[AT&T] Tethering Costs Extra?

DMWagner · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 11:04 AM

I am with Alltel as of right now. I like it, but Verizon bought Alltel. In my market, Verizon has to sell Alltel to another company since the Alltel and Verizon markets overlap.

So, it seems that AT&T is looking at buying Alltel. I was looking at AT&T's website to see how they compared with Alltel in prices and plans.

I saw that they charge almost double for a data plan that includes tethering.

How do they know if a customer tethers with a Windows Mobile phone using ICS?

My current plan with Alltel there is no restrictions on how I use the phone.

**Hafrust** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 11:13 AM

I have some doubts about this. I've never heard anything about at&t buying alltel. Why would they purchase a CDMA company? Why couldn't the verizon and alltel markets just merge?

DMWagner · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 01:13 PM

Really, you haven't heard?

In a nutshell, Verizon bought Alltel and the FCC said in the markets where Verizon and Alltel were the dominant carriers, Verizon has to divest those markets... sell them off.

Here is your proof of AT&T looking at us Alltel customers:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10156765-94.html

So.. now back to my question, how does AT&T know when you tether a phone such as a PPC-6800/Mogul using Windows ICS?

**Hafrust** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 01:14 PM

I knew Verizon bought Alltel, but I didn't know about them having to sell them off. Maybe I should read the news more.

DMWagner · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 01:27 PM

I had it pretty good under Alltel. Cheap phones, cheaper rates, good phone service, unlimited data, no restrictions on how I used my phone.

I really cringed when I heard that Verizon was buying Alltel. I had looked at both companies when I was looking into buying my 6800 and Verizon was twice as expensive on the actual purchase of the phone and $180 a year more for the plan with less minutes and restrictions on the data and GPS usage.

But we lucked out and won't be turned into Verizon customers as I recieved a letter in the mail saying we are still going to be Alltel customers. But with this news of AT&T, it looks to be more of the same in regards to pricing and usage restrictions.