AT&T to Bump DataPro + Tethering Plan to 4 GB Per Month

[bmb012]

If you're still limited to a data cap, why they hell would you have to pay extra for tethering? What's it matter how the data gets used.

Step in the right direction with added data, but still, I can't even fathom why simply the ability to tether would be such a premium, unless you're on an unlimited plan.

 

[jeff33702]

If you're still limited to a data cap, why they hell would you have to pay extra for tethering? What's it matter how the data gets used.

Step in the right direction with added data, but still, I can't even fathom why simply the ability to tether would be such a premium, unless you're on an unlimited plan.

So first they take away the unlimited plan in exchange for a 2gb. Now they'll sell you 2 more gb and act like they're doing you a favor.

joke. I don't know that Verizon is going to offer THAT much better, but at least we have choices...and I think I'll give Verizon a shot just because of the bad AT&T taste I have in mouth currently.

 

[Blorzoga]

Two things that really piss me off about AT&T
They canceled unlimited data on the ipad unless you renewed it every month an the only way you can tether is to give up unlimited data on your phone. It's really pathetic that they're screwing us like this. And I'm not one to download 10s of gbs per month. I just don't want to have to worry that I'm going over my limit. So tethering is not an option and using my 3G on ipad is not what it was pitched as.

 

[zorinlynx]

You people surprise me. AT&T actually improves their service options and you still complain about it!

Yes, it's still overpriced but it's a step in the right direction. Enjoy the new options and let's see if they continue to improve as competition starts to affect their bottom line.

It's not like Verizon is worlds better, after all.

 

[jaw04005]

No, it's right. That 2 GB you get in addition to the DataPro counts for both tethering and iPhone data usage.

What?

I read the headline as "AT&T to bump DataPro AND tethering plan to 4GB per month" as in AT&T was doing the following:

- bumping DataPro from 2GB to 4GB
- bumping tethering from 0GB to 4GB

The actual headline states "AT&T to bump DataPro + (as in "with") tethering plan to 4GB per month" as in AT&T is actually doing:

- nothing to the DataPro plan
- bumping tethering from 0GB to 2GB which can be shared between both devices and oh yeah ... increasing the price $5

For the record, everywhere else reported it as "AT&T adds 2GB to tethering plan" or something similar, which is much clearer.

 

[ArchaicRevival]

Step in the right direction. However, if I have a 4GB plan, I should be able to tether that data or use it only from on the device. It shouldn't be extra to tether as long as my device's monthly cap isn't exceeded. It's my data, if I want to share it with my laptop, why should I pay you again?

It's my data, and I need it now!

It's my data, i'll use it when I need it!

I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!

 

[Michael CM1]

People that think this is competition are foolish. If we had real competition, we wouldn't have the decreasing trend of data allowance and increasing price, and we wouldn't have this crap in the first place. This is just a marketing strategy to balance the collusion between the cartels.

Seriously! If this were competition, not just two companies selling similar things, someone who had the iPhone would say, "We think it's really crappy to charge you all that money for data and not give you a single free text message. It's also stupid of some people to charge 20 cents per text message."

Someone please go compare the AT&T and Verizon plans and show me the huge difference. You have to get T-Mobile or Sprint to get decent text and data plans, and with them you have to suffer from horrible coverage once you leave heavily populated areas.

Both Verizon and AT&T are going to charge an extra $20 just to turn on a piece of software on your phone that allows you to tether. It literally won't cost them a thing, especially if you're like me and on a capped data plan. If I were to use my 2GB on my iPhone or 2GB tethering to an iPad, how does that incur an extra $20 of cost to AT&T or Verizon?

It doesn't.

When one of these two behemoths includes text messages with data plans or doesn't charge for tethering, let me know. Until then, it's the difference between looking at a blue coverage map and red coverage map.

 

[applemagic123]

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Blah blah blah who cares.

 

[VolceOntra]

Just cancel the plan and take out the sim card, you won't have to worry about using any cell data.

Seriously the phone is very dependent on internet access, and becomes much less useful without cell data. An iPod touch might be a better choice for someone who doesn't want to pay for cell data.

True, but WIFI is everywhere now.

I can handle not tweeting and checking my FB when I'm pumping gas :/ Just saying.

 

[shervieux]

I think if AT&T wants to keep customers, it needs to automatically give those who were grandfathered into unlimited data; the ability to tether.

As it stands now, with all the free texting companies / apps out there - I no longer care about texting limits.

I am also considering this maybe being my last iphone (only one I ever had 3G). with the Ipad and wifi everywhere - plus now mi-fi devices, I am having a hard time justifying the monthly cost of an iphone. I could seriously get a mi-fi and then a pre-paid or $2 a day (only on the days you use it) cell phone. I don't get calls on my cell when I am home nor on the weekends. I could probably get away with maybe $30 a month or less.

If only they would allow pre-payment or "pay as you use" on iphone plans. Also, VOIP is getting better (still not best), but the iphone really needs to switch to VOIP when on wifi and automatically switch back to cell when leaving wifi (without dropping calls). If internet can do it - why not calls.

 

[Macsterguy]

I think if AT&T wants to keep customers, it needs to automatically give those who were grandfathered into unlimited data; the ability to tether.

As it stands now, with all the free texting companies / apps out there - I no longer care about texting limits.

I am also considering this maybe being my last iphone (only one I ever had 3G). with the Ipad and wifi everywhere - plus now mi-fi devices, I am having a hard time justifying the monthly cost of an iphone. I could seriously get a mi-fi and then a pre-paid or $2 a day (only on the days you use it) cell phone. I don't get calls on my cell when I am home nor on the weekends. I could probably get away with maybe $30 a month or less.

If only they would allow pre-payment or "pay as you use" on iphone plans. Also, VOIP is getting better (still not best), but the iphone really needs to switch to VOIP when on wifi and automatically switch back to cell when leaving wifi (without dropping calls). If internet can do it - why not calls.

You make really good points. I am on unlimited data with at&t and I would like to add tethering without loosing my old plan...

Having said that, it is easy to get sucked in to all of these features and send our carriers more of our hard earned money each month...

We need to step back and justify adding features that cost more and make sure we have supper on the table first... just sayin...

 

[Orange™]

The ability to tether should be free.

I'm leaving at&t and I laugh at their frivolous attempts to keep customers.

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

I'm leaving at&t and I laugh at their frivolous attempts to keep customers.

Well, if you're leaving them for Verizon, they also charge for tethering.

 

[srxtr]

Free? I don't think so.

There maybe free apps that let you text, but they are just that...free apps - a UI that enables you to transmit and receive DATA. In order to work, they must use either your phone data or your home WiFi connection. That is not free.

How else do you think they work?

That's like saying anytime you download free programs or movies or music or whatever on a computer it's not free because you pay for internet.

I can text and call for free using apps on my iPhone that has unlimited data plan... which I pay for.

 

[pika2000]

You make really good points. I am on unlimited data with at&t and I would like to add tethering without loosing my old plan...

Solution: get an non-carrier-tied phone. I have a Nexus One for this purpose, so I can tether and do wifi hotspot without additional charges.

 

[fleggy]

That's like saying anytime you download free programs or movies or music or whatever on a computer it's not free because you pay for internet.

I can text and call for free using apps on my iPhone that has unlimited data plan... which I pay for.

I think we agree, but not sure you're coming across as you meant too.

The previous poster said "I bet you want free SMS too... [from carriers]". You replied yes.

I was merely pointing out that the free apps use data, which has a cost.

You are unlimited, so you are paying a higher cost for the use of the apps that use more data. Sensible choice...but we are agreed that they are not free. It is just how you view it...a fixed cost which covers "everything" versus a separate cost for SMS plus perhaps a lower data plan cost.

Just because the "app" is free, don't expect carriers to do the same. They get their money in either increased data usage, or other means (SMS billing). You can't compare the two IMHO.

BTW - be careful on which texting apps you use. I read something about the companies mining all sorts of data from your phone. I think this is part of the lawsuit against Apple.

 

[sportster]

I've always felt that we shouldn't have to pay for tethering. We are already paying for out 3G data plan (either it be 250mb, 2gb, or grandfathered unlimited) let us use the data any way we see fit. Data is data either it is used by a smart phone or laptop, I don't see a difference.

 

[Pigumon]

I'll vote negative until carriers stop charging extra fees on top of capped data fees.

I don't need more data... I just want to be able to use the features built into the phone (tethering and soon to be hotspot) with the 2GB plan I already have without have to pay an additional fee to use MY data. I pay for the data, I should be able to use it however I want!

Yes. Tethering should be part of the DATA plan. It shouldn't be EXTRA!!!!

 

[mac8867]

Interesting article, and wrong in oh so many ways. First, let me tell you, I have the grandfathered unlimited AT&T data plan - and there ain't no way I am giving it up. On a whim, I logged into my at&t account and checked the pricing and limits on the iPhone tethering plan, no I realize, this is an "anticipated" change... but this is what my official AT&T offering is on their site:

2GB iPhone tethering for $45/mo... uhm, that's not $20. Hello? I spend $30 for unlimited.

So, I am staying with my jailbroken phone - it's legal you know - and the mywi hotspot software... middle finger at you at&t

 

[ANTAWNM26]

AT&T today announced forthcoming changes to its smartphone tethering data plans, increasing the monthly data limit to 4 GB from the current 2 GB cap. The change, set to take effect on February 13th, comes as AT&T rolls out mobile hotspot functionality for the new HTC Inspire 4G handset, although the company has not addressed whether it will support the similar hotspot functionality for the iPhone once iOS 4.3 is released to the public.AT&T currently offers two monthly data plans for iPhone customers: DataPlus with 200 MB of data for $15 and DataPro with 2 GB of data for $25. Tethering is available to DataPro customers for an additional charge of $20 per month, but until now has not offered any additional data capacity, with tethering data coming out of the same 2 GB cap allotted to regular smartphone use. The changes announced today essentially mean that the extra $20 tethering fee will also bring customers an additional 2 GB of data per month to be used between their phone and tethered devices.

Article Link: AT&T to Bump DataPro + Tethering Plan to 4 GB Per Month

Dear ANTAWN MORRIS,
Our systems have detected that you have reached your data plan limit. Your plan has a monthly allowance of 200MB. Data usage which exceeds your plan allowance will be billed at $15 per each additional 200MB.
To check your data usage online and upgrade to a 2GB plan simply click here. For additional information about data plan requirements and tips on managing your data usage visit att.com/dataplans.
*Important: In general, domestic data usage will be reflected within 24 hours. In some extremely rare cases it may take up to 72 hours to be reflected in our systems.
Thank you,

AT&T

DDC_208


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Reply Forward

 

[tamayers]

Here is what I don't understand... Verizon lets the Palm Pre Tether for free....why are they charging Verizon iPhone users for the same thing?

 

[Roessnakhan]

Here is what I don't understand... Verizon lets the Palm Pre Tether for free....why are they charging Verizon iPhone users for the same thing?

Its probably an incentive to buy the Palm phones due to ho-hum sales. Also, I imagine they don't expect as many webOS devices on their network as Android/iOS.

 

[maccompaq]

Competition is good.

 

[foiden]

I'll vote negative until carriers stop charging extra fees on top of capped data fees.

I actually agree with this. Tethering fees are really nothing but stupid taxes. There is no, and I mean, no extra cost to the phone service for your use of tethering and they just want the money for free.

You're already paying good money for data capped services, yet they want you to pay extra money to use the exact same data you've already paid for? Yep. That is definitely double-dipping. It's basically suddenly offering you a hardware-built-in ability and then giving you the finger. It's like trying their darndest to make you not only pay for a certain data limitation, and then try to forcibly make it so you have the least chance of actually using that data in a month. So what they want is for you to pay more for data you don't use.

As long as Mifi devices offer much more fair and competitive limited pricing structures, phone tethering is such a crock. And you don't pay some extra fee over the data use you buy. You simply buy a certain amount of data use, that's it. Seriously. As of right now, it's cheaper, on a month to month basis, to buy the phone (it's services and a dataplan) plus an inexpensive Mi-Fi, for a combined 4GB between the 2 devices than it is to just buy the phone (it's services and dataplan) plus the Tethering fee.

 

[Warbrain]

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The new plans went into effect today. Anyone with 4.3 want to give it a shot and see what happens?