Ethical Issues with Illegal Tethering : Ethical Issues with Illegal Tethering Wilson Waddell
What is Tethering? : What is Tethering? Tethering is the use of a cell phone with a data/3G/2G internet connection to allow another device access to the internet.
In effect it is “sharing” of an internet connection between two devices.
Tethering is a feature often mentioned in the mobile or cellphone world.
Proliferation of Tethering on Provider Networks : Proliferation of Tethering on Provider Networks When tethering is brought up with cell phone providers it usually comes with a mixed response.
Most cell phone providers allow SOME phones to tether on their network for an additional monthly fee of around $20-30.
The cell phones that they do allow to tether are mostly low volume of sale phones or Blackberries.
Of these phones some don’t have the higher speed 3G capability or their “unlimited data plans” have a 5 gigabyte cap on them (AT&T’s policy on unlimited plans).
Cell Phone Providers’ Issues with Tethering : Cell Phone Providers’ Issues with Tethering Most cell phone providers raise two issues with tethering:
They claim that tethering puts strain on their network and reduces quality of service for all customers. This is especially true of Verizon Wireless and Sprint.
They also have a “new” product called the Wireless Broadband card.
The Issue of the Broadband Card : The Issue of the Broadband Card The broadband cards have allowed wireless providers a new way to generate very lucrative monthly payments.
Across all carriers the monthly payment for these cards is $60.
They access the same 3G network as normal 3G phones do and are cheaper to construct and subsidize.
This is the “real” reason tethering has dropped out of favor with cell phone providers.
The Hacker’s Agenda : The Hacker’s Agenda Most smart-phones have the ability to receive 3G signals.
Many smart-phones are built off of Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.
Once ROMs are available for these phones that cellphone’s more avid IT community generally hacks that phone to achieve things that the providers and generally the company that manufactures the phone never wanted it to do.
One of the most popular hacks/apps is for tethering, especially on the iPhone and Palm Pre.
Argument for Tethering : Argument for Tethering Here are some of the arguments for tethering through hacks or applications:
“I’m paying for an unlimited data plan so it is fine if I use it for this purpose.”
“The cell phone companies want to charge me extra for something my phone is already capable of doing!”
“I can’t afford to pay an extra $60 or $30 per month for tethering but I need the feature occasionally. It shouldn’t strain their network from my light usage.”
Ethical Issues with Hacked Tethering : Ethical Issues with Hacked Tethering In most wireless contracts that involve phones with an internet connection there is a clause that specifically forbids the consumer from using tethering unless it is allowed by the provider.
In other words all of the hacks and applications that enable tethering are actually breaking the terms of your contract.
In most cases you also put the phones manufacturer on the hotseat.