Database Develop

[Q] Data Plan

Hi, I've recently heard that AT&T has a way of now detecting if you're using a smartphone and will automatically bill you with a data plan if you dont already have one. I was wondering if rooting the phone would help bypass this cause my brother is using a jailbroken iphone without a data plan. Thanks guys!

illegit said:
Hi, I've recently heard that AT&T has a way of now detecting if you're using a smartphone and will automatically bill you with a data plan if you dont already have one. I was wondering if rooting the phone would help bypass this cause my brother is using a jailbroken iphone without a data plan. Thanks guys!
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to accomplish this you would have to get involved in much more complicated and nefarious things than just rooting your phone.
This forum is not the place for it, so for you the answer is no.

It is not so much they can detect a smartphone, but they can detect the type of phone, iPhone, Captivate, etc. If these are on the smartphone list, they will add a dataplan if you don't have one - or if you have the wrong type.
You can't change this -when the phone is on the network, it broadcasts information about itself - rooting doesn't change this.
AT&T has millions of subscribers and this information probably has to be mined out of a data base - pull list of all smarthpones seen on the network in the past X days; check all accounts related for data plans, etc. They probably have a bunch of older unconnected systems too. So, it may not happen the first day you connect or even 3 months later, but at some point they will figure it out.

Its true. Before I got my fiance her iphone 3gs, she had a blackberry pearl without data and a few months before she switched they added data to our bill unexpectedly and wouldn't let us drop it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

i dont get why someone buys a 500 dollar phone if they are too cheap to get the datra plan with it.
I could understand if you got a blackjack, but come on now....

iamamp3pimp said:
i dont get why someone buys a 500 dollar phone if they are too cheap to get the datra plan with it.
I could understand if you got a blackjack, but come on now....
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I think some people are convinced they are near wifi all day and don't want to waste the money on data they won't use.. But they do have that 200MB plan for $15 - i think it is overpriced - should be $5 - but if you buy a smartphone you should be ready to add a data plan.
If you don't want to add data, get a dumb phone and ipod Touch.

I work for AT&T so I'll give you some inside info. The phones have a sim registration program that talks to the local server through the towers. Within 60 seconds of your phone being turned on it tells the network what kind of phone it is. It can tell the network the make/model but not the IMEI. If it could detect the IMEI then stolen phones would pretty much be useless. The only way around the forced data plan is to have a tag on your account for "smartphone exclusion". Everyone got this tag in September 2009 so we could all be grandfathered with no data plans. When you upgrade to a new phone with a 2yr agreement it removes the tage automatically. But if you buy your own smartphone, this tag allows you to keep data removed if you dont want it. Or in my case it allows me to have a samsung captivate with the $10 family data unlimited plan for dumbphones. The network knows I have a captivate but it cant force the data plan because I have "smartphone exclusion". You can go to a local AT&T store and see if someone is willing to tell you if you have this tag. If you don't have it then it is pretty much impossible to get it. And no I can't add it for you. Hope that helps.

Actually the IMEI is reported when the phone talks to the network. It is part of the GSM protocol. Europe enforces a ban on stolen phones via IMEI. American carriers just dont seem interested in banning stolen phones as they would rather have the revenue and not turn off the ebay buyer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

alphadog00 said:
Actually the IMEI is reported when the phone talks to the network. It is part of the GSM protocol. Europe enforces a ban on stolen phones via IMEI. American carriers just dont seem interested in banning stolen phones as they would rather have the revenue and not turn off the ebay buyer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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while this is true at&t actually uses the IMSI on the SIM to do its dirty work. Also the captivates ONLY transmit the IMSI while on 3G (reduces over head for more throughput on EDGE) which is why the option to force 2G is hidden on the captivate.

captivatesuperuser said:
The only way around the forced data plan is to have a tag on your account for "smartphone exclusion". Everyone got this tag in September 2009 so we could all be grandfathered with no data plans.
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I've been with AT&T since before 2009, does this mean I'll automatically have the tag? And how would I know if my account has this tag or not?
When you upgrade to a new phone with a 2yr agreement it removes the tage automatically. But if you buy your own smartphone, this tag allows you to keep data removed if you dont want it. Or in my case it allows me to have a samsung captivate with the $10 family data unlimited plan for dumbphones.
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Do you mean buying your own smartphone outside of AT&T? I currently have the $10 unlimited data plan for my "dumbphone". Talking to AT&T indicated there was no way to keep the existing data plan and I've have to move to one of the 2 new plans if I got the Captivate.

iamamp3pimp said:
i dont get why someone buys a 500 dollar phone if they are too cheap to get the datra plan with it.
I could understand if you got a blackjack, but come on now....
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I would be interested in this simply because i want unlimited data. Hell i would pay the extra 5 bucks if they would let me in on the unlimited smartphone plan but it seems like fooling their network would be an easier task lol. Also i have had my sim for over 2 years now and they still were able to change me from the dumbphone plan to the smartphone one.

Can you use this phone w/o dataplan?

i have wifi everywhere. no need for dataplan.
are there parts of the droid OS that absolutely requires buying a 3g data plan for some strange reason or another? everywhere i am there is already wifi.

JediFonger said:
i have wifi everywhere. no need for dataplan.
are there parts of the droid OS that absolutely requires buying a 3g data plan for some strange reason or another? everywhere i am there is already wifi.
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I think a data plan is required... perhaps at first. My parents recently bought a phone from T-mo & they needed to sign up for a data plan, but only for the first month- then they complained that they don't even know how to use it to a CS agent in a phone conversation & the plan was removed. However, being that it's 4g, I'm not certain if there's a mandatory charge (like Sprint does w/ its 4g Evo).
Edit: Another option is if this was a retail purchase & not via a contract w/ the provider. Simply slip the sim card in the 2x & your minute plan moves into your new phone (assuming there was no prior data plan)... am I correct?

JediFonger said:
i have wifi everywhere. no need for dataplan.
are there parts of the droid OS that absolutely requires buying a 3g data plan for some strange reason or another? everywhere i am there is already wifi.
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Dataplan is not required, wifi is enough.

juhar1 said:
Dataplan is not required, wifi is enough.
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I wish it were always up to the consumer but that's not true. You are by contract (if you purchase the phone via contract) to have a data plan. Most of us will be forced to do this, very few can get away with it.

fen_nyc said:
I wish it were always up to the consumer but that's not true. You are by contract (if you purchase the phone via contract) to have a data plan. Most of us will be forced to do this, very few can get away with it.
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Yeah but that was not the case here? Question was that if you can use O2X without data plan or not.
e: And I understand from the OP's post that it's not required to take data plan with phone.

juhar1 said:
Yeah but that was not the case here? Question was that if you can use O2X without data plan or not.
e: And I understand from the OP's post that it's not required to take data plan with phone.
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Yeah, you're right.
OP, the Android OS has an wifi adapter integrated & you can use your phone w/ out a data plan.
But apart from buying this phone off contract, you'll be obligated to have a monthly data plan.

i've had a HTC hermes for 4 yrs now w/o dataplan. somehow i got ATT to pay for it AND still don't have to pay for dataplan. i know it's different now
my current phone is dying and when it does, i plan to go w/this X2 phone. i would have liked HTC to have had the tegra2 chipset... but ce la vie =P
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/18/t-mobile-g-slate-and-g2x-dual-core-smartphone-coming-on-april-20/
^anyways, what i plan to do is either:
-do the contract, then pay early termination fee. if the phone was $200 and early term. fee is $300, that's still $500-600 range. i hear this phone will be $600-700 range.
-but if hte phone was $500-ish by itself w/o contract, then i'd probably just freakin' buy the phone.
either way will be better than paying dataplan for 2 years. $30/mo*24months=$720.
just wanted to know if i do get this, that the droid OS can turn off any 3g stuff. i'll also have tmo block it as well, no dataplan. thank.s

JediFonger, I recall hearing users buying this phone w/out a minute plan as well. Weird, I know. Why? Well, obviously for its surfing via wifi but, there is a app somewhere (I don't know too much about it) where you can use the 2x to broadcast as a wireless network. Pretty neat!

technically any wifi device can re-broadcast itself adhoc. one just needs the proper program >) hopefully i can get 1 minus dataplans.

just got G2x and 2GB plan... i have 3G Watchdog & apnthingy to turn it off if i hit certain limits. i'm still good with wifi, hardly using the 2GB

JediFonger said:
i have wifi everywhere. no need for dataplan.
are there parts of the droid OS that absolutely requires buying a 3g data plan for some strange reason or another? everywhere i am there is already wifi.
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Of course you can.
Android OS offers a simple menu with a check-box that lets you switch all data transfer off (2G/3G). This does not switch off WiFi data.
You then have a regular phone with calls, short messages and WiFi which does not cause any data transfer costs.
You only need a mobile phone contract without fix data fees.

Silly Americans
Most phones in the EU don't have sim lock on and we can buy then unlocked straight from the carrier. On the downside, we pay nearly 2.5 X more than you do for phones :/

[Q] can AT&T tell that I'm tethering?

So I'm running a rom (Cognition) which enabled tethering and mobile AP.... but I haven't tried using them yet... does anyone know if there's any way for AT&T to see that I'm using tethering without a tethering plan, and bill me for it? I heard about iphone owners using jailbreak tether getting texts from AT&T telling them to buy a tethering plan... does anyone know if on Android they're able to do the same thing?

kodos96 said:
So I'm running a rom (Cognition) which enabled tethering and mobile AP.... but I haven't tried using them yet... does anyone know if there's any way for AT&T to see that I'm using tethering without a tethering plan, and bill me for it? I heard about iphone owners using jailbreak tether getting texts from AT&T telling them to buy a tethering plan... does anyone know if on Android they're able to do the same thing?
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i doubt it .. but to be sure we would need a pay to inspect packets .

No, at&t cannot tell the difference of packets being passed on their network.
No carrier has that capability. The amount of resources needed to monitor packets in a way that is effective, at an effective rate, is basically not cost effective at this point.
The tethering notices are completely based off of data usage. It's been determined that most carriers take notice of you if you exceed 5gb. So if you manage to use over 5gb of data without tethering, you could very well receive one of these texts.
With that said, they can see packet routes. So if your already being watched, and are tethering, and happen to be using it for say...pirating, it could lead to further action. I've only heard one case of this, but still worth noting.
Also, contract prevents at&t, or any carrier for that matter, from adding tethering to your bill. Their work around for that is that if you exceed a data limit, or a fair use limit, they can and will charge you for that.
I tether causally; causally being non-data heavy lurking. I've owned a blackberry bold 9000, an iphone 3g, and now my captivate...all were made tether capable. All were used for tethering. None had received a notice.
Hope this is helps!
tl;dr- no, at&t can't tell if you're tethering.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

If you download gigs and gigs because you use your phone as your primary internet they'll get on your case.
they do break your contract if they add tethering charges. You can end it without an early termination penalty within 30 days.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

KritikSS nailed it spot on. Some anecdotal evidence, but I've been lightly tethering (usually less than 1GB/month) for years now and haven't heard anything.

i think the kb1 and jj4 roms have a way to inform att if you are tethering but should not be an issue if you are using a custom rom sepecially if the rom is a port.

Dani897 said:
i think the kb1 and jj4 roms have a way to inform att if you are tethering but should not be an issue if you are using a custom rom sepecially if the rom is a port.
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Yes, this is what I was worried about... I know that actual deep packet inspection is unlikely (and could be defeated with vpn), but it doesn't help if there's actually a 'phone-home' mechanism telling them you're tethering. My understanding was that this is what's going on with the iphones, though I could be wrong.
I'm running cognition, which is a kb1 based rom... should I be worried?

As far as a "phone-home" system, the only notification of tethering that would be sent to at&t would be by their own tethering app on the phone. If you happen to flash another ROM, as you've stated that you've already done so, this app should no longer be on your phone and functioning, thus unable to "phone-home."
And even then, that app wont allow tethering until it receives notice from at&t that you've purchased the package needed to do so.
Simply put, just use an app such as "wireless tether" to do your tethering and you'll be completely fine.

I would like to bring this back from the dead. AT&T KNOWS! They sent me a text that stated something like: from your recent activity you will be upgraded to the tethering plan..... I believe it referenced tether specifically though

If I got that text, I would call and say they violated the contact and end the contract.
They cannot alter the contract without you agreeing to the terms.

infyx said:
If I got that text, I would call and say they violated the contact and end the contract.
They cannot alter the contract without you agreeing to the terms.
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Wrong. From the TOS:
AT&T data plans are designed for use with only one of the following distinct device types: (1) Smartphones, (2) basic and Quick Messaging phones, (3) tablets, and (4) LaptopConnect cards, and (5) stand-alone Mobile Hotspot devices. A data plan designated for one type of device may not be used with another type of device. For example, a data plan designated for use with a basic phone or a Smartphone may not be used with a LaptopConnect card, tablet, or stand-alone Mobile Hotspot device, by tethering devices together, by SIM card transfer, or any other means. A data tethering plan, however, may be purchased for an additional fee to enable tethering on a compatible device. An Activation Fee may apply for each data line.
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This has been rehashed many times. The no unauthorized tethering has been in the TOS for years.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
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Moving to Q&A

Help with verizon tethering plan.

Hey guys..I went to the verizon store to get the extended battery for the bionic. While I was there I asked one of the reps about the mobile hotspot and if I would have unlimited data use with it because I have an unlimited data plan (grandfathered) ofcourse. He told me that I would only be able to use 2gb for tethering. Well thats a load of BS. who would really pay for tethering with a 2gb limit? Now I understand that the reps at the verizon store and any store for that matter dont know everything and can sometimes give you very misleading information. This is why I want someone on this forum that really know how this work if I would only get 2gb limit or a limit at all for the $30 tethering option I see on my account option from verizon. thanx!

Watching one movie over Netflix would put you close to 2GB. It's a f*cking joke.

manolith2011 said:
Hey guys..I went to the verizon store to get the extended battery for the bionic. While I was there I asked one of the reps about the mobile hotspot and if I would have unlimited data use with it because I have an unlimited data plan (grandfathered) ofcourse. He told me that I would only be able to use 2gb for tethering. Well thats a load of BS. who would really pay for tethering with a 2gb limit? Now I understand that the reps at the verizon store and any store for that matter dont know everything and can sometimes give you very misleading information. This is why I want someone on this forum that really know how this work if I would only get 2gb limit or a limit at all for the $30 tethering option I see on my account option from verizon. thanx!
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If you have the $30 plan, it's unlimited. I signed up for it on the website. It doesn't say its unlimited, just doesn't say there is a cap on that plan.

cvmaas said:
If you have the $30 plan, it's unlimited. I signed up for it on the website. It doesn't say its unlimited, just doesn't say there is a cap on that plan.
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yes thats the option i see on the website for my account. well thats good to know. i guess that they try to put a smoke screen around it so you dont abuse it.

manolith2011 said:
Hey guys..I went to the verizon store to get the extended battery for the bionic. While I was there I asked one of the reps about the mobile hotspot and if I would have unlimited data use with it because I have an unlimited data plan (grandfathered) ofcourse. He told me that I would only be able to use 2gb for tethering. Well thats a load of BS. who would really pay for tethering with a 2gb limit? Now I understand that the reps at the verizon store and any store for that matter dont know everything and can sometimes give you very misleading information. This is why I want someone on this forum that really know how this work if I would only get 2gb limit or a limit at all for the $30 tethering option I see on my account option from verizon. thanx!
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If you have the grandfathered Unlimited smartphone plan, you can add the $30 4G Hotspot plan and its truely unlimited but no one knows if its throttled or not. One of my co-workers is at 50Gb so far and no decrease in speeds. If you have the new usage based plans starting at $30/2gb then if you add the $20 hotspot w/2Gb, then you have 4Gbs to use via phone or hotspot.

Official: AT&T are assholes!

So, to start, I am a grandfathered unlimited data user (the plan for aircards not phones), so I have been using my SIM card in my unlocked P7300 for internet access. Just now I received the following message:
Dear ALEXANDER,
Your Data Service Has Been Suspended.
AT&T has recently attempted to contact you via text message and email regarding your data plan usage. Our systems indicate you are using a substantial amount of data and have exceeded 5GB. Therefore, we have temporarily suspended your service. This is to give you an opportunity to contact us to discuss your options, including being billed $.05/per MB for any usage that exceeds 5 GB. You also have the option to terminate service without penalty.
Please contact us at 800-331-0500 or 611 from your wireless phone, so that we may assist you in understanding your options and to have your data service restored.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Thank you,
AT&T
Looks like they've got me in their witch hunt... Assholes...

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Dear ALEXANDER,
Your Data Service Has Been Suspended.
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Looks like someone needs to look up what "Unlimited" means in the dictionary.
Welcome to the club.

Twiddler said:
Welcome to the club.
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You too eh?

Wow. What was ur usage?

gammite said:
Wow. What was ur usage?
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Not sure who you meant, but I am just over 6GB with 3 days left on the month.
...but I have an "unlimited" data plan, so that number really shouldn't matter.

Must be ONLY data devices that had the "uMlimited" plan that are being targeted.
In the last 3 months I have been using over 100GB of data on my Android that has the iPhone uMlimited plan grandfathered to it now and only got the throttle text...
They likely will not cut me as the would eat over $600 of waived ETF's so I guess I have uNlimited until the contract ends
Just got the AT&T Elevate 4GLTE hotspot with 5GB a month for the home broadband works very well
When I find a LARGE file I just email my Android the URL and download it there that way I don't use up the 5GB on the hotspot. Then just pull the file off the memory via USB mass storage, which to AT&T's dismay is NOT TETHERING!!! But does almost the same in a few extra steps.
data adds up quick on the unlimited plan surfing Releaselog | RLSLOG . net

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
So, to start, I am a grandfathered unlimited data user (the plan for aircards not phones), so I have been using my SIM card in my unlocked P7300 for internet access. Just now I received the following message:
Dear ALEXANDER,
Your Data Service Has Been Suspended.
AT&T has recently attempted to contact you via text message and email regarding your data plan usage. Our systems indicate you are using a substantial amount of data and have exceeded 5GB. Therefore, we have temporarily suspended your service. This is to give you an opportunity to contact us to discuss your options, including being billed $.05/per MB for any usage that exceeds 5 GB. You also have the option to terminate service without penalty.
Please contact us at 800-331-0500 or 611 from your wireless phone, so that we may assist you in understanding your options and to have your data service restored.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Thank you,
AT&T
Looks like they've got me in their witch hunt... Assholes...
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Cancel that account and add the Tab to your wireless plan as an additional line ($9.99). Then add the data for non-Smartphones plan to the new line for $15 ($10.00 with Family Messaging Unlimited). So for $20 or $25 you're back to unlimited. This only works for the non-carrier P7300 or P7500 via the Cingular APN.

BarryH_GEG said:
Cancel that account and add the Tab to your wireless plan as an additional line ($9.99). Then add the data for non-Smartphones plan to the new line for $15 ($10.00 with Family Messaging Unlimited). So for $20 or $25 you're back to unlimited. This only works for the non-carrier P7300 or P7500 via the Cingular APN.
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I might just have to do that. Then again, in the mean time, I've just been tethering to my unlocked SGS2. That one still is unlimited. I've been hearing that as long as I stick with the wap.cingular APN, AT&T either doesn't notice or doesn't care (yet). Be that as the case, I may just sell my P7300 and get a Transformer Prime instead... o.o

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
I may just sell my P7300 and get a Transformer Prime instead... o.o
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I'd wait until January 11th to see what's announced at CES. Acer and Lenovo's quad-cores are pretty far along and I'd expect their release dates to be in February. They've got better features than the Prime (unless you're in to its dock).

This isn't just the Tablets. ATT is doing it to all the Skyrocket guys as well. Even though we have "unlimited data plans" you will get capped if you use too much data in a certain amount of time which nobody really knows how much time or data. It blows and I think someone should start a class action against ATT for false advertising and promises.
Currently Skyrocketing into Android Space!

Blackberrynomore said:
This isn't just the Tablets. ATT is doing it to all the Skyrocket guys as well. Even though we have "unlimited data plans" you will get capped if you use too much data in a certain amount of time which nobody really knows how much time or data. It blows and I think someone should start a class action against ATT for false advertising and promises.
Currently Skyrocketing into Android Space!
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But their contract redifines unlimited (as far as the meaning!) and we all agreed to it even though it is a legal screw over...
They can change it at will as that is in the contract too...
Oh and if you use your phone then you agree to the changes when made!
Isn't corporate Americia great, they are the cause of the economy with crap like this. Just keep screwing the money earners that make you corporate giants what you are. They are killing themselves along with the economy not just AT&T but most all large corporations
You just have to be creative to get around their rules

Joe-Momma said:
But their contract redifines unlimited (as far as the meaning!) and we all agreed to it even though it is a legal screw over...
They can change it at will as that is in the contract too...
Oh and if you use your phone then you agree to the changes when made!
You just have to be creative to get around their rules
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Click to collapse
+1 what Joe-Mamma said.
Also, unlimited only means that they will not charge you for going over a certain amount. If you read your contract and/or TOS they say that they can throttle or suspend your access for "excessive" utilization. They never define what qualifies as "excessive."

nkrick said:
If you read your contract and/or TOS...
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While you're in there, check out the clause about agreeing to arbitration for disputes. There will be no sueing AT&T - individually or class action.

BarryH_GEG said:
While you're in there, check out the clause about agreeing to arbitration for disputes. There will be no sueing AT&T - individually or class action.
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Click to collapse
That's AT&T covering their corporate asses, because they know how hard we'll screw them back once we as consumers all realize how bad we're getting ripped off and decide to band together and rebel!
And to anyone who will say "Well, that's the contract you agreed to..." to that I say: what other reasonable choice do we have? The key word there is "reasonable." There isn't a "reasonable" alternative so far as I can tell. That's why it's a monopoly, and that's why we all get screwed so badly.
Welcome to America Inc. indeed...
FML... *sigh*

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
And to anyone who will say "Well, that's the contract you agreed to..."
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I've brought this up before, but this seems like a good point to mention again that according to the last line in section 6.2 of the TOS, you violate your contract if you connect your phone to "other equipment for any purpose." This means that if you ever charged your phone, you violated your contract.
This is the point where someone attempts to ridicule me for my "ridiculous" statement . So go ahead, but it is correct. Your charger does fall under "other equipment" and charging is "any purpose".