Beware AT&T's "Text Of Death"
May 9, 2011
Jailbreakers looking to save money through unauthorized tethering may soon get a nasty text message from AT&T, along with a heftier monthly bill. The U.S. carrier is cracking down on unauthorized tethering, especially for those users with a grandfathered unlimited data plan, according to iPhone Download Blog.
AT&T’s text, which is already being sent to some customers, reminds users that tethering isn’t free. It then says the company will “update your line with the required plan soon.” In other words, your unlimited plan will be upgraded to the DataPro plan, which runs $45 a month for 4 GB of data.
The iPhone Download Blog calls this message, appropriately, the “text of death.”
How does AT&T know these users are using unauthorized tethering?
Most jailbreakers utilize MyWifi, the most popular tethering alternative for those with jailbroken iDevices. Unfortunately, this service uses the same APN (AT&T access point/router) as the standard tethering system for iOS. This makes it easy for AT&T to see a jailbroken iPhone’s tethering activity.
Naturally, AT&T is targeting those with a grandfathered unlimited data plan most of all. After all, these folks are getting limitless tethering for free.
However, according to iPhone Download Blog, there are alternative solutions to MyWi. These include PdaNet, which has an option to “hide” tethering usage, and TetherMe. Both are available through Cydia.
Have any of our readers received the "text of death?" Leave your comments below .