AT&T to Raise Price of Grandfathered Unlimited Plans From $30 to $35

[simoneves]

The more important question is whether they will unlock phones (in our case, iPhone 6 with 10 months of contract remaining) so you could switch to another provider and not have to buy new phones too. Although I guess as long as the contract is ended, the AT&T phones could still be sold off even if still locked to that network.

A related question... why wouldn't we qualify for the $15/month instead of $40/month "device" charge on one of their current plans, if we're still in contract, and they're prompting us to change (obviously we don't have to, but that's what they want, right?) I'd be quite happy with a shared 15GB plus two "bring your own" devices for $130 which is less than I'm paying now, but not if it's $180.

 

[C DM]

Of course, Europeans gloat that they get unlimited everything for $35 or less. When you read the fine print it isn't quite that good (pre-paid MVNO plans with throttled data, etc) but it is still cheaper than North America.

And gas is more expensive there compared to what is in US. Apples and oranges and all that.

I'm on Verizon and with the $20 increase I still didn't give up my unlimited.
Fo those that say inflation should have prices go up. You are wrong.
Data should be getting cheaper as technology evolves.
My home internet connection speed has increased by 10X while the price has dropped by 40%.

This is not a consumable resource, like electricity and gas.
And quite frankly, the cost of gas is at it's lowest level in years.

Mobile internet speeds have gone up as well. Consumable resource or not, doesn't mean that the pricing is really based on that aspect of it--it's basically supply and demand in the foundation of it all. It used to be that text messages cost a crazy amount given that no extra infrastructure or anything at all was needed to carry them. Doesn't make it good or right, but that's the reality of business where things that people use cost money and prices can and do fluctuate (and in this case they actually haven't for the longest time).

 

[samcraig]

So genuinely curious how this works (not that I plan on giving up my grandfathered unlimited) - I just renewed for 2 years and subsidized my phone. If I cancel because of this and they waive ETF - Am I expected to just hand my phone in, or - exactly how would they compute the "value" I still owe to them to keep it?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Does anyone still use ATT? I a a physician, need to be connected everywhere. I switched to T-mobile and have not looked back. I had ATT form 1999 - 2014. Particularly happy to no longer getting a big surprise roaming crap form overseas travel Never could get ATT to give me an honest answer about coverage, and bogus plans.

Obviously a Physician--Your post here is like a prescription...between the misspellings, punctuation and bad grammar, it's difficult to make out what it says!

In any case, needing to be connected "everywhere" certainly isn't TMobile. They're good where they're at, but AT&T is definitely more places.

 

[C DM]

The more important question is whether they will unlock phones (in our case, iPhone 6 with 10 months of contract remaining) so you could switch to another provider and not have to buy new phones too. Although I guess as long as the contract is ended, the AT&T phones could still be sold off even if still locked to that network.

A related question... why wouldn't we qualify for the $15/month instead of $40/month "device" charge on one of their current plans, if we're still in contract, and they're prompting us to change (obviously we don't have to, but that's what they want, right?) I'd be quite happy with a shared 15GB plus two "bring your own" devices for $130 which is less than I'm paying now, but not if it's $180.

Because you need to pay off the subsidy that was provided for the phones somehow, which is what the contract term (or the ETF) is for.

So genuinely curious how this works (not that I plan on giving up my grandfathered unlimited) - I just renewed for 2 years and subsidized my phone. If I cancel because of this and they waive ETF - Am I expected to just hand my phone in, or - exactly how would they compute the "value" I still owe to them to keep it?

Well, the ETF is to cover you keeping the phone while leaving your contract early, so whether you pay it or they waive it, you should be keeping the phone.

 

[ZipZap]

For an unlimited plan that was never really unlimited. For all the sneaky practices by AT&T and lies told about throttling.
They do not deserve the increase. I hope someone sues them over this change.

 

[samcraig]

Because you need to pay off the subsidy that was provided for the phones somehow, which is what the contract term (or the ETF) is for.
Well, the ETF is to cover you keeping the phone while leaving your contract early, so whether you pay it or they waive it, you should be keeping the phone.

So what you're saying - is that it's possible I might be getting my current phone (if I DID decide to cancel) for 1/2 price (or even less). Interesting...

 

[Daws]

Does anyone still use ATT? I a a physician, need to be connected everywhere. I switched to T-mobile and have not looked back. I had ATT form 1999 - 2014. Particularly happy to no longer getting a big surprise roaming crap form overseas travel Never could get ATT to give me an honest answer about coverage, and bogus plans.

I hope you don't write prescriptions.

 

[apple_iBoy]

I am on AT&T unlimited right now.

I'm off contract at the moment. What if I upgraded my phone now on a 2-year subsidy (still even possible?) and then declined to continue at the higher rate?

ETA: By the way, for those not on this plan, texting is not included in my current plan and of course no tethering or anything else.

 

[JohnnyApple$eed]

Capped data plans started because of people who abused the unlimited service in the past.

Hike it up more so they suffer like the rest of us.

Uh hum... tell me exactly how you ABUSE unlimited data? You have an option for unlimited data and that fits your lifestyle so you choice it as your plan yet using it abuses it? SMH

 

[mnsportsgeek]

So genuinely curious how this works (not that I plan on giving up my grandfathered unlimited) - I just renewed for 2 years and subsidized my phone. If I cancel because of this and they waive ETF - Am I expected to just hand my phone in, or - exactly how would they compute the "value" I still owe to them to keep it?

If you bought the phone on a 2 year contract and then canceled because of this price increase you could walk free and keep the phone.


Honestly, this couldn't have worked out better for you. Depending on how much data you use, I'd consider dumping them and moving to an MVNO.

 

[cargoplex]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror...

 

[iOSFangirl6001]

¯\(°_O) Why does AT&T even exist? T-Mobile is way better.

are you kidding? ...
See below
Besides they are 1 of the top telecoms...

Way better? Their network sucks compared to VZW or ATT unless you never set foot outside major metropolitan areas - and even then not inside buildings.

Agreed

For some reason there seems to be disproportional hate of AT&T amongst those in the Apple Camp.
I personally prefer, and have had the best call quality, pricing and customer service from AT&T.

YMMV

Thank god someone else in favor of ATT

Unlimited data is the ugly mole on ATT's legacy , They can't rid of it fast enough to fully capitalize on the value of data.

That would hold slightly more weight if ATT weren't the last and longest holdout on raising rates for unlimited

 

[samcraig]

Honestly, this couldn't have worked out better for you. Depending on how much data you use, I'd consider dumping them and moving to an MVNO.

I'll definitely be looking at my options! But I do have an amazing deal from being a long time subscriber to ATT (+ fan discount) - Unlimited plan, 350 minutes, 200 text messages all for 65 a month inc. taxes...

 

[Nicksd84]

Capped data plans started because of people who abused the unlimited service in the past.

Hike it up more so they suffer like the rest of us.

Uhhh... No. Capped data plans started because wireless providers were completely unprepared for the mobile data revolution and the accompanying loss in revenue from voice and text. I'm fine with the $5 increase though. Love having unlimited in the new world that doesn't throttle it to dial up speeds. Wooooo!

 

[lincolntran]

Let me get this straight...T-Mobile is being awesome and stealing customers from them by the bunch and they raised the price on their long time customers?

Btw, I switched to T-Mobile last week and have been pretty happy with them. Strong signal, fast LTE, and super good price. If you're on the fence, switch now. I'm in Atlanta and they have pretty good signal everywhere.

 

[eekcat]

I assume that they're leaving the iPad unlimited plans alone then? It says that the increase applies for "smartphone" unlimited data plans...

 

[iOSFangirl6001]

Fo those that say inflation should have prices go up. You are wrong.
Data should be getting cheaper as technology evolves.
.

Not that I'm out to defend those people but to be fair the basic point is $30 today does NOT go as far as $30 did when these plans were new hence some credence to the inflation argument.


Yes data is getting cheaper unfortunately the increased usage by the average user offsets if not overshadows and cancels out those cheaper costs

 

[maxsix]

The more important question is whether they will unlock phones (in our case, iPhone 6 with 10 months of contract remaining)

I would encourage you to call and ask. If you get a no, calmly ask to escalate the call.

I travel internationally, and have had AT&T be quick and courteous to unlock well over a dozen smartphones (iPhones included) for me. Even those on my Next plan that were only a month or two old.

 

[eoblaed]

Price goes up $5 for the first time since iPhone 3G... And people are gonna complain. America is great.

This is nowhere near the levels of evil that is Verizon.

**** AT&T!

Exhibit A.

Too funny.

I, for one, have been amazed that AT&T hasn't raised the price on my grandfathered unlimited data long before this. Seven years without a price hike? That seems long overdue to me. I'm just glad they did it after relaxing their throttling policies.

And, no, a mere $5/month bump isn't going to make me think twice about keeping that plan.

 

[samcraig]

Not that I'm out to defend those people but to be fair the basic point is $30 today does NOT go as far as $30 did when these plans were new hence some credence to the inflation argument.


Yes data is getting cheaper unfortunately the increased usage by the average user offsets if not overshadows and cancels out those cheaper costs

In short - infrastructure, labor and other costs haven't gotten cheaper. People sometimes forget that. Not saying that telecoms aren't making their money - but I find it amusing that there's so much "hate" towards carriers that are trying to maximize profits, but Apple gets a "free pass" so to speak. At the end of the day - companies are looking to make money and have stockholders to answer to. Does that mean they should alienate customers - no. But sometimes it happens.

 

[Soulman]

I don't think I could ever see myself leaving At&t for tmo

I'll definitely be looking at my options! But I do have an amazing deal from being a long time subscriber to ATT (+ fan discount) - Unlimited plan, 350 minutes, 200 text messages all for 65 a month inc. taxes...

I'm kinda have the same thing, mine goes ATT (+ fan discount) - Unlimited plan, 450 mins (1200 rollover mins), 1000 text ($10), all for ~$76.00. Maybe 2-3 times a year I go $5 over on texts.

 

[macfoxpro]

Does anyone still use ATT? I a a physician, need to be connected everywhere. I switched to T-mobile and have not looked back. I had ATT form 1999 - 2014. Particularly happy to no longer getting a big surprise roaming crap form overseas travel Never could get ATT to give me an honest answer about coverage, and bogus plans.

Are you actually trying to compare T-Mobile to ATT...like as in T-Mobile is better than ATT?
Not even close.

 

[samcraig]

Too funny.

I, for one, have been amazed that AT&T hasn't raised the price on my grandfathered unlimited data long before this. Seven years without a price hike? That seems long overdue to me. I'm just glad they did it after relaxing their throttling policies.

And, no, a mere $5/month bump isn't going to make me think twice about keeping that plan.

I'm actually amazed there still is an unlimited plan on ATT that is grandfathered. This has gone on longer than I expected. I knew/know one day a decision will need to be made.

 

[kazmac]

This isn't surprising. It doesn't irk me as much as the $15 fee on upgrades going forward. They haven't raised it since, what, 2009?

I'm sure I'll be grumbling about Verizon soon enough, but AT&T burned me 3x in the past year and I needed to step away. Of course, this is all subjective.