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AT&T to Permit Grandfathered Unlimited iPad Data Plans to Transfer to iPad 2

It would be nice if they actually released information on how this policy will be implemented, considering they probably anticipated it before last week. Will it be a selection on the new iPad settings, do you have to call AT&T, do you have to deactivate the old iPad data plan first, etc?
 
Am I naive to interpret this as meaning they will allow my grandfathered iPhone 4's unlimited data plan for iPhone iOS 4.3 hotspot usage?
 
toddybody said:
thats really big of At&t to honor unlimited data plans.... :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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It kind of is, in that the plans were unique because they did not come with 5GB soft caps like the other data plans, including the so-called unlimited data plan for the iPhone. Its nice to be able to use double digit GB's of data per week and not worry about the ban-hammer from AT&T.
 
tigres said:
If you don't mind me asking- Do you use it that much every month? I.E. you are away from WIFI to justify the usage?
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My usage is around 2GB/mo. For the extra $5/mo I never worry about going over.
This is not trivial, it is a major paradigm shift. Always on, always connected, no self-limiting cost concerns.
While I don't do Netflix or home-video uploads much over 3G, there is no "oh, this is gonna cost me" worries if I do.

And my iPad and home WiFi don't seem to play together nicely, so it's convenient to just not worry about which network I'm on.
 
Crap. After much debating I had come to the conclusion to get the verizon iPad 2. I already have an iPad on ATT unlimited plan so now I'm undecided again.

Does anyone know how to check your monthly 3G usage if you are on the unlimited plan?
 
cmaier said:
I fall into the grandfathered category, but I am still getting a Verizon iPad this time around.

1) AT&T may drop the unlimited at any time
2) I seldom go over 1 GB and only went over 2GB once
3) Verizon's data plans are much more cost effective given my usage. I can pay $20 a month most months, and my rare overages are not that expensive.
4) Verizon has better connections most places I go. AT&T's speed advantage is of little help when I can't connect.
5) I have an AT&T iPhone 4, so having connectivity from each carrier provides some assurance that in moat places at least one devicemwill work
6) the CDMA disadvantage of no simultaneous voice and data doesn't apply to iPad.
7) I'm keeping my old iPad for my family, so the plan will live on if I need to use it.
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Why not just get a wifi only one and tether to your phone. I know this doesn't help with poor AT&T service in some areas... but they are getting better. Seems tethering would be a big cost savings and offer more functionality.
 
Full of Win said:
It kind of is, in that the plans were unique because they did not come with 5GB soft caps like the other data plans, including the so-called unlimited data plan for the iPhone. Its nice to be able to use double digit GB's of data per week and not worry about the ban-hammer from AT&T.
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I've done 5-8GB months on my iPhone, I think 4 or 5 in a row, and I never got an email or letter asking what in the world I'm doing.
 
MacDawg said:
No word on whether you can just switch sim cards or if you have to call AT&T?
There have been mixed signals from AT&T reps on this
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Last week ATT iPad support told me I should call when I get my iPad2 and have them put the IMEI on my account and remove the iPad 1.0s. Of course that was last week and the fog of war and all that. Hopefully they will issue a press release by Friday to clarify how to make the switch.

tigres said:
So everyone just auto pays the 30/month in fear of loosing it- even if you don't need it, correct?
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I admit I bought into the plan out of fear b/c up until the announcement I had not activated the 3G. But once I signed up I enjoyed not having to worry or bit watch. I use about 1GB a month which would be $25 w/ the current plan. $5 is a small price to pay for piece of mind and $5x12 = $60 which is one month of 4GB data. I'm getting more than that for $60.

Astro7x said:
Oh yeah, that bait and switch... makes me even more weary about getting a 3G iPad knowing that the carrier can change the data prices at any time.
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Clearly you do not know the meaning of bait and switch. You remind me of the Arcade Fire song Rococo using those big words you don't understand. ATT did not bait and switch. At the time of the announcement they allowed all new and prospective 3G owners grandfather into the plan. They did not force people into a different plan and they are, in fact, letting people transfer the plan to a new device. Also, as with all carriers you sign a contract, be it for one month or 24. That says they can change the price. Again not bait and switch. Rococo.

amberashby said:
Does anyone know how to check your monthly 3G usage if you are on the unlimited plan?
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System Prefs App ---> General ---> Usage. But the # is for total usage since last reset, not per month. If you want to gauge month then hit reset and come back next month. Also some on the metered plans say it's not 100% accurate.
 
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FriarNurgle said:
Why not just get a wifi only one and tether to your phone. I know this doesn't help with poor AT&T service in some areas... but they are getting better. Seems tethering would be a big cost savings and offer more functionality.
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Well, you answered your own question.

1) AT&T reception sucks most places I go, and in all the time I've had iPhones (since the original) it hasn't gotten any better here.

2) tethering runs the iPhone battery down very quickly. The iPad's battery is much bigger and lasts quite a long time even when using its 3G connection.

3) tethering would require me to give up my (grandfathered) unlimited iPhone data plan

4) AT&T's tethering plan is not flexible or cost effective (at least not compared to the verizon plans)
 
ngenerator said:
I've done 5-8GB months on my iPhone, I think 4 or 5 in a row, and I never got an email or letter asking what in the world I'm doing.
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I do 7-15 GB per week (yes, per week) on my iPad unlimited data plan and never get a letter from AT&T.

I also push the soft cap on the iPhone plan, and have never heard of anyone getting booted for going over. However, I think if I were to apply my iPad data usage to the iPhone, I would have gotten a warning by now.
 
I'm one that was grandfathered in. However, I do not even come close to using 2 GB every month, I just like the fact that I have something most of you don't have :) so I'm keeping the plan until AT&T decides to take it away from me.

I will be ordering the new iPad Friday and I'm glad to find out I can keep the unlimited plan. I'm hoping it's as simple as switching out the card...
 
Full of Win said:
I do 7-15 GB per week (yes, per week) on my iPad unlimited data plan and never get a letter from AT&T.

I also push the soft cap on the iPhone plan, and have never heard of anyone getting booted for going over. However, I think if I were to apply my iPad data usage to the iPhone, I would have gotten a warning by now.
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What in the heck are you folks doing that is using so much data?
 
iPhone plan is this, iPad plan is that ... You can tether this, but not that and not vice versa and so on. Jesus, do you like to be raped or what?
 
tigres said:
If you don't mind me asking- Do you use it that much every month? I.E. you are away from WIFI to justify the usage?

I know it must be worth it to you and many others, I am just wondering if the 360/year is giving you your moneys worth.
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At work, our wifi is just as locked down as the network. So I use 3G 8 hours a day everyday...
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Last week ATT iPad support told me I should call when I get my iPad2 and have them put the IMEI on my account and remove the iPad 1.0s. Of course that was last week and the fog of war and all that. Hopefully they will issue a press release by Friday to clarify how to make the switch.
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i hope its this easy. i have a friend who works at ATT's local store here. i'll give him a call and see what he knows.
 
Finally

I have been a fan of Verizon and Apple for a long time. I worked for Apple when the Ipad1 was released and just HAD to have one. I picked one up day 1, and had the ATT unlimited plan. It's the only ATT thing I was ever going to own, but this sign of a little customer service helped that image in my mind.... well ok just a little bit.

Thanks,
Matthew
 
Chupa Chupa said:
System Prefs App ---> General ---> Usage
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23GB down+up in 10 months.

Could see that going WAY up if I turn on the ServersMan iPad-based web server, watching movies over 3G a lot, using Skype/etc. more, and/or doing a lot more home movie editing & sharing (got a Sony Bloggie and ReelDirector, can do edited videos on the road now).
 
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