AT&T Introduces New Smartphone Data Plans w/3GB and 5GB Options

MacRumors · Jan 18, 2012

AT&T today announced new smartphone data plans with larger data allocations, the first update to AT&T's plans since June of 2010. The plans kick in this Sunday, January 22.

"Customers are using more data than ever before," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our new plans are driven by this increasing demand in a highly competitive environment, and continue to deliver a great value to customers, especially as we continue our 4G LTE deployment."

The smartphone plans include unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots, and replace the current $15/$25 data plans:

- AT&T DataPlus 300MB: $20 for 300MB, additional 300MB for $20.
- AT&T DataPro 3GB: $30 for 3GB, additional 1GB for $10/each
- AT&T DataPro 5GB: $50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot/tethering, additional 1GB for $10/each

iPad 3G users can now choose from one of three plans:

- The existing 250MB for $15 plan
- AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB
- AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

Current users can keep their plans, but as of Sunday, all new smartphone and tablet service contracts will have to use one of these plans.

Article Link: AT&T Introduces New Smartphone Data Plans w/3GB and 5GB Options

smallnshort247 · Jan 18, 2012

Wish I had the unlimited data before they took it away.

scott911 · Jan 18, 2012

Hi AT&T:

Does this change where unlimited plan holders (your best customers, remember) will be limited too?

nobleclem · Jan 18, 2012

Well like txt messaging there goes the cheaper plans. So if they are raising their rates on add on services... when are they going to reduce their rates on talk service? Because there are several of us that are using less and less of that.

I am glad I still have the unlimited data plan and the $10 txt plan.

andyplace · Jan 18, 2012

This is nothing but a price increase. If you have $30 unlimited -- why pay $30 to get stuck with 3 gig -- at least the $25/2-gig had some monetary incentive.

Stupid AT&T.

KPOM · Jan 18, 2012

So $50 for 5GB of tethering? This is almost starting to sound reasonable, but it would be nice if tethering were an option on the 3GB plan.

stoopkitty · Jan 18, 2012

what the ****? this is ********. we should start an internet wide protest against this

emvath · Jan 18, 2012

Thanks Att. You've made my choice (not you) for a new service provider much easier.

Consultant · Jan 18, 2012

KPOM said:
So $60 for 5GB of tethering? This is almost starting to sound reasonable, but it would be nice if tethering were an option on the 3GB plan.

It's $50 for 5gb tethering

bgribin · Jan 18, 2012

So there's no $40 option for tethering anymore...?

srxtr · Jan 18, 2012

This is their solution? To get rid of some of the cheaper options and make it even more expensive?

gg AT&T

Cathode · Jan 18, 2012

Honestly, they should have kept the $15 price point and bumped up the data limit from 250MB to 300MB as a courtesy.

Bumping up the rates with modest limit increases is just plain greedy. Thanks anyway, AT&T.

Watabou · Jan 18, 2012

So this is basically a price hike.

Does this apply to unlimited users as well? I have a 3GS that I pay $30 for the unlimited data. This won't change will it? And what if I decide to upgrade to an iPhone 5? Can I still keep my unlimited data or will I have to switch to the new plans?

nickn · Jan 18, 2012

Remember a few years ago when it was $30 for unlimited service....

backinblack875 · Jan 18, 2012

so instead of paying 10$ more to get 2GB instead of 250mb...i have to pay an extra 5 to get 50mb more???

W.T.F.

now if i want more data i have to pay twice as much for data i don't need for 3GB/30$-mo.

why not even a 500mb plan??

edk99 · Jan 18, 2012

KPOM said:
So $60 for 5GB of tethering? This is almost starting to sound reasonable, but it would be nice if tethering were an option on the 3GB plan.

Where do you get $60?? It is $50 for 5gb w/ hotspot. $5 more then it currently is for 4gb at $45.

longofest · Jan 18, 2012

MacRumors said:
Current users can keep their plans, but as of Sunday, all new smartphone and tablet service contracts will have to use one of these plans.

Does that mean that if you upgrade your phone, you have to choose between these plans (because getting a new phone means a new contract). That's a pretty big change from how they have been operating, which is basically if you like what you have, you can continue it.

I personally like my 2GB for $25 plan, and my wife fits fine under the $15 200MB plan. I really don't want to have to pay $10 more per month once we upgrade phones...

jlgolson · Jan 18, 2012

KPOM said:
So $60 for 5GB of tethering? This is almost starting to sound reasonable, but it would be nice if tethering were an option on the 3GB plan.

It's $50 for 5GB of tethering. The $50 plan has tethering/hotspot built-in.

PeterM11 · Jan 18, 2012

I actually really like this.
I always thought the pricing was weird before when it was $25 for 2GB. Now if I pay an extra $5 I get 3GB instead? Yeah, I'll probably do that. And instead of $45 for 4GB and tethering, now it's $50 for 5GB and tethering? Sweet. Also sounds reasonable. I like this. For once, a phone company changing their data plan setup doesn't really tick me off. Impressive.

kycophpd · Jan 18, 2012

So now I cant make a phone call OR use data.... Time to switch carriers.

joeshmo2010 · Jan 18, 2012

Omg it's a whole FIVE DOLLARS extra a month. Calm the eff down.

dagamer34 · Jan 18, 2012

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/9A405)

"We gave you more!!"

Fine print: But you pay more too.

Durendal · Jan 18, 2012

Ouch. I might just hold out until my contract expires, then switch to a different provider. Really, AT&T? Raise the prices? Brilliant move. The only way I'd even consider staying is if I can still grandfather my unlimited data, but something tells me that it won't be an option anymore.

Amazing Iceman · Jan 18, 2012

nickn said:
Remember a few years ago when it was $30 for unlimited service....

Yeah... This is getting worse each time. It's smells like ripoff more and more each day. AT&T is making lots of money juice by squeezing their users.

Good thing I have an Unlimited Data Plan on my iPad, too bad I don't have an iPhone, but with those data plan prices, I have no choice but to stay with T-Mo for a while longer.

SoldOutMatinee · Jan 18, 2012

AT&T Introduces New Smartphone Data Plans w/3GB and 5GB Options

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