AT&T to Begin Offering Shared Data Plans in Late August

[mantan]

The problem as I see it is that a utility company should not be entitled to make 30-40% profit margins on a necessity. I would argue cable television is a frivolous privilege (especially with the amount of crap on it), gasoline does not have that much margin. At one time you could argue cell phones were a luxury. But given they and the internet are now people's increasingly only choice to communicate (landlines are to be phased out in the next decade), it does seem that the European model is better which is to control the infrastructure and let companies compete on price to access.

If you argue cable is a frivolous privilege...I'd have to go the same route for an iPhone with a data plan. (sort of like comparing over the air TV to cable/satellite)

There are plenty of cheap cell phones around...and plenty of cheap cell plans to go with them. But I don't think hi speed data access through a $700 phone that's being subsidized by a cell company would quality as a primary needs utility....

I do agree our approach to dividing up the spectrum and encouraging wasteful competition on infrastructure was a big mistake. But that horse has been of the barn a long time.

 

[geniusj]

Once T-Mobile is done with its spectrum refarming this year, you guys should have some much cheaper prepaid and postpaid options. The network will vary depending on your area though. They are great for me in CA, but are terrible in the tri-state area, it seems.

 

[richard4339]

At least AT&T is offering this as an option....I like choices.

Verizon is forcing this onto their customers.

That's the surprising thing to me too. Hopefully Verizon will pick up on this too.

 

[tasset]

in europe you have to buy your own iphone for $650 plus 20% VAT. tim cook even said he was in favor of the US contract model because it hides the cost of the device and lets apple maintain their prices

I'm actually for the European model and paying full price. It doesn't hide the math of the true device price, which is what I'm sure Apple loves. I remember 5 years ago here how the yokels choked on the $600 original iPhone price.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

If tethering is included, why would anyone pay a fee to add a tablet or computer to their plan?

Because if you have a 3G or LTE-equipped tablet, and are on a contract, I presume it may be cheaper to just pay the monthly access fee and lump data use of that device into the overall shared plan.

Like anything else...YMMV. For some users, it makes sense. For others, not so much.

 

[alent1234]

I'm actually for the European model and paying full price. It doesn't hide the math of the true device price, which is what I'm sure Apple loves. I remember 5 years ago here how the yokels choked on the $600 original iPhone price.

original iphone was a $600 toy that could surf the internet away from a computer and let you check email on a big screen.

2012 an iphone 4 is good enough for 90% of people. you don't need dual core to listen to music or almost anything.

 

[greytmom]

Because if you have a 3G or LTE-equipped tablet, and are on a contract, I presume it may be cheaper to just pay the monthly access fee and lump data use of that device into the overall shared plan.

Like anything else...YMMV. For some users, it makes sense. For others, not so much.

I guess I didn't realize that there were iPads on contract. I bought mine outright.

 

[tasset]

If you argue cable is a frivolous privilege...I'd have to go the same route for an iPhone with a data plan. (sort of like comparing over the air TV to cable/satellite)

There are plenty of cheap cell phones around...and plenty of cheap cell plans to go with them. But I don't think hi speed data access through a $700 phone that's being subsidized by a cell company would quality as a utility....

I do agree our approach to dividing up the spectrum and encouraging wasteful competition on infrastructure was a big mistake. But that horse has been of the barn a long time.

Fair enough, good points on the hispeed and $700 price. I wish though the top tier providers (AT&T/Verizon) didn't have such a ridiculous amount of the market though, the 'cheap' options are almost choked out of existence. I.E. Tmobile and Sprint and regional carriers.

 

[cvaldes]

I'm actually for the European model and paying full price. It doesn't hide the math of the true device price, which is what I'm sure Apple loves. I remember 5 years ago here how the yokels choked on the $600 original iPhone price.

Well, this is available here in the USA. Just buy the factory-unlocked iPhone directly from Apple at the unsubsidized full retail price.

Then get a Straight Talk SIM ($45 for unlimited talk, text, and anecdotally about 2GB of cellular data). No contract, cancel whenever you want.

The cost analysis has been presented many times before by MacRumors commenters, it's a bargain compared to anyone paying $70 or more per month for a contract plan that covers an iPhone subsidy.

 

[SVT Amateur]

Guess I'm One of the Few This Will Benefit

So, I just calculated our base charges before discounts and other charges.

We currently pay $214.98 for 550 Shared Minutes and unlimited messenging for 3 iPhones with 2 of the iPhones having the 4 GB data plan w/ tethering and 1 having the normal 2 GB data plan.

After looking at our data usage for the last month, the most we would have ever used all together would have been 4 GB of data. This means I can go to the 6 GB shared data plan and only pay $195 instead of the $214.98 we currently pay - but yet also get unlimited anytime minutes (we have gone over our plan before but thankfully we had rollover minutes).

If I want to add our two iPads on that means I will be paying $215 - the same price I was paying before - but I get unlimited minutes with just a lower cap on data (which we won't really use anyway).

I understand that if AT&T is replacing family plans with these new shared plans it will definitely increase their revenue and cost most people more money - but for those of use who use tethering on more than one device it seems to be like a good deal - or at least a better deal than what we were getting before.

 

[tasset]

Well, this is available here in the USA. Just buy the factory-unlocked iPhone directly from Apple at the unsubsidized full retail price.

Then get a Straight Talk SIM ($45 for unlimited talk, text, and anecdotally about 2GB of cellular data). No contract, cancel whenever you want.

The cost analysis has been presented many times before by MacRumors commenters, it's a bargain compared to anyone paying $70 or more per month for a contract plan that covers an iPhone subsidy.

I'm aware of it. I put my wife and brother on it just last week. I don't care for their vague terms on data usage though (unlimited, but reserve the right to terminate without notice if you stream YouTube, Netflix, etc).

 

[Digidesign]

(what goes through my head while reading their price chart)

Me: The game's up AT&T! You're trying to charge more than I currently pay.

ATT: Oh yeah? $120+$30+$30+$20+10 = $210

Me: Even if you were right, that'd be $120+$30+$20+$10+$30, not $120+$30+$30+$20+10.

ATT: Fine! $120+$30+$20+.... shut up! The point is, we're chargin' more and guess who's gonna pay?

(chandelier falls)

 

[tasset]

So, I just calculated our base charges before discounts and other charges.

We currently pay $214.98 for 550 Shared Minutes and unlimited messenging for 3 iPhones with 2 of the iPhones having the 4 GB data plan w/ tethering and 1 having the normal 2 GB data plan.

After looking at our data usage for the last month, the most we would have ever used all together would have been 4 GB of data. This means I can go to the 6 GB shared data plan and only pay $195 instead of the $214.98 we currently pay - but yet also get unlimited anytime minutes (we have gone over our plan before but thankfully we had rollover minutes).

If I want to add our two iPads on that means I will be paying $215 - the same price I was paying before - but I get unlimited minutes with just a lower cap on data (which we won't really use anyway).

I understand that if AT&T is replacing family plans with these new shared plans it will definitely increase their revenue and cost most people more money - but for those of use who use tethering on more than one device it seems to be like a good deal - or at least a better deal than what we were getting before.

Yes I'm sure there are instances savings, particularly people like you who were not only paying for data already but a 2nd charge (tethering) just to access the data bucket you had paid for!

 

[vpro]

That's what we all want.

But there's no money in giving us what we want

---

I think tmob used to (still does?) offer a $30/month unlimited data-only SIM for BB customers. Now _that_ would be perfect (slotted into a non-BB phone, of course )

it's okay to not make obvious remarks, it's worse to justify the corporate overlords over taking over bearing ways on ALL of us. its okay to say well then don't use any of the services, shove it up their USBS or something like that.

we're all in the gunk together.

it isn't a real plan at all this stuff.

its obviously all meant to keep them in business for the least service, so if you are aware then completely cut off.

OR - do what I do and yell really loudly into the phone at the right people way above the call centre people works like a charm everytime, when I did have phone/data plan I managed to scream my way to a 15 dollars a month plan all INCLUDED EVERYTHING plan no contract and a free phone after only 1 hour 45 min on the phone via free wifi in a library.

To add, as to the advice above, you have to have been like me and EARNED 3 years of loyalty rewards and have been an obedient subservient to their 3 year contract plan to get sweet azz deals like the mentioned above. Once you prove to them you are never late on bills and you are using the plan as it should be, wow they treat you like royalty, well almost. it's those who don't know anything about the plans and just buy anything they tell ya to that they LOVE LOVE LOVE the most. Fact.

 

[Che Castro]

Somebody help me with my math

Im on the 550 minute plan . 2 iPhones , 3gb plan for one and the other is 200mb, no text plan

I get a $12 fan discount so my total bill last month was $110

If i go for the 1gb share data 2 iphones , will i pay more?

Also in 2 years i have not gone over 1gb of data i checked & the other iPhone less then 200mb is enough

I did one time go over the 550 minutes


I do text a lot but i use google voice & i hate it but is free

 

[jman240]

I didn't think they would still have it. This was several years ago, when people still used BBs.

If you want to drop to 100 minutes then Tmobile does have a $30 plan that gives unlimited texts and data. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

I have a co-worker who is on this plan but he uses a Galaxy Nexus unlocked from Google Play store so he paid $400 for the phone ($350 now) and then pays $30 a month for his phone plan. I am envious...

----------

Somebody help me with my math

Im on the 550 minute plan . 2 iPhones , 3gb plan for one and the other is 200mb, no text plan

I get a $12 fan discount so my total bill last month was $110

If i go for the 1gb share data 2 iphones , will i pay more?

Also in 2 years i have not gone over 1gb of data i checked & the other iPhone less then 200mb is enough

I did one time go over the 550 minutes

Easy.

1gb plan = $40
Each phone = $45

You would pay $40+$45+$45 = $130

 

[Che Castro]

If you want to drop to 100 minutes then Tmobile does have a $30 plan that gives unlimited texts and data. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

I have a co-worker who is on this plan but he uses a Galaxy Nexus unlocked from Google Play store so he paid $400 for the phone ($350 now) and then pays $30 a month for his phone plan. I am envious...

----------



Easy.

1gb plan = $40
Each phone = $45

You would pay $40+$45+$45 = $130

No fan discount?

 

[Che Castro]

Also if i go over the 1gb by 50mb is $15 fee?

 

[ToomeyND]

What types of data does this include, ATT?

 

[jman240]

No fan discount?

Well as we don't know what parts would be discounted then no, I can't calculate that. But.. The fan discount usually just evens out with the taxes and fees so $130 is a good rough estimate either way...

----------

Also if i go over the 1gb by 50mb is $15 fee?

Yes

 

[ericrwalker]

Also if i go over the 1gb by 50mb is $15 fee?

Yes, these plans don't seem to fit you.

You do not have texting on your plan. These plans are using the "bundle" concept. Kind of like what cable companies do with phone+internet+cable.

They are enticing people with the unlimited text and talk.

 

[Lord Bodak]

For two lines...

Old plans:
- $69.99 for FamilyTalk 700 (2 lines, 700 minutes). There is a cheaper FamilyTalk plan but it's not eligible for the $30 Family Unlimited Messaging/calling to any mobile
- $30 for Family Unlimited Messaging & Unlimiited calling to any mobile
- $60 for data ($30/line for 3GB/line)
For a total of $159.99

Shared plans:
- $70 for 4GB shared
- $80 for phones ($40/phone)
For a total of $150

Because of the limited data choices in the old system (300MB or 3GB), I think most people are paying for more data then they need. For two lines where each person uses ~2GB per month, the new plan is definitely cheaper. Plus it includes tethering which would have cost even more money on top with the old plan.

 

[nepalisherpa]

I think the new plans will save money for people with separate texting and tethering plans. For folks, like me, who just have voice and data plans, the new plans are crap!

 

[iphoneguy2]

AT&T Bandits

I can't wait to ditch AT&T!!! Here is my list of the reasons why...

1. I still can't make a phone call inside my house without poor voice quaility and the call always drops!!! It's been 6 years and AT&T has not improved the network, and if you call tech support you get the same BS about maybe you need to upgrade your firmware? Yet you explain it happens on different brands of phones. They will sell you a microcell to fix the issue for $200 and it uses your wifi, but they still charge you minutes??? Plus addtional charges if you want unlimited minutes using the microcell device.

2. They are way behind implementing 4G LTE, and if history proves correct they will never finish it, just keep charging premium rates for substandard service.

3. It took 6 years for them to unlock iPhones, even if you bought the original unsubsidized version, they were not going to unlock it...bastards!!!

4. Charges extra for Tethering???...data is data and shouldn't matter how you use it. What happens when the carriers go to VOIP over LTE and it all becomes data?

5. This one applies to most all US carriers...After you finish your contract your monthy fees should go down!!! You have paid the subsidy, so you are entitiled a lower rate correct? The DOJ should crack down on this one.


It's kind of funny these shared plans just come out prior to the next iPhone release. I know the carriers hate the unlimited plans, even though we know AT&T will just throttle you if you hit 3gb limit anyway. I really do think Verizon is poised to pick up alot of AT&T customers very soon. Most of us were just waiting for the LTE iPhone so we dont loose the abilty to talk and surf the web at the same time, and pick up a much faster connections at the same time.

AT&T "tick tock" your time is running out

 

[OriginalClone]

From AT&T's Mobile Share website:

Includes Unlimited Talk & Text for all phones, FREE Mobile Hotspot for capable smartphones and tablets, and no roaming or long distance charges nationwide!

Cool thanks! This plan may actually work out better for me.