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AT&T new data plans for the iPhone/iPad

post #1 of 12
Thread Starter 
So like clockwork, a new iPhone is on the way out (yep I'm looking to update to this one, as I sat out the 3GS), and good old AT&T decided to setup some new things for all new users of the iPhone and iPad:
$25 for 2 gigs of data (tack on another $20 and you can tether)
$15 for 200 mb a month


Kicks in June 7th, oh and all the old customers on their unlimited plans can keep the $30 plan, even if you upgrade (and by unlimited they really mean 5 gigs).

So instead of trying to improve their network, they just decide to lower data limits? Now I'm not one of those crazy data users (3 gigs or so), but with Hulu and Netflix coming your ways pretty soon, its going to be hard for new users to stay under 2 gigs. Let alone if you use your device for GPS (well more google maps, as everything is loaded on the fly), streaming radio (sorry but Atlanta radio isn't so great), youtube something, or try to do some VOIP, you'll bypass the limits pretty fast.

I might be missing some details (hit up www.macrumors.com or www.engadget.com to catch up), but I think I got the gist of it.

OT:
One thing I hate with America's cell service is multiple frequencies. It ties you to one carrier. As someone who travels abroad, I get pretty jealous on the fact that countries have better standards on the wireless front. Standard spectrum and have the companies actually fight for your money. Hell, I miss free incoming minutes and texts.
post #2 of 12
Yeah, we've been talking about this in the Droid thread, which is probably not the right place for it. Verizon will most likely follow suit.

I read an article on the "quadropoly" of phone service here in the US...basically how we have 4 major carriers, but each one of them sucks in it's own way.

We were all comparing our recent data usage in that thread--in the past 6 months, my highest monthly is 65 MB on my non-iPhone smart phone.
post #3 of 12
Can someone clear this up for me: how hard is it for a customer under contract to upgrade to the new iPhone? I hear it's a pain in the neck and super expensive. Is it better to just wait until your contract expires (mine is up in October) and re-sign to the get the new iPhone?
post #4 of 12
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dranbon View Post
Can someone clear this up for me: how hard is it for a customer under contract to upgrade to the new iPhone? I hear it's a pain in the neck and super expensive. Is it better to just wait until your contract expires (mine is up in October) and re-sign to the get the new iPhone?
If you can wait, I would. Less headache, and save yourself a few hundred.

Oh another thing to bust the data cap: iPhone video conferencing.
post #5 of 12
I know a few people that work for Apple, and all I can say is that they are FURIOUS about this.

The rumor is, when Jobs found out a few weeks ago, he screamed, "what the fuck?"
post #6 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dranbon View Post
Can someone clear this up for me: how hard is it for a customer under contract to upgrade to the new iPhone? I hear it's a pain in the neck and super expensive. Is it better to just wait until your contract expires (mine is up in October) and re-sign to the get the new iPhone?
"Lose" your phone, open a second line for $10/month, get new iPhone for that line, switch numbers on new iPhone and voila!

Alternately, get an Android phone and break free of the oppression!
post #7 of 12
One less reason to own an iPhone.
post #8 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm View Post
"Lose" your phone, open a second line for $10/month, get new iPhone for that line, switch numbers on new iPhone and voila!

Alternately, get an Android phone and break free of the oppression!
You're blowing my mind right now.
post #9 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dranbon View Post
Can someone clear this up for me: how hard is it for a customer under contract to upgrade to the new iPhone? I hear it's a pain in the neck and super expensive. Is it better to just wait until your contract expires (mine is up in October) and re-sign to the get the new iPhone?
Check your upgrade status with AT&T. I don't think my contract expires until January or February of 2011, but when my wife got her new iPhone on Mother's Day, I had them check my account to see exactly when my contract was over. The girl said, "You can upgrade now, if you want." I think after 18 months of your contract, you can upgrade. Otherwise, it's basically how much will it cost you at this time to break the current contract and start a new one (as an AT&T guy explained it to me). If your contract is up in October, you should be eligible right now if you're with AT&T.

My wife really needed a new phone right then, whereas I said I'll just wait for the new iPhone (I have a Nokia E71x right now). However, I do have unlimited data on this one, so it should carry over to the iPhone.
post #10 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezz View Post
I know a few people that work for Apple, and all I can say is that they are FURIOUS about this.

The rumor is, when Jobs found out a few weeks ago, he screamed, "what the fuck?"
Maybe he shouldn't have put all his eggs in one basket by extending an exclusivity agreement.
post #11 of 12
AT&T and apple really have an extreme love-hate relationship with each other.

Caps to data use are going to come from all the carriers. They just can't handle the bandwidth. The shitty thing is that the caps here are really restrictive. 2GBs is not alot if you watch videos or stream music and as new stuff like video chatting become the norm, many people are going to find themselve paying the extra overages charges.
post #12 of 12
I only really have two issues:

1) Paying an extra $20 a month for tethering. If AT&T wants to charge people for sharing a capped connection, at least up the cap so people are getting something extra for their money.

2) The rather egregious overage fee for going over the lower-tier 200MB cap.
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