[Q] Nexus S - Finally got a Tethering letter from AT&T

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Before people jump all over this -- I know there are hundreds of threads about how at&t detects tethering and then all the moral-rich folks will get up in arms about paying for a service and to stop stealing... well I dont care. My question is simple:

If AT&T cant detect what APN an android device uses since it all transfers through the primary wireless APN... and the best they can do is say what type of site a mobile device is requesting... how can they say you are tethering?

With apps that mimic other browsers for full site browsing I feel like they really cant prove definitively what I am using. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Originally Posted by HoneyNutz

Before people jump all over this -- I know there are hundreds of threads about how at&t detects tethering and then all the moral-rich folks will get up in arms about paying for a service and to stop stealing... well I dont care. My question is simple:

If AT&T cant detect what APN an android device uses since it all transfers through the primary wireless APN... and the best they can do is say what type of site a mobile device is requesting... how can they say you are tethering?

With apps that mimic other browsers for full site browsing I feel like they really cant prove definitively what I am using. Please correct me if I am wrong.

If they really want to do some packet inspection they could look at something as simple as the UA string or TTL. They could watch for known background services such as AV programs calling home to check for updates or Windows update doing the same.

Well played. I thought that was considered deep packet inspection to know what is requesting what (which I thought they were banned from doing unless authorized by a gov entity)

But I will keep that in mind. I am surprised they pinged me for my 4gb use though -- seriously at&t...seriously... Makes me want to stream hulu 24/7 to truely show a data hog.

Originally Posted by HoneyNutz

Well played. I thought that was considered deep packet inspection to know what is requesting what (which I thought they were banned from doing unless authorized by a gov entity)

But I will keep that in mind. I am surprised they pinged me for my 4gb use though -- seriously at&t...seriously... Makes me want to stream hulu 24/7 to truely show a data hog.

Seems like it's probably being done in some capacity - an interesting read: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20...hone-networks/

Originally Posted by HoneyNutz

Well played. I thought that was considered deep packet inspection to know what is requesting what (which I thought they were banned from doing unless authorized by a gov entity)

does it really surprise you that at&t would be the company to break a federal law, then play dumb and claim ignorance?? Really?? lol

Entertaining conversation with ATT last night. Basically they stated that I have been using data for consistent periods of time... to which i responded I stream all day long which isn't against the terms. They then said their were pointers that stated I could be tethering. I said please provide me with a time period when one of these pointers occurred so I can check my usage against it. They said they don't have the ability (or willingness?) to do that.

The rep then went on to explain that using bluetooth in my car is also considering tethering

<insert WTF face here>

So apparently if you use one of those radio connectors that lets you play your music in the car..THATS TETHERING. These people are all morons. I was hoping for a legitimate explanation but got none. Basically they said well if nothing changes then i will lose my unlimited plan. I told them if they can tell me what they are seeing beyond consistent data use then I will hunt down what they are seeing and correct it. Its like saying stop walking past that street...but not giving them context to what street.

Sure I am tethering but I want them to tell me WHEN I am tethering. If they cant prove that beyond a reasonable doubt then they seriously need to reevaluate their priorities. Especially considering I max out around 4gb a month. Next month I am streaming netflix 24/7 and not tethering just to mess with them just a little more

i tether my sons ipod all the time, they don't catch that!