Getting Charged for Roaming Data in the US???

[boss1]

It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm wondering if this is going to be an issue. If I somehow travel into an area in the US where I am Roaming outside of the AT&T area, will I be charged the ridiculous .015 per KB rate???


I'm afraid of that rate. That's like getting charged $1.50 for a lousy 100KB word doc. or $2 to $5 dollars just to visit a myspace page. What kind of inhumane, cruel business to consumer abuse is this? Why is this even legally tolerated?


I don't expect answers to my last few questions obviously Im just ranting. But anyone know about the roaming thing? I'm seriously petrified of getting raped by AT&T

 

[tw0k1ngs]

As stated later in the other thread, you are not charged for data or voice while roaming in the US.

 

[boss1]

As stated later in the other thread, you are not charged for data or voice while roaming in the US.

well thank god. my nerves are back to normal I still think the rate when it does apply is pretty absurd. I really feel bad for those person who get surprise bills with "BTW we're charging you $60 bucks more for visiting the web yesterday".

 

[method525]

Why is that rate absurd?

 

[boss1]

Why is that rate absurd?

It's not absurd in the sense that it is the going rate that AT&T and others choose to charge (and in some instances have no choice as they can only control the rates within their realm of network presence) . A consumer agrees to pay that rate and the serv. provider has it's right to charge that rate. In that sense it's not absurd.


That said, it is very absurd considering the $ per KB rate offered by everyone else (non cell service providers) . via cable modem and dsl etc the rate is pretty much negligible. I can download 1000's of large files per day witout worries. Now with a very much appreciated unlimited data plan for a cellphone the consumer feels the same freedom. BUT once you step a tad bit to far out of network you get creamed for $60 for downloading a single 4MB mp3 file? That's the absurdity I refer to.

If you buy a cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts for a 1.50 and then walk across the street to a Dunkin Donuts and get charged $400 for the same cup one would...."think they have every right to charge that much it's their coffee shop but jeezus" .

SO there's a big gap in pricing AND let's be honest here, NO cup of coffee is worth $400. (I'm refering to $1.50 for 100KB file). The value just isn't what it used to be. I wouldn't pay $60 for an 4meg MP3 if you offered to send it to my house on moon. We can do a survey I'm sure 100% of the rest of the world would feel the same.

 

[coffey7]

I have not been roaming with a cell phone since 1995.

 

[overcast]

It's not absurd in the sense that it is the going rate that AT&T and others choose to charge (and in some instances have no choice as they can only control the rates within their realm of network presence) . A consumer agrees to pay that rate and the serv. provider has it's right to charge that rate. In that sense it's not absurd.


That said, it is very absurd considering the $ per KB rate offered by everyone else (non cell service providers) . via cable modem and dsl etc the rate is pretty much negligible. I can download 1000's of large files per day witout worries. Now with a very much appreciated unlimited data plan for a cellphone the consumer feels the same freedom. BUT once you step a tad bit to far out of network you get creamed for $60 for downloading a single 4MB mp3 file? That's the absurdity I refer to.

If you buy a cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts for a 1.50 and then walk across the street to a Dunkin Donuts and get charged $400 for the same cup one would...."think they have every right to charge that much it's their coffee shop but jeezus" .

SO there's a big gap in pricing AND let's be honest here, NO cup of coffee is worth $400. (I'm refering to $1.50 for 100KB file). The value just isn't what it used to be. I wouldn't pay $60 for an 4meg MP3 if you offered to send it to my house on moon. We can do a survey I'm sure 100% of the rest of the world would feel the same.

Comparing a cellular data network to your home cable ISP network is like comparing apples to oranges. I mean cmon man, think.

 

[boss1]

Comparing a cellular data network to your home cable ISP network is like comparing apples to oranges. I mean cmon man, think.

It's not apples to oranges. It's more like tangerines to oranges. Like, It doesn't matter what you compare it to. If you don't like the ISP type I chose fine.



The fact remains that $15 per MB is insane.

 

[overcast]

It's not apples to oranges. It's more like tangerines to oranges. Like, It doesn't matter what you compare it to. If you don't like the ISP type I chose fine.



The fact remains that $15 per MB is insane.

What the hell are you carrying on about, when did I say I didn't like your ISP. You're talking about two completely different infrastructures. You can't possibly expect a technology created for wireless voice communication , now being converted to push tons of data, is not going to have growing pains. The price is expensive, but when is new technology not expensive? I suppose you complain about expensive long distance phone calls as well too right?

 

[scaredpoet]

It's not apples to oranges. It's more like tangerines to oranges. Like, It doesn't matter what you compare it to. If you don't like the ISP type I chose fine.

Actually, the ISP type is a huge difference here. Can you roam with your cable modem connection on another cable network? Can you take your cable modem with you in a moving car or train and expect to get high speed data from it there? Can you take your cable modem to the UK, hook it up, and use the internet without having to pay another carrier or arrange for service with them? Doesn't work at all that way, now does it?

An EDGE, WCDMA, or EVDO data connection is different because the very essence of the service is that it's mobile. You can not only go wherever there is AT&T coverage, but anywhere that other EDGE-capable GSM networks exist, in the world, and your voice and data will simply work.

But there's a price to pay for this. The infrastructure for a cable modem network was built and paid for years ago. A wireless network is constantly being added to and modified. And price agreements are set up between different carriers to arrange for users to roam on other's networks near-seamlessly. All of this does cost a bit more to keep up.

Does it cost $60 a MB? I don't know, probably not. But most foreign carriers assume some risk when they permit users from other countries on their network, and so they will charge the foreign networks a premium to allow it. And those costs must be passed on.

This is not an issue unique to the iPhone; anyone with a smartphone who has roamed internationally has run into this at some point. Though I do feel that Apple should allow users the ability to disable EDGE data when they roam internationally, to give them the opportunity to avoid these charges.

 

[boss1]

I'm not going to go back and forth picking out the similarities and differences on 2 industries here. All I'm saying, and I think we agree on this point, is that it is expensive.

I am going to take it a step further though and attempt to point out the difference between my perception and what seems to be the perception of others. You seem to be sold and content that 'mobility comes with a price'. While I'm leaning more toward 'shining example of collusive oligopoly trying to burn my wallet'.

 

[overcast]

I'm not going to go back and forth picking out the similarities and differences on 2 industries here. All I'm saying, and I think we agree on this point, is that it is expensive.

I am going to take it a step further though and attempt to point out the difference between my perception and what seems to be the perception of others. You seem to be sold and content that 'mobility comes with a price'. While I'm leaning more toward 'shining example of collusive oligopoly trying to burn my wallet'.

You should stay away from the iPhone and any other early adopter technology then.

 

[boss1]

You should stay away from the iPhone and any other early adopter technology then.

Early? I've been with AT&T formerly Cingular formerly Cellular One since 1998. early adopter of Startac, blackberry 1st model etc. How long has cable modem/dsl been around? I'm sure you can point out a dozen ways why the question I just posed is an illogical testament to the cost of .015 per KB.