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.

I think this story may serve as more proof that the iPhone is coming to Verizon soon.  Because of their lousy network coverage, and foot dragging on tethering,  AT&T knows that there are a lot of customers who may leave for Verizon.  It’s something that I’m contemplating myself.  AT&T Wireless CEO Ralph De La Vega recently was reported to have stated that he’s not worried about customers leaving.  His reason was that these customers are currently shackled to AT&T by contracts.  Wow!  What a great reason for customers to stay!  They can’t possibly want to stay because of the “great” network coverage right?  Oh, and tethering.  That’s a great feature.  What’s that you say?  The network isn’t that great?  We STILL don’t have tethering yet?

Because of AT&T’s total failure to live up to the iPhone’s full potential, I am forced instead to use another service for my wireless data needs.  In March, I signed up with Clear for 4G coverage when I don’t have a WiFi network available for my laptop.  So far, it’s been really good service.  There are a few areas in Dallas/Fort Worth where I can’t get online, but the service is still relatively new to DFW.  I’m content to allow Clear to continue rolling out new towers.  I just wish that I could have been using my iPhone for data service.  Thanks to AT&T, I have another bill to pay.  Of course, I’m sure that if AT&T did roll out tethering service, they would charge an abusively large fee for it.  Right now, I can get a 3G card from AT&T to use with my laptop, but they want $70 a month for unlimited data, whereas, I’m only paying $40 for Clear for unlimited 4G service.  Oh, and Clear gave me $15 off the first two months.  AT&T doesn’t do that.  What’s more, the early termination fee from Clear is only $120, and it drops over the course of the two year contract.  AT&T’s $325 fee for early termination does not.

Cult Of Mac reports on statements made by AT&T Wireless CEO Ralph De La Vega that he’s not worried about iPhone customers moving over to Verizon.  His reason for not worrying?  It’s the difficulty of switching carriers because of the family plan contracts.

Instead of worrying about customer service, and fixing his lousy 3G service, and giving us the ability to tether our iPhones, and use them for internet service, Mr. De La Vega instead focuses on his customers being chained to AT&T by a contract.  Mr. De La Vega doesn’t seem to understand that providing great service should be his primary concern.  This is the man who called all iPhone users “data hogs” several months ago. I guess I should have expected this kind of idiotic statement from him.

Link to the Cult Of Mac story is below:

AT&T: Difficultly Switching iPhone Carriers Will Protect Us from Verizon | Cult of Mac.

This Friday, I’m going do my best to use only my iPhone for all internet and email.  If you have an iPhone, or any other smartphone on AT&T’s network,  you should do the same.

Earlier this week, Ralph de la Vega, the CEO of AT&T Mobility began a ‘blame the customer’ policy to address the complaints about the dismal failings of his wireless network.  Given his stance, I think that we, as customers, should teach this man a lesson and show him just how pissed off we are, and also how important we all are to the success of his company.  It’s absolutely unacceptable for AT&T, or any other wireless service provider to sell a product (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.), and then bitch and whine about the customers actually using those products with their unlimited data plans.  What Mr. de la Vega needs to understand is that the customer is the most important element of his business.  If he can’t meet the obligations that his company has to its customers, then he should sell off the company to someone who can meet those obligations.  I’m paying an additional $30 per month for UNLIMITED data, and $5 for a paltry 200 text messages on top of the charges for my rate plan.  I’m also an AT&T U-Verse customer.  All told, I’m paying AT&T almost $300 a month!  It’s insulting that Mr. de la Vega would even think about blaming the customers.  Therefore, we should make sure that he knows just how much of an impact we are capable of having on his network.

For more on this, check out the article from TUAW linked below:

Watch out AT&T: Operation Chokehold is coming.

Well, so much for “unlimited” data plans.  While AT&T struggles with iPhone users who actually expect to USE their iPhones for internet and email, why not upgrade the network instead of whining about supposed iPhone “data hogs”?  This blame the customer strategy is the wrong road to go down.  The iPhone, along with every other smartphone, is hyped as being a phone, and an internet and email device.  When customers actually use their phones for those purposes, it’s wrong to start complaining.

On a positive note… AT&T recently cut me a very good deal on my service.  I appreciate that, and in return, I’ve agreed not to bug their execs anymore about their network issues.  I’m still a customer though, and I will not tolerate limits being placed on me because I actually use my iPhone to the fullest.  I’m signed up for unlimited data, and I expect to get it!

Let’s not even get me started about the lack of a 3G tethering option, and the fact that we get charged extra for text messages!

AppleInsider | AT&T warns of coming clamp-down on iPhone data hogs.