AT&T Introducing Data Consumption Fees - No More Unlimited Data Plans.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

AT&T is about to lose out in this world and go down the toilet... only thing saving their ####### is the iPhone. Without that, they'd be dead in the water. It's their lifeline and looks like it'll be their death now if they lose the exclusive rights in another couple of years..

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http://cbs11tv.com/business/ATT.Data.Plan.2.1727836.html

NEW YORK (AP) ― In time for the widely expected launch of a new iPhone model, carrier AT&T Inc. is pulling in the reins on data usage by its customers with smart phones and iPads.

The sole U.S. carrier of the iPhone is introducing two new data plans, starting June 7, with limits on data consumption. They'll replace the $30 per month plan with unlimited usage that it has required for all smart phones, including the iPhone.

With the change AT&T is adopting a carrot-and-stick approach to assuage the data congestion on its network, which has been a source of complaints, especially in cities such as New York and San Francisco that are thick with iPhone users. The new plans will take effect just as Apple is expected to unveil the next generation of its iPhone at an event Monday in San Francisco.

Subscribers who use little data or learn to limit their consumption will pay slightly less every month than they do now, while heavy users will be dinged with extra consumption fees.

One new plan will cost $25 per month and offer 2 gigabytes of data per month, which AT&T says will be enough for 98 percent of its smart phone customers. Additional gigabytes will cost $10 each.

A second plan will cost $15 per month for 200 megabytes of data, which AT&T says is enough for 65 percent of its smart phone customers. If they go over, they'll pay another $15 for 200 megabytes.

With that plan and voice service, a smart phone could cost as little as $55 per month before taxes and add-on fees, down from $70 per month. Ralph de la Vega, the head of AT&T's consumer business, said that means smart phones can become accessible to more people.

"Customers are getting a good deal, and if they can understand their usage, they can save some money," de la Vega said in an interview.

Current AT&T subscribers will be allowed to keep the unlimited plan, even if they renew their contracts. But all new subscribers will have to choose one of the two new plans.

Figuring out which one to choose may not be easy, given that many people have only a hazy notion of the size of a gigabyte and how many they use now. A gigabyte is enough for hundreds of e-mails and Web pages, but it's quickly eaten up by Internet video and videoconferencing.

De la Vega said AT&T is doing its part to educate consumers, by letting them track their usage online. The iPhone contains a data usage tracking tool. The carrier will also text-message subscribers to let them know they're getting close their limits.

Data usage over Wi-Fi, including AT&T's public Wi-Fi hot spots, will not count toward the limits.

The new $25-per-month plan will replace the current $30 plan with unlimited usage that is available for the iPad, the tablet computer Apple Inc. released just a few months ago, though iPad owners can keep the old plan as long as they keep paying $30 per month, AT&T said.

Paradoxically, the data caps arrive at time when carriers have started to lift the limits on other forms of wireless use, by selling plans with unlimited calling and unlimited text messaging. That's not a big gamble, because not many people have the time to talk phone for eight hours a day or spend every waking minute sending text messages. But smart phones can draw a lot of data, depending one where and how they're used. With the new plans, de la Vega hopes to see high-consumption applications like Internet video being steered toward hot spots, where they don't clog up AT&T's cellular network.

Consumers have rebelled against the idea of data usage caps on home broadband, at least when the limits are set low enough to make online video consumption expensive. Time Warner Cable Inc. was forced to back away from trials of data caps last year after consumer protests and threats of legislative action.

In the wireless world, where data capacity is more constrained, usage caps are more common. Most wireless carriers, for instance, limit data cards for laptops to 5 gigabytes per month.

But with intense competition for smart phone users, phone companies have been reluctant to impose similar limits on those devices, although Sprint Nextel Corp. reserves the right to slow down or disconnect users who exceed 5 gigabytes per month. It remains to be seen whether AT&T's rivals will join it in imposing caps or use their own "unlimited" plans as a marketing advantage.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is common in Europe already. Sprints new 4g network requires an additional fee for service.

[Heracles 417]

This is common in Europe already. Sprints new 4g network requires an additional fee for service.

Not that sort of shitty plan. Usually you can get 3, 5, 15 gig plans for under $30. You also have the option of prepaid data only, which can be used over 6 months or a year.

PS Sprints 4G asks for $10 extra but is totally unlimited data.

Sprint 4G EVO launches this Friday. I am looking into going back with these guys.

Edited June 2, 2010 by Booyah!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

In the UK "unlimited data" comes with a * and a lot of fine print.

Mobile data for laptops is a different subscription.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

This is common in Europe already. Sprints new 4g network requires an additional fee for service.

The 4G they've made unlimited actually and have put a limit on the 3G network now..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Probably when 4g hits capacity they will limit that too.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I'm sorry, it's an unholy hour here for me, but am I blind or does that article not say that the current $30/month plan for unlimited use will stay in place? It's only a lower-use pricing structure that has been put into place for those for whom that might be appropriate.

though iPad owners can keep the old plan as long as they keep paying $30 per month, AT&T said.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sorry, it's an unholy hour here for me, but am I blind or does that article not say that the current $30/month plan for unlimited use will stay in place? It's only a lower-use pricing structure that has been put into place for those for whom that might be appropriate.

when they say unlimited it doesn't necessarily mean that. There are policies for "excessive use"

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

However, existing customers will continue to keep their unlimited usage for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, lest we overlook this important tidbit, this pricing structure is also being rolled out to Blackberry users as well. According to AT&T, 98% of existing 3G users will be covered by the 2G plan. This is an interesting story to be sure in terms of how the future of data pricing might look, but in practice the effect on the average user will be minimal.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/06/att_wireless_scraps_flat-rate.html

[mawilson 2,133]

A second plan will cost $15 per month for 200 megabytes of data, which AT&T says is enough for 65 percent of its smart phone customers. If they go over, they'll pay another $15 for 200 megabytes.

I like it. I don't need a lot of data and $15 is better than $30.

[IndigoSkies 168]

Soon rest of the companies will follow. I thought having multiple companies meant competition and that meant better price. But compeition won't do jack if the users are sheeples. If ATT customers leave ATT in droves for T-Mobile or something else, then ATT would do something. Or else ATT will continue doing the same thing. After all it won't mean much since users aren't leaving in droves.

Same reason why Facebook can screw you privacy with impunity. You won't leave Facebook. You're addicted to it even if it requires a naked picture of your mother to sign up for it.

Edited June 2, 2010 by IndigoSkies

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have the old plan and plan to keep it. At least as long as ATT survives after shooting themselves in the head. How do f*cktards get in charge of big companies? I do not see this as advantageous to me and I am about sick of the Cell phone companies tag team f*cking their customers. I will be prepared to switch again. At least now we can keep the same phone number.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I have the old plan and plan to keep it. At least as long as ATT survives after shooting themselves in the head. How do f*cktards get in charge of big companies? I do not see this as advantageous to me and I am about sick of the Cell phone companies tag team f*cking their customers. I will be prepared to switch again. At least now we can keep the same phone number.

A further sign that the Apocalypse is nigh: I agree with every point Gary makes in his post.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I'm sorry, it's an unholy hour here for me, but am I blind or does that article not say that the current $30/month plan for unlimited use will stay in place? It's only a lower-use pricing structure that has been put into place for those for whom that might be appropriate.

You are mis-reading it. The $30 plan is grandfathered for those that already have it. It is not offered to new customers, which means it is not a good deal or they would allow you a choice, and the phrase "as long as they continue paying $30 per month" means "If you are ever late with a payment, even by 1 day, we cancel that plan and put in the new one" which also means the NEW plan is NOT a good deal for me. I will be sure never to be late.

Doing even normal household business has become just a nightmare of booby traps designed to take more of what I earn for the same service. It really sucks. Name another business where you sign a two year contract but one party can change it all they want without consent. #######????

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

You are mis-reading it. The $30 plan is grandfathered for those that already have it. It is not offered to new customers, which means it is not a good deal or they would allow you a choice, and the phrase "as long as they continue paying $30 per month" means "If you are ever late with a payment, even by 1 day, we cancel that plan and put in the new one" which also means the NEW plan is NOT a good deal for me. I will be sure never to be late.

Doing even normal household business has become just a nightmare of booby traps designed to take more of what I earn for the same service. It really sucks. Name another business where you sign a two year contract but one party can change it all they want without consent. #######????

Went back and re-read the article, and I can see that now. So for you and me, we're copasetic (ish) until they changes the T&Cs again. It's just the new users who will get shafted.

The article is a complete mess -- I read several other articles on the topic and found it much easier to digest from other sources. Again I will point out -- it is NOT just iPhone users who will be subject to this.