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BTW was I the only one with more data usage last month (may), than any other month? I always use 110-240 Mb. In May, I somehow used almost 400Mb


Data usage since Dec: 213 Mb, 138, 219, 115, 220, and in May 398 Mb!

See? I just dont trust anything. OK.. That may be a whine.

Mine jumped as well. 68, 39, 83, 56, 172, 266 mb for each of the past 6 months. Although I suspect part of my usage may have been from checking MR way too often for new phone rumors, pics, etc. since the gizmodo leak.
 
Plus, I hear alot of the complaining because now we will have video calls, but do we even know for certain if video calling will even use 3g data? I mean yes I know it will use the 3g network per se, but then again regular phone calls use 3g as well... do we get charged 3g data usage for phone calls made using 3g?? I seriously don't know, but I certainly hope not!

Now I know there is some precedent in other countries(but i honestly don't know what it is :eek:). They might very well charge 3g data usage for video calls. And I know that VOIP with skype etc will use data... but we don't know what kind of implementation Apple has up its sleeve or how at&t will charge for it. We might have a limited amount of video talk time (similar to our audio talk time limits), but it doesn't count against our data usage, it just counts against our video talk time.

So please don't use excuses to complain for facts we don't know yet! When June 7th comes you can maybe use that reason ;)
 
I actually like the new pricing. Neither my wife or daughter have used enough data to warrant keeping the unlimited plan. My wife hasn't gone over 145MB in the past six months. I'll be able to cut back their plans enough so that if I get an iPhone, my bill will only go up $5.
 
Touche.

because most of them are illegally tethering

...please don't use excuses to complain for facts we don't know yet!

Another excellent point. Since you clearly don't support baseless speculation, please provide the source you must be referencing that proves the 2% of AT&T users going over 2GB a month due to "illegally tethering" and are not exceeding this cap due to perfectly "legal" things like streaming music, watching youtube videos, etc.

Also, just a heads up, breaking your AT&T terms of service by tethering using a method that isn't officially supported by AT&T does not break any local, state, or federal laws that I'm aware of. I look forward to seeing the source you're using to justify the term "illegal" as well.
 
Another excellent point. Since you clearly don't support baseless speculation, please provide the source you must be referencing that proves the 2% of AT&T users going over 2GB a month due to "illegally tethering" and are not exceeding this cap due to perfectly "legal" things like streaming music, watching youtube videos, etc.

Also, just a heads up, breaking your AT&T terms of service by tethering using a method that isn't officially supported by AT&T does not break any local, state, or federal laws that I'm aware of. I look forward to seeing the source you're using to justify the term "illegal" as well.

Oh please. First of all I said most. and it is impossible to have realistic figures of this because at&t can't tell who's tethering (if they could they would have stopped it). But a quick look around this forum you will find tons of people complaining and posting their usages. All of the people that I have seen go over 2gb were tethering. Maybe about 10 people or so. Sure that is hardly a scientific study, but based on the avg persons' usage without tethering I think it is reasonable to assert the probability that most people that exceed 2gb are tethering.

Unfortunately I don't have time to pursue the legality of unauthorized tethering, but my point is that these people are abusing at&t services and policy. that still stands.
 
Oh please. First of all I said most. and it is impossible to have realistic figures of this because at&t can't tell who's tethering (if they could they would have stopped it). But a quick look around this forum you will find tons of people complaining and posting their usages. All of the people that I have seen go over 2gb were tethering. Maybe about 10 people or so. Sure that is hardly a scientific study, but based on the avg persons' usage without tethering I think it is reasonable to assert the probability that most people that exceed 2gb are tethering.

Unfortunately I don't have time to pursue the legality of unauthorized tethering, but my point is that these people are abusing at&t services and policy. that still stands.

Hmm... Funny this month I haven't tethered once and I went over 2GB. Heck an hour of streaming Pandora resulted in 100MB of activity. Your notion is false! The fact is it is very easy to go over 2GB of usage without tethering.

Most people only look at their 3G data usage, not their overall usage.

Most people aren't complaining about losing an "unlimited" plan, the issue is why pay $5 USD less per month for only 2GB. The price should be around $15 per month for 2GB+tethering. If I were on a metered data service, why does it matter to AT&T how I consume that data?

When tethering the most I have used is just under 5GB in one billing cycle. If you want to cry and talk about how I'm "abusing" my service, based on the TOS, well 90% of the apps in the app store violate the TOS.

For simple-minded folks, google maps violates your TOS as does Youtube.
 
...I think it is reasonable to assert the probability that most people that exceed 2gb are tethering.

Reasonable based on what? Forum posts? You can make sarcastic remarks about scientific method all day long, but you're choosing to ignore the numerous ways a person can exceed 2GB in a month without ever violating their ToS (re: Pandora, Youtube, streaming Podcasts, etc.)

Unfortunately I don't have time to pursue the legality of unauthorized tethering, but my point is that these people are abusing at&t services and policy. that still stands.

No problem, I wouldn't have time for that either. I assume since you were only referring to ToS violators that you'll stop accusing these people of doing something illegal then.

I'm not trying to get into a personal attack here...my main points were simply regarding the perfectly legitimate ways a normal user could exceed 2GB every month as well as the long term impact to consumers of data caps. I feel that both of these points are fair concerns and do not constitute whining as you originally posted.
 
People are sheep. I'm sick of hearing the stampede of complainers about the new data rates. I for one happen to like them. They give increased flexibility and end up being much cheaper for me (and 98% of iphone customers) in the long run.

The grass is always greener... can you imagine the outrage if the situation were reversed??

":eek: OMG AT&T just increased the data rates!!!! I only am using 189mb(that's my actual usage) per month!! Why should I be paying DOUBLE just because that guy over there wants to abuse the system, illegally tether, and use 10gb a month!"

I don't sympathize with you 2% of people that are eating up all my bandwidth and slowing down the network.


No one cares.

If you agree, type "I"
 
What I find humorous is all the people who are going to switch to Sprint in a giant mass. Do they not realize that once they flood over, Sprint will have to come up with something similar because the carrier won't be able to handle that much traffic?

But, more than likely that won't happen. People will just deal with it and move on.

I think any switching to Sprint will be a trickle rather than a flood.
 
The issue is not that AT$T is offering most users lower rates for migrating to a capped plan (and don't even get me started on the nonsense of the tethering option) it is that new users now need to pay far more for just using 3G or more of data (which if you opt for tethering and have an ipad is not much of a stretch).

Frankly, I believe that $30 for unlimited data is too much, when the iphone first came out the cost was only $20

AT$T believes most want a new iphone or will stay with their iphones no matter how bad or costly the network

Time will tell

EVOlution baby?
 
First I don't think anyone who only uses 189 MB of data in a month would understand why some of us don't agree with the new data plans.


and your edit brings me to my next point. If there's something I dislike more than whiners, it's people that whine about things that don't affect them.

Pot meet kettle. In case I confused you...you're whining:rolleyes:
 
What really just bothers me about the new rates is that if I use 2.1GBs, I'm automatically paying for that extra .9GBs I'll never use that month. I don't tether, just do a lot of slacker streaming, internet surfing, RSS feed reading, facebooking and some youtube watching. I currently use about ~1.7GBs/month on average, going to about 2.1-2.2GBs sometimes. So, am I that 2% that illegally tethers, and makes your network slow? I like to think not. I use it like everyone else, and one thing I hate the most is an inconsistent bill, which I could get depending on my usage for the month which is based on a variety of factors. Did I drive into work instead of taking carpool/BART and etc. If it was 3GBs, you'd probably wouldn't hear me complaining TOO much, at least for the time being. Just wait until we all start using more data and then see how you feel about those rates. We're just at the tip of the iceberg for data connectivity in my opinion, and data usage is only gonna go up, and not down.

Oh, and one more thing. Chances are when you have 3G coverage, its still using the 2G network to make your call/send texts, which is why you can surf the net at a decent speed at the same time. So no 3G voice, or VoIP business going out to my knowledge at least.
 
We have three iPhones in our house. I am the biggest user and have not gotten over 200 mb in the last six months.

I like the new plans. I think it would be nice if they continued to offer the unlimited plan, even if it cost more.

I don't know if I will change our plans though because who knows what the future holds.
 
The issue is not that AT$T is offering most users lower rates for migrating to a capped plan (and don't even get me started on the nonsense of the tethering option) it is that new users now need to pay far more for just using 3G or more of data (which if you opt for tethering and have an ipad is not much of a stretch).

Frankly, I believe that $30 for unlimited data is too much, when the iphone first came out the cost was only $20

AT$T believes most want a new iphone or will stay with their iphones no matter how bad or costly the network

Time will tell

EVOlution baby?

I'm not arguing that the solution is perfect. I'm just saying that for majority of users this is a good thing. I agree that the tethering part is ridiculous. If data is tiered you should be able to use it however you wish, it would be understandable with the unlimited option. And yeah it was $20 originally, but that was a special deal that at&t made with apple(and unsubsidized iphones), and it was the slower edge so usage was considerably lower

Illegality means breaking a LAW. Breaking a contract= breach of contract. Two different things ;)

contracts can be legally binding...

First I don't think anyone who only uses 189 MB of data in a month would understand why some of us don't agree with the new data plans.

True, but apparently 65% of people shouldn't understand. even 98% shouldn't really. But can you understand this? Should I be paying the same amount as people who use 10gb? Again in a perfect world there should be an unlimited, I'm not denying the benefit.

In fact I personally would love to see a tiered breakdown like this:
250mb - $15
1gb - $20
2gb - $25
>2gb/unlimited - $30
unlimited w/ tether - $45

Ideally tethering would be no extra cost unless you went above 2gb. Also this would be the only plan. Meaning each month your cost could change depending on your particular usage that month.

Now this is just something I randomly came up with now, I'm not saying it is the perfect system, but I think most of us could agree to it.
 
Excellent point. It's a good thing you'll continue to only use 189MB per month for years to come too. After video chat is added. After lala 2.0/itunes.com allows you to stream your entire music library wirelessly. After netflix and hulu release streaming apps. Yep, I'm sure you'll continue to only need 189MB per month.

Don't worry, I'm sure AT&T will simply increase your data cap and definitely won't just charge you to use more data as the average user's needs increase with technology. They care about customers more than making money since they're obviously adding these caps to protect you from the big bad 2% (not to gouge customers as bandwidth needs increase over time).

I'm sure you'll also love checking your data plan before you know if you have enough MB left to view a youtube video. Make no mistake, that's where data caps will take us.

(Also, please spare me the "but Verizon does it too!" argument. Data caps are bad for consumers in the long run and just because other companies are adding them too doesn't make them any less detrimental to the internet as we know it.)

Bravo Bravo!! Well said.

I do want to add in however; that it's not the people bitching about the new data cap that bother me, it's the retards that are bitching about it and saying that this is causing them to switch to verizon that bother me.

The grass is certainly no greener when it comes to pricing and data over at big red so choose your poison and **** about it. ...and for those of you that forgot, yes att is a for profit corporation. ...oh yeah, this may come as a shock to some people but verizon and sprint are too :eek::eek::eek:
 
I don't know if I will change our plans though because who knows what the future holds.

Yeah even though I am arguing for the cheaper rates, I still am in your shoes. I am reserved to switch to the lower rates because I don't want to have to eat my words later and want to have unlimited due to video chat, voip, streeming, etc...
 
True, but apparently 65% of people shouldn't understand. even 98% shouldn't really. But can you understand this? Should I be paying the same amount as people who use 10gb? Again in a perfect world there should be an unlimited, I'm not denying the benefit.

Actually no, I don't think a 189er should pay the same as a 3giger. I do like tiered plans.

What I don't like is being referred to as a data hog for using the unlimited data I pay for. I don't like the fact that less than 5 weeks into my ipad wireless service the turn it on and off when you want option has been basically removed. I don't like that upgrading to the latest hardware may force me to go with a 2gig plan I don't want.

And I really don't like being called a whiner for not liking the previous three things I don't like:)
 
I would be mad if I HAD to change my current data plan, but I don't. I'm a continuing iPhone user and will keep the $30 a month plan. However, people like hearing unlimited. Even if they don't get close to the cap, they never have to worry about overcharges. In some cases, it's hard to tell if you'll need the extra data or not so it's nice to know that unlimited is unlimited and you dont need to plan ahead. I'll keep my unlimited data plan and just JB for free tethering, like a lot of people will do.
 
It's charged per minute here and does not count as data.

So that helps to keep down our usage

Actually no, I don't think a 189er should pay the same as a 3giger. I do like tiered plans.

What I don't like is being referred to as a data hog for using the unlimited data I pay for. I don't like the fact that less than 5 weeks into my ipad wireless service the turn it on and off when you want option has been basically removed. I don't like that upgrading to the latest hardware may force me to go with a 2gig plan I don't want.

And I really don't like being called a whiner for not liking the previous three things I don't like:)

Do you use tethering? Because in my mind that breaks your contract and gives me the right to call you a data hog and a usage abuser. If you don't well then I'll just be mad that you are getting charged the same as me :p

Now the bait and switch game with the ipad is a different story. I don't have an ipad so I'm not arguing either way about that. I do think it's a little underhanded tho.

And why would it force you? You are grandfathered into the unlimited. You are locked in for as long as you want to be even if you get a new phone :)

edit: whiner! :p
 
I would be mad if I HAD to change my current data plan, but I don't. I'm a continuing iPhone user and will keep the $30 a month plan. However, people like hearing unlimited. Even if they don't get close to the cap, they never have to worry about overcharges. In some cases, it's hard to tell if you'll need the extra data or not so it's nice to know that unlimited is unlimited and you dont need to plan ahead. I'll keep my unlimited data plan and just JB for free tethering, like a lot of people will do.

Which will probably work if you're keeping your current phone. I "wanted" to upgrade but now I'm not sure I can and keep the unlimited plan:(

So that helps to keep down our usage



Do you use tethering? Because in my mind that breaks your contract and gives me the right to call you a data hog and a usage abuser. If you don't well then I'll just be mad that you are getting charged the same as me :p

Now the bait and switch game with the ipad is a different story. I don't have an ipad so I'm not arguing either way about that. I do think it's a little underhanded tho.

And why would it force you? You are grandfathered into the unlimited. You are locked in for as long as you want to be even if you get a new phone :)

edit: whiner! :p

I don't tether. It is my understanding that keeping your unlimited plan and upgrading to the new phone coming out might not be an option.
 
Mine jumped as well. 68, 39, 83, 56, 172, 266 mb for each of the past 6 months. Although I suspect part of my usage may have been from checking MR way too often for new phone rumors, pics, etc. since the gizmodo leak.

Very weird...... My usage was 250MB in Dec drops down to about an average of 80MB a month until May when its back up to about 220MB.

December I can understand... too much time on my hands. May though?? perhaps your right iPhone 4 rumors...
 
I don't tether. It is my understanding that keeping your unlimited plan and upgrading to the new phone coming out might not be an option.

Which will probably work if you're keeping your current phone. I "wanted" to upgrade but now I'm not sure I can and keep the unlimited plan:(

glad I can give you some good news :)

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/0...can-keep-unlimited-data-plan-for-next-iphone/

and there is one thing that I will give at&t both a tip of my hat AND a wag of my finger! haha

The fact that you can retroactively go back and forth between data plus and data pro is pretty neat. I personally have never heard of such a thing that you can go 29 days through your cycle, realize you went way over in data, and automatically upgrade yourself so you don't get billed through the butt. that's pretty cool at&t

But then on the other hand... it's pretty underhanded when you think about it. How many people want to monitor their usage to see if they need to upgrade their data plan? at&t knows most people will just leave it as is. if someone uses 201mb on dataplus they are paying more then 2gb on datapro... :confused: that just doesn't seem right.

plus can you imagine if you were used to switching back and forth depending on your usage and you accidentally stayed on plus instead of pro? and you ended up using 1.81gb of data... instead of being charged $25 that would be a whopping $150!! haha, ridiculous....

Would it be too much to ask at&t just to keep one data plan and charge us $15, $25, $35... etc accordingly?

But i'm not complaining :p
 
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