Over the past couple of weeks, I have had two phone conversations with representatives from AT&T’s “Office of the President”, each in response to my constant complaining over AT&T’s new iPhone tethering charge.  The case that I have made from the beginning has been that AT&T is unjustified in charging an additional $20 for tethering on top of the $25 charge for 2GB of data.  Since we will be capped at 2GB of data, and charged an additional $10 for each additional GB, why does AT&T care about how much data we use, and how?  If I use all of my 2GB of data on my iPhone using Safari, or Mail, or any other app that uses the 3G network, it would be EXACTLY the same as using Safari, or Mail on my MacBook Pro.

AT&T claims that tethering my iPhone to my laptop will use more data.  This claim is ridiculous, and insults the intelligence of AT&T customers.  I was shocked when “Sophia” from the Office of the President made this claim.  It leaves me wondering if “Sophia” is an idiot, or if AT&T thinks its customers are idiots.  To be fair to Sophia, I’m going to go with the latter.

If I know that my data plan will be capped at 2GB, and since AT&T gives me the means on their website to track my usage, why would I use more data on my laptop through tethering than I would using 3G directly from my iPhone?  This logic was lost on “Sophia”.  She merely restated her faulty claim that I would use more data on my laptop via tethering than I would by using my iPhone directly.

Most of the time, I’m using a wifi network.  I would only need to tether my iPhone when I’m not within range of a wifi network.  Since 3G is nowhere near as fast as a broadband connection such as a T1, DSL, or cable connection, why would I use tethering as my default connectivity?  I have discussed this with several other AT&T customers who also use an iPhone, and who are also always on the go with their laptops.  All of them acknowledge that their 3G usage would be limited to only what they need, and would not be used for general internet connectivity.  Either way you look at this, why should AT&T care?  They’re going to charge an additional fee if we go over 2GB.

What this is REALLY about is AT&T’s desire for yet another revenue stream.  They know that we love to get the most out of our iPhones, and that we’re more likely than anyone else to use 3G data in large amounts.  The iPhone was the first phone I had that is actually capable of doing everything that was promised.  My last ‘smartphone’ was capable of sending email, and had limited web capability, but it was pretty much useless for those things, so I cancelled my data plan.  Then, the iPhone arrived.  I send, and receive several email messages from my phone on a daily basis.  I also have the ability to look up something on the internet whenever the mood strikes me.  Apple has created a great product only to have it be hobbled by AT&T’s greed.

AT&T’s stated reason for adding the extra $20 fee for tethering is bullshit!  If you agree, make sure to complain.  Email Randall Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T at:  rs2982@att.com.  Within a few business days, you’ll receive a call just like I did.  Make sure to tell the rep that you know that AT&T is just being greedy, and that you don’t accept their lame reason to charge for tethering.

When I got up this morning, I checked my email, and found this message from Apple:

Maybe I’m receiving my iPhone early because Apple wants to try to avoid the activation snarl that will ensue on Thursday?  What ever the reason, getting my iPhone a day early is greatly appreciated.  Last night, I updated my iPhone 3G to iOS 4.  I love the new folder feature, and the unified inbox.  I’m disappointed that I cannot have a customized home screen background.  According to an email sent by Steve Jobs to a Cult Of Mac reader, the customized home screen would cause performance issues.  Hmmmm…  Maybe, but I think I would have preferred having the choice to use that feature or not.  How does Steve explain the fact that jailbroken iPhones, and iPods have had this feature for quite sometime without any performance issues?  In the end, it’s not that important.  I’m just tired of the bland, black screen.

Although members of the mainstream media, and our current president aren’t fond of blogs, I love them.  Blogs are a great source of information, and relevant opinions that keep us all informed.  Some blogs are full of outright lies, and uninformed opinions. Despite that, they’re still very helpful. They represent free thinking in an era where free speech is increasingly under attack from the mainstream information sources who are seeking to silence all of us regular people who want to express our opinions.

For about three years, I have been a regular reader at Consumerist.com.  Although I frequently disagree with a lot of the stories there, I have found their articles to be very informative.  It’s interesting to read the comments, and get a feel for what people really think about the issues.  I have always tried to add my own thoughts, and opinions if I feel strongly about something.  Often, my comments run counter to the feelings of the other readers.  I feel that a blunt expression of my thoughts and ideas is always the best policy.

In order to be able to comment at Consumerist, anyone who registers must first go through a trial period during which someone at Consumerist reads over the comments submitted, and then decides on the worthiness of those comments to be allowed to be visible on the website.

Screenshot of comment approval message.

While this policy isn’t unique to Consumerist, I know of no other blog that makes readers go through an ‘interview’ process whereby they must wait to be made worthy of participating.  By instituting this policy, Consumerist is essentially dictating what views can be expressed on their website.  While it is entirely their right to control the content on their website, this policy of holding comments for moderation, and later, banning readers for supposed offenses runs counter to what we the readers would expect from a website like Consumerist.com.  If you read their ‘About Us‘ page, you’ll get the impression that Consumerist.com is a great place for consumers to be informed about scams, and bad corporate behavior.  You won’t get the impression that the moderators will censor your ideas, and ban you when you express opinions that they don’t like.

I’m sure that this isn’t surprising, but if you tweet enough about your displeasure with AT&T’s wireless service, you will inevitably be contacted by someone from AT&T.  I’ve been contacted by five AT&T employees, all responding to my repeated complaints about the quality of their network, or their latest act of evil — charging an extra $20 for iPhone tethering.  iPhone customers in the U.S. have been waiting almost a year to enjoy what iPhone users in other parts of the world have enjoyed almost from the initial release of iPhone 3.0.  The iPhone gives customers the ability to attach their iPhone to their Mac or PC, and use the iPhone’s 3G connection to access the internet without the need for a 3G card.  It’s a great feature, and I’ve waited anxiously for the day when I would be ALLOWED to use it.  The iPhone has had the ability to tether since the first day that iPhone 3.0 was released.  AT&T has stood in the way citing concerns about network capacity.  Hey AT&T, here’s a thought…  Why not beef up your network BEFORE you start selling the iPhone?  In case you’re not familiar with AT&T’s new iPhone data plans, AT&T announced this week that they are doing away with the unlimited data plan that iPhone users have enjoyed for nearly three years.  They’re replacing it with a $25/month plan that limits customers to only 2GB of data per month.  It’s true that most customers don’t come anywhere near 2GB per month (myself included), but where the evil begins is when AT&T insists on charging another $20 for the privilege of tethering.  Why should AT&T care how we use our 2GB of data per month?  Why charge another $20?  My bill is already over $100 month.  In addition, I also pay $150 per month for AT&T’s U-Verse service.  How much more of my money does AT&T need?

Tonight, I was contacted by @ATTJulia on Twitter.  She explained that the extra $20 charge for tethering is standard across the industry.  That may be true, but it does not excuse AT&T’s greed.  That’s what this is.  Normally, I’m a free market capitalist all the way.  I have no problem with being paying a fair price for quality services.  However, this extra $20 fee is nothing but naked greed.  Clothing that greed with a flimsy excuse that the extra charge is standard is not only lame, but it’s insulting that AT&T would believe that their customers would accept it.

The iPhone is a revolutionary product.  It’s the best smartphone on the market.  The sheer sales numbers over the past three years is proof of that.  What AT&T is doing is taking that wonderful product, and using it for their own greedy goals.  They have diminished the iPhone’s phenomenal user experience by shackling it to their sorry data plans, and their lousy network.  I call on every iPhone user in the U.S. to demand that AT&T treat us fairly, and stop trying to find more ways to syphon more and more money from us.  If you use Twitter, message AT&T, and voice your complaints:

@ATTCustomerCare @ATTJohnathon @ATTChrisL @ATTJulie

When you call customer care, complain.  Email AT&T’s executives and tell them you don’t like the data plan change.  Blog about your outrage.  Make your voice heard.  As it stands, I won’t be using the new tethering service.  I refuse to pay AT&T an additional $20 to be allowed to use a feature that my iPhone has had for almost a year.