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AT&T Replaces iPad Unlimited Data Plan with 2GB Capped Plan for New Customers

Now, this is a perfect opportunity for Android based phones (not on AT&T), and for Verizon to make it's play. If they strike a good deal with Apple, look out AT&T, & look out for us existing AT&T customers (especially with FAN account discounts) in the future.
 
Bait and Switch = Lawsuits Galore

Can anyone say lawsuit?
I'm just waiting for the announcement about a class action false advertising (bait and switch) lawsuit and the thousands of cancelled 3G iPad pre-orders.
They've lost my iPad buy, and with these tactics, like with the original iPhone price drop, and constant lies from AT&T have me questioning whether shareholders will sue as well.

(This thread is not about the iPhone, and the iPhone and iPad are different the iPad is more video oriented which means higher bandwidth.)
 
Typical Response

If most on here who are upset would take a deep breath, analyze AT&T's announcement, and then compare their actual usage, they may be pleasantly surprised. I did, and I see I will actually save money.

In the USA Today article regarding the announcement, they stated 3% of the iPhone users use 40% of the data bandwidth in a given month. This tells me most are moderate users to whom the $25 per 2GB of data would be a savings. For myself, rather then spend $30 per month for the iPhone and $30 per month for the iPad, it looks like I can spend $25 each and have the cost over 3 months. Therefore I will personally save $130 in a three month period ($180 vs. $50 total for 3 months).

Suffice it to say, I am going to like this pricing plan!
 
Most people aren't saying it's bad for the iPhone but for the iPad which is video oriented this is a complete ripoff and a classic bait and switch.
 
I realize this may be a little bit off topic, but after reading all the comments (which I generally agree with) I couldn't help but wonder if we're all too addicted to our iDevices and less socially interactive. Streaming movies and all our media content to be hooked 24/7 into a cloud while we sit on the trains, no human interaction, just zombies plugged into the "cloud". When most kids are having to be taught proper Internet etiquette and as more adults are lacking the social skills necessary to communicate, it's all a bit dazzling that we demand more Internet connectivity, it's like heroine. Sorry, when it's described in these terms it's a bit... depressing...
 
Does anyone know how to view your iPad's data usage if you have the unlimited plan? I thought it was supposed to show you in the settings app, but I can't find it.
 
rick3000 said:
Can anyone say lawsuit?
I'm just waiting for the announcement about a class action false advertising (bait and switch) lawsuit and the thousands of cancelled 3G iPad pre-orders.
Click to expand...

Not defending or showing any support for this terrible turn of events (from we USERS point of view), but you- and all others slinging "bait & switch" around- might want to look up the definition. True bait & switch is baiting with a product priced almost "too good to be true". The switch is that when you go to buy the product, it is "out of stock" but you can buy this other product instead.

Today, you can still buy an iPad 3G- if you can find one- and get the $30 plan. You can get the "baited" product & plan all the way to June 7. There is no switch waiting for you for either the product or plan between now and then.

The closest one might argue for the switch is the implication that the 3G "use it when you want it" plan will disappear on June 7. However, that's a change of service, which I bet is absolutely laid out in the terms of use agreement with AT&T. Near crooked? Yes. Illegal? Probably not. Bait & Switch? No.

That said, are we really surprised by this? It is AT&T after all. When does AT&T do anything that benefits their users at their expense? Verizon will soon follow with the same kind of deal. Probably the other semi-majors too. When you can count the number of applicable competitors on one hand, there is rarely true competition. Users can't win in such pseudo-monopolies.

I had such high hopes that when the TV spectrum was freed up as part of the switch over to digital TV that players other than AT&T & Verizon would be able to get the spectrum, and thus be new competition. Even Apple & Google appeared to have serious interest. But, in the end... and no surprise... guess who bought up the vast majority of that new spectrum?
 
GaresTaylan said:
I know when I left Verizon I was able to get out of my contract because of the adjustment in pricing they made to their text and pic/vid messaging.

Wouldnt there be some sort of a loophole available with AT&T as well that would allow you to get out of their contract with the iPhone? Even though you would get to keep your plan that you have, as long as it could have a materially adverse effect on you... wouldn't it still count?

Maybe shady, but just thinking that if the iPhone 4G were to get announced for Verizon... would be an easy way to switch back to Verizon and null the ETF fee from AT&T.
Click to expand...

Since your existing data plan will be grandfathered in, I doubt it could be used as a loophole.


I just hate how they set those limits - I use more than 250MB a month, but way, WAY less than 2GB a month.
 
Bait and switch may not be the proper term, but it still feels lawsuit worthy. After Steve Jobs announcing the iPad is month to month so you can leave and come back and the price will be the same as before, this makes that false advertising.

And people that pre-ordered the iPad 3G and won't get it until after June 7th and planned on getting the unlimited plan are being completely sidelined, which is false advertising.
 
The unlimited data plan, in addition to being displayed on Apple's iPad website after AT&T's announcement, is also currently displayed at the Apple store iPad page


No-contract, 3G service.
In the U.S., 3G service will be available from AT&T. You can choose from two breakthrough data plans — no long-term contract required.

AT&T 3G data plans for iPad
Data per month Price per month
250MB/month $14.99
Unlimited $29.99

3G data plan FAQs

What are the 3G data plan options from AT&T?
There are two monthly data plans: 250MB or unlimited. There’s no contract, and you can sign up and change your service right on your iPad. In addition, AT&T data plans include unlimited access to over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at locations including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and more.

I have a feeling that Apple was completely out of the loop on this. Not only does AT&T screw it's customers, it screws it's partners as well.
 
The least AT&T could do would be to change their website :-\
 

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As I posted previously, Apple highlighted the affordable flexible data plan as an inducement to buy the 3G version. Therefore unhappy customer should have the right to return the product for this reason.

Considering how little time that version has been out, I doubt Apple would refuse such a request.
 
For those on pre-order, you can still get the unlimited 30$ plan for you will need to pay an extra one time 10$ fee. It's not ideal but its a work-around for the time being. Go to a ATT store, ask for an ipad sim card. Said you lost your original and never had time to activate it yet. After they sell it to you, go to the Apple store with a small pin, pop out the sim tray, swap the sims and activate your sim card. Voila... Just make sure you auto-renew and never forget.

I sure hope Apple wasn't in the loop, and from the fact they are so slow to update their web page I suspect they were blind-sided by this too.
 
I'm a bit confused. If I have have the 3g $30.00 option now on my iPad, will I have to keep it on permanently or can I turn it off for some months and come back later for unlimited $30.00 again.
 
By the way, Apple indicates shipping times of 7-10 days. So, anyone who orders an iPad today (or who ordered prior to today, but will not receive their iPad until after June 7) is SOL if they planned to sign up for the unlimited plan.
 
rick3000 said:
Can anyone say lawsuit?
I'm just waiting for the announcement about a class action false advertising (bait and switch) lawsuit and the thousands of cancelled 3G iPad pre-orders.
They've lost my iPad buy, and with these tactics, like with the original iPhone price drop, and constant lies from AT&T have me questioning whether shareholders will sue as well.

(This thread is not about the iPhone, and the iPhone and iPad are different the iPad is more video oriented which means higher bandwidth.)
Click to expand...

With the exception of those who ordered recently and won't get it before the 7th, I don't see how this is bait-and-switch. And even then, they can return it unopened to Apple for a refund.

There is no contract. There never was a contract. Therefore, there is nothing to force ATT to keep any particular pricing model with the ipad. While most of the time cell contracts suck for the purchaser, there is a down-side to NOT having a contract. That downside is ATT is not obligated to honor any particular price beyond what is already purchased.
 
essinger said:
As I posted previously, Apple highlighted the affordable flexible data plan as an inducement to buy the 3G version. Therefore unhappy customer should have the right to return the product for this reason.

Considering how little time that version has been out, I doubt Apple would refuse such a request.
Click to expand...

Sadly probably few will return the product (too many people are unaware of what's going on and will be unpleasantly surprised when they actually need more data) but it would be rather nice to see a mass return happening, to the point of making it on the news. This is going to be terrible for Apple's image of costumer relations since the device was clearly being marketed as being terrific for video. Multiple major content providers like Netflix and I think CBS intended to distribute their video through the iPad. Boy are they going to be disappointed.
 
VanNess said:
By the way, Apple indicates shipping times of 7-10 days. So, anyone who orders an iPad today (or who ordered prior to today, but will not receive their iPad until after June 7) is SOL if they planned to sign up for the unlimited plan.
Click to expand...

Not entirely true, see my post # 266
 
2GB???
what is that 2 netflix movies on 3G...
8 full length tv shows on 3g.

40 HD youtube videos?

Bad move AT&T. 5GB plan would be more reasonable.
 
I dont know why if you pre-pay with no contract with AT&T for 2GB on the iPad what you dont use at the end of the month goes away. I mean, when i use a pre-paid phone i get to use all the minutes i pay for. I guess what i dont understand is why i cant get what i pay for.

I mean, i get that most companies do it this way, i just dont agree with it i guess.
 
AT&T Strikes Again

I don't have a iPhone, but I purchased an iPad 3G. I consume quite a bit of data. This is a joke for the ones who purchased the iPad 3G for the unlimited package. I already receive $3 off the $30 fee from my business account. More reason Verizon looks even better when AT&T is reaching their price levels. Please go to Verizon, Apple!
 
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