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AT&T to End Unlimited Use Pricing Plan

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 11:13:44 AM EST
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There's lots of attention being paid to AT&T's decision to end unlimited use plans for internet data on phones and pda's and the iPad.

It's set to go into effect around June 7 when Apple announces the new iPhone. But, if you have a plan before Monday, you'll be able to keep renewing, at least for a while.

Current subscribers will be able to keep their $30-per-month unlimited plans, even if they renew their contracts. But starting Monday, new customers will have to choose one of two new data plans for all smartphones, including iPhones and BlackBerrys.

So if you've been waiting before signing up for the unlimited plan, this week is the week to do it or the option is gone. The other phone companies are expected to follow AT&T's lead.

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    AT&T to End Unlimited Use Pricing Plan | 10 comments (10 topical)

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    Yeah, Saw That (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 11:22:55 AM EST
    ATT is leading the way for gouging, from what I have read. Although, it is possible that now, most users  will not be affected, because they do not use that much data stream.

    ArsTechnica has a good article analyzing ATT"s new pricing decision, with comparisons and opinion about what this means.

    very simple for me ... (none / 0) (#2)
    by nyrias on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 12:19:21 PM EST
    don't do a thing so i can keep my unlimited plan with AT&T.

    Once someone else get the iphone (verison?) with an unlimited plan .. i am switching.

    What is your usage per month (none / 0) (#5)
    by ruffian on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 02:54:30 PM EST
    if you don't mind my asking? ATT claims 98% of the users use under 2gig a month. I'm at around 250mg a month on average.

    Parent
    i just checked ... (none / 0) (#10)
    by nyrias on Fri Jun 04, 2010 at 11:24:55 AM EST
    oh boy .. only 27M last month and 38M month before. I guess i am too harsh on AT&T when they are trying to save me money.

    Parent
    Go Android (none / 0) (#3)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 12:22:20 PM EST
    You can still get an Android phone with unlimited data.  You can choose your carrier from many of the large carriers -- you aren't tied to one.  You can choose your phone hardware from a number of different sources.  You aren't tied to whatever Apple decides your phone should be.  You can put data on the device via an SD card, copy your music directly to the card and voila, it's there.  No "ITunes," no big brother Steve Jobs telling you what you can install.  Oh, not to mention that most if not all Android devices HAVE an SD Card slot, whereas IPhones don't.

    The Android operating system source code is open source, meaning that phone hardware developers can modify the operating system at will to fine tune it to their hardware devices.  When will Apple open up their OS source code?  The twelfth of never!

    Apple has applied the same failed strategy they used in the PC market in the 80's, 90's.  While it worked for awhile with the IPhone, Android-based phone sales have now surpassed IPhone sales and I predict will continue to do so.  As other manufacturers develop "Pads" I predict those will also take over the IPad market.

    And while Android doesn't have as many apps in it's marketplace as Apple does, it's 30-50,000 apps should suffice.

    Droid seems to be the way to go....for now, especially if you're interested in unlimited data.

    Something for everybody (none / 0) (#6)
    by ruffian on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 02:56:34 PM EST
    god bless America!

    Parent
    The announcement had a few (none / 0) (#4)
    by ruffian on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 02:50:41 PM EST
    of us checking and comparing our data usage. Call *DATA# on your ATT phone and they will text you your usage so far in the billing cycle.

    A couple of us would save money with the new plans. We are well under 2 gig per month. $25 for 2 gig vs. $30 for unlimited would work for me. On average I am only a little bit over the 200mg, so if I have to cut the budget somewhere and really tried I could go with the $15 per month plan. Nice to know.

    One guy thinks he may exceed 2 gig per month but he's not sure yet.

    I'm glad to see them giving the moderate users a break.

    280 MB for the entire cycle for me. (none / 0) (#7)
    by mexboy on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 03:58:22 PM EST
    I'm throwing money away!

    Frankly, I think the data plan you are forced to buy with the Iphone is a rip off. Wi-fi is more than sufficient for me.

    Great point (none / 0) (#8)
    by ruffian on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 04:28:32 PM EST
    There should be a no-data plan, or a pay as you play for the under 200 mg crowd.

    Parent
    As I found out in Japan, smallest data plan (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 05:01:10 PM EST
    isn't enough if you don't carry a laptop and internet cafes have dried up.  Verrrry expensive to go over the designated plan limits.

    Parent
    AT&T to End Unlimited Use Pricing Plan | 10 comments (10 topical)

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