When it comes to 7.1, ATT is FOS!!!

[Mecca EL]

So I'm in the midst of a "hotspot configuration issue" conversation on bbm, between OSBB members and testers. I'm on ATT, and recently I've been the latest victim of the "Activation Required..." splash screen annoyance, after having hotspot functionality for over a month.

I've pursued EVERY option: reconfig hybrid, service books resend, clean install, "previous working" build... Nothing worked. And slowly but surely, 7.1 users started posting the loss of their hotspot features. Now I'm ultra-concerned!!! COULD it be that hotspot is in fact being carrier-blocked???

Best thing for me to do, and the only option I haven't pursued, was to change my service plan to include tethering....low and behold, I have hotspot back. I'm not actually pissed about having to do that, because in any case, had I gone over my allotted 2gb "unlimited" data, I would have to pay $10 per additional gb.

Now, THIS is what pisses me off: one of my testers is "grandfathered", on his 9810, with True unlimited - from being a long time ATT customer. He lost the hotspot capability the middle of last week, so last night I'm all "just call them in the AM. Since you're on true unlimited, your situation is all WIN." Right??

45 minutes ago, I get this reply "I just called ATT CS and they said I have unlimited plan and to get mobile hotspot you have to have limited...and they said once I switch from unlimited to limited no more unlimited b/c ATT doesn't offer unlimited" End quote!

I don't know how many ATT users we have here, but I'm prepared to email bomb the complaint department, the CEO...shoot, the AG's office, whoever it takes to get these crooked practices reformed. I'm fed up with these corporate gangsters. Its obvious that "4G" is another marketing ploy geared at providing a fictional service for more money. I use my device at "2G", and have I not only experienced performance pluses, better battery life, excellent streaming media AWAY from wifi...we ALL have wifi capable phones. Check my speed test results, wifi ALONE is ultra fast.

While I'm sure that a few reading this will quickly quote the 4G propaganda promotional pack - from this point forward, referred to as 4G-PPP - provided exclusively by your favorite service provider, the FACT remains that you do NOT know what bandwidth you are using. You would need the proper tools to prove that the 4G-PPP is the truth.

In closing, I'm not talking about writing childish rants about how you lost signal while in Paradise Island, because Wonder Woman's invisible jet blocks transmissions. Loss of signal is inherit in all RF/LF devices. It just is. What I'm interested in focusing on is service provisions. If there are any para-legals, legals, or logic minded folks that could help word out a User Service Constitution, where the focus is on what "G" a customer feels like they'll get the best service, a TRUE unlimited service plan comparable to previous versions, and REAL service features that a customer can adjust per the customers needs and finances. No one should be excluded from serviceability and feature losses because they can't afford a service providers "this doesn't fit you, but so bend over and take this" plan. Doesn't matter if you're in Canada, Zimbabwe, India, etc. We can make this global. If I can compile a hybrid that provides excellent performance in Malaysia, YOU can assist in this corporate reorganization reform.

(I hate that I have to reiterate this, but some folks are compelled towards whining, complaining, and other non-sense in a thread that can provide useful SOLUTIONS. Let me restate that: I AM ASKING THOSE WHO CAN HELP TO PROVIDE IDEAS FOR A USEFUL SOLUTION)

Don't switch providers, don't stop paying your bill, don't do what they expect you to do. None of these will work, because Ma Bell has all terrestrial and most celestial communication services on LOCK. They're user-agreement clauses expect you to complain, why do you think they "lock" you into a 2-years service agreement?? Instead, do what they know you WON'T do, which is point out how they're robbing us. The service agreement has no clauses for that.

[BERaddict]

I totally agree with you. They being such a large entity are getting away with a lot. That was wrong advising your friend to change from an unlimited plan to a limited plan. They are just trying to get people off of it for any reason that they can think of.

[BERaddict]

I do hope that the members who work as para legals or who have a better understanding of corporate law, if that is what is involved take an initiative and do something about it and I for one will do whatever I could to back it up as I'm sure would a lot of other members in this forum.

[Mecca EL]

Originally Posted by BERaddict

I totally agree with you. They being such a large entity are getting away with a lot. That was wrong advising your friend to change from an unlimited plan to a limited plan. They are just trying to get people off of it for any reason that they can think of.

I didn't tell him to change just to have tethering. If I was grandfathered, there would be no way I would. I stated that I added the feature since I was already on a 2gb plan.

[BERaddict]

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they telling him to change to a limited plan and aonly then can he have tethering ? If anyone has unlimited data, my understanding would be that there should not be any problem with tethering as you are using the data that you are already paying for.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Dale Thomas]

After being with Cingular (now AT&T) for over 8 years, I am seriously looking for a new carrier when my contract expires in a couple of months. I like your idea, but AT&T will only change when the competition cuts into thier market share.

And there are some companies that are trying to do just that.

[Mecca EL]

Originally Posted by BERaddict

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they telling him to change to a limited plan and aonly then can he have tethering ? If anyone has unlimited data, my understanding would be that there should not be any problem with tethering as you are using the data that you are already paying for.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Every part of your statement makes undisputed sense!

[Mecca EL]

Originally Posted by Dale Thomas

After being with Cingular (now AT&T) for over 8 years, I am seriously looking for a new carrier when my contract expires in a couple of months. I like your idea, but AT&T will only change when the competition cuts into thier market share.

And there are some companies that are trying to do just that.

And that's sad. You're a loyal customer, and your loyalty affords you nada.

[hodula1]

Mecca EL, can you confirm you were able to use the Hotspot after changing to a tethering plan? I have a tethering plan and I am still unable to use the Hotspot.

[kbz1960]

ATT seems to be the worst about things like this.

[Mecca EL]

Originally Posted by hodula1

Mecca EL, can you confirm you were able to use the Hotspot after changing to a tethering plan? I have a tethering plan and I am still unable to use the Hotspot.

Unfortunately I can. After Logging into ATT's site, it took me a minute to locate the proper plan. Its mis-labeled as "200mb...4G", in the tether selection, under the enterprise selection. As soon as I confirmed the date of activation - I changed my billing to same day - I was active.

[Mister Xiado]

The service agreement I got in the mail when I started my service stated that AT&T reserved the right to impose limits on data usage at some nebulous point in the future.

Also if you tethered your phone without having a tethering package WHICH EXISTED WITH EVEN THE OLD UNLIMITED FEATURES, you were in violation of the terms of service, and you could have been immediately cancelled. But AT&T almost NEVER takes action on people who violate the ToS.

[n7mft]

Why can't ATT add a $10 tethering charge for the people with the unlimited plans? I asked about the tethering today. When I was told that I would have to loose my data plan I tolkd the sales person that I would rather change carriers than pay ATT the same amount for less data. ATT better wake up and smell the cash loss.

[austriker]

Ya know requiring a limited data plan for tethering makes sense. Because if you tethered on unlimited plan I'm sure it might cost carrier quite a great deal.

That being said, and having experienced at&trash since they bought cingular, I am completely against it as just abother ploy to screw the consumer. Much like dropping texting plans (unlimited or nothing).

Sadly I feel like most us carriers suck like this and are out to take advantage of their monopolies. Lame.

At least it looks like att's bid to consume tmobile n halted. Someone is thinking with their head on partially straight

[muzichead]

I have been an AT&T customer for going on like 10+ years now and the greatest misconception is that data plans, have always been and will always be tied to only "1" device only, (and if you are tethering), that would mean you are using "2" devices..... Hence all the confusion about them charging for a tethering plan. I had the unlimited plan about 5 years ago and had to let it go to have the tethering option as well, so this is nothing new.

If everyone is so fed up with AT&T about charging extra fees for tethering and such, why not drop them and go to another carrier?
The answer is simple, the other carriers charge for this feature as well.......

I for one have had a very good experience with AT&T and would never switch as IMO, they have the best equipment and service out there. I know what has been printed about their being rated #3 in customer satisfactions surveys and I know what people will say to this so don't bother...... Those surveys are a bunch of S#IT..... They are done by a bunch of petty people that mistook their phone service for Burger King and found out they can't have it their way. Why is it that everyone wants everything for free? I'll never understand that concept. If anyone thinks they could have a company and give away everything for free, wake up and smell the roses, the real world doesn't work that way....... Of course they have to charge you extra for some features or they simply wouldn't be in business any longer......