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tonester697

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 10, 2017
47
14
I got an email from AT&T stating on 11/1 that my Mobile Share Value 20 GB plan (w/ monthly rollover) was increased to 35 GB, with a corresponding $10/month rate increase ($100 to $110); now I can accept that getting another 15 GB for *just* an additional $10/month may seem like a good deal but on the other hand I never willingly selected nor agreed to such a rate plan change (unless there is some real fine print I neglected to notice when I first signed up for MSV), so what gives?
 
They can jack up their prices as high as they want unless you've got a contract that locks in the price (which don't exist anymore)

Prepay (monthly pay as you go with no contract) costs $55/month unlimited data for one line at AT&T
 
I think their $15/mo streaming video plan hasn’t been very successful. So they are increasing the rates by $10, hoping that you’ll add the TV plan for $5 more. It’s sneaky but there is nothing we can do without switching carriers.
 
I also have a 20GB plan with rollover and they didn't send me that email nor did they increase my data.

My son is a total data hog, so I could use the extra 15GB.
 
In my case, an additional $5/mo above the new rate gets unlimited data and the AT&T streaming TV. I'll probably go for it.
 
They did this to me a while ago; my 6GB mobile share was upgraded to 12GB with a small price increase. I think this is their way of raising prices while giving you something for the increase (which doesn't really cost them anything) so people don't complain.

I didn't really mind, myself, as I could use the extra data, but people on fixed income or with tight budgets may have a problem with it. And no there's no way to opt out. :(
 
In my case I'd have to upgrade all five of my lines (I'm currently on a MSV plan after all) to Unlimited; based on the pricing math and historical data usage it might not be beneficial from a cost standpoint for me to upgrade to Unlimited--as it is I currently pay $185 (factoring in the $10 increase noted in my initial post, but not including taxes and fees) for my MSV 35 GB plan and have never gone over 20 GB despite rollover (which was the cap on my previous MSV plan).

OTOH, if I were to upgrade to Unlimited then the minimum I'd have to pay (again, not including taxes and fees) for five lines is $150/month but that only gets me the barebones Unlimited plan (no Mobile Hotspot, SD (vs. HD) streaming); mid-tier Unlimited is $175 (this gets me Mobile Hotspot but still SD streaming), top-tier is $225 (Hotspot, HD streaming, live/On-demand TV, choose one premium music or movie service)--all three plans require Autopay and paperless billing to qualify for those prices, otherwise it's an additional $50/month for the lower two tiers, $20/month for the top-tier. However, if I were able to get my 25% FAN discount applied to the top tier plan then it would be worth it for me to switch...guess I'll go ask AT&T about that.
 
They can jack up their prices as high as they want unless you've got a contract that locks in the price (which don't exist anymore)

Prepay (monthly pay as you go with no contract) costs $55/month unlimited data for one line at AT&T

Even when there were contracts, the carriers reserve the right to change, eliminate, or increase prices on plans, so long as they have proper notice (through the bill, sms, email or snail mail). It’s in the terms and conditions most don’t read, but accept when signing said contract.
 
Is happening to me this month. I have not gotten an e-mail yet, but the ATT rep on phone told me my plan was going up $10/month. I currently have the 20 Gb plan/month plus rollover. Having 35 Gb would be nice. However, I did not ask for it. I guess it's time to switch.
 
I should remind everyone that these MSA plans are actually quite a good deal compared to AT&T's current offerings if you have 2-3 lines. I looked into the unlimited plans and they either have throttled video streaming (1.5mbps) or higher prices. Same deal with their remaining share plan which tops out at 8GB.

If AT&T tries to force me off the MSA plan eventually with higher prices it may be time to finally bail on them.
 
ATT not the most upfront carrier. Check other plans offered by ATT to determine plan that best meets your price and criteria requirements
 
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