I doubt it. The user experience is the same, the non-technorati will hear and believe there is actually a lower cost data plan, and the vast majority will never hit the 2GB limit anyway.
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AT&T Replaces iPad Unlimited Data Plan with 2GB Capped Plan for New Customers
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I doubt it. The user experience is the same, the non-technorati will hear and believe there is actually a lower cost data plan, and the vast majority will never hit the 2GB limit anyway.
I feel your pain.
Nonetheless, since the "Switch" plan is just as contract-free as was the "Bait" plan, I'm not sure the motivation for eliminating the contract requirement on the Bait plan was to be able to change the plan. UNLESS...they are planning on changing it again!
Nope - the network can't cope with unlimited data for everyone.
Its reality.
So they capped the offer. You can take issues with the laws of economics in the provision of telecoms networks - but the reality is that the networks are not unlimited.
Don't know - are you?
Simple question - if everyone used the same bandwidth as you - could the network handle it?
Entitlement.
Just because something is possible, doesn't mean it is your divine right.
Sometimes the needs of the wider community need to be considered in a finite environment.
I would be pissed if I just ordered one and planned on using the unlimited after June 7th... What a mess ...
I wish Apple would get the hell away from AT&T ... I don't know that another carrier would be better - but couldn't be worse.
I am a little biased I guess, because I had bought an iPhone when they first came out,
and the service was so bad, couldn't even make calls from work or home with it ~ and it was a great phone - I know people who kept their iPhones and just put up with dropped calls, and bad reception - I'm just not like that, silly me, I want to have a cool phone AND be able to make/receive calls.
I wish Apple would get the hell away from AT&T ... I don't know that another carrier would be better - but couldn't be worse.
I am a little biased I guess, because I had bought an iPhone when they first came out,
and the service was so bad, couldn't even make calls from work or home with it ~ and it was a great phone - I know people who kept their iPhones and just put up with dropped calls, and bad reception - I'm just not like that, silly me, I want to have a cool phone AND be able to make/receive calls.
And what exactly is the other tablet competition and how exactly are the wireless data connectivity options any better?
Actually entitlement is the issue here. When someone takes your money for a product, you are entitled to have it function in the manner advertised.
The solution is very simple. Apple just accepts return for the 3G iPad from customers unhappy with the new data plans.
Agreed. On all counts.
And as existing customers will keep the unlimited plan - there can't be many people who will be returning items they haven't already received that won't be registered before the rules change.
Arg At&t
I've tried to defend AT&T's discussions in the past, but this is just lame! It does seem like they took people for a fast one with the iPad data rates. Only 2 months.. come on! They could have waited at least a 1/2 a year.
I wonder if this is all new to Steve Jobs as it is new to us? I wonder if he read the news report at his desk and yelled WTF!?!
They claim 98% of users use under 2GB a month, if so then why bother changing it... unless you know there is a new revolutionary
device coming out that will for sure bump that 98% down and increase the % of users that use more then 2GB.
They should just go to teired pricing.
1GB - $15
2Gb - $25
4GB - $35
5GB - $45
So on.
We should all be on a stacked rate plan. You shouldn't have a choices of data packages they should say all data is tiered, period. where ever you fall in the month is what you pay. It would make more sense.
I've tried to defend AT&T's discussions in the past, but this is just lame! It does seem like they took people for a fast one with the iPad data rates. Only 2 months.. come on! They could have waited at least a 1/2 a year.
I wonder if this is all new to Steve Jobs as it is new to us? I wonder if he read the news report at his desk and yelled WTF!?!
They claim 98% of users use under 2GB a month, if so then why bother changing it... unless you know there is a new revolutionary
device coming out that will for sure bump that 98% down and increase the % of users that use more then 2GB.They should just go to teired pricing.
1GB - $15
2Gb - $25
4GB - $35
5GB - $45
So on.
We should all be on a stacked rate plan. You shouldn't have a choices of data packages they should say all data is tiered, period. where ever you fall in the month is what you pay. It would make more sense.
Agreed. And, AT&T says that they are doing this to make the data plans more affordable?? Really? Then why aren't they also offering an unlimited plan? They are so full of BS. All of this posturing by AT&T with this move and the new higher ETF with the iphones says one thing. They are both going to other networks.
The problem with data caps is unlike voice caps, data needs can and will change. These "smartphones" are babies much the same way a 286 was a baby computer compared to an i7 machine today.
Let's think about it this way - imagine in 1998, if they decided that since the average person might be able to pull 500mb down over dialup, that it was agreed that internet would be capped at 500mb a month. They'd probably be capping you at 1-2gb a month now!
In the next few years (especially with video calls and tv on phones) 2gb will look like a real joke. And you know, AT&T will be raping your wallet for that.
Let's think about it this way - imagine in 1998, if they decided that since the average person might be able to pull 500mb down over dialup, that it was agreed that internet would be capped at 500mb a month. They'd probably be capping you at 1-2gb a month now!
In the next few years (especially with video calls and tv on phones) 2gb will look like a real joke. And you know, AT&T will be raping your wallet for that.
smileyborg said:
Hmmm I just downloaded 500MB of video over wifi on my iPad. Took 3 minutes. Hardly forever.
As for 3G, 500MB where I am located would take about 45-50 minutes. Still not bad. And most people would be STREAMING that video, so 3G is more than enough for that.
It is also reality that AT&T knew all of these issues BEFORE offering an unlimited data plan. They offered something knowing full well that they could not realistically provide what they were offering. How is that our fault.
Your points noted above are correct, but they all existed well before the iPad plan was offered.
Bait and Switch
Call me a conspiracy nut but the long and short of this reeks of a straight ***** Bait and Switch.
YAY to me for waiting for the 3G iPad a month later just to find out a month after that I am losing one of the driving aspects of the plan.
I travel ... a lot ... and use (or planned to) way more than 2 gigs.
Color me pissed.
Call me a conspiracy nut but the long and short of this reeks of a straight ***** Bait and Switch.
YAY to me for waiting for the 3G iPad a month later just to find out a month after that I am losing one of the driving aspects of the plan.
I travel ... a lot ... and use (or planned to) way more than 2 gigs.
Color me pissed.
I'll definitely be contacting AT&T via snail mail and email this week. If they don't up the iPad data plan to at least 5GB (I could live with that, although it's still a 'bait and switch'), I will gladly move my phone contract to Sprint or Verizon ASAP.
I think if enough iPad customers threaten to switch their phone service AT&T might be a bit more flexible with their iPad data plan.
I spent the extra money on the 3G device because they advertised I could take or leave the unlimited 3G service on a month to month basis. To change their service plan so soon is a very bad business move.
And although AT&T is likely 99% responsible for this, Apple needs to be held accountable as well. Selling this service, Apple should have had some sort of idea (perhaps they did) as to how long AT&T could offer $30 unlimited per month, with the option to cancel and restart service under those same terms.
Pressure both AT&T and Apple, and let's see if we can get any favorable results.
NOTE: I am not recommending everyone flood Steve w/ emails, but if one of the moderators or long term members would like to craft an email we could all sign (petition form), I think it would be great to have something like that sent to him.
I think if enough iPad customers threaten to switch their phone service AT&T might be a bit more flexible with their iPad data plan.
I spent the extra money on the 3G device because they advertised I could take or leave the unlimited 3G service on a month to month basis. To change their service plan so soon is a very bad business move.
And although AT&T is likely 99% responsible for this, Apple needs to be held accountable as well. Selling this service, Apple should have had some sort of idea (perhaps they did) as to how long AT&T could offer $30 unlimited per month, with the option to cancel and restart service under those same terms.
Pressure both AT&T and Apple, and let's see if we can get any favorable results.
NOTE: I am not recommending everyone flood Steve w/ emails, but if one of the moderators or long term members would like to craft an email we could all sign (petition form), I think it would be great to have something like that sent to him.
30$. Verizon is 30$. Stop with the nonsense. 45$ is for business users only.
What is upsetting me is not the unlimited rates, it is the chance to start and stop. I only need 3g coverage when I travel, I can do without it at home. It is the fact that I could use it one month, stop it, and restart whenever I needed that made me wait for the 3g version and pay the extra amount. To reneg on that deal in such a short time is so wrong. To top it all I have to hear from someone that I am so gullible, sheesh.
lol. Well, I have a feeling that all mobile devices on AT&T will soon be enjoying these new gifts.
It's funny, Apple singlehandedly keeps ATT afloat and as soon as the mention opening it up to other partners, they screw Apple and their users.
This is starting to feel like a bad divorce, using the kids as collateral.
I've tried to defend AT&T's discussions in the past, but this is just lame! It does seem like they took people for a fast one with the iPad data rates. Only 2 months.. come on! They could have waited at least a 1/2 a year.
I wonder if this is all new to Steve Jobs as it is new to us? I wonder if he read the news report at his desk and yelled WTF!?!
They claim 98% of users use under 2GB a month, if so then why bother changing it... unless you know there is a new revolutionary
They should just go to teired pricing.
1GB - $15
2Gb - $25
4GB - $35
5GB - $45
So on.
We should all be on a stacked rate plan. You shouldn't have a choices of data packages they should say all data is tiered, period. where ever you fall in the month is what you pay. It would make more sense.
Why bother changing? Because they want more customers, so they made the ability to own a smartphone and an iPhone specifically, much more affordable.
$15 plan to get data on a device like the iPhone is amazing.
The fact that almost all their customers get a lower price and they lower overall usage on their network is awesome.
This is nothing but positive for almost everyone who has an iPhone on AT&T. It only negatively impacts a small number of people...
That is why it is so weird to see so many people irrationally complaining.
I think the iPad thing is a raw deal, but in terms of the iPhone... it is nothing but good.
As i opined in an earlier post:
Early adopters get their promise kept - those that haven't bought yet haven't lost anything they haven't paid for.
Unlimited 3G is as unrealistic as having no speed limits on roads.
Fine in principle for most people - but spoiled by idiots in reality.
For once the early adopters get the best deal. They deserve a break
And besides paying another £10 per 2Gb over the tariff sounds fair for those rare occasions when you need to hammer the 3g networks.
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Wonder what would happen in everyone in a single hotel block fired up an iPad and started streaming a hi-def movie. Could they take out the signal for the entire area?
iPad users don't have access to the "overage" rates, they have to just start another 2gb $25 plan for the next 30 days. The downside of prepaid.
2gb or 30 days, whichever comes first. Buy again, repeat.