AT&T tweaks wireless terms of service to forbid video streaming, filesharing, data tethering
By Nilay Patel 
posted April 3rd 2009 12:24PM
posted April 3rd 2009 12:24PM
Looks like AT&T's taking some aggressive steps to manage network traffic now that it's offering subsidized netbooks -- the carrier updated its data plan terms of service last night to specifically single out and prohibit "downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting, and... any applications that tether the device... to Personal Computers or other equipment." That's an impressively strict set of rules that seemingly bans a number of apps AT&T customers are already using without complaint -- everything from SlingPlayer to Qik to Skype to Jaikuspot -- so we'll see if the company is really so tone-deaf as to try and retroactively prohibit their use, or if it'll just ignore what it can't possibly enforce. We've pinged AT&T for comment, we'll let you know what they say.P.S.- It's not just AT&T struggling to keep up with how people actually use its network -- Deutsche Telekom today threatened to cut off German T-Mobile customers who dare to use Skype. Nice. Can someone give all these guys some new ideas, please?
[Via GigaOm]
at&t suckkkkkssss
I don't know about all this... parts of it sound as if they are moretargeted at netbooks rather than say the iphone, but i'm certain some of this does effect the iPhone. With direct references to such things as peer to peer file sharing and data tethering, it seems as if they are directly targeting some of the new features Apple implemented in the latest beta operating system. If I were Apple, I would be angry. How would I take out my revenge, you ask? I'd find other carriers to make deals with, beginning of course with T-Mobile, then the others if they ever choose to build a CDMA version. Or, on the other hand, could this be AT&T acting out against Apple for that very reason (talking to other carriers)?
Hey AT&T, April Fools was 2 days ago.
I called AT&T Customer Service as a "potential customer" (even though I'm more accurately described as a "disgruntled customer" now) and I asked what, specifically, they're now prohibiting. I asked if this includes the YouTube app on iphones and their own crapware MobiTV and XM apps. The response I got was that those three apps are, in fact, allowed. Then I probed further and asked for examples of what's prohibited, citing the TOS language, "customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting." I pointed out that this language pretty much describes the YouTube app and if that was allowed, but others weren't (slingbox, etc), how are customers to know what's kosher and what's gonna result in a breach of contract. The CSR didn't know and "didn't want to keep me on hold forever" and promised to find the answers to my question and call back. If you're interested, I'll post what I find whenever they call back.
thats IF they call you back
I'll play devil's advocate here for a second (and at this point in time ATT has all ready taken all this back) but I don't see how "customer initiated redirection of television or other video or audio signals via any technology from a fixed location to a mobile device, web broadcasting." would be describing the youtube app or their own medianet crap since those are streaming media directly from ATT's and Youtube's servers to your phone. Now Slingboxes and tethering you, the customer, are in fact redirecting video from a fixed location (your TV, computer at home) to a mobile device. With the youtube app you, the customer, are not redirecting anything, Apple and ATT are. I'm glad this is is over with for now, but I could see them scrambling right now on how to redefine their wording so there's no confusion. Hopefully they won't. But frankly I'm surprised the ATT rep was that dumb that you were able to convince them that that wording describes their own apps when it clearly stated "the customer" can not redirect signals. Not saying it didn't happen, just surprised at their own gullibility.
Just one question:
Does this news mean, that the podcast streaming on the iPhone (iTunes App) is now illegal?
Please answer my question, because if it does, I'll cancel my service.
One more reason to not use the Data plan from att, its over priced as it is. Better to just use wifi when you can find it
Does this mean if they are changing their terms of service, we can get out of our 2yr contract? This might be good in June when the new iPhone comes out.
I just cant help but wonder how much longer the Sheeple will sit back and "take it". We just get "stepped on" over and over again and its getting very old already!
RT
www.anon-tools.cz.tc
You guys are incorrect about how these data plans work.. Let me explain.. any iphone, blackberry, or pda is an unlimited data plan.Its that simple. The only devices that have a 5 gig limit is the aircards. They are not ment to be your primary source of internet. Any questions?
Wow. I never thought I'd say this, but I actually think I LOVE my Rogers data plan now.
lol. i use my phone for tehthering so that i can pirate stuff. lol, and im only paying 15 dollars a month for mediaNet Unlimited.
haha they'll end up lowering the prices to compete with skype; why make their customers angry they'll just lose them if they keep this up...
Since getting my iPhone 3G, it really is annoying to constantly be told "This app is over 10MB". Use WiFi. 10MB?? I can stream 150MB in an hour using my BlackBerry Bold, and soon on the iPhone as well.
This is VERY UPSETTING as I just bought a Slingbox to get TV on my phone and now they are making that illegal