Then either leave for T-Mobile or get an iPod Touch and a phone if you can't justify the price like you just said. So whats the problem here?
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AT&T forcing people into $30 data plans
- Thread starter alent1234
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Then either leave for T-Mobile or get an iPod Touch and a phone if you can't justify the price like you just said. So whats the problem here?
The problem is AT&T stifling the spread of iPhones by mandating a data plan. It's in everyone's interest that more phones are sold, because they spur app development. There is no doubt that more phones would be sold if they don't require a data plan. Of course, people who buy Apple products as a status symbol don't share this notion.
Wow, you are clueless
I'm not even gonna bother explaining it. I guess you are alot smarter than the European union.
I'm not even gonna bother explaining it. I guess you are alot smarter than the European union.
It's called scale.
The reason so many little carries merge into bigger ones is the sheer amount of real estate they need to cover. Even the FCC recognizes this.
This is not some EU country that's the size of Texas (or smaller), the US is HUGE.
People want to be able to have their carrier of choice provide them service where ever they may go. Most offer unlimited mobile to mobile if you're on the same carrier.
I talk to my dad half way across the US for hours... doesn't cost either of us a dime in minute usage. One of the benefits of being on the same carrier.
It is not cost effective to have 15 carriers in every state.
There simply isn't enough available bandwidth out there to support it.
As I've stated before, wireless carriers are in business to make money.
Running and maintaining the networks, towers, employees, etc... that all costs money.
You iPhone sob story is false... AT&T does not require you to have a "3G data plan", they require you to have a "data plan".
That $30 per month is not for "3G data access", it's for "data access"... period. They do not differentiate how you received data. Data is data regardless of whether it came over EDGE or 3G.
Given their track record for making business' bend over backwards to suit some arcane sense of common welfare over profitability, they don't exactly rank high in my book.
Except that's not fraud. Why are you so against the idea of more people owning iPhones? Are you one of those people that feels superior because you own one and the people around you don't? I fail to see how more iPhone users negatively impacts you in any way.
It is fraud. How do you not get this? Entering into a contract in bad faith, without intent to fulfill your obligations under it, in order to profit is fraud. Period. That you might get away with it does not make it any less illegal or unethical.
As for how it harms me, aside from the general harm that such unethical thinking does to society, who the hell do you think pays for your stolen iPhone? All of us who actually believe that contracts we sign are legally binding.
I doubt he's saying that. Fact...AT&T requires the data plan for the iPhone. If you can't afford it or can't justify the price, then there are hundreds of other phones to choose from. NO ONE is forcing this data plan upon you. If you don't want or need the MANDATORY data plan, then don't get the iPhone.
So many things wrong with this post. The ETF is part of the contract. So is the wireless service agreement. (Wireless service agreement != Contract). The ETF is what you must pay should you choose not to (for ANY reason) fulfill your wireless service agreement. The ETF is not for violating the contract; by paying the ETF you are fulfilling your contractual obligations. So you are not entering a contract in bad faith, since you are actually upholding it by paying the ETF. If you leave without paying the ETF, that would be fraudulent and in bad faith, but that's not what anybody is advocating.
Secondly, the iPhones are not stolen. The amount of money you pay to AT&T through the phone and ETFs is actually greater than the subsidy of ~$400, so they make money for doing absolutely nothing. So that will effectively lower your monthly bill.
Edit: I don't know why you want to go down this road, it got the other thread locked.
Wow all the sheep agree
Beeeeee
How about those who dont need or want a data plan? Shouldnt the customer have a choice? What if they're around Wifi all day and have no need for it? They should pay $30 per month for 20mb of data use?
You have the greatest, BESTEST choice ever!!! Guess what it is?! The choice to NOT get the phone! OMG, I know, crazy isn't it?
No, you don't. Don't like the requirements, don't get the device.
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 ???
Oh really? Why not? Want a device just for texting or email? Get a Peek handheld device. Get a pay as you go if you want. I have never heard of a cell phone company that gives you a phone but no phone plan and instead just a data plan.
The whiners here are funny. Don't like the requirements for a smart phone? Don't buy one!!! My god, a smartphone is not a requirement for life.
Of course. I'm not debating this. But it raises a question as to why AT&T would make it mandatory. Why not allow a user to choose whether he will be using the data or not?
You may have heard of this company:
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/plans/dataconnect.jsp
And you could shoot out another useless analogy.
If you're drafted - you're drafted. You have several options with different carriers - or not to carry a cell phone at all.
Your analogy would work if you said you could join army, navy or break the law and not report.
and a lot is wrong with your post.
199 + 175 + one month of service = ATT is making money?
I guess you don't count the money they have to spend on their employees, brick and mortar stores rent, maintenance of their network, marketing and advertising, etc.
Cardinal - you seemingly like to post with an arrogance that what you say is fact - shooting down others with what appears to be condescension. There's no need for it. People have differing opinions than you.
As others have said - entering into a contract in bad faith while "legal" certainly isn't moral. Perhaps AT&T should vett their customers better. Or make a mandatory 3 months before anyone can cancel for any reason + the ETF. Or raise the ETF altogether.
I can just hear the outcries now how unfair THAT would be since it really would be locking you in as per the CONTRACT THEY ARE SIGNING.
Again - no one is forcing you or anyone else to buy an iPhone or be on AT&T's networks. But if you or someone decides that the iPhone IS what they want - then they should be prepared for what that entails. And that had NOTHING to do with anyone wanting to feel elite or better than anyone else for owning one. It has to do with being a RESPONSIBLE ADULT.
So they will sell you a phone without any calling abilities and just data? I haven't ever heard of that. Sounds neat tho, it is business only?
I don't think anyone fully knows why AT&T and other carriers require the data plan. The point here is that they are now requiring it for one reason or another. However, you still have a choice. If you don't want to use data, then you can get a phone that doesn't require a data plan.
First, the ETF is the contractual penalty for violating the contract. The existence of this contractual penalty does not make it okay to enter into the contract in bad faith. You did not enter into a contract to pay an early termination fee; you entered into a contract to pay for two years of phone service. Doing that with not intention of paying for that service is fraud.
Second, perhaps I should not have said "stolen iPod"; "iPod obtained by fraud" would be better. Either way, what you advocate is despicable. Just pay the $699 and get your iPhone without dirty hands.
I stated what I think is the reason - to level the playing field. Now everyone one (iphone and other smart phones) have the same rules. Before this, AT&T was no doubt getting backlash as to why I can own one phone and not have to pay this but if I own this one I do.
Similar to when a parent or teacher punishes both people in an argument rather than putting one side over the other.
ETA: thelatinist - I'll add that the early termination fee isn't designed to be used (obviously it can be) to get RIGHT out of the contract. The early termination fee's history dates back to when fierce competition began between carriers and start ups. When calling plans weren't nearly identical amongst carriers. Carriers put the ETF in the contract to prevent people from jumping ship just because they saw a better deal elsewhere AND after giving them a free or subsidized phone.
The fact that you can use it immediately perhaps is the problem. As I said in my earlier post - perhaps AT&T should not allow people out of their agreement with the etf for a minimum of 90 days. OR raise the ETF to make it less desirable. Either way - the people that have LEGITIMATE reasons for needing the ETF will be the ones that get screwed
They should require the return of the phone for contracts terminated before 24 months. That would solve it.
and what about the "Oh.. I lost it" or "it fell into the lake" or "it was stolen"?
LOL.. because you know that will be how these honest people try and get out of it
what is the point of having an iPhone without a data plan? You can already buy a phone and put a sd card into it to carry music around
Allow them to buy a new phone or use an old phone and keep their contract, or pay the $400. That's how I had to deal with it when I broke a previous phone. I didn't beg out of my contract, but used my old LG flip phone.