This is a bait and switch. This is low even for AT&T. Another nail in that exclusivity coffin I hope.... 
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Say Bye bye to unlimited 3G data plan on AT&T
- Thread starter icanhasiphone?
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I'd like to know why I can look out my window at work at an ATT tower in downtown Birmingham Alabama and still get Edge speeds on 3G service. If they are going to charge me for 3G service, I expect to receive 3G service.
AT&T has completely mismanaged the iphone and the demand it has created.
I am not venting my anger or saying it is a bait and switch, I am saying a lawyer will start a class action claiming a bait and switch.
AT&T can either fight it in the courts or settle out of court (without accepting blame). The typical outcome of class actions (even if the claim is unjustified) is to settle out of court because it is less risky and typically less costly for the accused company.
That is the way the US legal system works - some lawyers look for opportunities like this so they can make millions, the lead/named plaintiff(s) get a few thousand, and everyone else affected (unless they opt out of the class action) get a token amount.
Interesting how ATT dropped this info after last nights Jobs interview. Honestly, this news makes Steve look like an idiot after he touted the "unlimited" data at the announcement and now just a few weeks after the launch it's gone.
So let me see if I understand this, my 3G ipad is scheduled for delivery on the 7th. If I activate it on that day can I still get the unlimited plan? The announcement says
"If you activate your data plan before June 7th, you can still participate in this plan. After June 7th, however, AT&T will be replacing that plan with a $25/month 2GB limited plan"
So it says that you have to activate before the 7th, then it says after the 7th. A little confused here. I knew I should have ordered it earlier.
"If you activate your data plan before June 7th, you can still participate in this plan. After June 7th, however, AT&T will be replacing that plan with a $25/month 2GB limited plan"
So it says that you have to activate before the 7th, then it says after the 7th. A little confused here. I knew I should have ordered it earlier.
You know that Verizon is going to do the same thing. AT&T and Verizon copy eachother. So I bet within a few weeks Verizon is going to announce they will be doing the same thing.
I am guessing the same. In reading the article, AT&T says only 2% of its users use more than 2GB. That's probably 90% of the people that read this forum.
In reality, this won't affect most people, and in reality will benefit most users who use 2GB or less. It will make the plans more accessible to them.I used 2GB last month and I didn't even stream a movie. But I did do a TON of surfing and app downloads. Being the first month of use, I expect this to be my max usage. However, I don't stream TV shows or music or anything like that. AT&T is targeting the "streamers". Verizon's 5GB for $60 is probably going to be augmented - if they are smart, they'll do a 3GB for $30 or even $25 to one-up AT&T. It will still prevent the streamers from eating up 20GB in one month.
Since I have the unlimited I'll keep it for as long as they'll let me, but to be honest I could save myself $5 and live with 2GB a month. I would just have to be a bit more conscious of my usage. Streamers are going to have to live within the confines of WiFi coverage...
This has to be a pre-cursor to another carrier coming on board, most likely ONLY offering unlimited plans (Verizon/Sprint?). I can see where there would have been something in the Apple/AT&T contract where Apple said something to the effect of "You must offer unlimited plans as long as you want to remain the exclusive carrier" and maybe AT&T was the one who made the business decisions at this point that they could cut back to capped plans and cut members a break on the cost.
So let's say Verizon comes out and has the only unlimited data plan at $20 a month, meanwhile AT&T already has like $25M people on their network using the iPhone. If most of those people aren't using over 2GB a month, AT&T is going to send them a letter saying "Hey, you can keep your unlimited plan for $30 a month, but you're only using 150MB a month and can cut back to our $15 plan and save $15 a month or you're only using 1.2GB a month and can save $5 a month by cutting back to the 2GB plan."
WiFi is so ubiquitous now that I don't think many people realize how little they are using the actual 3G network. It might be a good deal in commuter cities like San Francisco or New York, but even there when you're at home chances are you're on WiFi.
So let's say Verizon comes out and has the only unlimited data plan at $20 a month, meanwhile AT&T already has like $25M people on their network using the iPhone. If most of those people aren't using over 2GB a month, AT&T is going to send them a letter saying "Hey, you can keep your unlimited plan for $30 a month, but you're only using 150MB a month and can cut back to our $15 plan and save $15 a month or you're only using 1.2GB a month and can save $5 a month by cutting back to the 2GB plan."
WiFi is so ubiquitous now that I don't think many people realize how little they are using the actual 3G network. It might be a good deal in commuter cities like San Francisco or New York, but even there when you're at home chances are you're on WiFi.
Of course they will; they probably discussed it in back rooms. Of course this is not quite legal, but they have enough influence in Washington to get away with it.
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I also think now would be a great time for someone to find a way for Safari to block advertisements that show up and take up bandwidth. Also a way to keep track of how much data you use.
And even aside from mobile use, I keep wondering how much data I use on a daily basis from my desktop Mac. I haven't setup a Firefox adblocker, I just use flashblock, but I wish there was a way to find out how much different websites use.
I spoke with AT&T and they said that as soon as you cancel for a month you are no longer considered grandfathered. The only way to stay grandfathered is if you keep paying for unlimited monthly. Skip a month and you will have to pick one of the two available plans when you sign back up.
Well on the iPad you can download either Atomic Web browser or iCab browser, both are very nice and have adblockers.
This is meant to fight users who become savvy enough to do ALL of their phone/computer type use thru the data plan only. ie: phone calls thru whistle/skype, text messages thru one of the apps out there, etc etc. The time when you need a phone/text plan is coming to an end with smartphones, which most phones will be soon enough.
Things like google voice are really shaking up the cellular industry. With this latest change I'm seriously considering getting a Verizon android phone as I'm quite fed up with Apples crap limitations on the iphone, then I can just pay for a data plan on the Android device without a phone/text plan (assuming this is even possible to ala carte like this) and pay for the 5gb tethering option or get a mifi device.
What I hope to see in the future is someone like Google offer data only plans and coupled with google voice we provide our own solutions, hopefully that spells out the end of the cellular monopolies.
Things like google voice are really shaking up the cellular industry. With this latest change I'm seriously considering getting a Verizon android phone as I'm quite fed up with Apples crap limitations on the iphone, then I can just pay for a data plan on the Android device without a phone/text plan (assuming this is even possible to ala carte like this) and pay for the 5gb tethering option or get a mifi device.
What I hope to see in the future is someone like Google offer data only plans and coupled with google voice we provide our own solutions, hopefully that spells out the end of the cellular monopolies.
Just a heads up
ATT will almost certainly end the unlimited plan entirely as soon as one month from now for the iPad unless they say otherwise, which apparently they haven't (no specific dates for the extension that I have seen, I may be wrong though)
If this is true, there isn't really a 'grandfather' clause, as there's no contract.
and they are just breaking the news slowly as it's all a bit of a shock.
But there's nothing stopping them if there isn't a contract.
ATT will almost certainly end the unlimited plan entirely as soon as one month from now for the iPad unless they say otherwise, which apparently they haven't (no specific dates for the extension that I have seen, I may be wrong though)
If this is true, there isn't really a 'grandfather' clause, as there's no contract.
and they are just breaking the news slowly as it's all a bit of a shock.
But there's nothing stopping them if there isn't a contract.
It's sooner than that, the unlimited plan ends on June 7th. The grandfathered users have to have the plan already activated before this day and have to KEEP paying it monthly, once they lapse they don't have the option to renew it.
ATT knows that eventually most users will buy a newer ipad, or let their contract lapse and over time will be left with a tiny amount of users who truly keep the grandfathered plan.
Here's the text directly from the ATT Press Release...
The new wireless data plans - including a new tethering option - will be available beginning June 7. Current AT&T voice and texting plans are unchanged.
Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan can keep that plan or switch to the new $25 per month plan with 2 GB of data.
So, on June 7th, the old plans go away. You better get your iPad on the 6th.
Because of coverage, consistency, and quality issues I had already decided that I was not going to be purchasing any more devices that required AT&T service.
Thats why I have a WiFi iPad and a Verizon MiFi card. Thats why my next phone will be with Verizon even if it means forgoing my iPhone and getting a Droid.
No carrier is perfect, but at least in the areas I spend my time Verizon clearly has far more reliable voice service and much faster (on average, not peak) and more consistent data service. Pricing is similar so I'll choose the better service for me going forward.
I'm glad Apple had the foresight to offer a WiFi only iPad, even if they don't offer a 3g/4g model with a dual CDMA/GSM chip like many smart phones that could allow use with any carrier. Hopefully the second generation iPad will offer this freedom.
Thats why I have a WiFi iPad and a Verizon MiFi card. Thats why my next phone will be with Verizon even if it means forgoing my iPhone and getting a Droid.
No carrier is perfect, but at least in the areas I spend my time Verizon clearly has far more reliable voice service and much faster (on average, not peak) and more consistent data service. Pricing is similar so I'll choose the better service for me going forward.
I'm glad Apple had the foresight to offer a WiFi only iPad, even if they don't offer a 3g/4g model with a dual CDMA/GSM chip like many smart phones that could allow use with any carrier. Hopefully the second generation iPad will offer this freedom.
I fail to understand how the free market seems to work in reverse when it comes to cell phones. I mean in every other market competition seems to provide consumers with better choices in the long run.
We are now over a decade into this cell phone thing, and yet the cell phone companies have managed to hang on to contracts, copy each other as if there is price fixing involved, etc.
Have they specifically said this applies to iPad as well? I don't think I have seen that and most are people just assuming.