AT&T Expands FaceTime Over Cellular Support to All Tiered Data Plans

[b_scott]

I still don't understand why people feel entitled to never have to evolve with data limits and new tech's needs.

Yeah you had unlimited, good for you. Things change. Be glad you've had it for so long and are still allowed to have it. Because it makes it a worse experience for everyone else.

 

[MrXiro]

So they finally decided to give us something that we should have had since Apple started allowing it and would actually make them more money when we go over our data limits...

gotta love At&t sometimes...

nitwits.

 

[Smith288]

I still don't understand why people feel entitled to never have to evolve with data limits and new tech's needs.

Yeah you had unlimited, good for you. Things change. Be glad you've had it for so long and are still allowed to have it. Because it makes it a worse experience for everyone else.

You're wrong. Your experience is salvaged by AT&T throttling heavy data users. And read my post prior to yours. Reasoned and logical.

I feel entitled to utilize my data in anyway I see fit up to the 5gb cap. Why is that such a bad thing when AT&T continues to offer me this grandfathered plan?

If I am allowed to stream Netflix to my heart's content, blocking Facetime just seems like sour grapes on AT&T's part.

 

[b_scott]

What a business approach this is. Basically a customer that walks into AT&T today can get facetime over cellular, but someone like myself who has been with the company for over 10 years, can't have it because I have an unlimited plan. Way to show how thankful they are for loyal customers.

yeah, you can. Just choose a tiered data plan and you can have it. If it's that important to you, then do it. Otherwise enjoy your obsolete plan while you can. It's a privilege, not a right.

 

[Smith288]

yeah, you can. Just choose a tiered data plan and you can have it. If it's that important to you, then do it. Otherwise enjoy your obsolete plan while you can. It's a privilege, not a right.

I would like for you to explain your logic then. If I'm capped at 5gb, what exactly is restricting facetime's purpose (or any variable service offered through the phone that uses data)?

The purpose is not to save the network or prevent overuse of data since they can simply cap my data access or severely limit it.

It's a very poor customer relation tactic to push the customer off of unlimited data plans. It's that simple.

If they truly want customers off the plan then DONT OFFER THE GRANDFATHERED plan. They want it both ways. You are being just as silly as AT&T is being.

 

[c1phers]

Would be nice to get tethering too! Why should I have to pay extra to use for data I already paid for!?

 

[thehustleman]

I've read through a lot of these comments, and I'm a bit surprised.. Not to be snarky or anything, but on Sprint I have unlimited, unthrottled data for a fairly competitive price.. But, based on all of your comments a lot of you aren't even considering Sprint as an option, just AT&T and Verizon. Am I missing something? I mean, in Orange County, CA at least, Sprint has better coverage than AT&T. Verizon does have LTE in the area already but I've been told we're getting it soon too.. I don't know. Any thoughts? Is anyone anti-sprint?

Coming from someone who sells verizon service for a living, sprint (if you have 4g) is the best deal in wireless unless you have some significant discounts.

I made the mistake of leaving because I was told LTE was "coming soon" and if I upgraded my evo 4g and it's 2 hour battery life (no exaggeration) to the galaxy S III I would be stuck on 3g until LTE was rolled out and I didn't trust sprint...



Well i made a mistake doing so. I left sprint which had a very solid voice network everywhere I went and I got signal even when traveling and went to t-mobile.

Now I can't get signal inside my home without using wifi calling, can barely get signal indoors anywhere, I mean granted data speeds are faster on EDGE than sprints 3G, but what good is it if you can't get a signal? Wish I stayed with sprint.

Verizon on the other hand has great coverage but you're paying MORE money to get less (data)

For the price you'd pay with sprint you'd only get 330mb with Verizon.

Blantantly trying to screw customers over.

It isn't that they can't afford it, if sprint, a company in financial perils but recovering nicely can afford unlimited AND charge less, im sure a healthy company like Verizon and at&T can do it and still thrive.

 

[tigress666]

and we prohibit providers from blocking
applications that compete with providers' voice and video telephony
services

Note that says compete with provider's voice and video telephony services. What video calling services of AT&T is FaceTime competing with? Skype I believe is Facebook's (or Microsoft?) and Google Hangout is Google's. And I'll admit those are the only video calling type services I can think of and maybe AT&T has one I'm not aware of. But before you can successfully sue using that clause AT&T has to offer one first.

 

[tbrinkma]

That is not what I said....if they were to pull unlimited from us mid contract I would walk, and I promise you I would not pay a termination fee.

Well, that's not what you said, either.

How is them keeping me on unlimited data, which was part of my contract, a gift? I agreed to maintain service for x amount of time....and they agreed to provide me with x amount of services. If they pull unlimited, I should be able to walk free.

Specifically, you didn't say *anything* about 'mid contract'. You also neglected to include the term of the contract as part of *both* sides of the situation. You didn't sign up for 'At least 2 years of unlimited', you signed up for '2 years of unlimited' and they have allowed you to continue to re-up the contract under those terms even *after* they stopped offering those terms to new subscribers.

They have, as a gift, *continued* to offer the 'unlimited' plan to people who originally signed up under it and have maintained it. Since it has been *more* than two years since they *stopped* offering those terms to new subscribers, I know that you are past the initial term of your contract and are therefore taking advantage of the 'gift' of being able to re-up with the unlimited plan.

Admit it, you were being deliberately obtuse, arguing that they *had* to keep offering you those terms, and got called on it.

 

[samcraig]

I think it comes down to a lot of people somehow feel entitled to have both unlimited data and every new service ATT offers because they are "loyal."

And yet these "loyal" customers are the first to say they would leave in a heartbeat if they are denied unlimited data. Perhaps they should look up the word loyal. They aren't loyal. Loyal would be sticking with ATT regardless.

I'm sure a subset of these people also believe that iOS 6 should run on their Original iPhone because they have been loyal to Apple and how dare Apple screw them just because they won't upgrade their phone

I accept that in order for me to keep unlimited data, I have to make concessions that those who have tiered/metered plans do not. That's my "cross to bear."

As I said before though - I do think that if you are on a metered plan (and yes I know the carriers play #s games on how much of the data you will actually use on those plans) that the data should be 100% yours to do with what you like.

That doesn't mean I condone illegal tethering/jailbreaking to circumvent ATTs rules. But I totally get any frustration customers have with paying for something that is metered yet not being able to use it the way they want.

Well, that's not what you said, either.



Specifically, you didn't say *anything* about 'mid contract'. You also neglected to include the term of the contract as part of *both* sides of the situation. You didn't sign up for 'At least 2 years of unlimited', you signed up for '2 years of unlimited' and they have allowed you to continue to re-up the contract under those terms even *after* they stopped offering those terms to new subscribers.

They have, as a gift, *continued* to offer the 'unlimited' plan to people who originally signed up under it and have maintained it. Since it has been *more* than two years since they *stopped* offering those terms to new subscribers, I know that you are past the initial term of your contract and are therefore taking advantage of the 'gift' of being able to re-up with the unlimited plan.

Admit it, you were being deliberately obtuse, arguing that they *had* to keep offering you those terms, and got called on it.

 

[VanNess]

I still don't understand why people feel entitled to never have to evolve with data limits and new tech's needs...it makes it a worse experience for everyone else.

Maybe because "new tech's needs" are pure baloney - unless if what you mean by "needs" is needing more subscriber money without any justification

In the wireless sphere, the two leading mobile providers currently enjoy significant market power and are utilizing it to further boost revenues as consumers increase use of smartphones and data by instituting tiered pricing. Though mobile providers may need to utilize some usage limitations on their network given greater capacity constraints as compared to wired broadband, the use of flat monthly caps makes little sense when congestion on the network is likely to be time and geographically limited. Instead, the decision by AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless to move users onto tiered plans and the current price levels are largely influenced by Wall Street demands to report ever-growing revenue and profit margins. Rather than effectively managing use of the network, data caps are a strategy for ISPs to increase their revenue per user. The result is that the average household is allocating more and more of its monthly budget to pay for mobile service. Since the economic crisis of 2008, consumer spending for wireless services has increased while in many other sectors it has declined.

 

[jtara]

It's about time!

Oh. Sorry, my bad. Reading too fast again.

I thought it said:

"ATT Execs Face Time for..."

 

[samcraig]

Maybe because "new tech's needs" are pure baloney - unless if what you mean by "needs" is needing more subscriber money without any justification

I'm curious (not that you are one of these people). But why do people champion Apple and their profits (and margins) but yet don't let other companies operate the same way (or hold them to different standards)

Genuinely curious. I know some people who get excited are stock holders of Apple. But not all of them.

 

[mattopotamus]

Well, that's not what you said, either.



Specifically, you didn't say *anything* about 'mid contract'. You also neglected to include the term of the contract as part of *both* sides of the situation. You didn't sign up for 'At least 2 years of unlimited', you signed up for '2 years of unlimited' and they have allowed you to continue to re-up the contract under those terms even *after* they stopped offering those terms to new subscribers.

They have, as a gift, *continued* to offer the 'unlimited' plan to people who originally signed up under it and have maintained it. Since it has been *more* than two years since they *stopped* offering those terms to new subscribers, I know that you are past the initial term of your contract and are therefore taking advantage of the 'gift' of being able to re-up with the unlimited plan.

Admit it, you were being deliberately obtuse, arguing that they *had* to keep offering you those terms, and got called on it.

you are still on this .

I was wrong, you were right....let the world go back to normal.

 

[Tbone999]

Those of us with unlimited plans are still left out... Bummer.

This is brilliant -- the only people who can afford to pay for Facetime over cellular are the only ones AT&T won't let use the service.

 

[Tinmania]

Let me get this straight. Your most valued customers have been with you since the original iPhone, with an unlimited data plan.

Most valued customers? You had better think again. They know that things like this, and throttling, will make some leave. They don't care. For whatever the reason they think coerced attrition is better than pulling the plug on unlimited outright.



Michael

 

[Tbone999]

yeah, you can. Just choose a tiered data plan and you can have it. If it's that important to you, then do it. Otherwise enjoy your obsolete plan while you can. It's a privilege, not a right.

What a bizarre way to look at this. It's not a privilege, and it isn't a right. It's what I pay for. It's not unlimited data if Im not allowed to use my unlimited data plan for any data.

It's just more of the phenomenon where I see that the more that I pay, the worse my cell phone service gets.

 

[samcraig]

This is brilliant -- the only people who can afford to pay for Facetime over cellular are the only ones AT&T won't let use the service.

Oh I'd love to hear this logic.

----------

What a bizarre way to look at this. It's not a privilege, and it isn't a right. It's what I pay for. It's not unlimited data if Im not allowed to use my unlimited data plan for any data.

It's just more of the phenomenon where I see that the more that I pay, the worse my cell phone service gets.

You pay the same as you did before. Not more.

Your cell phone service doesn't get worse - it has stayed the same. That is if you are talking features.

If you're talking about quality of service where you are - then I apologize...

 

[VanNess]

I'm curious (not that you are one of these people). But why do people champion Apple and their profits (and margins) but yet don't let other companies operate the same way (or hold them to different standards)

Genuinely curious. I know some people who get excited are stock holders of Apple. But not all of them.

The point of my post wasn't to "champion" one company's profits versus another. The point was that the perception of using data caps by wireless service providers in order to manage their network traffic is the reddest of all herrings.

Insofar as Apple's business and it's profits, that's another discussion and basically off topic here. (and I am not an Apple shareholder.)

 

[allebone]

I still don't understand why people feel entitled to never have to evolve with data limits and new tech's needs.

Yeah you had unlimited, good for you. Things change. Be glad you've had it for so long and are still allowed to have it. Because it makes it a worse experience for everyone else.

Hmm, probably one of the most illogical arguments, I've ever heard on the Internet.

Miranda Rights...just be glad you've had them so long.

Car Loan Contract: "Hey you had a 5% interest rate, but now its 10%, be glad it was that low for so long."

This is why people are so easily bowled over into thinking its okay to give up Second Amendment rights, etc...because they are just thankful they had it so long. I have unlimited data...yes...because I signed up for it when it was available, and they are contractually obligated to continue to give it to me as long as we have a binding agreement. Until I change the arrangement or opt-out of the original contract, it is mine. If they fail to offer it, that is a failure to meet a contractual obligation. If i decide that my tenant renter should pay more in the middle of their lease, I'm going to lose my keester in court.

Plus, technical advancements shouldn't mean I have to give-up more to participate, I should be getting more. i.e., Facetime is a newer technology for cellular subscribers, but so is HSPA+, LTE, and whatever is next. Its called an evolution. Being forced to change my plan to get what everyone else already has is like being forced to move houses to get USPS mail service. They have the technology to throttle, and they do it already, Facetime isn't going to change the bottom line.

Bottom line: AT&T has realized that it's their rodeo and we are just the clowns. Travel to any EU country and see how little power the conglomerate cell company has. The only thing they offer is data per MB and its up to you to figure out what its worth to you.

 

[samcraig]

Terrible analogies that don't remotely resemble the topic at hand.

And your contract with ATT for Unlimited Data has long since elapsed. They are certainly NOT CONTRACTUALLY obligated to keep giving it to you.

Out of curiosity - are you still using the same phone that you subsidized when ATT DID have unlimited data? Or have you upgraded? Because if you've upgraded - you're on a new contract. And one that they could have easily kicked you off unlimited.

ATT, despite your protests, is not obligated to keep the unlimited plan. They do so to keep a good bulk of their customers happy. But they are also a business and would like nothing better to transition people to tiered plans. So they offer you a choice. Keep your unlimited plan and you don't get new services offered or change to a tiered plan.

You DO have a choice. Just because you don't like the choice doesn't mean there isn't one. Nor does it mean ATT is forcing anyone. Or that they are obligated to keep unlimited data plans forever.

But good luck believing so. Maybe you should try suing them and see where that gets you...

Hmm, probably one of the most illogical arguments, I've ever heard on the Internet.

Miranda Rights...just be glad you've had them so long.

Car Loan Contract: "Hey you had a 5% interest rate, but now its 10%, be glad it was that low for so long."

This is why people are so easily bowled over into thinking its okay to give up Second Amendment rights, etc...because they are just thankful they had it so long. I have unlimited data...yes...because I signed up for it when it was available, and they are contractually obligated to continue to give it to me as long as we have a binding agreement. Until I change the arrangement or opt-out of the original contract, it is mine. If they fail to offer it, that is a failure to meet a contractual obligation. If i decide that my tenant renter should pay more in the middle of their lease, I'm going to lose my keester in court.

Plus, technical advancements shouldn't mean I have to give-up more to participate, I should be getting more. i.e., Facetime is a newer technology for cellular subscribers, but so is HSPA+, LTE, and whatever is next. Its called an evolution. Being forced to change my plan to get what everyone else already has is like being forced to move houses to get USPS mail service. They have the technology to throttle, and they do it already, Facetime isn't going to change the bottom line.

Bottom line: AT&T has realized that it's their rodeo and we are just the clowns. Travel to any EU country and see how little power the conglomerate cell company has. The only thing they offer is data per MB and its up to you to figure out what its worth to you.

 

[Tinmania]

Hmm, probably one of the most illogical arguments, I've ever heard on the Internet.

Miranda Rights...just be glad you've had them so long.

Car Loan Contract: "Hey you had a 5% interest rate, but now its 10%, be glad it was that low for so long."

Actually the nonsense above was, including the worst car analogy ever. By far.



Michael

 

[samcraig]

Actually the nonsense above was, including the worst car analogy ever. By far.

Michael

Sadly he could have gone with the recent Social Security tax change here in the US. But it wouldn't prove his point.

It was 2% less for two years - now people are complaining about the money taken out of their paycheck. It does suck. But then again - it wasn't meant to be permanent and yes - we should be happy that it lasted as long as it did.

 

[bassfingers]

As much as I think it's ridiculous how ATT treats its unlimited customers, I'm also shocked by the unlimited customers themselves.

First off, most grandfathered users I meet use about 300mb per month, and they are completely convinced they "need" unlimited data.

Also, the users that take advantage of their unlimited plan could probably buy the same amount of data on a share everything plan for about the same amount of money.

The vast majority of the time, unlimited customers could save money and get new features if they'd just give up their unlimited plans

 

[samcraig]

I agree. Personally I just keep it as a safety net. I don't complain about what I am and am not getting because I don't think I have personally sacrificed anything by keeping it. My service is the same and I've never been throttled.

As much as I think it's ridiculous how ATT treats its unlimited customers, I'm also shocked by the unlimited customers themselves.

First off, most grandfathered users I meet use about 300mb per month, and they are completely convinced they "need" unlimited data.

Also, the users that take advantage of their unlimited plan could probably buy the same amount of data on a share everything plan for about the same amount of money.

The vast majority of the time, unlimited customers could save money and get new features if they'd just give up their unlimited plans