AT&T 86'ing Unlimited Data on mobile and iPad plans

[tryfuhl]

AT&T Hangs Up on Unlimited Wireless Data Plans - DailyFinance

Under the revised service plan for new customers coming aboard Monday, new iPad owners will no longer be offered the $29.99 unlimited service plan. That will change to a $25 per month 2 gigabyte plan. Existing iPad owners can retain their unlimited deal or switch over to the new plan.

New smartphone customers will no longer have the option of an unlimited data plan for $30 monthly. In its place, AT&T will be rolling out two options.

AT&T's DataPlus plan users will receive 200 megabytes of data for $15 a month. If they exceed that allotment, they will receive an additional 200 megabytes for another $15 -- basically, $30 for 400 megabytes under the new service vs. $30 for unlimited under the old.

The DataPro plan offers 2 gigabytes (or 2,000 megabytes) for $25 per month. If they exceed that level, new customers will receive an additional 1 gigabyte for $10.

Whoever decided to go ahead and buy the 1st iPad lucked into getting to keep their plan. Australian and European internet users tend to hate throughput caps, looks like cell/data companies finally decided to go ahead and start screwing us because they know that they can (20/mo for Unlimited TEXTING?).

[CooleyAsCanBe]

This is really going to stick it to the iPad users. I will end up saving $5 a month on my iPhone by changing from my unlimited $30 plan to the $25 2GB plan. I checked my usage online and I've never broken 1GB per month. I still plan to upgrade to the new iPhone this month.

[saden1]

What is the ramification if you go over the limit? It takes one time for you to go over for these SOBs to stick you with a $100 over-usage bill.

[SmootSmack]

The good thing, if you can call it that, is that they will notify you that you're close to going over

[CRedskinsRule]

I will never change off an unlimited data plan until they force me off of mine.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I will never change off an unlimited data plan until they force me off of mine.

yeah.. I think that the reason that they're grandfathering people in is that most of the time if they change service or price you can get out of the contract no problem

[BDBohnzie]

This will be the wave of the future. No more unlimited data plans, although Sprint touts it for their 4G access, which currently serves about 12 people (at least their 4G network. They cap 3G access, but tout 4G as unlimited). Verizon has already made mention that once they open up to 4G/LTE, they will get rid of their "unlimited/5GB" data plans for tiered data plans.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

This will be the wave of the future. No more unlimited data plans, although Sprint touts it for their 4G access, which currently serves about 12 people (at least their 4G network. They cap 3G access, but tout 4G as unlimited). Verizon has already made mention that once they open up to 4G/LTE, they will get rid of their "unlimited/5GB" data plans for tiered data plans.

Wave of the future? More like the quickest way to lose customers and get your ass handed to you by a newcomer (looking at google). They had hourly internet access back in the early/mid 90's and most of those companies aren't around. AT&T is doing this cause their network is getting thrashed.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by saden1

Wave of the future? More like the quickest way to lose customers and get your ass handed to you by a newcomer (looking at google). They had hourly internet access back in the early/mid 90's and most of those companies aren't around. AT&T is doing this cause their network is getting thrashed.

It honestly is the future unless every other carrier is willing to stand up to it.

[mredskins]

Exactly how is your data use calculated? I have Verizon and pay $15 a month on my Envy touch for data use, I think it is 20 mb, I don't even know never gone over. I basically only use my phone's internet service to check scores when I am stuck at family functions and can't see a big game.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Exactly how is your data use calculated? I have Verizon and pay $15 a month on my Envy touch for data use, I think it is 20 mb, I don't even know never gone over. I basically only use my phone's internet service to check scores when I am stuck at family functions and can't see a big game.

total throughput

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

total throughput

Clear as mud, thank you!

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by saden1

Wave of the future? More like the quickest way to lose customers and get your ass handed to you by a newcomer (looking at google). They had hourly internet access back in the early/mid 90's and most of those companies aren't around. AT&T is doing this cause their network is getting thrashed.

If Sprint and T-Mobile can keep unlimited data plans, they are going to look more and more reasonable to Verizon/AT&T users, especially if 4G replaces landline style internet in home (Cable/DSL/FiOS). I have a company issued Blackberry on Sprint that's been great, so I've scaled back my personal phones to basic voice/text plans with no data through Verizon.

I wholehearted agree for the reason why AT&T is doing it, but with 2 million iPads sold, I don't see the trend stopping anytime soon. If people are willing to pay for it, and they will be, tiered data plans will be the model. In the end, the consumer will feel like they are getting a deal ($15 vs $30 for limited usage) and the Telcos will be reaping the benefits because those who didn't have data before will subscribe now.

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Exactly how is your data use calculated?

They are able to track the transmissions between your phone and their servers. Total throughput means they see the 1s and 0s of your connection to their server and calculate it that way. You should be able to log onto your account and see your data usage.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

If Sprint and T-Mobile can keep unlimited data plans, they are going to look more and more reasonable to Verizon/AT&T users, especially if 4G replaces landline style internet in home (Cable/DSL/FiOS). I have a company issued Blackberry on Sprint that's been great, so I've scaled back my personal phones to basic voice/text plans with no data through Verizon.

I wholehearted agree for the reason why AT&T is doing it, but with 2 million iPads sold, I don't see the trend stopping anytime soon. If people are willing to pay for it, and they will be, tiered data plans will be the model. In the end, the consumer will feel like they are getting a deal ($15 vs $30 for limited usage) and the Telcos will be reaping the benefits because those who didn't have data before will subscribe now.

It all depends how people use their phones. Having tierd data plans is OK but getting rid of unlimited data plans all together is mistake. The more data centric the world becomes (i.e google maps) the more need for higher limits. AT&T would be wise to spend $$ to upgrade their network instead of these plan gimmicks.

BTW Cable companies are trying to do this too. Thankfuly they're not getting the go-ahead they need from the FCC.