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AT&T Could Cut Off P2P Users

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the take-their-ball-and-go-home dept.

malign noted that AT&T has stated that using P2P on their 3G wireless network is grounds for disconnection. The lobbyist told congress "Use of a P2P file sharing application would constitute a material breach of contract for which the user's service could be terminated."

6 of 397 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Cellular Interwebs by ptbarnett · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sprint has a $60/month unlimited plan, with no dependency on a voice plan. I'm using it now.

  2. Re:Nice... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    It could widely open the door for such clauses in regular ISPs contracts...

    This is nothing new. It's just usually not enforced.

    For instance, Rogers's (Canadian ISP) TOS/EUA forbids a normal thing like hosting a website at pain of connection termination:

    [4,k: not] operate a server in connection with the Services including but not limited to mail, news, file, gopher, telnet, chat, web, or host configuration servers, multimedia streamers, or multi-user interactive forums;

    Rogers EUA

    Violation is sufficient for them to cut your internet connection. Of course, they prevent people from doing this accidentally by fidiling with ICMP. In combination with their DNS poisoning, excuse me, helpful assistance... Rogers is becoming a really bad ISP.

  3. Re:Still, you have to wonder. by FooAtWFU · · Score: 4, Informative
    My Sprint wireless service already says that things like streaming VOIP (or even streaming Internet radio) are against the terms of service. Apparently it's for "web browsing and email" internets only.

    That and the "unlimited service" means "we'll kick you off if you use over 5 gigs".

    --
    The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
  4. Re:Nice... by Zenaku · · Score: 3, Informative

    Just because they are the ones canceling the contract doesn't mean they won't charge you the "early termination" fee.

    --
    If fate makes you a motorcycle, you become a motorcycle.
  5. Re:Nice... by eXonyte · · Score: 5, Informative

    If we terminate your service for nonpayment or other default before the end of the Service Commitment, or if you terminate your service for any reason other than (a) in accordance with the cancellation policy; or (b) pursuant to a change of terms, conditions, or rates as set forth below, you agree to pay us with respect to each Equipment identifier or telephone number assigned to you, in addition to all other amounts owed, an Early Termination Fee of $175.

    Quoted from AT&T Wireless's Service Agreement (emphasis mine). So yes, they can in fact charge you the fee if they are the ones canceling the contract.

  6. Re:Nice... by Stiletto · · Score: 3, Informative

    IANAL either, but AFAIK, contracts are either totally or partially unenforceable if the contract as a whole or some part of the contract either violates a state or federal statute or violates public policy.

    In other words, if you sign a contract agreeing to let me murder your wife, it's not enforceable.