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AT&T iPhone Customers Can Keep Unlimited Data Plan for Next iPhone
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I currently do not have a data plan but was planning on getting one with the new iPhone when it is released. Is there any way for me to add the current $30 unlimited iPhone data plan to my account right now? Could I borrow a iPhone, call AT&T, and say that I now have an iPhone and to add the $30 data to my existing plan? Or maybe tell a rep that I just bought a 3gs online, which is in transit to me, and to add the unlimited plan to my account? I would be paying ~25 for the unlimited plan with my discount and will not be tethering, so why pay $25 for 2GB...
Really that really sucks
I was going to give my 3GS to my mom and buy the New iPhone 4/HD that going to piss me off i can't have my unlimited data for the new iPhoneby the way how do you know how much you use by the month of the data usages?
Yes, you could borrow a 3G/3GS and call to add the unlimited data plan. But if you want the new unreleased iPhone, from what the rep just told me, you have to change to the capped data plans because the new iPhone isn't a "qualified upgrade device" for the grandfathered plan. This would only allow you to get unlimited on a 3G or 3GS.
OK, thanks. Well, hopefully the rep is wrong..but it wouldn't hurt to try, I guess. When I borrow a 3G/GS, I can just pop in my sim and make the call right?
Ok, NOW, if I'm reading correctly, you're saying that those who already have an unlimited plan on an iPhone will NOT get to keep unlimited data if they upgrade to iPhone 4?
If that's the case, that's what I originally assumed when I saw the change (i.e., when you sign the new 2-year agreement, you get locked into the 2GB cap). HOWEVER, the original "AT&T iPhone Customers Can Keep Unlimited Data Plan for Next iPhone" makes it seem those who currently have unlimited data plans on their iPhones will upgrade to the same unlimited data plans with the iPhone 4, subsidized I'd hope.
For example, I currently own an iPhone 3G w/ unlimited data (though it's currently on eBay). What this MacRumors post seems to say is that when I get the iPhone 4, I will still have an unlimited data plan.
One more thing: If the reps you spoke to are even acknowledging a new iPhone, then I'm going to say that they aren't reliable sources of info.
I just called the 1-800 number again and another person put me on hold and confirmed that the unlimited data plan WILL BE REMOVED when you get the new iPhone. I specifically asked, "So there is no possible way to remain on the unlimited 3G data plan with the new upcoming iPhone?" and the rep said, "No, you can keep the data plan if you keep your existing phone or replace it with the same model, but the new iPhone will force you to use the tiered data plans."
That just blows. I can't wait until Verizon gets it... I've hated AT&T from the start and this is just a bunch of crap. $150 early termination fee, here I come!
One more thing I'd like to note:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/02/poll-technica-how-data-3g-are-you-using-on-your-iphone.ars
That Ars Technica poll shows average data usage for over 5000 iPhone users. 86% of people used less than 1GB of data, while 14% used more than 5GB. There isn't a 2GB increment, though I'm curious to see what the percentages would have been like
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/02/poll-technica-how-data-3g-are-you-using-on-your-iphone.ars
That Ars Technica poll shows average data usage for over 5000 iPhone users. 86% of people used less than 1GB of data, while 14% used more than 5GB. There isn't a 2GB increment, though I'm curious to see what the percentages would have been like
Again, you're quoting reps who acknowledge that there is an unreleased iPhone. No offense, but it hasn't even been ANNOUNCED yet, so I really can't believe a single thing these people say. Customer service reps will say whatever they think is true. There's the CHANCE that they've been briefed on the next iPhone; however, I feel like this would be a huge breech in Apple secrecy
I say stop wasting your time, as there is no point in speculating until next Monday if/when it's actually released. If you're going to try to circumvent the system, go for it. If they stop unlimited data for the iPhone 4, then it's something we'll all have to deal with.
tl;dr: 70% of people are pissed that AT&T would dare cap bandwidth, while 30% doesn't mind as most people don't NEED 2GB of data and it will improve network strength. Nobody has any real clue what's going on, and nobody knows for sure whether or not the unlimited data plan will work for CURRENT subscribers (i.e., if you have an iPhone 3G or 3GS and want to get the iPhone 4, will you keep the unlimited?)
The way I read it, it says you can keep your unlimited data when switching phones here the link http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703561604575282173014134754.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_emailed I guess we just have to wait next week and see what happens I really hope we do keep our unlimited data while we switch to the new iphone
If that should indeed be the case, there will be no additional / upgraded iPhones in our 4 iPhone household. Time to look at Android phones. FU AT$T. And FU Steve.
And if those android devices are going to be on Verizon then it will be a matter of time before Verizon switches over to this pricing model as well. They have already said tiered pricing is in their future.
How about letting me drop the data plan altogether
Hey Att if you are having bandwidth problems how about not forcing me to buy it. I really do not need the 3g service but have to pay for it. Never really understood how they can force us to buy something like that.
Or maybe instead or automagically charging me for more bandwidth if I go over my preset limit you block the usage.
Hey Att if you are having bandwidth problems how about not forcing me to buy it. I really do not need the 3g service but have to pay for it. Never really understood how they can force us to buy something like that.
Or maybe instead or automagically charging me for more bandwidth if I go over my preset limit you block the usage.
I have a friend who tethers her jailbroken iPhone. She used the crap out of it one month recently and still only hit 1.7GB.
Edit: I should point out she also uses it as an AP for her friends so it was 2-3 of them at a time using bandwidth. If you're D/L'ing movies, etc. that's one thing. Outside of that 2GB is a lot for the vast majority. If you're in the minority ... oh well. I suppose you could complain ... that would certainly prove you're a minority, right? Er, I mean "in the minority"...er, I mean ... hm.
The way *I* interpret what I read at Ars Technica is that those who are current iPhone users on a contract right now can continue to use the unlimited data plan and even renew their contract WITH THE SAME DEVICE. That is, the same iPhone that one has already got. The same device means exactly that, not the next-generation iPhone.
Those who have the 3G iPad who have already been using the unlimited data plan on their device will be able to continue that plan as long as they keep renewing it each month.....but if they allow it to drop or they make a switch, that's the end of it.
Oh yeah I took as it as Current AT&T smartphone customers, however, can opt to keep their existing plans indefinitely, even if they switch phones, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said. in that link I gave
Getting the 2% off the network or actually paying for the bandwidth used, frees AT&T up from having to spend money on additional hardware. It is a huge cost savings for AT&T. They would rather those over users leave their network if they are not going to pay their share, because one of them can be replaced by 10+ $15 a month customers. $15x10=$150 a month, which is much more than $30 a month. See how it is easy for AT&T to work this out?
The reality is the multiple is greater than 10. It is probably closer to 25 or 30. So with the same network infrastructure, for every 2% they get rid of and replace, their revenue goes up 1500% for data and costs stay the same.
When the new Netflix app is announced, a lot of you will be readjusting your data usage estimates.
I suspect most people of normal and regular data usage have access to wifi and do a lot of stuff on wifi, so such things will likely not have as much impact on the average user as you might think.
The ruined it by making it cheaper to own for 98% of their customers?
How is that ruined?
If you want 5 gigs and tethering it is $75 a month. It costs money, you can pay for it. As opposed to asking me to pay for it. Why should they charge $5 a month more to me and 20 other people here so you can have cheaper data?
Overage charges are pretty clear spelled out and nothing like the olden days of metered usage. You go over on the $15 plan you can RETROACTIVELY upgrade to the $25 plan. You go over on the $25 plan it is $10 for 1 more gig of data. Seeing as how you are paying $12.50 for the each of the first two gigs of data, paying $10 for the next one should not be a big problem.
Doesn't matter where the line was drawn, someone would be a victim of it. In this case it happens to be you. Moving the line wouldn't change that reality it would just make someone else who was right on the new line with their usage the victim.
Do your parents have wifi? Seems like something they might do from home anyways.. So not really an issue? Maybe they travel a lot I don't know.
This is crazy logic. So you used your phone 1 day outside wifi this month and extrapolated that if you did that for 30 days in a row it would be 1.2 gigs.
So even if you did something extraordinarily odd for you (spend 30 days on 3g only when you only did it one day in the last month), you would still be well under the cap and be paying less, you are ranting and raving about these changes.
That is your logic?
probably not. What they are doing is charging nearly everyone $25 a month for 2gb when most people probably use 250-500m now AND capture income for the future when the majority of users exceed 2gb/month due to new bandwidth intensive abilities of the devices.
+1 tethering with a 2Gb cap should be included for no additional charge for $25 a month. If ATT insists on charging more for tethering then it should be only $5 a month more, $10 max!! Spending $45 a month for data+tethering with a 2Gb cap is is ridiculous. I could have an iphone on the 200Mb plan plus an ipad on the 2Gb plan for only $40 a month and save $5 but with an extra 200Mb od data.