AT&T doesnt charge for Wi-Fi right?

Moneyman232 · 12-09-07, 03:29 PM

I'm getting a tilt for christmas and just need to make sure that AT&T wont try to charge me for using wi-fi.

Jogga · 12-09-07, 04:07 PM

That depends on what you mean! You can use WiFi to connect to a wireless home network and that would be free (excluding the connection fee to your ISP that you pay anyway).

If you use WiFi to connect to any other networks (public hotspots), you may incur a charge. In the UK this would be payable in advance (normally by credit/debit card).

WiFi simply connects your device to a wireless network via some other piece of hardware (a router or access point). If you have access rights to the network, you will not be charged any more than you are at the moment barring any download limits.

On the other hand, if you use 3G technology to connect to the Internet or wap services (if the Tilt has such capability), it is highly likely that AT&T will charge for the service.

jackburnt · 12-09-07, 04:36 PM

Also, be sure you're actually using your Wifi. I accidentally used the Edge network on Thursday (the night I got my Tilt... love it so far) trying to surf the net.

My girlfriend did the same with her new Ericsson. Hope it's not too bad for a few minutes price wise.

**hyedipin** · 12-09-07, 05:35 PM

I don't think you should be able to use EDGE if it is not activated. You can call AT&T and ask them to disable that. Also, you can try to remove the network settings for "WAP" or whatever AT&T calls it and that way there won't be any accidents. I think it has access point in it wap.cingularwireless.com or something like that.

jackburnt · 12-10-07, 10:29 AM

I deleted the network off my Tilt (though, I may need it back soon since I'm leaning towards a data plan) and I'm safe. I did the same thing for my girlfriend's phone as well.

Tricksy carrier.

12-10-07, 12:35 PM

You can call or go onto the online account manager and disable the edge/3G pay per use service. It is pay per use by default on any plan.

pcasu · 03-01-09, 05:24 PM

I want to point out that you WILL be charged for using your WIFI if you do not have a data plan. We specifically asked the ATT rep about this when we purchased our phone and they committed fraud when they said that there would be no charge. A $9,000+ ATT bill proved otherwise. Our phone had it's data services turned off with the exception of WIFI. When we called to have the bill fixed, they were very particular to not answer the question about if we were charged for WIFI. In the long run, the answer was that we were charged for using wifi. More so, they said that the WIFI used ATT services to operate. A total sham, the phone's WIFI works perfectly well without a SIM. I'm sure my ISP would love to know that ATT is reselling their service without prorate. If they charge you, I'd recommend getting a lawyer.

Julie · 03-03-09, 02:29 AM

It seems impossible to me that AT&T would have a way to measure the amount of time one is logged onto te internet via wifi connection The problem with converged devices is that some functions automatically login to the internet via GPRS/EDGE connection, so it is possible to believe you are using a wifi connection when in fact you are using a data connection.

When I got my first converged device I was very paranoid about only using a wifi connection when I logged into the internet and I can honesty tell you that I was never charged for any of the time I was logged in via a wifi connection. At the time I was not subscribing to any of AT&T's data services and there were a few times when I accidentally logged on to the internet via AT&T's data connection and paid a premium for my mistake.

psionandy · 03-03-09, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Julie

It seems impossible to me that AT&T would have a way to measure the amount of time one is logged onto te internet via wifi connection The problem with converged devices is that some functions automatically login to the internet via GPRS/EDGE connection, so it is possible to believe you are using a wifi connection when in fact you are using a data connection.

When I got my first converged device I was very paranoid about only using a wifi connection when I logged into the internet and I can honesty tell you that I was never charged for any of the time I was logged in via a wifi connection. At the time I was not subscribing to any of AT&T's data services and there were a few times when I accidentally logged on to the internet via AT&T's data connection and paid a premium for my mistake.

Again, I think Julie is right.

You will not be charged for using YOUR Wifi connection. Apart from the fact the AT&T have no way of knowing when it's used, it wouldn't be legal for AT&T to charge for using a wifi conection that routes traffic via your ISP.

You may however be charged if you use an AT&T wifi access point (if AT&T offer this service.... certainly in the UK our mobile networks run commercial wifi in city centres and airports etc)

Or if you were using a GSM connection by mistake.

jadesse · 03-08-09, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by pcasu

I want to point out that you WILL be charged for using your WIFI if you do not have a data plan. We specifically asked the ATT rep about this when we purchased our phone and they committed fraud when they said that there would be no charge. A $9,000+ ATT bill proved otherwise. Our phone had it's data services turned off with the exception of WIFI. When we called to have the bill fixed, they were very particular to not answer the question about if we were charged for WIFI. In the long run, the answer was that we were charged for using wifi. More so, they said that the WIFI used ATT services to operate. A total sham, the phone's WIFI works perfectly well without a SIM. I'm sure my ISP would love to know that ATT is reselling their service without prorate. If they charge you, I'd recommend getting a lawyer.

How in hell are they going to charge you for using your wifi? There is absolutely no way that they could charge you for connecting to your internet in your house. The only way that you would be charged is if you accessed the internet & you were not connected to wifi & medianet was connected.

You basically answered your own question because wifi works without the sim card. There is no way AT&T could now when & how you use your wifi. There is something else going on with your account.

If you recently upgraded phones then they may have turned the data service on even though you don't have a data plan. This happened to me with texting. Eveytime I connected to medianet with my tilt a dialog box would come up telling me that it was connecting. Like I said there something going on with your account.