Carrier My AT&T iPhone Unlimited data Plan and the FCC's VICTORY today !!

[Applejuiced]

You are correct that the companies only care about profits.

But, netnuet will end up being bad for the public. Tell me what you think of it in 3 years.

I hope not but only time could tell I guess.
Hope someone looks after the regular end people and not allow companies to take advantage of customers and get away with it cause they spends millions on buying politicians and lobbyists.

 

[jwlbel]

It is funny how people complain about being throttled. (I am still on the old unlimited plan) When we all signed up for it, what speed were we getting? 3G and we were all happy. They have increased our speeds over the years as technology has improved. And of course we have all gotten used to it. But if you really think about it, anything over 3G is a bonus since that is what we signed up for and we are still paying for. It would be different if they increased our monthly service charge for unlimited and then throttled us. Or if they were being dishonest in any way and not admitting to throttling us. If you don't like being throttled then change plans or carriers. I hope the FCC does not get involved. I don't want to be forced to change plans.

 

[C DM]

That's not going to happen.
That's the complete opposite of what this net neutrality FCC legislation is about.

Why can't a carrier discontinue a plan they were offering and not grandfather it or discontinue the grandfathering at some point?

 

[Menel]

Lol 😀
Little kids huh?
I'm probably much older than you and have been with AT&T for over 18 years.
But great job overgeneralizing and thinking whoever does not agree with your false claims is a little kid.
Glad prepaid works better for you, good thing there's more options out there or maybe it doesn't work that well for others or maybe they get better deals and discounts through their employers while still enjoying their subsidized phones. Since I been with them for that long and don't plan on switching why not save $400-500 on the device by signing a contract. Works great for me. 😉

Carriers arent giving you a $400 anything, you are paying that and more in monthly financing. But then again, my parents' generation loved financing themselves into the grave.

Comments check out, old man 🙂

 

[goofy1958]

You are older than me but I'm not even close to a little kid. I have little kids myself😀
Anyway, hope this regulation is pro consumer and actually helps improve services and promotes competition. You realize all these huge corporations are looking after themselves only and their pockets and don't care about the end customer. They care about their profits and how to make more that's all. Someone should be able to step in and tell them what they can and cannot get away with don't you think? they spend millions "donating" money for their cause and they have politicians in their pockets.
If my unlimited goes away some day so will my current carrier, and then I'll have to look at my available options and pros and cons of other choices that's all.

I hope it fosters competition and improves services as well, but history isn't with us on this.

 

[Applejuiced]

Why can't a carrier discontinue a plan they were offering and not grandfather it or discontinue the grandfathering at some point?

Its not that they cannot do it, it will just backfire on them bad.
All these people on contract will be able to go free wherever they want and those not on contract mostly will leave AT&T.

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Carriers arent giving you a $400 anything, you are paying that and more in monthly financing. But then again, my parents' generation loved financing themselves into the grave.

Comments check out, old man 🙂

Of Course I know they don't give it out free phones or financing.
But my current plan with full subsidies and 29% off due to employers discount works out great and cheaper than those mobile share plans and with unlimited data on 3 lines out of 4.
So mobile share or prepaid is not always cheaper or better that's all😉

 

[C DM]

Its not that they cannot do it, it will just backfire on them bad.
All these people on contract will be able to go free wherever they want and those not on contract mostly will leave AT&T.

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Of Course I know they don't give it out free phones or financing.
But my current plan with full subsidies and 29% off due to employers discount works out great and cheaper than those mobile share plans and with unlimited data on 3 lines out of 4.
So mobile share or prepaid is not always cheaper or better that's all😉

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I wont go into much political talk and I'm also not a fan of Obama but I did end up voting for him the 1st time.
Didn't make the same mistake twice😀
I just hope we see some healthy competition between carriers and better prices, consumer treatment, more choices and device unlock freedom from all carrier.

Not sure if this would be a move that would allow them to get out of contract. It's not usually "cut-and-dried" like that when it comes to things of that nature. As for leaving, where would most of those people go? Verizon would likely do the same kind of thing. And if those people didn't go for the cheaper T-Mobile and Sprint service by now it's not likely they would switch, and even if they would, I doubt we are looking at such large numbers as some might think and that would really make enough of an impact.

I'm not saying it would be a smooth thing to pull off, or that there wouldn't be backlash on some level, but it can be done and without some sort of an apocalypse coming about.

 

[aristobrat]

I don't need ATT's help (/cough *predatory practice) with a 24mo financing plan for a phone.

Carriers arent giving you a $400 anything, you are paying that and more in monthly financing. But then again, my parents' generation loved financing themselves into the grave.

I apologize if I've misunderstood your two comments above, but they make it sound like you think there is some sort of finance fee associated with AT&T's Next plan. FWIW, there isn't.

Attached is the contract. Note that it's 0% APR and there is no charge for being late.

 

[Menel]

My AT&T iPhone Unlimited data Plan and the FCC's VICTORY today !!

I apologize if I've misunderstood your two comments above, but they make it sound like you think there is some sort of finance fee associated with AT&T's Next plan. FWIW, there isn't.



Attached is the contract. Note that it's 0% APR and there is no charge for being late.



Image

The financing and phone fees are hidden in the bloated contract price. You just have to take the ATT glasses off and do the math independently.

 

[C DM]

The financing and phone fees are hidden in the bloated contract price. You just have to take the ATT glasses off and do the math independently.

You pay for the device one way or another. Just depends on what might work out (a bit) better for you given your plan and your needs.

 

[aristobrat]

The financing and phone fees are hidden in the bloated contract price. You just have to take the ATT glasses off and do the math independently.

The only contract on Next is the one where you agree to pay for the amount of the phone (and not a penny more). What contract are you talking about?

 

[Applejuiced]

Not sure if this would be a move that would allow them to get out of contract. It's not usually "cut-and-dried" like that when it comes to things of that nature. As for leaving, where would most of those people go? Verizon would likely do the same kind of thing. And if those people didn't go for the cheaper T-Mobile and Sprint service by now it's not likely they would switch, and even if they would, I doubt we are looking at such large numbers as some might think and that would really make enough of an impact.

I'm not saying it would be a smooth thing to pull off, or that there wouldn't be backlash on some level, but it can be done and without some sort of an apocalypse coming about.

I'm sure it can be done but it could turn out to a huge pr nightmare for att.
Those on contract forced to switch their grandfathered plan will be allowed to go without etf.
I know I would go straight to T-Mobile and many would scatter between T-Mobile, Sptint, prepaid mvno's etc.

 

[C DM]

I'm sure it can be done but it could turn out to a huge pr nightmare for att.
Those on contract forced to switch their grandfathered plan will be allowed to go without etf.
I know I would go straight to T-Mobile and many would scatter between T-Mobile, Sptint, prepaid mvno's etc.

I think a lot of the people on unlimited are likely not under contracts as the only reason to get contracts would be to get discounted phones, and as I recall to get a discounted phone they would require you to give up the unlimited plan and get on one of the current plans (at least that's basically the equivalent case with Verizon). So I'm not sure that whole get out of contract part (if it would even apply to that, given that there are quite a few restrictions as to where it can apply) would really end up playing that much of a role. PR is somewhat different, but again, hard to say how much of an issue that would ultimately create.

In any case, taking it back to the part of the discussion that started down this path, it's something that can be done, and it's not really something that would clearly make it seem like it would necessarily hurt the carriers, at least in an overall way (or at least to what degree).

 

[Applejuiced]

I think a lot of the people on unlimited are likely not under contracts as the only reason to get contracts would be to get discounted phones, and as I recall to get a discounted phone they would require you to give up the unlimited plan and get on one of the current plans (at least that's basically the equivalent case with Verizon). So I'm not sure that whole get out of contract part (if it would even apply to that, given that there are quite a few restrictions as to where it can apply) would really end up playing that much of a role. PR is somewhat different, but again, hard to say how much of an issue that would ultimately create.

In any case, taking it back to the part of the discussion that started down this path, it's something that can be done, and it's not really something that would clearly make it seem like it would necessarily hurt the carriers, at least in an overall way (or at least to what degree).

That is false.
Its that way with verizon but with AT&T you can renew your contract and keep your grandfathered plan for as long as you want.
And yes if they force a change to your plan by law you are allowed to get out of the contract ETF free.
You're saying its no big deal and wont hurt but it would be a disaster for AT&T and will be all over the place with bad publicity and negativity that will drive many people away. I know for sure I will take my 4 lines elsewhere and many others will too.

 

[C DM]

That is false.
Its that way with verizon but with AT&T you can renew your contract and keep your grandfathered plan for as long as you want.
And yes if they force a change to your plan by law you are allowed to get out of the contract ETF free.
You're saying its no big deal and wont hurt but it would be a disaster for AT&T and will be all over the place with bad publicity and negativity that will drive many people away. I know for sure I will take my 4 lines elsewhere and many others will too.

Well, perhaps different from Verizon in some of those senses.

But, again, going to the original comments about it, it can be done (and the cost of it to a particular carrier isn't necessarily something drastic either).

 

[Applejuiced]

Well, perhaps different from Verizon in some of those senses.

But, again, going to the original comments about it, it can be done (and the cost of it to a particular carrier isn't necessarily something drastic either).

Yes, very different than the way Verizon had it.
If they decide to do it its a big risk and a huge publicity nightmare.
Do they want to bluff and play chicken with their customers thinking they will just stay there and and not leave? Not sure if they would go for it.
There's much competition out there, tons of offers and incentives to switch and many others that are willing to step up and take over their longtime customers. If they don't appreciate an over 18 year standing customers account that is never late and with no issues and treat me like they don't care if I go or not then I will just go.
Its there move.

 

[C DM]

Yes, very different than the way Verizon had it.
If they decide to do it its a big risk and a huge publicity nightmare.
Do they want to bluff and play chicken with their customers thinking they will just stay there and and not leave? Not sure if they would go for it.
There's much competition out there, tons of offers and incentives to switch and many others that are willing to step up and take over their longtime customers. If they don't appreciate an over 18 year standing customers account that is never late and with no issues and treat me like they don't care if I go or not then I will just go.
Its there move.

I get all that. The underlying point is that they still can if they wanted to, as it relates to the earlier comment about it:

That's not going to happen.
That's the complete opposite of what this net neutrality FCC legislation is about.

 

[pooleman]

Carriers arent giving you a $400 anything, you are paying that and more in monthly financing. But then again, my parents' generation loved financing themselves into the grave.

Comments check out, old man 🙂

My cellphone plan costs the same whether I get a subsidized phone or not. How am I paying any kind of monthly financing? I have the AT&T grandfathered unlimited plan.

 

[C DM]

My cellphone plan costs the same whether I get a subsidized phone or not. How am I paying any kind of monthly financing? I have the AT&T grandfathered unlimited plan.

It's simply already figured as part of the plan. With those on current plans non-subsidized phones carry a cheaper monthly fee.

 

[macher]

I'm sure it can be done but it could turn out to a huge pr nightmare for att.
Those on contract forced to switch their grandfathered plan will be allowed to go without etf.
I know I would go straight to T-Mobile and many would scatter between T-Mobile, Sptint, prepaid mvno's etc.

Yes it can be done but I wonder what % or how many unlimited lines there are and is it significant. I know when I go into an AT&T store and they see I have a 4 line family plan each with unlimited they are pretty suprised because most people are on tiered data plans.

 

[barkomatic]

It's simply already figured as part of the plan. With those on current plans non-subsidized phones carry a cheaper monthly fee.

That's not universally true. A person on a single line with grandfathered unlimited data is paying less than a single line on a current plan--even if you consider the unlimited plan a 5GB plan. On top of that, that person is getting a subsidized phone whereas the person on the current plan is making payments--or chose to buy the phone at full price. In my case, I'm paying even less because I get a 20% employer discount. There is no other plan on AT&T that matches it.

The carriers are playing word games when it comes to terms like "no-contract", "subsidized" etc. I certainly agree that data prices have come down since AT&T first discontinued unlimited data -- but single lines are still expensive.

 

[C DM]

That's not universally true. A person on a single line with grandfathered unlimited data is paying less than a single line on a current plan--even if you consider the unlimited plan a 5GB plan. On top of that, that person is getting a subsidized phone whereas the person on the current plan is making payments--or chose to buy the phone at full price. In my case, I'm paying even less because I get a 20% employer discount. There is no other plan on AT&T that matches it.

The carriers are playing word games when it comes to terms like "no-contract", "subsidized" etc. I certainly agree that data prices have come down since AT&T first discontinued unlimited data -- but single lines are still expensive.

There are definitely pricing differences with different plans and discounts that someone has. The point is that the cost of the phone is still figured into it somewhere, be it as part of the monthly line fee, as part of a separate financing payment, or simply as part of someone buying the phone outright themselves.

 

[bushman4]

FCC's victory means nothing yet to ATT AND VERIZON customers with unlimited plans. Whether they offer a refund or discontinue the plans remains to be seen

 

[Applejuiced]

Yes it can be done but I wonder what % or how many unlimited lines there are and is it significant. I know when I go into an AT&T store and they see I have a 4 line family plan each with unlimited they are pretty suprised because most people are on tiered data plans.

I wouldn't say most people are on tiered.
There lots of people that are on the unlimited data plan and do not want to switch.
The AT&T reps are just trying to transition everyone away from those old plans and onto the more profitable tiered data plans. They're looking after themselves and what they company is telling them to do that's all.

 

[macher]

It is funny how people complain about being throttled. (I am still on the old unlimited plan) When we all signed up for it, what speed were we getting? 3G and we were all happy. They have increased our speeds over the years as technology has improved. And of course we have all gotten used to it. But if you really think about it, anything over 3G is a bonus since that is what we signed up for and we are still paying for. It would be different if they increased our monthly service charge for unlimited and then throttled us. Or if they were being dishonest in any way and not admitting to throttling us. If you don't like being throttled then change plans or carriers. I hope the FCC does not get involved. I don't want to be forced to change plans.

Actually for me throttling isn't that bad.