re AT&T forcing data plan changes

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
> Date: February 8, 2010 2:10:39 PM EST
> To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Re: [IP] AT&T forcing data plan changes

> The basic mobile phone authentication sequence provides all the
> information necessary for the carrier to determine the phone type,
> without inspection of the user data stream per se.
>
> And the term "unlimited" in reference to data plans has become
> decimated in usefulness -- thanks to ISPs (mobile especially, but
> increasingly landline as well) who really use the term now to mean
> "unlimited until you exceed our arbitrary data usage ceiling" (in the
> mobile space, as assigned to that particular type of phone or class of
> device).
>
> This is a fundamental part of the carrier profit center "shell game."
> By mixing and matching different "base" fees, data plan requirements,
> and early termination fees, carriers assure themselves of specific
> income streams over various periods of time.  If the consumer is
> confused into paying for more than what they need or will ever use --
> well, them's the breaks, right?
>
> As for the argument that "unlimited" in a mobile data or landline ISP
> tier definition has anything to do with "unlimited connect time"
> rather than the amount of user data actually flowing -- that's just
> utter nonsense.  By that line of reasoning, your local power company
> could promote "unlimited service!" simply because your home is
> always connected to the grid.  Even the most non-techie of broadband
> users aren't going to fall for that sort of word game.
>
> --Lauren--
> Lauren Weinstein
> lauren () vortex com
> Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
> http://www.pfir.org/lauren
> Co-Founder, PFIR
>   - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
> Co-Founder, NNSquad
>   - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
> Founder, GCTIP - Global Coalition
>   for Transparent Internet Performance - http://www.gctip.org
> Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
> Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
> Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
> Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
>
> - - -
>
> On 02/08 13:40, Dave Farber wrote:
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> > > From: Chris Kantarjiev <cak () dimebank com>
> > > Date: February 8, 2010 1:01:26 PM EST
> > > To: dave () farber net
> > > Subject: AT&T forcing data plan changes
> >
> > > Dave, for IP if you wish:
> > >
> > > Last Saturday morning, I was awakened early by an SMS to my phone.  
> > > It
> > > was from AT&T Wireless, saying "Did you know a data plan is required
> > > for your Smartphone? Call 611 for details."
> > >
> > > This was shortly followed by another: "Your Smartphone requires a  
> > > data
> > > plan. For convenience, we have added a minimum plan to your phone.  
> > > Call
> > > 611 4 info."
> > >
> > > I found this quite puzzling, since I already had an unlimited data
> > > plan on my account, and have for quite some time, since I first  
> > > got a
> > > Cingular 5125 "smartphone" - I've been using wireless data for  
> > > about 5
> > > years, and had slowly moved up from a 5MB/month plan to unlimited.
> > >
> > > I didn't call 611, but instead went my account page at the AT&T
> > > Wireless website. When I looked at my feature list, I saw that they
> > > had moved me from my pre-existing $15/month unlimited data plan to  
> > > the
> > > $30/month "Smartphone personal" unlimited data plan ... and that the
> > > $15/month plan is still highlighted as "recommended". (I tried
> > > switching back to the $15/month plan, but received the same set of
> > > text messages again in under an hour.)
> > >
> > > The light began to dawn. For the past month or so, I've been  
> > > borrowing
> > > a Nexus One to see what it's like. I simply inserted my AT&T SIM  
> > > into
> > > the phone and started using it. I am probably using more data than I
> > > used to, but 'unlimited' seems like it should have covered this?
> > >
> > > Apparently AT&T is doing some sort of inspection of the data stream.
> > > Their latest terms of service say
> > >
> > >   If it is determined that you are using an iPhone or other
> > > designated
> > >   smartphone without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right
> > > to
> > >   add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the
> > > appropriate
> > >   monthly fee.
> > >
> > > Hmm. And just how are they determining this, I have to wonder?
> > >
> > > Chris Kantarjiev
> > > Palo Alto, CA
> >
> >
> >
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