AT&T switches jailbroken iPhone tethering users to limited plans

AT&T has been saying for months that it will crack down on jailbroken iPhone users who are using its network for unlimited tethering. The carrier has separate individual plans for iPhone tethering, but some users have circumvented the plans by jailbreaking their iPhones. Their free and unlimited tethering days, however, seem to be over.

Some AT&T users are reporting that they are involuntarily being switched to 2GB tethering data plans because they have been using tethering programs like MyWi, which is unapproved by AT&T. For those who have been tethering with jailbroken iPhone handsets, failure to stop or to switch to the appropriate plans will result in AT&T making some changes to their contracts.

A 9to5Mac reader reports:

I was just informed that as of Thursday August 11th 2011, if you use MyWi or any tethering on the phone or using the phone as a modem, AT&T will automatically change ur unlimited plan to a 2Gb tethering plan for 45 dollars without the customers consent. This is for those who received emails or texts about the use of tethering without an AT&T tethering plan.

My advice to those who are using MyWi is to stop. Don’t let your grandfathered unlimited data plan slip in favor of tethering. If you get switched to a 2GB plan, you’ll probably regret it.

An AT&T spokesperson told 9to5Mac:

Earlier this year, we began sending letters, emails, and text messages to a small number of smartphone customers who use their devices for tethering but aren’t on our required tethering plan.  Our goal here is fairness for all of our customers.  (This impacts a only small percentage of our smartphone customer base.)

The letters outline three choices:

1) Stop tethering and keep their current plan (including grandfathered unlimited plan)

2) Proactively call AT&T or visit our stores and move to the required tethering plan

3) Do nothing and we’ll go ahead and add the tethering plan on their behalf — after the dated noted in their customer notification

Again, if you have an unlimited data plan and you’re using a jailbroken iPhone to tether via MyWi, you’ll have to make a decision about your usage very soon.