I'm hoping we don't see a cap on a lower priced plan. It would be more reasonable to see $20 unlimited and $30 including text messages of "X" amount. We've got to keep in mind that 3.0 will bring MMS and we are not sure where that pricing will fall. The $20 versus $30 might be a tier created to include MMS.
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Discounted Limited Data Plan for iPhone Coming From AT&T?
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I just have to say that you guys really need more options, but at least you're moving in the right direction. We can get the pay of you go, or with a 6, 12, 18 or 24 month plan.
It's nice to pay for what you use and pick the plan that saves you the most.
It would be really nice for the US to open up the monopolies a little.
It's nice to pay for what you use and pick the plan that saves you the most.
It would be really nice for the US to open up the monopolies a little.
I wonder if maybe this is a sign that they wont go to hard on their tethering prices when the feature becomes available in 3.0. I really hope that they don't charge that much (if anything) for me to use my iPhone's connection on my personal computer. Where I live, I currently do not have access to any sort of broadband other than 3g, and I really hate using dial up. I was one of the few to snatch up Netshare while it was live, but many of you are probably aware that it is extremely limited on what you can do with it. I would like to have a better tethering solution without the additional $30mo. expense.
Your right. It has to be unlimited otherwise what the hell good is it for the consumer. Even if its at least "unlimited" data but no slingplayer type of apps I could live with that.
Apple had better flex its gawd damn muscles and use its considerable leverage in negotiations with AT&T....I mean for real!
Yeah and I expect to see that more when 4G network is on all carriers. I don't think we are quite there yet.
Apple should be moving away from AT&T not buying more blankets so they can cuddle more in the bed they have made. The sheets are soiled and it is time to find a new mate Apple! At&T has proven to be unpredictable, and crazy. I dont care about their cheaper data plans, no other phones needs or have them, keep things the way they are except drop AT&T. 
I'm all for more reasonable pricing, but I personally want the unlimited data and text options. I don't have the time or energy to monitor where I'm at in terms of usage all the time. I'd rather have a set amount to pay and know what it is up front, than get hit with a big surprise bill at the end of the monthly billing cycle.
So glad to hear that a limited data plan is in the works. Not everyone will use the iPhone in the same way. Just like there are varying plans for voice minutes, there must be options for data. Customers should be charged for what they use and be able to purchase a plan that suits their needs.
There should be more of a difference in price and the 'lite' plan must be appropriately sized. It would be very unfortunate if AT&T or Apple were to create an artificially low ceiling, like say 2GB for the 'lite' plan and the only difference between that and the unlimited version is $10? The 'lite' plan should be a viable alternative and not just a tool to push people into an unlimited plan.
I believe three tiers are needed. A 4-6GB plan, 10-15GB plan and unlimited data plan. How about $18.99, $29.99 and $49.99 respectively? This would allow for the data hogs to pay for what they use and the folks who tread lightly on the 3G/4G networks to pay less in exchange for using less bandwidth.
There should be more of a difference in price and the 'lite' plan must be appropriately sized. It would be very unfortunate if AT&T or Apple were to create an artificially low ceiling, like say 2GB for the 'lite' plan and the only difference between that and the unlimited version is $10? The 'lite' plan should be a viable alternative and not just a tool to push people into an unlimited plan.
I believe three tiers are needed. A 4-6GB plan, 10-15GB plan and unlimited data plan. How about $18.99, $29.99 and $49.99 respectively? This would allow for the data hogs to pay for what they use and the folks who tread lightly on the 3G/4G networks to pay less in exchange for using less bandwidth.
Hopefully Apple and/or AT&T will give us options for monitoring data usage on the device itself. If not, one can always check--as I currently do--at the AT&T website.
If money is no object, then I can see why this is not important. But A LOT of people are holding off on purchasing smart phones cause right now it's a one size fits all approach to unlimited data--which includes NO SMS by they way--and that is a major turn off.
I know...
it's a different target market, and a different carrier.
But, when you get a Sidekick @ T-Mobile, they have a required data plan that is $30 and INCLUDES UNLIMITED TEXT MESSAGES.
If the iPhone had that, that might be the best thing ever, but of course...they won't. At&t are greedy little jerks...that being said, I'm probably going to get an iPhone this month...my Sprint contract runs out
it's a different target market, and a different carrier.
But, when you get a Sidekick @ T-Mobile, they have a required data plan that is $30 and INCLUDES UNLIMITED TEXT MESSAGES.
If the iPhone had that, that might be the best thing ever, but of course...they won't. At&t are greedy little jerks...that being said, I'm probably going to get an iPhone this month...my Sprint contract runs out
^^ The AT&T "myWireless" App shows a bar for data used (but since the current plan is unlimited, the bar is grayed out). Not to mention that you can also check your data usage by texting *3282# and they'll send you a free SMS of data used.
I welcome a data plan with limited usage for less......just depends on what the limit is.
If a tiered data plan system comes in, how do the current contracts work? Also, are we talking about current plan holders being forced into one of the tiers?
Granted we're all talking assumptions here, but say an unlimited data plan does end up costing more than $30 a month, what happens to those who are currently on the unlimited data plan at $30 a month?
Granted we're all talking assumptions here, but say an unlimited data plan does end up costing more than $30 a month, what happens to those who are currently on the unlimited data plan at $30 a month?
This is exactly the right direction to go. I currently have an iPhone courtesy of my employer and I love it, but I would never own one myself and the rest of my family is on Verizon with less expensive, limited plans. The cost and functionality of the hardware is not an issue but the voice/data plan is stupidly expensive (and no, don't quote other companies' price lists to me. I think they're all too expensive.)
If Apple can encourage AT&T to drive down the costs and offer a wider variety of plans, I would consider getting one for myself and other members of the family. I don't need unlimited data to begin with so why I should pay the same as someone who does is beyond me.
If Apple can encourage AT&T to drive down the costs and offer a wider variety of plans, I would consider getting one for myself and other members of the family. I don't need unlimited data to begin with so why I should pay the same as someone who does is beyond me.
I honestly don´t get how AT&T can charge as much as they do for the Iphone but particulary for the Data plan... and not even offer 7,2mbit.
In sweden, all main providers offer 7,2mbit as standard.. and charge no more then 10-20 for the data plans... and 20 gives you unlimited useage.
so yea, there has to be room for lower prices for sure!
In sweden, all main providers offer 7,2mbit as standard.. and charge no more then 10-20 for the data plans... and 20 gives you unlimited useage.
so yea, there has to be room for lower prices for sure!
A big thing might be 3G coverage—my area still doesn't have it and I'm sure I'm not alone here. One of the reasons I didn't upgrade to the new iPhone 3G was I would be paying $10/month extra, basically for just GPS since I wouldn't be receiving any 3G service... no thanks.
This might also be a way for at&t/Apple to try to get first gen iPhone owners to upgrade and/or deprecate the original $20/data iPhone plans to get everyone on the same page. Who knows how long at&t is going to keep grandfathering those original plans when many of the early adopters contracts are up for renewal in June or thereabouts? At least by tiering some of these plans they might keep non-3G customers happy so when at&t eventually rolls it out there's no change in plan necessary.
This might also be a way for at&t/Apple to try to get first gen iPhone owners to upgrade and/or deprecate the original $20/data iPhone plans to get everyone on the same page. Who knows how long at&t is going to keep grandfathering those original plans when many of the early adopters contracts are up for renewal in June or thereabouts? At least by tiering some of these plans they might keep non-3G customers happy so when at&t eventually rolls it out there's no change in plan necessary.
Apple should be moving away from AT&T not buying more blankets so they can cuddle more in the bed they have made. The sheets are soiled and it is time to find a new mate Apple! At&T has proven to be unpredictable, and crazy. I dont care about their cheaper data plans, no other phones needs or have them, keep things the way they are except drop AT&T.
That will never happen.
The only thing that is remotely hopeful is that Apple will have their products on another carrier besides AT&T. They want to expand their customer base not replace them.
WATCH OUT! $10 whole dollars for limited access! What a joke!
Maybe they are starting to panic because they can see their exclusive ending soon and their customers flocking to the next iPhone carrier.
Trouble is, Verizon (a better network in AZ) has the same business model. Nickel and dime the customer to death.
Example:
If a carrier can not turn off text messaging on their end, there should be no charge for incoming txt's. They are charging their customers for their network shortcomings. If someone doesn't want to use minutes, they don't answer the phone.
Maybe they are starting to panic because they can see their exclusive ending soon and their customers flocking to the next iPhone carrier.
Trouble is, Verizon (a better network in AZ) has the same business model. Nickel and dime the customer to death.
Example:
If a carrier can not turn off text messaging on their end, there should be no charge for incoming txt's. They are charging their customers for their network shortcomings. If someone doesn't want to use minutes, they don't answer the phone.
Bingo!!!
Anyone half intelligent knows after taxes, chumped up hidden fees and overage charges its the same old thing...maybe MORE $$
The limit will be something ridiculous I'm sure
No thanks ATT
But let me know when you offer one plan to do whatever I want (talk, text, surf net) how long I want for one reasonable fee.
I don't pay by the minute for home phone, satellite TV, internet....
WATCH OUT! $10 whole dollars for limited access! What a joke!
Maybe they are starting to panic because they can see their exclusive ending soon and their customers flocking to the next iPhone carrier.
Trouble is, Verizon (a better network in AZ) has the same business model. Nickel and dime the customer to death.
Example:
If a carrier can not turn off text messaging on their end, there should be no charge for incoming txt's. They are charging their customers for their network shortcomings. If someone doesn't want to use minutes, they don't answer the phone.
Man I love potential class-action law suits!!!
Whatever, AT&T. What I wanna see from you guys is an intermediate text message plan, like 500 texts. Right now they offer 250 or 1500, I believe, and that's it. It's an obvious ploy to sucker people into the 1500 message plan. Jerks.
Really????
I'm somewhat surprised to see all the posts that they should have $10 1 GB data, and $5 unlimited text messaging and X price for this and Y price for that.... Take a look at AT&T charges for data and text messaging for Windows Mobile phones or Blackberry phones.... Do you really think it should be 1/2 of what people pay for either of those services? Maybe everyone posting that they should have $5 unlimited text messages has only ever had a 3G iPhone and nothing else but I can't believe no one else can relate to what the costs are for other phones. The Internet experience is much better on the iPhone than any other device AT&T carries so they could argue that they can charge more for the same service. I'm glad they don't but I think everyone should think about the price of everything else in the market place before saying they should get more for less and be thankful they don't pay more. Don't get me wrong... I'm all about paying less but I've also got a firm grasp on reality.
I'm somewhat surprised to see all the posts that they should have $10 1 GB data, and $5 unlimited text messaging and X price for this and Y price for that.... Take a look at AT&T charges for data and text messaging for Windows Mobile phones or Blackberry phones.... Do you really think it should be 1/2 of what people pay for either of those services? Maybe everyone posting that they should have $5 unlimited text messages has only ever had a 3G iPhone and nothing else but I can't believe no one else can relate to what the costs are for other phones. The Internet experience is much better on the iPhone than any other device AT&T carries so they could argue that they can charge more for the same service. I'm glad they don't but I think everyone should think about the price of everything else in the market place before saying they should get more for less and be thankful they don't pay more. Don't get me wrong... I'm all about paying less but I've also got a firm grasp on reality.