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The Grandfathered Unlimited Data Club: People Who Don't Need it But Can't Let it Go

Basically what I did was last year this time, I got the HTC Thunderbolt on Verizon when they had the Unlimited 4g data plan. But I knew I wanted a iphone. Instead of waiting I got the iphone 4s in October knowing a 4g phone would be released so what I did was keep my plan from the Thunderbolt all the same, unlimited 4g, data, texts, calls totalling my bill to like $120 a month.

So when that 4g iphone is announced, all I have to do is upgrade my phone when i'm eligible in June to the 4g iphone and I'll be grandfathered into my 4g data for it.
 
I purchased a Samsung Skyrocket in December, while I wait for the new iPhone later this year, and they did let me keep my unlimited data plan from the iPhone and move it over to the Skyrocket, and now it is an LTE unlimited plan (Skyrocket is the LTE version of the Galaxy SII). The description on my account actually says LTE unlimited data.

But who knows what they will do with the new iPhone. With the LTE unlimited, you get 5GB before you are throttled, but this android phone seems to use way more data than the iPhone did. I mean like double the data for some reason. I think part of it may have to do with it downloading new versions of apps in the background automatically when they are released, even on cellular instead of wifi. Versus the iPhone that prompts you to update apps, and usually you end up doing that at home on wifi.

Also with this LTE it is easy to blow through large amounts of data without realizing it as much. Like if a new version of a podcast is available, and you click ok to download it, and maybe 30 seconds later an hour-long video podcast is already downloaded, and you don't realize you've just blown through hundreds of megs of data in those 30 seconds lol.
 
cinca said:
Obviously the new iPhone hasn't been released yet so I don't have a crystal ball, but AT&T happily upgraded my unlimited grandfathered 3G data plan on my old iPad 2 to the unlimited LTE data plan on my new iPad. So if they follow the same logic with the upcoming iPhone it will be the case that you can upgrade your grandfathered iPhone 3G data plan to an LTE data plan.
Click to expand...

Awesome. I've been assuming they will kick me off of unlimited when they make the iPhone 4g if I want the new one but I agree that is a good sign that maybe not (I'll be happy if they let me keep it).
 
count me here also. I've had my unlimited data since my first iPhone. I don't necessarily need unlimited data but i do love having it so I can give AT&T the bird. Even though they're technically giving it to us by throttling our speeds.
 
Unlimited since 3G and I've probably hit 7gb in a month once but normally I'm around 3-4gb a month.
 
As app's get more complex and larger i'm NEVER giving it up unless totally forced
 
tigress666 said:
Awesome. I've been assuming they will kick me off of unlimited when they make the iPhone 4g if I want the new one but I agree that is a good sign that maybe not (I'll be happy if they let me keep it).
Click to expand...

As it stands currently ATT offers handful of LTE phones, for those with iPhones and unlimited plans that switch to a LTE phone, they automatically get put on the LTE Unlimited data plans, its been shown to be fact by many in this forum. There shouldn't be any reason to think anything will change when a Lte iPhone is released, except of course that the will add the prefix "iPhone" to LTe unlimited Data plan. Hopefully that helps a few restless minds.
 
I got in 2 weeks after the iPhone was released on Verizon. So far I've been a happy camper.

I have attached a screen shot of my usage.
 

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tigress666 said:
You're assuming AT&T will let you grandfather on to a 4G plan instead of telling you since they are different they cannot grandfather you and you'll have to pick one of the new plans ;). You're also assuming they'll move the throttle point up to 5 GBs.

And oh yeah, I belong in this club myself ;). I just like peace of mind I'm not going to get an overage charge. But seeing as my 4 has said I've used about 8 GBS of data since I got it (I got it release day), I really doubt I'll have those issues.
Click to expand...

What's there to assume? Everything I posted was confirmed by AT&T and if you actually read the latest updates you would know that.
 
Have mine still, grandfathered from day one with the original iPhone. I never even make it to 2 GB. I had considered switching when the $25 plan existed, but now with the 3GB at $30, there is no reason. The only thing that might break me is "official" Tethering.
 
little off topic, but when the iPhone 5 come out (assuming its 4G)


what would happen to our grandfathered contracts? because I've been hearing that we'd have to get rid of our unlimited, because we signed the contract for "3G" not "4G"
 
loon3y said:
little off topic, but when the iPhone 5 come out (assuming its 4G)


what would happen to our grandfathered contracts? because I've been hearing that we'd have to get rid of our unlimited, because we signed the contract for "3G" not "4G"
Click to expand...

That was my assumption. If you want a 4g phone, new contract, bye bye unlimited data.
 
Domestically I could almost live with the 200 MB plan - almost. I used 205 MB last month. Most of the time I am on wifi so I don't use much unless I'm travelling.

Internationally - I'm exceptionally lucky to be on a grandfathered Unlimited International plan. When I travel I make very good use of it.

Two weeks in Asia last fall was 683 MB. I've been in Europe for a week and have used probably about 900 MB so far this time as I've not been shy about Pandora and Sling Box (hockey!).

So I guess I don't completely fit the description - I don't need it at home but definitely do when I travel.

IMG_0750.PNG
 
I truly believe the next iPhone with run on LTE. And REALLY hope my Unl. Plan carries over when i upgrade.
4G has great coverage around Boston!!:D
 
Yup, I'm in the club. Although one of these days (as soon as they figure out how to get the iPhone 4S to use data on AT&T GoPhone plans,) I'm going to convert to GoPhone.
 
lovin it for now

When the new iPhone comes out and everyone is forced to get LTE plans I will cry when I have to give this plan up. The constant anxiety of worrying about how much bandwidth is being used to ensure a great...oh who am I kidding? i am already anxious w/ this stupid throttling policy :confused:
 
Present and accounted for... Shoot even when I was streaming Netflix a lot I didn't even scratch the clear coat on my unlimited data. Still you can't have my precious......

Except maybe when I got to LTE....
 
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