Missives from the 6th Floor

Tonight is was just my luck to get a guy on the phone who had a clue - and he correctly concluded that I occasionally use my phone as a modem (see previous posts on the subject) and he pointed out that the $25 unlimited data plan I have doesn't include tethering.

Cingular still thinks I have my original Nokia, which was MMode only - I bought my Treo elsewhere and got it unlocked to use with my current SIM - which is apparently why when I added data services while working at Real, it cost $25 a month, vs the normal $50.

So I've killed the goose that was laying the golden eggs - no more calling and getting credits against the bill. (Funny thing is I kept asking for a callback from the billing group explaining why these random charges kept appearing - never got one - so they've had it in their power to shut me up since the word go.)

Accessing the net from the phone is (still) included in my data plan - it's only using DUN (dial-up-networking) that carries additional charges. Tethering is billed at $1/MB - so as long as I continue to only use it rarely, it's completely manageable, but there goes my "stick it to the Washington State Ferry WiFi system" plan. Grumble.

Cingular would be perfectly happy to change my account to reflect the Treo, and charge me the extra $25/month for unlimited tethering service, but the guy admitted that he probably wouldn't change plans - as my AT&T voice plan is better in most ways than the current Cingular offerings, and I'd have to download 25MB/month on my phone to make it worth the unlimited data plan.