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Don't have time for dat

Q: Hotspot working with blocked data plan

We've blocked data usage through our provider on my sons phone. Data was restricted to wifi only. But then he began using the phones hotspot and his iPod to access the Internet. How is this possible? Data should be blocked so why does hotspot still work?

iPhone 4

Posted on Apr 23, 2013 7:00 PM

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Q: Hotspot working with blocked data plan

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  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Apr 23, 2013 7:05 PM in response to Don't have time for dat
    Level 9 (59,606 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 23, 2013 7:05 PM in response to Don't have time for dat

    I cannot understand how that could happen if data is blocked. The personal hotspot can only function if the device is connected to the Internet via cellular data. Does your current data plan even support personal hotspot?

  • by Don't have time for dat,

    Don't have time for dat Don't have time for dat Apr 23, 2013 7:19 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 23, 2013 7:19 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Your right. I don't understand it either. He can not access the Internet with the iPhone unless he has wifi, but because we have a shared plan we can't cut off his data usage. But the hotspot will bypass the data blocking if you connect another devise to it. Then he has access to the shared plan. It shouldn't happen but it does.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Apr 23, 2013 7:24 PM in response to Don't have time for dat
    Level 9 (59,606 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 23, 2013 7:24 PM in response to Don't have time for dat

    I cannot find anything that talks about restricting the hotspot. So how is his Internet restricted to wifi only? The only way that I can see to restrict the hotspot is to restrict it on the cellular side, but you cannot turn off cellular, nor is there a restriction in the Restrictions section. I'm guessing it has to do with how you have his Internet restricted. Is this something through the AT&T parent restrictions?

  • by Don't have time for dat,

    Don't have time for dat Don't have time for dat Apr 23, 2013 7:31 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 23, 2013 7:31 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Data is resricted through our carrier here in canada. Apparently I can pay for service but then block certain features as we are on a business plan. So I was able to restrict the phone to call usage only and all other features would work on wifi only but the hotspot is still accessing the data plan.

  • by ChrisJ4203,Helpful

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Apr 23, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Don't have time for dat
    Level 9 (59,606 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 23, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Don't have time for dat

    Since the availability of the hotspot is dependent on the carrier, I suggest checking with them to see what they might be able to do.