ATT new wireless data plans

[C0B2A]

If your plan is on military hold for deployment (as mine is) you will not be grandfathered in. My HH6 just got off the phone with ATT and the only way according to the rep was to reactivate my account for this month while the change happen. She is working to fix it for me, I will update with the results.

New Wireless Data Plans

We have thought long and hard about how to come up with a data pricing structure that serves the largest number of people and brings the benefits of the mobile broadband revolution to those who have been, until now, unable to afford it. Here's where we started: 98% of our customers use less than 2GBs of data a month on average...and yet the traditional “one size fits all” pricing model has been that EVERYBODY pays for the ability to consume much more than what the vast majority of our customers typically use. Day after day we listen to you guys tell us that smartphone plans are too high and that you want to be able to get the best phones at a lower monthly price. We've looked at all kinds of options and where we've landed is a usage-based pricing system for new smartphone customers that can lower the price for smartphone use. So here's the deal: if you are a current smartphone customer you're not required to switch to one of the new plans. However, if you'd like a data plan more tailored to your needs, you can switch to one of the two new plans we're introducing.

Below you'll find more details on these new plans. Take a look and if you have any questions, head back over to the wall and we'll do our best to address whatever concerns you have.

* DataPlus. For people who want the coolest smartphones on the market, but intend to use them mostly for calling, texting, sending email, occassionally checking social networks and surfing the Web, or who plan to take advantage of Wi-Fi for much of their data use, we're offering a new plan that is half the price of the current data plan: 200MB for $15 a month. That's enough, for example, to send/receive 1,000 emails (no attachments), plus send/receive 150 emails with attachments, plus view 400 Web pages, plus post 50 photos on social media sites, plus watch 20 minutes of streaming video (though your usage will vary based on your Internet usage patterns). This plan is intended for people who use less than 200 MB, but if you go over that amount in a monthly billing cycle, you will receive an additional 200 MB for $15 for use during the billing cycle.
* DataPro: For those who want more, we're offering 10 times the data for $25 a month. 2GB is a lot of data...it's more than 98% of our current smartphone customers use a month on average today. For example, it’s enough, to send/receive 10,000 emails (no attachments), plus send/receive 1,500 emails with attachments, plus view 4,000 Web pages, plus post 500 photos to social media sites, plus watch 200 minutes of streaming video. (Again, your usage will vary based on your internet usage patterns.) If you go over that amount in a given billing cycle you will receive 1 GB of data for $10 for use during the cycle.
* Tethering: Smartphone customers – including iPhone customers – who choose the DataPro plan have the option to add tethering for an additional $20 per month. Tethering for iPhones will be available when Apple releases OS 4 this summer.

So, with the new wireless data plans, pricing for a smartphone voice and data bundle now starts at $54.99 per month for an individual plan, or $24.99 per month for an additional line on a FamilyTalk plan. That's $15 per month less than the price of the previous entry level bundle.

* For new iPad customers, the $25 per month 2 GB plan will replace the existing $29.99 unlimited plan. iPad customers will continue to pre-pay for their wireless data plan and no contract is required. Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan are not required to change their plans.

Customer Text Notifications On Data Usage. We want to help you know how much data you’re using to avoid any surprises. So to keep you up to date we will send text notifications – after you reach 65 percent, 90 percent and 100 percent of the threshold. We’ll also send you email alerts if we have your email address.

We looked at a ton of different options to arrive at a system that was flexible, fair and predictable for the largest number of people and what we’ve heard again and again (especially from you guys on Facebook) was that people wanted lower prices. They also wanted more choice and more control over what they spend on wireless data. We think these plans offer the most flexibility and great value. We’re also really excited about making smart phones more affordable so that a larger number of people can enjoy the benefits of the mobile internet. Another thing that we found when we were researching this is that everyone we talked to thought they were using more data than they actually were. So to figure out how much data you actually use and how what plan makes sense for you, here are a couple of ways that you can check your data use:

Just Call *DATA# from your wireless phone. (It’s an actual call btw…not a text) and we’ll send you a free text with how much data you’ve used. Please note that you will see your usage generally within 15 hours or less of actual data usage.

Select smart phones, including iPhone, also let you use the free AT&T myWireless application to check data usage.

Go online to get all your usage information, past and present. You will see your usage reflected in these tools generally within 15 hours or less of actual data usage.

Also, check out this Data Calculator. It can give you a better idea of which activities tend to use the most data and whether they’re things you are interested in doing.

You can get more information on the new plans online, by contacting AT&T customer service at 1-800-331-0500, or visiting an AT&T retail store.

Another thing to consider is whether you are getting the most value out of the Wi-Fi that AT&T offers to smartphone customers at no additional charge. Generally, Wi-Fi gives you consistently fast speeds and it won't count against your monthly usage total. Also, virtually all AT&T smartphone customers have access at no additional charge to more than 20,000 domestic AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots and other locations. You can get more information on how to use Wi-Fi and find the location of AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots. An 802.11 b/g enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for additional services details and locations.

Thanks Gits for bringing this to my attention

[gits]

I got official word last night that ATT should be honoring my previous unlimited data plan. Upon reactivation of my service and told me since I'm an existing customer I will be able to keep my plan. I threatened them that I might as well just cancel my account because it will end up being more than the early deactivation fee. After speaking with a supervisor and customer care they were very much willing to let me keep my plan, either way if your an Iphone user you may just have to switch over to Tmobile or someone else after unlocking your phone. Otherwise ATT will be getting alot of angry military folks canceling thier phone service.

[Team Sergeant]

I have an Iphone with unlimited plan. But if you look at my usage for the past few years I could probably do with a lesser plan. The only reason I will not change the current plan is the price is still the lowest for the minutes I do use.
If they decide to end my unlimited plan I will get a droid and a new provider.

[Masochist]

I have been an AT&T customer for more than a decade. In the early years, 30 days out from the end of my contract, they would call offering me more minutes or a better phone to stay since their service was garbage. The merger with Cingular brought better service where I was located, and with my work/military discounts there was no reason for me to go elsewhere.

I currently have an iPhone with unlimited data. I spoke with a customer service rep last year when I was purchasing it and casually asked if they had any sort of loyalty discount. I was told that AT&T "didn't care" (exact words) how long I was with them -- if I decided to go elsewhere, someone else would be along to take my place. I never expect any sort of discount from businesses, but hearing from an employee that a company doesn't value their customers irks me. This latest situation just chaps my ass a little more.

[Masochist]

Originally Posted by gits

I got official word last night that ATT should be honoring my previous unlimited data plan.

Anything in writing someone can use as defense when an AT&T customer service rep tries to tell them otherwise? Not that I wouldn't take the word of a customer service rep.

[gits]

Only the stated that the left "remarks" in my account to ensure I have my unlimited data when I reactivate. But I'm more than willing to cancel and move to a different carrier at a moments notice. And my jailbroken Iphone will follow me where ever I take it.

[Koa18B]

Jailbreaking is the way to go! Also they have to honor your current plan you signed a contract with them and they have no authority to change the data plan without consent. I spoke with them regarding my mom and dad's plan. I do not use it but they both have great service in there respective home towns. I was told there unlimited data wont be changed since they are "grandfathered in"

[spherojon]

Here are some things to think about when having the unlimited plan.
1. Are you really using that much data to justify an unlimited plan? Realistically, no. Here are some stats
Average email size is 15KB
Average complete webpage is 1MB
Average 'iPhone' optimised webpage is 20KB
Average size of iPhone Apps is 5MB

So, for 100MB on the 3G network.
- 6000 emails per month, or 220 per day
- 100 web pages per month, or 3.4 per day
- 5000 iPhone optimised web pages per month, or 166 per day
- 20 iPhone Apps per month, or less than 1 per day

2. If you are at work or at home, you most likely run off your house/work WiFi, which means the data plan does not apply (only applies if you are on the 3g network).

Now they want to charge you $25 for 2 GB or $10 for 1GB.

2GB is a lot of data...it's more than 98% of our current smartphone customers use a month on average today. For example, it’s enough, to send/receive 10,000 emails (no attachments), plus send/receive 1,500 emails with attachments, plus view 4,000 Web pages, plus post 500 photos to social media sites, plus watch 200 minutes of streaming video. (Again, your usage will vary based on your internet usage patterns.) If you go over that amount in a given billing cycle you will receive 1 GB of data for $10 for use during the cycle.

Looks like you can be saving $5-20 a month by switching to a lesser data plan.

p.s. iPhone 4, well, if you haven't seen Steve Jobs Keynote on it, I will just say that FaceTime just set the standard for the future of mobile phones. The camera in it, is well, unbelievable. The battery life is second to none (hows the battery on the Evo Sprint?).

Edit: Link to keynote on iPhone 4.
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.ne...ent/index.html

[Streck-Fu]

- 100 web pages per month, or 3.4 per day

I can do 10+ a day, easily.... 3.4 avg isn't much. Between banking, gmail, web browsing, etc I cover quite a bit more than 3.4.

p.s. iPhone 4, well, if you haven't seen Steve Jobs Keynote on it,

LINK

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was thwarted Monday in his attempt to show off how clearly the newest iPhone displays Web pages, apparently because too many computers were clogging the wireless network at the conference where he was on stage.

Jobs tried three times during his keynote to do a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4's screen resolution versus its predecessor's. He was trying to call up The New York Times' Web page, but it wouldn't load because there were too many devices on the conference's Wi-Fi network.

Jobs switched to backup phones for the demonstration, but he was still stymied.

"Well jeez, I don't like this," Jobs groused. He abandoned the demo while staffers investigated.

http://gizmodo.com/5554198/htc-evo-4...yline=true&s=i[/QUOTE]

But maybe the most impressive thing of all about 4G on the Evo was its hotspot battery life. While I expected 2-3 hours of runtime (given that the battery barely typically doesn't last a day of normal usage as just a phone), the Evo cracked 4 hours under heavy use (nonstop video streams, AIM, Twitter and Gmail/Chat by the two devices mentioned above). Plugged in, it could obviously run forever (which is how we powered through Google IO, albeit with Sprint's also excellent 3G service).

The iPhone does seem to have a much better camera and screen resolution.

[spherojon]

http://www.usanewsweek.com/news/Appl...ay-1276091724/

Apple’s iPhone 4 screen is of 3.5-inch, 960-by-640-pixel LCD screen. Evo has a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 480-by-800 pixels...iPhone is lighter at 4.8 ounces, while Evo weighs 6 ounces.

iPhone 4 uses Apple’s own A4 processor, which is also used in the iPad. HTC Evo runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. HTC EVO 4G has an inbuilt memory of 1 GB and the user can connect an 8 GB microSD card for storage needs. The external memory is expandable up to 32 GB. On the other hand, Apple iPhone 4 has two types of memory capacity: 16 GB and 32 GB. iPhone does not offer expandable memory...

iPhone 4 has dual camera, a 5 megapixels camera in rear and one camera in front. The dual camera will help in video calling over Wi-Fi via Apple's new **FaceTime**.

The camera in Apple’s device is the first with a built-in LED flash. The device can record videos in 720p...

Now, come to the HTC EVO 4G. The HTC’s device also has dual camera, one 8 megapixels with flash in back and another 1.3 megapixel camera in front for video conferencing. HTC Evo can also record video in HD. It also supports video calling. Apple claims that iPhone has a battery life of 7 hours when on call, while Evo’s battery life is around 6 hours.

**FaceTime**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yatSAEqNL7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8xdY6eIhSU

It is only usable now on WiFi but wait until AT&T rolls out the LTE phone system in 2011. By then, it will be by far the best network.

[spherojon]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

I can do 10+ a day, easily.... 3.4 avg isn't much. Between banking, gmail, web browsing, etc I cover quite a bit more than 3.4.

That was just for 100MB...there are 1024 MB in 1GB. So, it would be 10 times that amount...so 34 websites a day on a data plan of 1GB a month ($10). That's if you are roaming around the 3G network and not connected to a WiFi network (then it is free).

[Sacamuelas]

Almost everytime I am on the web, I am near a wifi connection. My home and office are wifi. Most coffee/lunch places are wifi enabled.

I may lreview my data useage and make the change when I upgrade to the 4G. Of course, my wife.... she will stay unlimited. She is on the Iphone safari web app all the time.

[gits]

I avg 5-6 GB per month when I actually use my phone. Not to mention I have a tether ability. Having a netbook and tether ability is quite useful.