Did AT&T say how long is it good for if you don't change the plan? In the Terms & Condition, it states AT&T can change without notice.
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How long is "grandfathered unlimited" good for?
- Thread starter HiFiGuy528
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It is a very good question.
No contract means they can do what they want, as long as it is legal.
Just like a landlord who raises the rent on a renter without a lease, ATT can raise our "rent" whenever they want.
No contract means they can do what they want, as long as it is legal.
Just like a landlord who raises the rent on a renter without a lease, ATT can raise our "rent" whenever they want.
They don't have to honor the iPad's price for the customer since they aren't in a contract.
Likely, there was a clause somewhere Apple and AT&T signed giving 60 day headway.
Likely, there was a clause somewhere Apple and AT&T signed giving 60 day headway.
for Verizon, it's 11+ years
I'm on a $20/mo phone plan from Verizon. I signed up for that sometime in the '90s. I've been able to update phones and still stay on the old plan, even though Verizon's current plans for individuals start at $40.
If AT&T were smart, they would allow the unlimited data plan to continue indefinitely. Eventually it will die out, as people fail to renew.
OTOH if it really is a small group of data pigs that is sucking down 100x the data of a typical user, AT&T would be smart in kicking them off after a year or two. Just because data is "unlimited", that doesn't mean you should suck down 100 GB/mo just because you can.
I'm on a $20/mo phone plan from Verizon. I signed up for that sometime in the '90s. I've been able to update phones and still stay on the old plan, even though Verizon's current plans for individuals start at $40.
If AT&T were smart, they would allow the unlimited data plan to continue indefinitely. Eventually it will die out, as people fail to renew.
OTOH if it really is a small group of data pigs that is sucking down 100x the data of a typical user, AT&T would be smart in kicking them off after a year or two. Just because data is "unlimited", that doesn't mean you should suck down 100 GB/mo just because you can.
Yes, this is actually rather amusing: 'Grandfather clause' LOL
More like 'Infant clause'.
Or 'Abortion clause' is more like it, considering it was within the first trimester.
I'm gonna pull the pin, roll this into the room and run...
Personally I would like to see it end.
The hardcore users (ie 2%) aren't gonna give up the unlimited plan and will continue to use more and more data.
Meanwhile we will see an increase of users because of new lower prices points which will put futher strain on said network...
I've never personally come close to the 2gb new limit but will probably keep my unlimited status just out of principle.
Personally I would like to see it end.
The hardcore users (ie 2%) aren't gonna give up the unlimited plan and will continue to use more and more data.Meanwhile we will see an increase of users because of new lower prices points which will put futher strain on said network...
I've never personally come close to the 2gb new limit but will probably keep my unlimited status just out of principle.
And THAT my friend is what this discussion should boil down to, in my opinion.
Cellular network bandwidth is a LIMITED resource. Is it fair for some people to do 5, 10, 20GB of downloading when 98% of users do 2GB or less, yet have everyone pay the same and experience congestion, service interruptions, and bad service? Where does this sense of entitlement come from?
Partly it stems from the phone companies themselves and their "unlimited" advertising. Unlimited became a soft cap, then a 5gb hard cap, and now this. All because the network is buckling under the strain of people wanting to download Avatar in HD from the cloud over 3G.
In the (very) beginning, the legal people should have never let the marketing people use the word "Unlimited" when advertising data plans of any kind. You need to make just one trip to Country Buffet to learn why advertising anything as "Unlimited" quickly becomes a bad idea for everyone involved.
I agree, I don't know why people think that everyone should pay the same. I like the tiered system, though I think they are being a little stingy with how much bandwidth you get for the money.
The tiered system is great and will actually save a lot of people quite a bit of money...Im looking at saving $20 a month between my wife and I. I mean why pay for bandwidth that you don't need or want?
The problem is that people were told one thing and got used to it and now it's changing but then again they get grandfathered in so it really shouldn't be an issue for previous buyers, just for new buyers.
I think if you bought your iPad prior to June 6th, even if you have never even used 3G yet, I have a feeling you will still be able to get the Unlimited plan since that's what was advertised at the time of purchase.
Which brings up the question...will the older 3G iPads be worth a whole lot more money to people, say on eBay?
The tiered system is great and will actually save a lot of people quite a bit of money...Im looking at saving $20 a month between my wife and I. I mean why pay for bandwidth that you don't need or want?
The problem is that people were told one thing and got used to it and now it's changing but then again they get grandfathered in so it really shouldn't be an issue for previous buyers, just for new buyers.
I think if you bought your iPad prior to June 6th, even if you have never even used 3G yet, I have a feeling you will still be able to get the Unlimited plan since that's what was advertised at the time of purchase.
Which brings up the question...will the older 3G iPads be worth a whole lot more money to people, say on eBay?
Just got off the phone with AT&T!
They state that if the monthly renewal is stopped on the device then the next time you want to activate service you no longer have the unlimited option. You will only see the 2GB or 250MB plans listed. The only way that you can be grandfathered in is if you do not cancel the renewal. They have not received any info on how long the grandfathered clause is for. Hope this answers some questions.
-Donald
They state that if the monthly renewal is stopped on the device then the next time you want to activate service you no longer have the unlimited option. You will only see the 2GB or 250MB plans listed. The only way that you can be grandfathered in is if you do not cancel the renewal. They have not received any info on how long the grandfathered clause is for. Hope this answers some questions.
-Donald
I'm on a grandfathered voice plan that I have been on for years. It's mine as long as I do not cancel it. They have never deviated from that with my voice plan.
They already can easily do that. I can't dictate to everyone what is "excessive consumption" of bandwidth, but I would think that many fewer people would have an issue if they just started enforcing the 5GB cap that is supposedly the real limit on unlimited accounts. They can also go after people who are jailbreaking and tethering their devices. They can also go after people like this guy who started "testing" the unlimited service back in early May and was clearly abusing the service.
Dropping the price by 16% then dropping the "cap" by 60% is not making AT&T any friends. That's just a massive price-hike in disguise.