ATT Clamping Down On Unofficial iPhone Tethering
OSXDaily reports that ATT has started clamping down on the unofficial iPhone tethering using jailbreak apps like MyWi and TetherMe.
ATT customers who have jailbroken their iPhone and using the tethering option unofficially are getting an email from ATT stating that “records show that you use [tethering] but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.”
ATT had started offering the official tethering plans for $20 per month in June 2010, almost a year after the feature was introduced in iPhone OS 3.0 by Apple.
Due to the delay, jailbreak developers had released apps that enabled tethering for a one-time fee, which are very popular. MyWi also allows users to convert their iPhone into a wireless router just like the personal hotspot feature in iOS 4.3 released last week. It is also one of major reasons users jailbreak their iPhone.
OSXDaily now reports that ATT is clamping down on the unnofficial iPhone tethering:
Customers are being notified that their service plans need updating to subscribe to a tethering plan, and that they will be automatically subscribed to a DataPro 4GB package that costs an additional $45 per month if they continue to tether. In the email, ATT also notes that if customers discontinue the use of tethering, no changes will be made to their plan.
This will also impact users who have unlimited data plans. OSXDaily reports that several MyWi users have been contacted by ATT. Here are some excerpts from the letter sent to one of the users:
[..] Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.
[..] 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 is unfortunate that carriers are charging users for the tethering option, ideally you should be able to use the data the way you want as you’ve paid for it.
It needs to be seen if this threat from ATT will force users to switch to Verizon though it could also adopt a similar policy.
Do you use MyWi or any other jailbreak app for iPhone tethering? Have you received an email from ATT? Let us know what you plan to do in the comments section below.
[via OSXDaily]
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