AT&T preparing to rollout Group (shared) Data?

[troop231]

http://www.technobuffalo.com/news/wireless/are-atts-group-data-plans-already-rolling-out/

Shared data plans are the new unlimited. Verizon was first to pull the trigger with its “Share Everything Plans” in June, and AT&T is also preparing something of its own as well. In fact, the carrier may already have something in place as we speak.

Thanks to a curious tipster keeping an eye on his data usage, a new option has cropped up without notice. Under the Data section is now a mention of “Group Data,” which currently reads at zero.

In May, AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega expressed his interest in offering linked data plans, which would essentially let multiple devices guzzle from the same data. Maybe it’s out, maybe it’s not. Hopefully we’ll know more soon.

 

[jav6454]

AT&T and Verizon typically carbon copy what the other does in terms of services and payments for things.

Group Data was coming, the whole idea of it was already up for grabs. All that it takes is to see which company pulls the trigger first and serve as the guinea pig for the new method.

If it works for them, the other will follow.

 

[troop231]

AT&T and Verizon typically carbon copy what the other does in terms of services and payments for things.

Group Data was coming, the whole idea of it was already up for grabs. All that it takes is to see which company pulls the trigger first and serve as the guinea pig for the new method.

If it works for them, the other will follow.

I'm pretty sure Verizon already offers shared data, so AT&T will be second. It's a shame they copy each other on pricing usually

 

[jav6454]

I'm pretty sure Verizon already offers shared data, so AT&T will be second. It's a shame they copy each other on pricing usually

Yeah that's what I said. I know Verizon already has it, I am just stating how each carrier just copies the other. Example this, but we can also look into eliminating unlimited data, free mobile-to-mobile with XYZ plan... etc

 

[mscriv]

I checked out the Verizon pricing just to get an idea of what At&t might do and it would raise my bill if my wife and i switched to group data. Without savings there's no reason to even consider switching to a group plan.

 

[troop231]

The only reason I was interested in group "shared" data is so I can share my iPhone's data with my iPad. Doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Currently my bill is $76 a month.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I dread AT&T prices are going to be as crappy and piss poor as Verizons to where it will really raise the price for most people instead of lower it.

Lets see 40 a phone for a smaller pull of data kind of crappy but we knew it was coming. I am really hoping the back lash Verizon got would of prevented AT&T from pulling a stunt like it.

I am willing to bet AT&T will use this to kill off the unlimited plans as well.

 

[jav6454]

I dread AT&T prices are going to be as crappy and piss poor as Verizon's.

I am willing to bet AT&T will use this to kill off the unlimited plans as well.

Yes and of coarse. If it were up to them everyone would be on a tiered plan.

 

[Technarchy]

The only reason I was interested in group "shared" data is so I can share my iPhone's data with my iPad. Doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Currently my bill is $76 a month.

You hope tethering is included. I wager it wont be. It will just be actual phones on the plan only most likely.

 

[jav6454]

You hope tethering is included. I wager it wont be. It will just be actual phones on the plan only most likely.

Once it is billed as a "pool" of data, I doubt they'll charge extra for that. However, greed knows no bounds...

 

[mscriv]

The thing about the shared models they appear to be rolling out is that there is a charge per device to access the data. So you pay to have data in the first place and then you pay a monthly fee to access that data on each of your different devices. That just seems like overkill to me. I was hoping you would simply pay one "sharing fee", but I guess I was hoping in vain. Why would they make it simple when they can jack up the fees by charging al a carte.

 

[jav6454]

The thing about the shared models they appear to be rolling out is that there is a charge per device to access the data. So you pay to have data in the first place and then you pay a monthly fee to access that data on each of your different devices. That just seems like overkill to me. I was hoping you would simply pay one "sharing fee", but I guess I was hoping in vain. Why would they make it simple when they can jack up the fees by charging al a carte.

These people have to make their bonus money somehow right?