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

[TimTheEnchanter]

A clever way to jack up prices.

I currently pay $155 for 2 iPhones and 1 basic phone, $180 after taxes and fees.
I have unlimited data on my iPhone, 2GB data on the other iPhone, unlimited texting and 450 minute plan, which I barely use and have accumulated thousands of rollover minutes - plus 9 out of 10 people I know use AT&T so my calls are free anyway.

With these new "scheme", I'd opt for 4GB, but that would cost me:
$70 (service) + $40 (iPhone 1) + $40 (iPhone 2) + $30 (basic phone fee) = $180, BEFORE the taxes and fees which would bump me up to ~$200.

For the $30 basic phone fee, I might as well get another smartphone for an extra $10! Then I have to wonder if 4GB of data is enough for the 3 of us and probably would have to bump to 6GB of data for an extra $5.

Clever way to force people into high prices, while still getting the service from a company that continues to tell me how I use the data I pay for. They BETTER not charge for Facetime over cellular, that's for damn sure.

Exact situation I'm in and not seeing any benefit for me, rather it benefits them.

 

[Geckotek]

I think that part of the plan is fine. Currently it's $10 extra for each phone that goes over. If my wife and I both go over it's $20 a month now.

With a group plan, you go over together, if there are 5 phones on the plan and you go over, it's $15/gb. Sounds like a reasonable amount since all devices are pooled.

A GB is a GB. So if you go over, it should be the same price per GB. Why is it suddenly more expensive??

 

[gba2000]

Fan

I wonder if FAN(company) discounts apply. I know Family Texting doesn't, I am hoping discounts apply.

 

[schizbomb]

This would benefit me only if the basic phones still cost $9.99 per line. Otherwise having 3 flip phones for my grandparents and uncle pushes it way over what I cost now.

 

[Waxhead138]

If I may step in on this one...

Spectrum (e.g.: licensing), towers, asset management (e.g.: land or real estate upon which towers sit), leasing, etc. are all *sunk costs* for the telcos. That is, these are required expenses that are sometimes one-time costs and sometimes ongoing, all of which sit on the Expense-side of the balance sheet.

Revenues reside on the other side of the balance sheet. Landlines no longer make money for the telcos, because enough individuals have ceased landline use to where this is, in some cases, becoming less of a revenue and more of an expensive for the telcos.

Given the current environment, where are telcos making money? Through wireless access. In order to make up for the above-mentioned sunk costs and other ongoing costs, they have to make more in revenues and, whatever they can get above the expenses, which would be considered profit.

Companies like AT&T here in the US were the first to get the iPhone. This device was such a staggeringly huge success that, within 3 years -- three years -- AT&T found themselves temporarily beyond the ability to handle 2G/3G usage with their then-current sunk costs/expenses. *They had to ramp up like mad* just to *keep up,* much less progress beyond current technology.

This is all an incredibly expensive endeavor, and if you ever get a chance to see the general expenses incurred in terms of garnering spectrum licenses, cell towers, and all the rest of the assets and costs that require massive expenses, you'll understand why T, VZ and most other telcos are, relatively speaking, *massively* in debt.

So, they (the telcos) have to take a look at their balance sheet and figure out the best way to cover *all* costs (including said debt servicing for all the fancy, schmancy new 4G/LTE equipment they *just* bought, relatively speaking) *and* be able to make enough of a profit for *new* investments (such as whatever's next to come down the pike, or maybe for dividends for we investors, etc.) in order to be able to stay in business.

The result are the plans we're seeing today.

Remember way back when (maybe all of 10 years ago?) when you couldn't "roll over" your *voice* minutes, and then Cingular (at the time) got the idea that they could be kept for a certain period of time? I think one day data will do the same thing.

The point is that newer technologies make older technologies obsolete, which frees up expenses for other expenses (!), and, over time, as the market changes what it wants in terms of technology, the technology providers ultimately adjust.

I don't disagree with any of what you've stated....however I will never provide one iota of sympathy to any of the major carriers, after having worked for one. They will keep themselves well insulated....for example....ETFs for smartphones double to 350$ (I admit here I'm not factoring in the monthly tick down on the ETF)... activation fees are never waived anymore, you pay an upgrade "fee" now, and restocking fees...not to mention, the wage structure at VZW at least is worse than it once was.

Again, you're correct....but the cell companies nickel and dime us in such a fashion, so damned arrogantly...that its tantamount to spitting in our faces. Everything is conducted with a silent "whatcha gonna do about it?" attitude.

 

[Nabooly]

Hmm just got an idea. Teaming up with another family with these share plans that VZ and ATT introduced. Splitting the bill and potentially making it cheaper for both families.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

A GB is a GB. So if you go over, it should be the same price per GB. Why is it suddenly more expensive??

Because, presumably, they are now offering you UNTHROTTLED GB's at tiered pricing levels. In other words, you could now get a 2-line Mobile Sharing plan with 20GB's of unthrottled data for $260/month.

Assuming you pre-pay for that data, of course. Otherwise, the $15/GB overage is a "convenience" penalty charge.

 

[jlc1978]

In Austria mobile data USB stick 24 months contract costs
1GB = 5 eur = 6.2$
6GB = 10eur = 12.4$
15gb = 15 eur = 18.6$

Good rates. Does it allow cross border roaming?

For example,can you go from Sydney to Rome or Muenchen w/o addtionl charges?

-Fiaker

 

[wovel]

What about the hot spot, will it be included and, if so, at what data level?

It is. At all levels.

Incorrect. You would be paying $70 + $40 + $40 = total of $150. Didja really think AT&T would allow you to save money?
This is price signaling/collusion at its finest folks. Welcome to corporate America.

Huh? I save money under the plan. Nearly everyone with multiple devices that reviews their actual usage will too. You clearly don't understand what collusion is either.

it's $45 per device so it would be $70 for the 4gb, plus $45 plus $45 equal $160
Tethering is included across all levels for mobile share that's what it says in the press release.

It is $40 per phone under the 4GB data plan.

Under this plan by bill will go up from 180 to 250 with this plan. Time to get serious about researching competition

You really need to look at what you are actually using for Data on all of your phones/devices. We have 3 iPhones with 2GB plans and 1 with the 200MB. We also have an iPad with a 2GB plan. Sure that looks like we need to use the 10GB plan. In reality the 6GB is still a lot of over-kill. Most of our moves from 200MB to 2Gb were people using 500MB/mo. If you take each persons highest usage month and total them up, you still come out under 4GB/mo.

We will save about $10/mo with the new plan. When we add another phone and another iPad this fall, it will be even better (even if we then go to 10GB). These plans allow you to better pay for the data you actually need.

 

[alent1234]

If I may step in on this one...

Spectrum (e.g.: licensing), towers, asset management (e.g.: land or real estate upon which towers sit), leasing, etc. are all *sunk costs* for the telcos. That is, these are required expenses that are sometimes one-time costs and sometimes ongoing, all of which sit on the Expense-side of the balance sheet.

Revenues reside on the other side of the balance sheet. Landlines no longer make money for the telcos, because enough individuals have ceased landline use to where this is, in some cases, becoming less of a revenue and more of an expensive for the telcos.

Given the current environment, where are telcos making money? Through wireless access. In order to make up for the above-mentioned sunk costs and other ongoing costs, they have to make more in revenues and, whatever they can get above the expenses, which would be considered profit.

Companies like AT&T here in the US were the first to get the iPhone. This device was such a staggeringly huge success that, within 3 years -- three years -- AT&T found themselves temporarily beyond the ability to handle 2G/3G usage with their then-current sunk costs/expenses. *They had to ramp up like mad* just to *keep up,* much less progress beyond current technology.

This is all an incredibly expensive endeavor, and if you ever get a chance to see the general expenses incurred in terms of garnering spectrum licenses, cell towers, and all the rest of the assets and costs that require massive expenses, you'll understand why T, VZ and most other telcos are, relatively speaking, *massively* in debt.

So, they (the telcos) have to take a look at their balance sheet and figure out the best way to cover *all* costs (including said debt servicing for all the fancy, schmancy new 4G/LTE equipment they *just* bought, relatively speaking) *and* be able to make enough of a profit for *new* investments (such as whatever's next to come down the pike, or maybe for dividends for we investors, etc.) in order to be able to stay in business.

The result are the plans we're seeing today.

Remember way back when (maybe all of 10 years ago?) when you couldn't "roll over" your *voice* minutes, and then Cingular (at the time) got the idea that they could be kept for a certain period of time? I think one day data will do the same thing.

The point is that newer technologies make older technologies obsolete, which frees up expenses for other expenses (!), and, over time, as the market changes what it wants in terms of technology, the technology providers ultimately adjust.

except that with rollover minutes my bill stayed the same, now its going up

if the telco's want to free up cash cut down on the TV ads and the new customer costs like penny android phones. and get rid of the retail stores

 

[Waxhead138]

I upgraded my iPhone the other night fully expecting to 1. Lose my unlimited data 2. Switched to a Share Everything plan.

This is my 3rd subsidized upgrade since VZW switched to limited data plans.

However, the rep told me that I could keep my current family plan & my unlimited data. When I told him that I actually wanted the share everything he reminded me about an abandoned line that was still on contract until November & that I'd actually save money as well as retain my unlimited data on two grandfathered lines if I waited until nov to change the plan.

So, I guess the lesson here is.. Don't make assumptions. You know the rest.

Glad to hear they are silently, at least for now, still letting people keep what is better for them. I wonder if that attitude will remain the same when the new Iphone is released....or in general when older 4G phones go clearance / free.

 

[lifeinhd]

That means that Verizon, on purely data charges, is $50/cheaper per month than AT&T at the highest published tier (20GB). The price per handset discount likely nullifies this for large multi-line accounts, however.

For >5 handsets, yup. And if you're buying 20GB, you probably have >5 handsets.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Hmm just got an idea. Teaming up with another family with these share plans that VZ and ATT introduced. Splitting the bill and potentially making it cheaper for both families.

All sounds fine until Junior from family A blows the data cap and everyone gets throttled. Family Feuds have been started over much lesser grievances.

For >5 handsets, yup. And if you're buying 20GB, you probably have >5 handsets.

5 handsets, 20GB shared data:

Verizon: ($40x5) + $150/20GB = $350
AT&T ($30x5) + $200/20GB = $350

Now you tell me these two bozo's don't sit in the same room and laugh over their stogies together?

 

[marksman]

The minimum plan seems to have gone up.

My plan is the MINIMUM for 2 smart phones:
My family plan is now $60 (700 minute plan) + $10 (phone 2) + $15 (250mb data phone 1) + $15 (250mb data phone 2) = $100 + taxes

New plan (with 1gb minimum - twice the data of my current plan):
$40 + $45 + $45 = $130 + taxes

$30 more!

I do get unlimited phone calls, and unlimited texts (which I already have with iPhone to iPhone anyways).... but looks like my bill would go up $30.

With unlimited texts, phone calls and tethering included. Oh yeah and twice as much data from a single flexible pool.

You don't have to upgrade but those changes might be worth 30 dollars for some people.

 

[unlimitedx]

hmm suddenly families can use over 20gb a month and it won't affect at&t's network, yet unlimited data plans are throttled at 3gb

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

hmm suddenly families can use over 20gb a month and it won't affect at&t's network, yet unlimited data plans are throttled at 3gb

Yup, the message should be very, very clear to Unlimited contract holders by now.

Your business is not welcome. Your days are numbered. We will bribe you to switch (take away subsidies), limit the usefulness (throttling) and eventually force you to switch or leave. We don't want you around.

 

[vpro]

ridonculous

Ridonculous or bogus or scam you pick the description for this service fee hike, really people, there is NO COMPETITION when it comes to mobility and connectivity in this part of the world (Canada/USA). My gal'pals overseas pay near NOTHING for connectivity and usually get A LOT and no one is eating one less meal a day either to afford a better than the best plan equivalent in CAN or US.

I use free wifi everywhere and don't even have a phone plan and I'm one of the most efficient and productive human beings in my circle of friends at least, I have friends who feel its okay to play $90 - $1800 a month and have an eyefone in one had, a gooseberry tucked between one finger, balancing an ayepad between her legs and dangling a laptop off her right retina display!

Yes that was absurd -- but not as absurd as this ATNT service scam. This message and connection made possible by free wifi on the bus. Have a GREAT connection day?!

Peace and Care lots.

 

[faroZ06]

I just want data without voice and text. Is it possible to make it so you just can't receive text messages and can't get charged? Because if you don't have a plan, you're supposed to just pay per message (a lot).

 

[ericrwalker]

A GB is a GB. So if you go over, it should be the same price per GB. Why is it suddenly more expensive??

Not sure you're got what I said, yes a GB is a GB but now it's allowing all devices to go over with only 1 extra charge. In the past only one 1 device got to use the extra GB, now multiple devices can.

 

[faroZ06]

Yup, the message should be very, very clear to Unlimited contract holders by now.

Your business is not welcome. Your days are numbered. We will bribe you to switch (take away subsidies), limit the usefulness (throttling) and eventually force you to switch or leave. We don't want you around.

I don't blame them. Unlimited users slow it down a lot. My friend still has his old unlimited plan from when they were offering it, and he chews data with video and audio streaming constantly. Luckily for them, he doesn't feel like tethering, but 4G LTE seems to be faster than his home wifi, so I told him he should just tether all the time.

 

[unlimitedx]

at&t will still offer the old plans as well to new customers? that is good, at least at&t gives customers a choice versus verizon..

for some reason i doubt at&t's shared data plans would be so expensive if verizon hadn't introduced their plans first

 

[faroZ06]

so i can pay $25 more a month and have less data. Right now i pay $90 for an iphone with unlimited data 1000txt, and a basic phone. I'd pay $40+$45+30 = $105. What a deal.

90 + 25 = 115.

 

[PracticalMac]

Cheaper to stay with my individual plans!

3 phones, $45 total/600MB, vs $130/1GB

 

[Geckotek]

Because, presumably, they are now offering you UNTHROTTLED GB's at tiered pricing levels. In other words, you could now get a 2-line Mobile Sharing plan with 20GB's of unthrottled data for $260/month.

Assuming you pre-pay for that data, of course. Otherwise, the $15/GB overage is a "convenience" penalty charge.

You missed my point and should refer back to the post I quoted.

 

[lifeinhd]

I just want data without voice and text. Is it possible to make it so you just can't receive text messages and can't get charged? Because if you don't have a plan, you're supposed to just pay per message (a lot).

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 )