AfterDawn: News

AT&T rationalizes blocking SlingPlayer from 3G network

When Steve Jobs first demonstrated the iPhone 3G at last year's Apple Worldwide Developer Conference he bragged about the speed of its internet connection. Since then AT&T seems determined to stop people from using very much of that supposedly plentiful bandwidth for anything more than loading web pages or reading email.

Now AT&T officials find themselves on the defensive after the release of the iPhone SlingPlayer, which is only able to use the phone's Wi-Fi connection.



AT&T spokesperson Mark Siegel told Macworld it would be a violation of the company's terms of service for a program to stream video across their 3G network. He said "It’s about making sure all our customers have access to the wireless network,"

He claims it falls under the category of "redirecting television signals for viewing on Personal Computers" which is indeed prohibited under the TOS language, as is any use that causes "extreme network capacity issues and interference with the network."

Siegel suggested that those who want to use the SlingPlayer for iPhone or any other mobile platform such as Symbian or Blackberry should take advantage of the company's Wi-Fi hotspots instead.

Of course that prohibition doesn't seem to apply to AT&T's own Mobile TV service, which does work across their 3G network. Apparently your phone is only a personal computer until they're making more money from it being a phone.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 14 May 2009 1:51

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• 6 comments

• Lothros

  I smell an Anti-Trust Lawsuit Incoming!

  14.5.2009 05:33 #1

• bam431

  bull shit at&t just wants people to use there mobile tv.

  14.5.2009 08:00 #2

• eggbert52

  I doubt it, if the entire AT&T network goes down Apple won't be making any money.
  
  This is a scenario where software is actually outpacing the capacity of the hardware network.

  14.5.2009 08:00 #3

• bigfamei

  Yeah if they are offering the internet on phones, then net neutrality laws should be in effect. And this would be a clear violation.

  14.5.2009 08:30 #4

• ThePastor

  I am wondering if a slingbox app would work on my WM phone...
  Hmmmmmmm

  15.5.2009 15:34 #5

• sidcypher

  actually not to defend att about the data usage. but more to correct something wrong in the article.
  
  Quote:Of course that prohibition doesn't seem to apply to AT&T's own Mobile TV service, which does work across their 3G network. Apparently your phone is only a personal computer until they're making more money from it being a phone.Anyone can look up that the ATT tv that is on like...say the LG vue..among some other phones. is actually streamed off another carriers network, and not avail in all areas. It is actually more like REAL OTA tv signal than streaming media. The previous att tv people (mobiTV) did use data and internet, the new one, doesn't incur any data usage. Don't believe me, call att customer care. Just saying, cause I work for ATT and know the features.
  
  On a neg note, all carriers limited aircards to 5gb per month, that is BS. pay 60 bucks and get limited data!!
  
  
  edited by creaky as the quote was messing up the page margins

  16.5.2009 16:54 #6