Although I understand the OP's need for unlimited data, I do not support abuse of the system. Although it's not strictly listed in AT&T's terms and conditions, the unlimited data plan was not designed to be used as the primary household internet service. It was for people who wanted peace of mind without having to worry about going over their data caps. I will refrain from further bashing the OP about this as I noticed that an earlier reply had been removed. If it works for the OP, then good for him.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Carrier AT&T Unlimited iPad - 348gb in 15 days
- Thread starter ian1ian1
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
So this is why those of us who spend a lot for LTE get slow speeds? Because of data hogs?
Hope they do throttle those people. To like 1MBPS.
Hope they do throttle those people. To like 1MBPS.
It's like the guy that goes to the casino buffet and eats all the crab legs. Sure, there is no rule that says your $7.99 can't be used to eat crab legs- after all, that's what they're there for, but at the exclusion of everything else? All of them?
Because he's not using the iPad for unlimited data.
The iPad data plan is for the iPad. Not to switch the sim into a wireless access router and use it as home internet replacement.
It will be extremely hard for any "regular heavy data user" to consume more than 30-50gb of data on the iPad. This is assuming streaming for 4-6 hours of netflix each day.
I'd like anyone to try to consume 100 gb of data specifically on the iPad. It would be extremely hard.
I do agree that there is no need to shame anyone but individuals like that are what caused data providers like AT&T and now Verizon to change their policy. It's like the kid who can't say no to chocolate in a candy store. They don't stop until their parents say enough.
We live in a me first society and so people will push the system until the system says stop. If individuals were thoughtful and considerate enough companies like AT&T and Verizon might not have been pushed to change their policy.
It's not until you run a business will someone see it from their end. I am self employed and I have customers who at times feel self endowed or privileged and will do what they can to get away with stuff. So as a business owner you have to enforce stop gaps or lose money and go out of business.
I can totally see that side of the argument.
The problem is, AT&T and Verizon shouldn't be selling "unlimited" plans when they have no intentions in making it so. They use it as a marketing advantage and frankly I find it dishonest. If a business offers unlimited anything, it should be aware and be prepared for people to push the system. While I agree unnecessary data hogging is inconsiderate, we shouldn't criticize said hogger because the data suppliers failed to hold up their end of the bargain.
"Unlimited-- until we say so" is simply not unlimited. I think these businesses should actually keep to their word and provide the services they said they would.
Again, unlimited for the ipad it was intended for is very different than unlimited in a router for home use.
I'm a big proponent of cloud backup, but this is just unnecessary. Local backups would suffice here just fine.
A better analogy would be that of a buffet. Buffets are all you can eat, but they'll kick you out if they catch you stuffing food in a backpack. Why? Because buffets are intended for paying customers dining in the facility in which the buffet is being offered. The iPad data plan is for the iPad, not for a houseful of people connected to a router.
It's not unreasonable for a buffet owner to forbid people taking food out of the restaurant, and it's not unreasonable for carriers to forbid people from using an iPad data plan to essentially run a business and a home.
That said, I don't blame the OP for taking full advantage of the data. It sounds like they're in a remote area where the network usage is likely to be low, anyways.
Completely agree. How long did AT&T offer the unlimited iPad data plan, about a month and a half? Anyone that believes that they suddenly became overwhelmed with data traffic from iPads sold for about a month, I've got bridge I'd like to sell you...
This was a total bait and switch, and the class action lawsuit resulting in the payment of $40 to all subscribers is proof. Any sympathy towards AT&T or any of the wireless carriers is ridiculous. They'd screw us all if it meant making an extra $1.
Rodster, if you really believe this, see my previous statement about a bridge for sale. Nobody has pushed these corporate behemoths to change their policies--you really think this tiny percentage of users are bringing them to their knee? Hogwash--it simply is them changing their policies to better suit their needs and make them more money. Why allow a customer to use their 'unlimited' data plan when they can be charged 2-3X as much.
I see things from the business side and you see it from the consumer side so we'll just have to agree to disagree.
I see things from the business side and you see it from the consumer side so we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Yup, because I couldn't possibly have any experience dealing from the corporate side of things.
The flaw is in your belief that your personal business operates under the same guise or parameters as a multi-billion $ corporation. But go ahead and disagree if that makes you feel better.
I do. It is blatant abuse of his service, to the detriment of other customers both from a standpoint of data speeds and future cost.
He has an "unlimited data plan" for use ONLY on an iPad. He is using that data plan for a home computer.
The irony is that he came on a public forum bragging how he is subverting his user agreement and device to steal data from ATT. Nothing subtle about this, no moral inconstancies. It is wrong.
I have an ATT iPad unlimited data plan, I have never used more than 2 GB a month, but it is people like the OP that ruined it for everyone else. ATT immediately discovered the hogs at the buffet binging on data, and had to pull the plug on unlimited data plans. It was nice while it lasted.
I live out in a rural area, when I first moved here, hughes satellite internet was the only broadband available. $120 a month, 20 GB maximum data cap, pay through the nose over that. You make the choice to live in a rural area with no service, you have to pay for the privilege, or suffer with dial up.
Or apparently you can go steal from ATT, because it is a "victim-less crime".
yep. sure.
The only silver lining is this cloud is that the ATT network monitors will eventually flag his service, and the free ride will be over. If there was any justice, they would charge him a per MB rate as well...
ATT said:
Last edited:
I wonder how long this will last though. I'm all for using it in a hotspot and replacing my current internet provider, but my usage is nowhere near that. I'm thinking of doing it but wonder how long before AT&T starts yanking it away from those who tether or use in hotspot. It would be a shame to lose such a nice plan. I don't consistently burn through data on my ipad and iphone, but the peace of mind is nice knowing I can FaceTime and download without paying lots of overages.
I did read the terms and conditions. I will keep up the good fight. Verizon also agreed way back in 2007 or so to continue with open access. Now I hear the FCC is not happy with them talking about throttling their unlimited data plan customers. Only time will tell what will ultimately come from this. But you should know that Verizon is in the business to please their shareholders. Then there is the issue of net neutrality which is related to why they want to initiate throttling in the first place. He who payeth the most - gets to travel in the internet fast lane. All others must slow down and cruise with the slugs.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
As soon as your usage becomes a problem they WILL crack down. Is this a rural area? You might be one of a very small number of users on this tower, which is likely lightly loaded. So you're not a problem for the network... yet.
I'm sure if you were doing this downtown in a major city you'd already gotten a phone call. Also keep in mind they can shut you down at any time for using the SIM card in a device the account isn't provisioned for.
I'm not being Mr. Goody Two Shoes telling you what to do; just letting you know why you're getting away with this and cautioning you that it may not last forever. I hope you can continue doing this for a long time.
As soon as your usage becomes a problem they WILL crack down. Is this a rural area? You might be one of a very small number of users on this tower, which is likely lightly loaded. So you're not a problem for the network... yet.
I'm sure if you were doing this downtown in a major city you'd already gotten a phone call. Also keep in mind they can shut you down at any time for using the SIM card in a device the account isn't provisioned for.
I'm not being Mr. Goody Two Shoes telling you what to do; just letting you know why you're getting away with this and cautioning you that it may not last forever. I hope you can continue doing this for a long time.
Making a several hundred thousand (or more) dollar purchase based on the ability to use a $30/month wireless plan outside of the uses defined in the T&C seems just a tad illogical.
Typically accounts get flagged when they fall into a pattern of high usage - I'd guess AT&T uses a 3 month rolling average when flagging accounts (though 700GB in one month will almost certainly put you on a list relatively quickly). Once an account is flagged it probably takes a data analyst 30 minutes or less to run a report on the usage history and when they see the IMEI is not an iPad they've got the power to handle it any way they choose. Good luck.
Typically accounts get flagged when they fall into a pattern of high usage - I'd guess AT&T uses a 3 month rolling average when flagging accounts (though 700GB in one month will almost certainly put you on a list relatively quickly). Once an account is flagged it probably takes a data analyst 30 minutes or less to run a report on the usage history and when they see the IMEI is not an iPad they've got the power to handle it any way they choose. Good luck.
Yep. Somehow I won't be surprised if we never hear back from the original poster once the throttling hits him.
Keep using it until you can't anymore.
Unfortunately I think you're going to end up with some sunk costs after AT&T cracks down on you. Not because you're taking advantage of the unlimited plan but because you're not using the plan as it's intended - for the iPad. They'll use that to say you're violating the terms or that you're tethering and either cancel your service or force you to change your plan.
Unfortunately I think you're going to end up with some sunk costs after AT&T cracks down on you. Not because you're taking advantage of the unlimited plan but because you're not using the plan as it's intended - for the iPad. They'll use that to say you're violating the terms or that you're tethering and either cancel your service or force you to change your plan.