AT&T Rep declines to answer question of grandfathered unlimited data

[DiamondMac]

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19025553

Q: I was grandfathered into AT&T's unlimited data package when it stopped offering the option. Will I be able to keep it if I upgrade to the iPhone 5?

A: AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel declined to comment on this seemingly black-and-white question. Based on accounts from AT&T subscribers when upgrading from older iPhones to the iPhone 4, the answer appears to be yes, unless you're in the top 5 percent of data users. Losing a subscriber is the last thing any carrier wants, and if AT&T happens to refuse to let you keep your unlimited plan, an option you'll likely have is to switch to Sprint, which is expected to land the iPhone 5 and offers unlimited data. Another question may be whether you really need to keep the unlimited data plan, which costs $5 more per month than the 2 gigabyte plan. Check your monthly data usage because most consumers don't exceed 2 gigabytes. I use my iPhone frequently for e-mail and Web browsing and consume about 1.5 gigabytes per month. I always connect the phone to my home Internet via Wi-Fi to limit network data consumption. Andy Vuong, The Denver Post

 

[Potatochobit]

probably yes
I have the unlimited plan from years ago right now
but they may change policy
the service rep cant really answer the question if they dont know yet
this is still breaking news

 

[Trauma1]

It is going to happen, sooner or later. Unfortunately that's the reality.

What will really be interesting is how long Sprint will keep their unlimited plans for.

 

[PNutts]

It seems reasonable to not reply since the iPhone 5 hasn't been announced.

 

[Downdivx]

I checked my upgrade status at AT&T's website, and it had peculiar verbiage: "Some services on your current device may be replaced by similar iPhone services during upgrade."
(See attached screen capture)

Do I need to know my carrier situation to order from Apple on Friday? Could I change to a new Sprint account next week if AT&T announces that I'm no longer on unlimited data?

 

[zmulleni]

I am convinced that they have no idea what's going on over there. For a communication company it's quite ironic of the lack of communication throughout the company and it's representatives. Not real pleased at the moment.

 

[rhl]

how can i become an att rep?

 

[Givmeabrek]

Ha, ha...the iPhone 5 doesn't even exist. An AT&T rep knows next to nothing about the current phones. How the heck would he know what future policy would be.

 

[towboattrash34]

yes you can keep it when you upgrade... nobody knows about an iPhone 5 yet.
i have upgraded early since my ip 3.. and just upgraded from the 4 to 4s and still keep my same plan... Unlimited

 

[rosemary1]

I'd be willing to bet that the grandfather plan is contingent on using 3G. Assuming the iPhone 5 has 4G, they might use that as a way to force you to upgrade out of the unlimited plan.

 

[wickerman1893]

I'll indeed be very mad if they have to terminate my unlimited but it is what it is. In the long run it will benefit me. I'd only pay $25 for 2GB which I never go over instead of $30 for unlimited. But still, the title of having unlimited gives you peace at mind.

 

[einmusiker]

I think with LTE unlimited will cease to exist with iphone unfortunately. in that case I will be on android for life

 

[MisterDisney]

I get throttled every month and so does my daughter. It got so bad that I broke down and got a Verizon MiFi to augment our data needs.

 

[Mlrollin91]

If you upgraded to the 4S I do not think you will be able to keep unlimited going to the next iPhone. It now states that it is unlimited data for iPhone 4S. On previous iPhones it stated unlimited data for iPhone.

 

[Applejuiced]

I want to know about the iphone 8 and my unlimited data plan.
Let me call up AT&T

If you upgraded to the 4S I do not think you will be able to keep unlimited going to the next iPhone. It now states that it is unlimited data for iPhone 4S. On previous iPhones it stated unlimited data for iPhone.

That's because its for HSPA+ and the 4S uses different carrier settings for the faster AT&T 3G+ data.

 

[Daveoc64]

That's because its for HSPA+ and the 4S uses different carrier settings for the faster AT&T 3G+ data.

AT&T shouldn't need to do that to deploy HSPA+, if they are pushing out two sets of APNs then they're wasting their time!

 

[magicbrain]

easy

doesn't matter: you'll always be able to buy 5 at at full price

few advantages:
- keep grandpa plan (unlimited is worthless at the moment, but if class lawsuit gets filed ...) & $5 txt msging
- sell your 4 & pay about $300 difference
- keep terms of the current contract you've signed (e.g. not agreeing to throttling)
- ability to take your iphone to another provider at any time & not having to pay etf fee (have to get it from apple directly btw)

 

[Shadowbech]

As others probably have mentioned, if you are grandfathered to the unlimited data plan, you will always have that option when you upgrade.

My sister upgraded her iphone 3G to the 4S, and she still has the unlimited data plan.

Even though when you order from the apple online store, you will still have the unlimited data plan option to choose. While those who didn't grandfather it won't see that option. So don't worry and upgrade when the next generation comes out.

 

[deeddawg]

Umm... seems everyone's missing something about this old post.

Article is from October 3, 2011.
iPhone 4S was announced October 4, 2011.


They're talking about the 4S not its successor.