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

[bossxii]

Well that makes my decision a no brainer, I was thinking about selling my wifi version for a 3G or leave ATT for the Evo. Thanks for making that one so easy. Bye, bye ATT. Yet another ******** move on a carrier struggling to keep up with the promises it makes.

I hope the iPhone ends up on VZW just to see a mass exodus from these idiots.

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

I hope in doing so they can't detect or mess-up my iPhone plan when I put my iPhone sim in my iPad

 

[submarine89]

I was waiting for that word to come out. Jesus, it has ****ing wifi built-in...

Brilliant. Why didn't the rest of us think of that? Glad I bought the 3G version with the knowledge that I had an unlimited data plan for $30 a month just so I could be told after 2 months to pay more or use the ****ing built in wifi.

 

[ryanzec]

Well this news makes me happy that I choose the WiFi only version (still BS tho).

 

[macconservative]

Well that makes my decision a no brainer, I was thinking about selling my wifi version for a 3G or leave ATT for the Evo. Thanks for making that one so easy. Bye, bye ATT. Yet another ******** move on a carrier struggling to keep up with the promises it makes.

I hope the iPhone ends up on VZW just to see a mass exodus from these idiots.

Of course the Verizon data plans are $44.99 for 5GB plus if you want tethering an extra $15 on top of that. If you buy your iPad before June 7 you will still be offered the unlimited data plan for $29.99

 

[moobey]

I've had my iPhone for about a year now and I'm only up to 1.1 GB downloaded from the network. I'd take this deal.

I wonder how long on average it would take to download 2 GB over 3G, counting only download time. I'm not sure how some of you could even stand to use more than 2 GB of 3G data per month.

 

[yyoo]

I just switched from an iPhone to tje jtc incredible on Verizon.
It is awesom actually having data coverage. Now I have coverage everywhere and a phone that handles flash, can download videos in the background, etc. I've discovered that when I'm away from WiFi I can use up to 1 GB in a day.
A limit of 2 GB is simply unreasonable. They should have made it 5gb cap for 25. That would have clarified the supposed unlimited while lowering the price.

Time for any serious smartphone or mobile device users to bail from ATT.

Unfortunately, you can count on other major cellular providers following suit in terms of tiered plans and the disappearance of the unlimited option.

Verizon already charges their MiFi customers $60/mo. for 5GB, with no unlimited option.

 

[macconservative]

Brilliant. Why didn't the rest of us think of that? Glad I bought the 3G version with the knowledge that I had an unlimited data plan for $30 a month just so I could be told after 2 months to pay more or use the ****ing built in wifi.

Current customers will continue to be offered the unlimited plan for $29.99.

 

[ryanzec]

I've had my iPhone for about a year now and I'm only up to 1.1 GB downloaded from the network. I'd take this deal.

I wonder how long on average it would take to download 2 GB over 3G, counting only download time. I'm not sure how some of you could even stand to use more than 2 GB of 3G data per month.

Stream a movies and your going to go over. AT&T did not change this for no reason but because the data usage probably is high with iPad so they are try to charge more for it.

 

[yyoo]

Brilliant. Why didn't the rest of us think of that? Glad I bought the 3G version with the knowledge that I had an unlimited data plan for $30 a month just so I could be told after 2 months to pay more or use the ****ing built in wifi.

You're grandfathered in. So what's your beef?

 

[ericmooreart]

By then you can be sure there will be other options (from other cellular providers).

In fact, other options exist already. Look into MiFi with Verizon or Sprint.

I looked into using MiFi with the wifi iPad before getting the 3g. Mifi is $260 + 60 dollars a month service fee.

The beauty of the iPad is the bang for your buck and compactness. Less stuff (and batteries) I have to carry around the better

Hopefully they will not kill the unlimited option. Just offer an premium or business unlimited plan

 

[bergmef]

Do you get more data if you sign up for tethering? If not, why does ATT care how you use your 'bucket of bits'? I assume the others do the same thing?

I must have missed something in the article.

 

[KarlOlsson]

Can't Download a 500MB Movie?

Really, I Downloaded a 1.4gb movie from itunes today, took about 22min....Jailbroken with 3g unrestricted.....and cloud or no cloud , streaming is still downloading , correct , data exchange! 2gb cap, I can eat that up in 1 day.....

WOW Att........

 

[bossxii]

If you were to bring Apple-levels of data usage to any carrier their network would crumble like at&t's.

Really? I find articles on several sites the exact opposite. Take off the blinders and think about the fact ATT has a small 3G footprint. There's clearly a map for that... They just want you to think they handle so much data, read this site and then make a comment.

Amazing how many apologists stand up for a company with average service and fails to deliver on two promises in just over a year. (tethering, now this)

 

[submarine89]

If you are an existing customer you will be allowed to keep the $29.99 Unlimited plan for the iPad.

One of the big selling points of the 3G iPad was that you could turn it on when you needed 3G and off when you didn't. $30 a month, month-to-month. Unless you can assure me that just because I own a 3G iPad before June 7th I get to keep the $30 plan, even if I turn off my 3G service for a particular month, then I call BS.

 

[yyoo]

Do you get more data if you sign up for tethering? If not, why does ATT care how you use your 'bucket of bits'? I assume the others do the same thing?

With tethering you can serve up a WiFi hotspot to multiple other devices. So suddenly your iPhone is serving up WiFi to your wife's PC, your son's Mac, your daughter's iPhone, and your iPad...all at the same time.

 

[rdstoll]

So this means no unlimited plan is being offered at all? How many people are going to go over the usage on the 2gb plan incurring huge charges?

 

[VanNess]

iTunes offers movie rentals in HD for iPad users that are otherwise unavailable to regular, computer-based, users (for example, Avatar). I haven't rented one yet, but I suspect that the 2 gig cap is going to be reached awfully quick if you end up renting one or two in addition to casual internet use.

Nevertheless, AT&T is so slow where I'm at (sf, ca), that I'm sure it will take just about one month to finish downloading one HD movie.

The big issue here is for folks who recently ordered their iPad (before the announcement) with the understanding that they were going to get the unlimited plan when it arrives. AT&T has set June 7 as the drop dead date for the unlimited plan, but there are going to be a lot of folks receiving their iPad after that date. Basically, they're screwed.

 

[Fraaaa]

In UK we got tariffs up to 10 GB.

I think your complains are a bit off in the case you are thinking on downloading movies from iTunes on the go, why don't you just do it at home on WiFi? If everyone would download entire series on 3G your network would explode.

I may understand streaming, but in my case I personally don't even bother with that as when I stream from YouTube in HD takes ages I just don't want to see the clip/movie in pieces.

You still don't have any other network beside ATT(for the iPad)?

 

[spazzcat]

The 3G iPad just got a lot less useful. 2GB/month is fine for the iPhone, but not for the iPad!

My first month of data on my iPad was 1.5G. I used the thing a lot, but did not stream a lot of video over 3G. How many people are really trying to stream video over 3G? YouTube is almost usess over 3G, the quality is so low it is almost unwatchable.

 

[Blorzoga]

Well after taking a few minutes to not get all wound up here is a realistic look at my situation:

2 iPhone's
1 iPad, soon to be 2 iPad's

So I'm looking at $120 a month for unlimited data on all 4 although my wife's we could probably get away with the 250.

With the new 'plan' and it does say existing CUSTOMERS keep their current plan, so even upgrading your an existing customer from what I read.

With the new setup $90 a month from $120 if I setup the Pro plan with tethering, 45 for each iPhone, drop the plan on the iPad and tether to the iPhone. I get the added bonus of tethering the Macbook and more importantly for me a backup now exists in case my connection goes out at the house.

I'd have to use 5gb per month on one device to see $120. There is no way my wife will use 2gb mostly because we work out of our house and when we're out working its together.

My bigger issue is I paid Apple $130 more for a 3G iPad and now find I don't need one if I can tether a 4G iPhone.

If this all turns out to be the case my iPad will be going back to Apple for a Wi-Fi. I've got until the 16th of June for my 30 days and I'd bet Apple will have a whole slew of people who can work a calculator wanting to return theres also.

I am half way through my month and I've used 442mb of data. I consider myself to be a heavy user of data, I'm in Jump Desktop at least 1 hour per day, I use it to surf at lunch and dinner. I do 80 percent of my email from it.

So to me this is a good thing which could save $30 a month, I have no use for watching video or anything like that over 3G nor do I care to.

My iPhone data useage has dropped to nearly nothing since getting the iPad since I generally carry around both devices.

Now I can take back my current iPad, get the wife a wifi and save $260 for a total first year savings of $620.

What about the restocking fee for returning your 3G ipads?

 

[jeff33702]

"Unlimited"

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

THAT is funny Inconcei...nevermind

SO, I think I've talked myself out of purchasing an iPad now. My dreams of streaming video over long road-trips have been squashed.

More importantly, a client of mine was leaning to iPads for their field staff. They intended on using Citrix receiver to stream apps from the XenApp server farm that I am CURRENTLY installing. I guess they will have to stick to their current laptops and SPRINT air cards. A loss for both Apple and AT&T, in this case.

 

[marksman]

I'd just like to point out that on my current cycle, I'm over 2gb with 20 days left.

So you won't mind paying for your actual usage and stop having me subsidize it for you correct?

 

[goosnarrggh]

And, happy to know it will work at the hotel/convention center to entertain 2 kids that had to go unexpectedly for 8 hours....

Many hotels include a complimentary high speed Internet connection in every room.

 

[kiljoy616]

That's an excuse to limit video iChat calls to wifi only. F'in at&t.

edit: wasn't paying attention, that this was about iPad, not iPhone

correction: F'in at&t.

that is all.

Now let see what they come out for the iphone?

I figure next revision will have same as iphone which means even more video conferencing, not something att can handle.