AT&T Restricts and Limits Data Plans

AT&T has changed the terms of service for its wireless data plans restricting data access for Internet browsing, email and intranet access.

While "certain uses that cause extreme network capacity issues and interference with the network and are therefore prohibited" such as server devices or host computer applications, camera posts or broadcasts, peer-to-peer file sharing and devices that maintain continuous active Internet connections when a computer's connection would otherwise be idle or any "keep alive" functions.

"This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services, redirecting television signals for viewing on personal computers, web broadcasting, and/or for the operation of servers, telemetry devices and/or supervisory control and data acquisition devices is prohibited," state the new terms.

AT&T "reserves the right to deny, disconnect, modify and/or terminate Service, without notice, to anyone it believes is using the Service in any manner prohibited or whose usage adversely impacts its wireless network or service levels or hinders access to its wireless network..."

There is An Early Termination Fee of $175 for Data Connect Plans.  These changes are not good news for Sling media where people watch recorded video from a far. For example, the guy on the cruise ship that got a $28,000 data bill. Then there is the attorney who sued after she got her first bill of $5,000 for wireless data.