Anyone else still grandfather'd into AT&T's unlimited data plan?

[nnacrumors]

$90 pretax with FAN corp. discount for my wife and I to have unlimited data, 550 minutes shared (rarely go over) and NO texting (SMS is dying a very slow death plus we use Google Voice when SMS is mandatory).

We get new iPhones every 2 years at $199.

Try and beat that with a mobile share plan - not possible

Same here.

$240 every 2-years for a new $200 phone (and $40 upgrade fee) on line #1
$240 every 2-years for a new $200 phone (and $40 upgrade fee) on line #2

$50/mo for 550 min (15% emp discount)
$10/mo for 2nd line of family plan
$30/mo for unlimited data on line #1 (15% emp discount)
$30/mo for unlimited data on line #2 (15% emp discount)

$103.50/mo total for voice & data for 2 lines.

$103.50 x 24-months = $2,484.

$2,484 + $204 + $240 = $2,964 total cost for 2-years.

No chance in hell any sort of Family Share plan could come close to matching that low price.

 

[lordofthereef]

Unless they kill me, unlimited data will never be given up by me. I still have my trusted unlimited plan ever since August 2007. Not planning on letting go, ever.

The last thing I want is a data cap that will seriously screw me over.

They don't need to kill you. They just need to stop offering it... AT which point you can either choose a data plan or leave to another provider (all of which are throwing their unlimited plans out as well, slowly but surely).

If the FCC decides they can no longer throttle I don't see unlimited sticking around. They will likely allow people in contracts to finish them (or just let you out of them with no ETF) and wash their hands of the "unlimited problem".

 

[Cool Pup]

I've been on a Verizon unlimited "web and email" plan since before smartphones and lately I'm fearing that the final nail in the coffin will occur to us. Once Verizon throttles, it's only a matter of time before we just lose the contract entirely and get offered some sort of "somewhat better than most" limited data plan that pales in comparison to what we have now.

I use about 11GB of data a month, so this is particularly of importance to me. I want to get the iPhone 6, but I'm nervous that shortly after I pay full price for the phone, they'll finally throw the hammer down and say that all unlimited data customers are no longer getting unlimited data.

This day WILL come, unfortunately. It's so ridiculous that in today's high-bandwidth, streaming world, we're locked into silly plans that restrict what we can even do with our devices.

 

[phillytim]

I'm still grandfathered with unlimited data, 450 minutes plan and a $5/200 texting plan.

I'm clinging to it with my claws, as these days I'm hitting 3Gb/month of data more regularly, and I'm not a video/music streamer. The current data plan limits are so archaic now, they really should raise them.

 

[haoledoc]

I think I'm finally going to ditch my unlimited plan. My wife and I rarely use more than 1GB/month each. It'd be nice to be able to tether and I might add my cellular iPad onto the plan too (I currently only use the T-mobile 200MB free plan on the iPad). I was also planning to go to Next so that I can upgrade yearly if I want to.

I figure that I don't use that much data anyway and if I ever start to use more I'll just be annoyed with the throttling. I might as well bit the bullet now. The new plans are finally at least competitive.

 

[rgarjr]

I'm still grandfathered with unlimited data, 450 minutes plan and a $5/200 texting plan.

I'm clinging to it with my claws, as these days I'm hitting 3Gb/month of data more regularly, and I'm not a video/music streamer. The current data plan limits are so archaic now, they really should raise them.

Same here, I don't stream video or music much and I hit over 3GB.

 

[b1scu1t]

I have the unlimited plan but barely use only about 2 gig every month., my wife is on the 300 mb plan but barely uses 40-50mb. I was tempted to go with the 10G Mobile share plan, but I noticed the fine print that the discounts for the 10GB plan are only for customers who pay for their phones with the ATT Next plan, and not te usual carrier subsidy plan.

Basically, my bill would go up significantly not due to usage but due to moving away from the subsidy model to buying your own phone plan.

 

[NikeTalk]

Think of giving up unlimited and going to the 10GB plan. Tired of being throttled. I've compared AT&T and Verizon price wise and I think imma stay with AT&T. Haven't really had any problems with them. But Verizon is offering 1GB free which I can burn thru in about 1hr

 

[mhdena]

AT&T is one of the best companies at honoring grandfathered plans, until that changes I will not give up my grandfathered plan.

 

[slippery-pete]

AT&T is one of the best companies at honoring grandfathered plans, until that changes I will not give up my grandfathered plan.

Same here

 

[drew0020]

Yes still have mine and will never give it up.

 

[sluggozmom]

I have mine too, and I'll keep it as long a I can. 3 iphones in the family, the others are 2GB and 3gb plans.
They use mine for Netflix and streaming when we are away.

 

[KisakiSama]

I was wondering what would be the best value for myself as well. At first glance, it seemed like the Mobile Share would save me money every month, but after factoring in what a new phone would cost on AT&T Next, my current plan with the subsidy would be cheaper. I'm not a person who has to have a new phone every year... I think if I wanted every new iPhone, then switching would be the better deal. But for now I'll just stick with my non-S release cycle and grandfathered unlimited data for as long as I can

 

[jav6454]

They don't need to kill you. They just need to stop offering it... AT which point you can either choose a data plan or leave to another provider (all of which are throwing their unlimited plans out as well, slowly but surely).

If the FCC decides they can no longer throttle I don't see unlimited sticking around. They will likely allow people in contracts to finish them (or just let you out of them with no ETF) and wash their hands of the "unlimited problem".

Luckily for me, AT&T has had the best track record (near 100% I believe) in honoring grandfathered plans. Hence, I know with them I'll be fine.

I do understand that new features like tethering will not be available to me, but that's something I can live with. Besides, the other device that I need mobile data is on my Retina iPad Mini, which already has a plan as needed.

 

[lordofthereef]

Luckily for me, AT&T has had the best track record (near 100% I believe) in honoring grandfathered plans. Hence, I know with them I'll be fine.

I do understand that new features like tethering will not be available to me, but that's something I can live with. Besides, the other device that I need mobile data is on my Retina iPad Mini, which already has a plan as needed.

Like I said, it's just a theory. IMO the simple fact that they tether is not honoring a grandfathered plan, but different people see it different ways. Curious to see what the FCC ultimately decides, for sure.

 

[sleepyking]

Still grandfathered and will not give it up as well like many of you.

Bill is ~$160/mo for 3 iPhones, 450 minutes, unlimited data and text

 

[Reminisce32]

Same here.

$240 every 2-years for a new $200 phone (and $40 upgrade fee) on line #1
$240 every 2-years for a new $200 phone (and $40 upgrade fee) on line #2

$50/mo for 550 min (15% emp discount)
$10/mo for 2nd line of family plan
$30/mo for unlimited data on line #1 (15% emp discount)
$30/mo for unlimited data on line #2 (15% emp discount)

$103.50/mo total for voice & data for 2 lines.

$103.50 x 24-months = $2,484.

$2,484 + $204 + $240 = $2,964 total cost for 2-years.

No chance in hell any sort of Family Share plan could come close to matching that low price.

Does ATT still offer iPhones for $200 with a 2 year contract?

 

[nnacrumors]

Does ATT still offer iPhones for $200 with a 2 year contract?

They do, but if you are a brand new customer then the only option you have is to sign up for the Mobile Share plan and pay $40/mo for each smartphone you have on contract (besides the data charge).

So say for example you got an iPhone 6 for $200 on a 2-year contract and picked the 10gb plan for $100/mo... then your bill would be $140/mo. If you have any other lines on the account that get an iPhone 6 for $200 then that will be another $40/mo added to your bill.

 

[Reminisce32]

They do, but if you are a brand new customer then the only option you have is to sign up for the Mobile Share plan and pay $40/mo for each smartphone you have on contract (besides the data charge).

So say for example you got an iPhone 6 for $200 on a 2-year contract and picked the 10gb plan for $100/mo... then your bill would be $140/mo. If you have any other lines on the account that get an iPhone 6 for $200 then that will be another $40/mo added to your bill.

I'm not a new customer—been grandfathered in with the unlimited data plan since the iphone 3. So I'll be able to upgrade for $200 after my contract is up as in years past?

 

[nnacrumors]

I'm not a new customer—been grandfathered in with the unlimited data plan since the iphone 3. So I'll be able to upgrade for $200 after my contract is up as in years past?

Yeah, you are able to keep your old grandfathered plan. I did this same thing just last year on one of my two lines for the 5s upgrade.

 

[smgord]

Keep grandfathered plan when buying unlocked phone mid-contract?

So -- I upgraded last year to a 5S with a full subsidy from AT&T. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan, and as I have only one line, it would cost me a ton to give it up. If I want the iphone 6, I assume I have to pay full price to get it either from AT&T or unlocked. Am I correct that if I buy it from AT&T full price, it renews my contract anyway? And it is definitely locked? I am thinking that is true and that I'd be better off buying it unlocked and not extending my contract. My fear is that they would take away my grandfathered plan, either right away or when my contract expires in a year. Has anyone tried this before? Am I misunderstanding anything? I get that I have a year to go on my contract either way; I just in theory would prefer an unlocked phone if it isn't going to cost any more, and I don't see any reason to extend my contract by another year in exchange for nothing from AT&T.

 

[makefunnyfaces]

My mom and I still have it, and they'll have to force us to give it up.

 

[wickedwahine11]

We have a family plan with 4 iPhones - two are grandfathered unlimited, two are the limited plans. My mom went over her 2gb limit the first month with her iphone, so no way would I give mine up.

 

[barkomatic]

So -- I upgraded last year to a 5S with a full subsidy from AT&T. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan, and as I have only one line, it would cost me a ton to give it up. If I want the iphone 6, I assume I have to pay full price to get it either from AT&T or unlocked. Am I correct that if I buy it from AT&T full price, it renews my contract anyway? And it is definitely locked? I am thinking that is true and that I'd be better off buying it unlocked and not extending my contract. My fear is that they would take away my grandfathered plan, either right away or when my contract expires in a year. Has anyone tried this before? Am I misunderstanding anything? I get that I have a year to go on my contract either way; I just in theory would prefer an unlocked phone if it isn't going to cost any more, and I don't see any reason to extend my contract by another year in exchange for nothing from AT&T.

If you buy from AT&T or unlocked for full price, it will NOT extend your contract. You will have to complete the terms of the contract you agreed to when you bought your 5S though.

I don't think your iPhone 6 will be locked even though you are still under contract for your 5S. Your 5S will remain locked unless you pay the ETF. If you get it from AT&T though, it may be locked initially and you'd have to put in a request to get it unlocked which is minor pain.

The official unlocked version in the past took about two months after the initial release to hit the market. I'm not sure about this year, but some people have purchased Verizon iPhones which come unlocked by default and taken them to AT&T. You'd just need to swap the sim cards.

 

[F123D]

Did the T-Mobile Test drive and service between ATT and TMobile were pretty much the same in my area. I'm almost ready to give up my ATT unlimited plan for T-Mobiles truly unlimited plan.