"Off Network" Text or Email from AT&T ?

[AeroCare]

Yesterday I received a text and an email message about off network data. I never use it to download music or videos, just use tethering to check email and look up things on the internet.

They also changed my iPhone to display OFF NETWORK here at home even though it's always shown AT&T. BTW that shows that they can actually change features on your phone without you upgrading, good to know...

Anybody else get this lately? This is what I received :

Dear Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx,

Our systems have detected that you are transmitting a substantial amount of data while roaming in areas not directly served by AT&T. The Terms and Conditions of our data plans (including unlimited plans) provide an "off-net usage" allowance that is equal to the lesser of 24 megabytes or 20% of the megabytes included in your plan.

To assist you with knowing when you are using another carrier's network, we have changed the label on your wireless data device screen to display "Off Network". Please be aware of this network label and work to limit your data transmission while outside the AT&T data network boundaries. The AT&T data network coverage map is available at www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer (http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer)

We are available to answer any questions you have by contacting us at 800-331-0500 and referencing keyword: "XXX_123".

Thank you,
AT&T

[smknSRT8]

Do you teather your phone?

[macgirl]

You must be in an area where AT&T doesn't own the cell towers and pays extra to provide service to customers there. I've heard of that limitation before though in relation to New Hampshire and/or Vermont, IIRC. That sucks, though. Does their coverage map accurately show this in your area? If not, that could be some supporting information for you to push back on that restriction.

They also didn't actually change anything on your iPhone with that modified carrier message - they just flagged your number/IMEI in their system so that the towers will push a different carrier name (or rather, the Off Network notation, in your case) to your iPhone. Nothing has changed in your iPhone's software as a result of this.

[AeroCare]

Just checked both maps (data and voice) and they both show my house as in their strong EDGE area, not in their partner areas. I'm going to call them and see what they have to say. My phone switches from OFF NETWORK to AT&T and back in the middle of a call and in the middle of me looking at the safari browser. I think it might be a delayed message because I used it for an entire year in New Mexico where they don't have towers and use a partner. Since I'm not working there anymore I think it'll go away now.

[AeroCare]

Called AT&T customer service and was told that if you use more than 40% off network they will bill you for "roaming charges" on texts and data. I asked her where does it say that in my contract and she couldn't find it. All she could find was where it says they could cancel my contract but nothing about charging roaming since I have a national plan which specifically says no roaming charges.

Anyway, what a coincidence. After showing them that my house in in their BEST coverage for voice and EDGE/GPRS for data, they did something because I haven't been able to get my phone to show OFF NETWORK anymore. It now shows AT&T just as it always has up to yesterday.