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AT&T tells the FCC it'll Cut Off P2P users on its 3g Network

techdirt.com — While those who like to claim that the US broadband market is more competitive than it really is like to point to the rise of 3G wireless networks as proof, they almost always ignore the fact that those 3G networks come with insanely restrictive terms of service, that allow the providers to cut users off for almost any activity outside of email.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 31, 2008

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  • Vektuz, on 07/31/2008, -2/+99This is not about file sharing.
    This is about skype.
    Skype is a P2P application. They don't want people using Skype on their network and skipping out on their ridiculous VOIP fees.
  • inactive, on 07/30/2008, -4/+78AT&T just gave the middle finger to everyone.
  • razorsharpwit, on 07/30/2008, -12/+47Why is the FCC still around?
  • t3rmv3locity, on 07/31/2008, -4/+35***** you AT&T, I guess I won't be switching from T-Mobile...
  • larryjr88, on 07/31/2008, -6/+35This is what happens when you give a several decade old monopoly holder even more freedom and tax breaks... they ***** in your face.

  • handler, on 07/31/2008, -19/+43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ./ AT&T its a |
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  • jmhyer51, on 07/31/2008, -2/+18If that's the case, we're all *****.
  • SamX, on 07/31/2008, -2/+17oh it's AT&T , totally cool then.
  • inactive, on 07/31/2008, -1/+15Instead of taking a hint, AT&T takes the ball and runs home.
  • l800LEMMINGS, on 07/31/2008, -1/+14we'll just have to encrypt it then
  • tehhowch, on 07/31/2008, -4/+16Yay I feel great about having AT&T DSL... Wooooooo crap.
  • drcosquared, on 07/31/2008, -1/+13AT&T, screws with your 3G
    Tryin' to block your P2P
    Where is the FCC?
  • ziptnf, on 07/31/2008, -3/+15Anybody else think this could be a potential rhyme?
    AT&T, FCC, P2P, 3G. It's all there...
  • hexydes, on 07/31/2008, -1/+12The fact that they've been heavily subsidized by the US government (a.k.a. my money, your money, and everyone else's money)? That's the problem. If they were truly operating in a capitalistic market then yes, it is their network. However, they are using our air space, and our money, so that's where many people have a problem.
  • jmaguire123, on 07/31/2008, -2/+13Ya, it's pretty much screw the customer as much as you can. I'd never sign anything that limited how I could use the service so long as what I was doing was legal. Unlimited data is unlimited data. Period.
  • JonForTheWin, on 07/31/2008, -6/+16***** the FCC.
  • thcobbs, on 07/31/2008, -2/+123G is their cell network numbnuts.
  • skellener, on 07/31/2008, -3/+12And you thought AT&T wasn't evil because you could use an iPhone on their network....

  • duckduckgoose1, on 07/31/2008, -1/+9http://www.ipdemocracy.com/attp2pletter072508.pdf - the source.

    The current implementation of 3G is not implemented for P2P applications, which is why they ban it. I know its cool to hate on AT&T, but more people would be complaining if they allowed it since it would alledgedly cause a bottleneck in the network.

    P2P users are like the hummer drivers of the mobile phone world.
  • hexydes, on 07/31/2008, -1/+8Our telecomm industry will eventually collapse on itself when the first real new alternative opens up. I can't wait. These bastards are just holding everything back.
  • DanBoodro, on 07/31/2008, -1/+7Hey now, FCC helped us bitorrent users out with Comcast.
  • SouthsideIrish, on 07/31/2008, -6/+12For net neutrality. Only the FCC can save the internet.
  • thcobbs, on 07/31/2008, -4/+9Apparently you don't understand the costs and bandwidth problems on cellular networks with 3g?
  • rowjimmy, on 07/31/2008, -0/+5/sarcasm?
  • fangorious, on 07/31/2008, -1/+6Do your own research jackass. Have you never heard of the Universal Service Fund?
  • bcr8u, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4...bricked iphone?
  • afx1138, on 07/31/2008, -2/+6go read a god damned book... or better yet, read some congressional records
  • jcannonb, on 07/31/2008, -1/+5Well, why don't you just make a tunnel out to a server you know, and then you can still use P2P?
  • Iostcause, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3Don't be idiots, people. There's no comparison between this and Comcast packet shaping P2P. Their wireless network doesn't have nearly the capacity of a normal network, and they have QoS assurances they have to make to those of us who are just needing to surf the web or check our email (or using a streaming music app that probably isn't using more than 128kilobit/s). Tethering your phone (requires violating the warranty on the phone and violating the terms of service for your provider) to use P2P isn't some unalienable right.

    The sense of entitlement people on the internet feel is INSANE.
  • gquaglia, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3You're right ATT is looking to cut off abusers using P2P to bootleg whole movies and such. Can you imagine the strain on the network if several thousand people began doing that with their iphones.
  • youareretarded, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3Ripped off? Being ripped off would imply either A) there are no other choices available, B) the competition has a cheaper rate, C) you have to pay it.

    Last time I checked there is plenty of competition out there and they aren't forcing you to buy it (except for the iphone which they aren't forcing you to buy either) and the competition charges the same for comparable speeds and coverage.
  • cawpin, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3AT&T is your only option for good GSM 3G networks. Verizon's coverage of their 3G service is great.
  • blackjack06, on 07/31/2008, -2/+5If I lose Pandora I'm going to ***** a brick!
  • ibeetle, on 07/31/2008, -2/+5T-Mobile does it to. It is on their website.
    One of the points of the article is other carriers do it as well. It is just AT&T is trying to be sneaky about it.

    So, guess who some of the other carriers are. All of them.
  • spotty, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3awww the FCC wont let me be, or let me be me, so let me see
  • ammundsen, on 08/01/2008, -0/+3To support monopolistic corporations who pay lots of money to politicians to ensure they do just that.
  • chayashida, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3When you read some of the links from the article, you'll see the actual quote. This is from http://www.ipdemocracy.com/archives/003035att_will ...

    Quinn said that AT&T's terms of service (as well as the TOS for most other carriers) bars the use of P2P applications on the wireless platform. "Use of a P2P file sharing application would constitute a material breach of contract for which the user’s service could be terminated," he said.

    Because P2P file sharing applications typically engage in continuous (rather than bursty) transmissions at high data rates, a small number of users of P2P file sharing applications served by a particular cell site could severely degrade the service quality enjoyed by all customers served by that site.

    AT&T hasn't yet booted anybody off the network for using P2P, Quinn said.
    ----
    It doesn't look that bad. Let's not get alarmist. Who really needs to run BitTorrent off of their iPhone?

  • Zedizdead, on 07/31/2008, -3/+6I don't CARE about the costs and bandwidth of cellular networks. If they offer 'unlimited' data plans then I expect an UNLIMITED data plan. If their infrastructure can't handle it, then they shouldn't offer it. 3g is sounding lamer & lamer everyday.
  • Tenoq, on 08/01/2008, -0/+2@ Zedizdead

    I agree. You shouldn't get unlimited plans anymore, and the shouldn't restrict your access. Instead you can have the great value plans we have here in Australia, like 3GB for $119 per month (includes uploads).

    How's that 3G pricing grab ya?
  • GeauxLSU, on 07/31/2008, -3/+5Sombody needs to look up the word Monopoly:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States ...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States ...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States ...
  • and303, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2Beverly/Mt. Greenwood eh? [clanks pint]
  • GeauxLSU, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2Nope...Pick up Econ book and then we can talk!
  • ammundsen, on 08/01/2008, -0/+2You are both right to some extent.

    The problem is the corporation is a product of the state. It exists and operates under rules created by the state. The corporation has paid politicians over the years to reduce the liability of the corporation's directors and lessen shareholder influence. When you routinely have CEOs drive a company into the ground and still get a giant bonus you know something must be wrong.

    The corporation isnt necessarily a bad concept, but its current implementation in America is awful.
  • overridemymind, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2Honestly, I agree with duck duck goose, here. If they were attempting to ban it on their standard internet traffic, I'd have a big problem with it. However, 3G is supposed to provide high-speed. mobile data comms. P2P protocols can suck ALOT of bandwidth. So, if people are running P2P on, say, their iPhones and whatnot, that's going to slow the whole network down -- perhaps to the extent of 3G bandwidth being bogged down to 2G network capacities (although that bit is purely speculative)

    All in all, with all the bad things AT&T does with their data networks (I mean pushing their customers around), this is actually helping their customers in that everyone will be getting the high-speed connectivity they paid for.
  • thcobbs, on 07/31/2008, -1/+3They could also come to my house and give me free internet, a 3G iphone, and 1 million dollars in cash....

    But that doesn't make it fact now does it?
  • GeauxLSU, on 08/01/2008, -0/+2There is no cable company, CLEC, or wireless company offering voice in your area....That's called competition.
  • caseycoold, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2It'll basically brick your *****?
  • ZaZ2137, on 07/31/2008, -1/+3Skype works for now, skype networks are p2p in nature though so don't count on it.
  • blacklilyninja, on 07/31/2008, -0/+2duh

    stop buying at&t stock and tell them to stfu
  • ibeetle, on 07/31/2008, -1/+3What if I do not transfer over 3G? What if I only use my iPhone over Wi-Fi or Edge? It may buffer for 30 seconds but Pandora will play over Edge.

    And who does not use high bandwidth with these days. YouTube, AOL Radio, G4 (yes they are still around) and many others all stream audio or video to mobile devices.

    Why do I get the feeling AT&T is about to come out with major, major, major metered, and/or tiered phone service that will make Verizon and Comcast look like kids playing around.

    Oh, you want the high bandwidth unlimited usage data plan? That will be $99.00 extra a month.
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