Re:AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
by LordBodak on Friday March 18, 2011 @02:20PM
(#2341343)
AT&T already does that; non-smartphone users still have an option for $15/mo unlimited data ($10/mo if on certain family plans)
Re:AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
by bhousel on Friday March 18, 2011 @05:10PM
(#2341986)
But you can't tether with those, right?
Re:AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
by LordBodak on Friday March 18, 2011 @05:11PM
(#2341992)
That depends on your definition of "can't." Technology-wise, yes, if the phone supports it. Terms of service-wise, no, but that's true of the smartphone plans also, they've just never enforced it before.
Re:AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
by bhousel on Friday March 18, 2011 @05:20PM
(#2342018)
Right, that's how I'm pointing out that Sprint's approach is different. They just charge all smartphone users an extra $10/month and don't care whether you tether or not. Andriod phones come with the mobile hotspot app preinstalled.
Sprint segments their users as non-smartphone vs smartphone (+$10/mo)
Other carriers segment their users as non-tethering vs tethering (+$50/mo)
Sprint seems to have taken a middle approach. They just charge all of their smartphone customers a 'premium data charge' of $10/month. This is a lot less than a traditional 'tethering plan' would cost, and my smartphone came bundled with the Sprint Hotspot app, so I can tether if I want to.
This seems fair to me (even in nerd-arbitrary logic), since the gap between computer and smartphone is so narrow, and the gap between smartphone and dumbphone is so wide.