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AT&T forcing people into $30 data plans
- Thread starter alent1234
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The problem is that many people are buying smartphones for keyboard (for texting). While AT&T carries few non-smartphones with keyboard, better ones are categorized as a smartphone. AT&T should give people the choice, requiring either data ($30) or unlimited messaging ($20) but not both.
Of course, it would be nice if FCC recognizes what carriers are doing, ripping off customers for ridiculous messaging price and forcing data plan while providing subpar 3G coverage.
Of course, it would be nice if FCC recognizes what carriers are doing, ripping off customers for ridiculous messaging price and forcing data plan while providing subpar 3G coverage.
College students buy a mac get a free ipod touch with rebate!
Who wants to carry an ipod touch and a phone? Kind of pointless when an iphone allows you to do everything those 2 devices would.
I want a BMW! I just can't afford the premium gas and higher insurance than my cheapo car. But don't I deserve a BMW
I think the OP is talking about how after September 6th, you will no longer be able to buy any AT&T smart-phone and choose not to have the data option. It doesn't mean that he wants to use data and not pay for it. Perhaps he doesn't want data at all and doesn't plan on using it... so why pay $30 a month and not use that feature?
I want a BMW! I just can't afford the premium gas and higher insurance than my cheapo car. But don't I deserve a BMW
Except you need premium gas for the BMW to work (without potentially ruining it). You don't need a data plan for the iPhone to turn on. Fail analogy.
I think they did this to even the playing field and have consistancy. Now iphoners can't call the waaaambulance that other smartphones have cheaper plans or don't require data.
Plus - unless I'm mistaken - it makes it a little harder now to buy some other phone and swap sims. With all smartphones requiring the data plan - as I said - they can enforce the "we're adding a data plan to your account since we see you're using a smart phone"
Plus - unless I'm mistaken - it makes it a little harder now to buy some other phone and swap sims. With all smartphones requiring the data plan - as I said - they can enforce the "we're adding a data plan to your account since we see you're using a smart phone"
what a ripoff! my wife has a smartphone for texting but has no use for a dataplan. i sure hope her phone doesnt break after sept. 6th.
why do some of you guys like blasting the OP w/o fully understanding the ramifications?
no one was asking for a free data plan, but if you dont use it why should you pay for it? ATT should just be happy people OVERPAY for texting.
yes you can block data but it also blocks mms texts too.
why do some of you guys like blasting the OP w/o fully understanding the ramifications?
no one was asking for a free data plan, but if you dont use it why should you pay for it? ATT should just be happy people OVERPAY for texting.
yes you can block data but it also blocks mms texts too.
Honestly this is another debated but I am one of those people who do not want an iPhone and rather have another smartphone and a iPod touch. (read the bold one)
My reasoning for not wanting an iPhone.
1. I want a physical keyboard I do not care for touch screen keyboards (I am not saying one or the other is better).
2. I like my media separated from my phone because quite often I am not going to want it with me.
3. the iPhone has some limitation on it that would cause me to grow very board with it quickly. It mostly in the user settings but this is another argument but some other huge techono nuts who own an iPhone.
But those are 3 reasons that are not bashing the iPhone but 3 reasons I do not want one. Those same 3 reasons I do not want an iPhone for personal use I know other people that say those are the exact same 3 reasons they want one. I have told some people to go for an iPhone others not to.
Now as for getting an iPod touch and other phone it solves all my problems with those 3 reasons because the iPod touch gives me almost everything iPhone has but the phone and I have another phone to give me what I want out of it.
I could care less about the $30 data plan. What I am PISSED about is that they force us to sign up for $39.99 voice plans!!!! (I only use about $5 worth of minutes per month. I have an unlimited text plan and I text all the time). Customers that sign up for an unlimited text plan should NOT be forced to pay for $39.99 voice plans that they don't use!
WHERE IS THE #@%*@ FCC ???
WHERE IS THE #@%*@ FCC ???
Yeah, owning an ipod touch and another phone is perfectly acceptable, my comment was in the context of owning an ipod touch and another phone solely because AT&T forces a data plan on an iphone.
Why should the FCC care?I could care less about the $30 data plan. What I am PISSED about is that they force us to sign up for $39.99 voice plans!!!! (I only use about $5 worth of minutes per month. I have an unlimited text plan and I text all the time). Customers that sign up for an unlimited text plan should NOT be forced to pay for $39.99 voice plans that they don't use!
WHERE IS THE #@%*@ FCC ???
You aren't being "forced" into anything.
It's called freedom of choice. You don't like the price/options... go somewhere else.
AT&T is not a philanthropic organization... they are in business to make money period.
If AT&T wants to make buying a data plan a condition of your contract, that's their prerogative. You are not forced to enter into that contract; and, if you choose to then, yes, you should be forced to abide by it. That's how contracts work. Do you not believe in the freedom of contract?
Of course it's their prerogative. But consider this scenario, and tell me if you think it's acceptable for consumers: Apple now requires a mobile broadband plan of $30/month with the sale of all of its Macbooks. You cannot use a Macbook without this plan.
If Apple wished to do that, it would be their right. Would it be acceptable for all consumers? Probably not. Would some choose to pay it, especially if they were offered a $499 Macbook on that condition? Of course. I probably would.
In fact, AT&T now offers a subsidized netbook with similar conditions. There's nothing wrong with that either.
Exactly. The argument is about what's acceptable to consumers. The companies can do whatever they want, but certain lines are crossed when they force onto a user something he doesn't want.
In almost every European country that practice is illegal and actually goverments care about consumer rights.
They sell factory unlocked iPhones and many other cool things.
Maybe the US needs to learn and adopt a few things.
They sell factory unlocked iPhones and many other cool things.
Maybe the US needs to learn and adopt a few things.
Why should the FCC care?
You aren't being "forced" into anything.
It's called freedom of choice. You don't like the price/options... go somewhere else.
AT&T is not a philanthropic organization... they are in business to make money period.
there's this other prerogative where someone buys a phone and needs to use a company's network,
and where someone buys a computer and just wants to use word processing.
if you didn't want to pay for the network service and just have the OS and cool gaming features...
the iPod Touch seems like it would make sense. thus=argument fail
Life requires sacrifices, just get use to it! If you cannot afford the iPhone with the required data plan, then you better just be happy carrying around your two devices.
Apparently you don't know what prerogative actually means, because you absolutely butchered its usage.
I can use my iPhone to its full potential on my campus without connecting to any cellular network. Google Voice + Gizmo5 + Siphon = unlimited free calls, texts, data. Can't do that with the Touch without a stupid corded mic.
You call not being able to opt out of things you wouldn't use freedom of choice? It is actually FCC's job to make sure the business environment spurs competition. Ever since they allowed carriers to merge at record rate, US wireless industry is essentially down to just 4 carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.Why should the FCC care?
You aren't being "forced" into anything.
It's called freedom of choice. You don't like the price/options... go somewhere else.
AT&T is not a philanthropic organization... they are in business to make money period.
Since then, carriers increased text messaging plan cost at a record rate, which costs almost nothing in practice (it uses unused bandwidth of a control channel that cell phones broadcasts periodically). Carriers have also stopped offering low usage plans (all used to offer individual voice plans starting at $30) and stopped offering special plans around holiday season entirely.
Now, carriers are requiring plan that was not required previously. If you get an iPhone in an area without 3G coverage (which there are many), you must still pay $30/month for 3G data access. AT&T will now require the same with all smartphones. Soon, all the major carriers will do the same. Freedom of choice indeed.
You call not being able to opt out of things you wouldn't use freedom of choice? It is actually FCC's job to make sure the business environment spurs competition. Ever since they allowed carriers to merge at record rate, US wireless industry is essentially down to just 4 carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.Why should the FCC care?
You aren't being "forced" into anything.
It's called freedom of choice. You don't like the price/options... go somewhere else.
AT&T is not a philanthropic organization... they are in business to make money period.
Since then, carriers increased text messaging plan at a record rate, which costs them almost nothing in practice (it uses unused bandwidth of a control channel that cell phones broadcasts periodically). Carriers have also stopped offering low usage plans (all used to offer individual voice plans starting at $30) and stopped offering special plans around holiday season entirely.
Now, carriers are requiring plan that was not required previously. If you get an iPhone in an area without 3G coverage (which there are many), you must still pay $30/month for 3G data access. AT&T will now require the same with all smartphones. Soon, all the major carriers will do the same. Freedom of choice indeed.
I can easily afford it, but I can't justify paying for something I'm not using. People who can't afford it will just leave for T-Mobile.
What consumer rights are being hurt here?
You still have a a choice.
You can use AT&T services per their terms or go to another carrier.
And just like your freedom to pick a carrier, you have the freedom to go live where they will cater to your particular desires.
This guy could justify a draft by saying "you still have a choice! you could join the air force or the navy!"