnn I got bored of reading your reply, I only read it half way.

You want tethering? you will pay like everyone else that already tethers.

Why would the iPhone be free? everyone that pays for tethering would just drop that phone and get the iPhone... Bad for business, these companies make money on these features, making the iPhone free tethering would have to open the door for all the phones that tethers to be free.

Did I mentioned that they make money on features?

I worked for AT&T, trust me... For each new line or upgrade you do, you need to sale a $50 feature and $70 accessories to hit your quota every month. They make LOADS of money on features, they won't give it up. NEVER. PERIOD.
 

kolax

macrumors G3
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Ah a good old facebook fan page. Nothing is less effective than a good ole online poll ... oh wait, there is ... a facebook fan page!


Dear Facebook User,

You're not going to change the world.

Regards,

Steve

A Facebook page caused the UK Christmas Number 1 to be Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of. It had millions of people in the end.

A Facebook page with 14,000 fans urging Marks and Spencer (UK retailer) to stop charging extra for larger bras. Marks and Spencer responded and took away the extra charge for gifted woman.

Facebook is really powerful. If a page gets on a roll and millions join, then that is powerful.
 

2002cbr600f4i

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2008
489
0
yawwnnnn I got bored of reading your reply, I only read it half way.

You want tethering? you will pay like everyone else that already tethers.

Why would the iPhone be free? everyone that pays for tethering would just drop that phone and get the iPhone... Bad for business, these companies make money on these features, making the iPhone free tethering would have to open the door for all the phones that tethers to be free.

Did I mentioned that they make money on features?

Well, Einstein, if you HAD read the whole thing you'd see that I have no issue with them CHARGING for tethering. but right now they don't even give us that OPTION! I'm paying for a 3G USB dongle to get my laptop online. I just don't see why the heck I should have to pay for the iPhone, the 3G dongle to get my Macbook online. I would just like to not have to carry another item that only can connect the macbook.

I'd be PERFECTLY willing to pay them the same $40 I pay now, just let me do it through the iPhone rather than the 3G USB dongle... but no... They won't let us.
 

RunOverProducti

macrumors regular
Dec 26, 2008
232
1
Well, Einstein, if you HAD read the whole thing you'd see that I have no issue with them CHARGING for tethering. but right now they don't even give us that OPTION! I'm paying for a 3G USB dongle to get my laptop online. I just don't see why the heck I should have to pay for the iPhone, the 3G dongle to get my Macbook online. I would just like to not have to carry another item that only can connect the macbook.

I'd be PERFECTLY willing to pay them the same $40 I pay now, just let me do it through the iPhone rather than the 3G USB dongle... but no... They won't let us.

Is cheaper then the Air Card.

I think that the iPad 3G plan, is the best plan I've ever seen.

You should drop your ding a ling stuff and get the iPad 3G and save $10 bucks.
 

2002cbr600f4i

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2008
489
0
Is cheaper then the Air Card.

I think that the iPad 3G plan, is the best plan I've ever seen.

You should drop your ding a ling stuff and get the iPad 3G and save $10 bucks.

At this point, if they don't offer tethering by this July (when the 2 yr contract on my 3G dongle expires) I'm just going to get a Verizon MyFy or Sprint Overdrive... Same price as I'm paying now, better signal coverage (4G if I get the sprint, my buddy has one and it's DAMN fast here in Atlanta) and I can use it for the iPhone, iPad AND macbook... AT THE SAME TIME. But I'd still rather not have to carry around an extra device.

I don't have a problem with paying, I have a problem with not being allowed to use the tech to it's full capabilities for some arbitrary reason by AT&T.
 

RunOverProducti

macrumors regular
Dec 26, 2008
232
1
At this point, if they don't offer tethering by this July (when the 2 yr contract on my 3G dongle expires) I'm just going to get a Verizon MyFy or Sprint Overdrive... Same price as I'm paying now, better signal coverage (4G if I get the sprint, my buddy has one and it's DAMN fast here in Atlanta) and I can use it for the iPhone, iPad AND macbook... AT THE SAME TIME. But I'd still rather not have to carry around an extra device.

I don't have a problem with paying, I have a problem with not being allowed to use the tech to it's full capabilities for some arbitrary reason by AT&T.

Remember to cancel service with Verizon is $350.0:eek:...Gotta do whatcha gotta do.
 

jviphone

macrumors member
Jan 15, 2008
79
0
Dear AT&T,

Don't worry about setting up tethering on the iphone, instead use all your resources to fix your crappy service and start ramping up for 4g.


JV

Sent from my ipad, while tethering from my jailbroken 3g iphone
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.