Let's not forget why AT&T is really doing this: If their network did not stink so much and have trouble with keeping up with its customers AND not having to deal with constant dropped calls, maybe they wouldn't have to take the unlimited usage away.
Apple PLEASE go to other providers so AT&T will have no choice but to modify there data usage plan again.
Then why have I been hearing about a 5 GB limit in the fine print for ages?
The current unlimited iPhone data plan is called "Data Plan For iPhone" and it is unlimited. The 5GB limit applies to DataConnect plans only. There is no mention of the iPhones data plan in the fine prints. This point was addressed many times.
On June 1, I entered into my 2nd month of the iPad 250 MB plan for $15. It charged my credit card. Saw all the news today about the cancellation of the unlimited plan, so I "upgraded my account." However, I was CHARGED THE FULL $30, not the difference between the two plans ($15).
Does anyone know how to contact ATT support?? It won't let me register to get into the ATT website with my iPad phone number. Has anyone else been able to get logged in, so I can access the customer support portion???
Let's not forget why AT&T is really doing this: If their network did not stink so much and have trouble with keeping up with its customers AND not having to deal with constant dropped calls, maybe they wouldn't have to take the unlimited usage away.
Apple PLEASE go to other providers so AT&T will have no choice but to modify there data usage plan again.
Dan
They won't be changing this plan and other carriers have suggested that they will be moving to similar models. Tiered pricing is here to stay, and for the most part it's a good thing. Paying for tethering however is not.
Ideally you would pay for a set amount of data service and would be permitted to use that data however you please, with an unlimited amount of 3G and tethered devices connected to it. Or at least unlimited tethering and a marginal fee to add another 3G device. We are coming up on an era of multiple connected devices, it isn't feasible to pay for them all independently.
Next up - the ISPs. Those out there who applaud this because you don't use much bandwidth are fooling themselves. Your rates for what your ISP is going to charge you will be higher than what you pay now - and for less bandwidth. I wouldn't be surprised if even the lowest tier for an ISP is more than what they charge as a flat rate right now.
Look at what that beautiful piece of legislation <sarcasm> called the FTC Act of 1993, which deregulated the cable industry, did for your cable bills. It increased them 10-fold over the last 15 years and has done nothing to increase competition. I would love to hear from anyone who has a choice of two CABLE company ISPs. Anyone? FIOS doesn't count - different technology.
Deregulation isn't always the answer. Unfettered capitalism is a bad thing. The snake oil salesmen of more than 100 years ago taught us that.
The current unlimited iPhone data plan is called "Data Plan For iPhone" and it is unlimited. The 5GB limit applies to DataConnect plans only. There is no mention of the iPhones data plan in the fine prints. This point was addressed many times.
This is definitely a "bait and switch" move relative to the iPad WiFi+3G, sold with the understanding of a just announced data plan, and just over the 30 days for anyone who signed up for a data plan on release day and canceled it so it wouldn't auto-renew. I think it's time for AT&T to get some FTC love on this subject, and I'll be contacting them to file a complaint. I urge anyone else affected by this action to do the same.
And, yes, it would be trivially easy to go over 2GB of data in 30 days on an iPad.
On second thought, you're probably more likely to see faster action on this if you contact your Senators and Congressman.
You guys all sound like teenage boys. Hopefully most of you threatening to switch phones/carriers are really serious about it so I don't have to read your pathetic rants day after day and deal with you hogging my network. Tethering is so five years ago.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
I pray for the day that Apple decides to open the iPhone to Verizon. AT&T has been greedy since their inception. I'm old enough to remember the days when AT&T monopoly would charge $1 per minute land line long distance. And this was in the dys of $0.35 per gallon gasoline. Their coirporate philosophy hasn't changed. Give the minimum customer service ans satisfaction for the maximum dollar. The consumer needs competition.
I've been a loyal Apple fan (and stockholder). I switched from a decent carrier (T-mobile) to AT&T just to get the iPhone. My service is definately not as good as it was with T-mobile. Since the iPhone was initially announced, tethering was promised. Year after year, no tethering. Now, tethering will be allowed - at a premium price. I'm about ready to get a Droid just to have a decent carrier with adequate customer service.
Until then, jailbreak. The customer has at least one weapon to fight back.
This is analogous to the water company saying that each household could use 5,000 gallons a month, but you have to pay extra if you want
to fill your swimming pool with it.
You don't buy a 2 GB slot, you buy a share in a 2 GB slot. And AT&T is selling more than one share per 2 GB slot. It is like airplane tickets, the airlines will always sell more tickets than they have seats (if they can find enough buyers) because they expect that not everybody will actually show up. Same for AT&T, they don't expect everybody to use 2 GB, they would not even have the bandwidth for that. But as long as others under-consume in regard to what AT&T is budgeting for every user (maybe 700 MB), some can over-consume (in regard to AT&T's internal budget for them). And naturally the more people are allowed to tether, their average consumption will go up, and AT&T won't be able to sell 2 GB slot three times, but maybe only 1.5 times. Which means, the price has to go up, if AT&T wants to have the same income.
To make a simple example, assume AT&T has a total bandwidth of 1000 GB/month for a given cell tower. If the average user uses 500 MB/month (with an advertised 2 GB cap), it can sell 2000 data plans in the area. Assume the average usage goes up to 1 GB if tethering is allowed. Now it can sell only 1000 data plans or it might have to put up another cell tower to keep selling 2000 data plans. So, either way it has to double prices to keep income the same while keeping its costs constant (one cell tower) OR it has to double prices to double income as costs double (adding a second tower).
The point is, with tethering you will use more data, who should pay for this? The other customers who do not tether and thus under-consume, or those which do use tethering and thus over-consume?
Having data caps at different price points is nice, but may be troublesome if apps continue being developed under the mindset that data usage is unlimited. The NYT's and Thomson Reuters apps let me download news articles that I can read later read offline. Thus I can set these apps to only use wifi to download and refresh with the latest articles, saving me from using 3G data. Then there are apps like Sci Fi Wire which never seems to stop downloading the entire time I have it open, fun articles to read but a poorly designed app. I like to reminisce about my Palm PDA days and how the programs where designed to download content for offline viewing, because back then, constantly persistent unlimited 3G didn't exist. Depending on which direction future app development for the iPhone takes, either constant network reliance or connect and download content, will determine how frustrating having a data plan with a usage cap will be.
Several people mentioned the move towards cloud computing. Hopefully Apple will have some foresight in implementing such tools in a way that keeps network traffic and data usage to a minimum. Otherwise, what AT&T is doing with its data plan and where companies are heading with cloud computing, each traveling in opposing directions, will tear customers apart with frustration.
So I save $5 out of $30 for less than half the amount of usage? Why can't they charge us less than half the price?? i.e. $12....now that would be a deal! It's the principle that ATT can charge much less than they are...that's why everyone should be pissed off about.
So 2 GB is 1/2 of unlimited? If you can't even get the math right, why should anyone listen to you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuriel
ATT is doing a preemptive strike on its users....once the tech (iphone 4th gen) requires more usage (video chatting, multi tasking, NETFLIX!!) they will offer higher GB at higher prices....I can see a future "unlimited" ATT plan running for $40.
No, AT&T is doing a preemptive strike on the pigs who are clogging the network with their data demands - a very, very tiny percentage of users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmf2
In Canada I pay $30 a month for 6 GB of data and have free tethering. Tethering isn't an additional service provided when the data plan is already capped, the iPhone does all the work..
That's nice. OTOH, you could live in Europe and pay much more than the new AT&T rates. In case no one ever explained it to you, countries are different and your experience in Canada has no meaning for US customers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by desarc
i use my iPhone ALL THE TIME.
let me repeat that, ALL THE TIME.
i just checked and last month i used 146 megs of 3G data.
[i'm on wifi at work, at home, at all of my friends / family homes]
and now my wife can get an iphone - she didn't like the idea of paying $30 a month when all she wants is an iPod and phone all in one - occasionally using google maps.
My situation is about the same. I just checked - my iPhone is 23 months old (new one this month, I hope!) and has 133 MB upload and 2.6 GB download over that entire period.
Of course, I'm careful to use WiFi when it's available, but mostly for speed reasons rather than cost.
I'm in the same boat - my daughter wants my old iPhone when I upgrade, but I didn't want to spend the money on the data plan. With the new, lower cost plans, it might make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulkas
That's what I find distasteful about these plans. If you have a cap, why also put restrictions on how you can use the data? My analogy would be you have paid for a dessert at Dairy Queen, you get a single cone for a price. But if you want to share it with your son you have to pay an additional 80%. You don't get any more ice cream but you get to share it.
That's one of the most strained analogies I've ever seen. Hint: cell phone data plans are not Dairy Queen ice cream.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevie
Agreed. A buddy of mine just got a Palm Pre Plus on Verizon. He can make a free WiFi Hot Spot with his phone and tether several devices at once. For free.
Not worth it. I wouldn't use a Palm Pre if they paid me. But if you're willing to use a crappy phone to save a couple of bucks, go ahead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmz
I'm not sure you understand how this works. For 3 straight years AT&T has only offered and required Unlimited data, for 20, then $30/mon. This was prohibitive to many potential customers. What AT&T wants is more subscribers, not more dollars per user. The $15 option is supposed to lure the person who wants an iPhone, but isn't a power user. It's a good idea, but I do not think it's aggressive enough. Maybe not 200 mb, but at least 50 or 100 mb should be FREE.
You're on the right track. I think I may sign my daughter up for a low usage plan (as explained above) but never would have with the old plan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppDev
Exactly. These new plans won't work for heavy data users.
They also just gave their competition an excellent marketing advantage.
Sure. "If you're a heavy porn downloader who spends 12 hours per day downloading porn, we'll give you a cheaper plan. Meanwhile, the rest of our customers will suffer because you're clogging up our pipelines".
You guys all sound like teenage boys. Hopefully most of you threatening to switch phones/carriers are really serious about it so I don't have to read your pathetic rants day after day and deal with you hogging my network. Tethering is so five years ago.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
People complaints are invalid because they don't apply to your situation? People with iPad have the potential to consume more data than you on your iPhone, so the 2 GB cap may be an issue for some considering they were promised unlimited, but now lose that if they cancel their service (which is the point of a month to month data plan). That seems valid to me. But I do think it was an inevitability, and it does lower the costs for many (like yourself).
Paying for tethering when there is no additional service provided is also a valid complaint.
You appear to be the child in the room, using phrases like "so five years ago" and thinking that how these changes impact you is the only thing that matters.
If you have the unlimited plan now you get to keep it.
Yes, but on the iPad if I cancel for 1 month (because I don't need it that month) I lose my unlimited plan.
Quote:
Well if you want to do all of that over 3G you will have to pay for it.
Umm I was paying for it before, 5 gigs for $30. now I get to pay $25 for 2. RIP OFF
Quote:
AT&T is actively expanding their WiFi network and allowing iPhone/iPad to use it for free.
That's great, but the last I looked there is no wifi on the T (subway) thats why i'm paying for 3G and its not "Free" you have to have a data plan.
Quote:
You can go to Verizon where they charge the same for only 5GB.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, might be a good idea. I like how I have 3G built into my iPad so I do not have to carry around another device and worry about its battery. but you really cant deny $30 for 5 gigs is better than $25 for 2 gigs. (the new iPad is not unlimited)
$15 per extra 200MB on the 200MB/mo plan is highway robbery. $5 per extra 200MB would have been a much more reasonable billing option. Even at the "reasonable" overage rate of $5/200MB, using 2GB would cost $60.
This rational only applies to a very small minority of people who used a lot of bandwidth. For the vast majority of people $30 for unlimited is unnecessary. It isn't like 3G is the only option for data on mobile devices. AT&T is working to increase the WiFi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumptman
My implication was that they would raise the price, and what they have done is raise the price. The cell model has always been the same, scare you into buying more of whatever service you use by charging ridiculous rates for overages. That is the model they have just reestablished here as well.
You guys all sound like teenage boys. Hopefully most of you threatening to switch phones/carriers are really serious about it so I don't have to read your pathetic rants day after day and deal with you hogging my network. Tethering is so five years ago.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
Umm your math is wrong your "Saving" $5 not $15.
Also I LOVE how every one is excited to pay a little less, to get ALLOT Less.
if AT&T really wanted to do users good, they would have added a $15 for 2 gig plan
But no they want to screw you and take as much money as they can.
That's one of the most strained analogies I've ever seen. Hint: cell phone data plans are not Dairy Queen ice cream.
Hence they word 'analogy'. duh.
They are however both products that you may buy and consume.
Perhaps another analogy you would understand better. If your landline ISP enforces a cap on your usage, would you think it reasonable for them to charge you extra for additionally using your iPhone on your home network and not just your Mac?
The best reasoning for accepting the extra tethering fee on a capped plan is that if you tether, you are more likely to use the data that you paid for. If you don't tether you likely will pay for data you are not using. So the argument is that if you are more likely to actually use what you have paid for then you should pay an extra fee. In the analogy above, you having your family's iPhones and iPads and Mac on your home network makes it more likely that you will use more of the data that you have paid for than if you just had your own Mac on the network. If you don't exceed your cap, would you accept your ISP saying they are going to start charging you almost twice your monthly fee?
Comments
Apple PLEASE go to other providers so AT&T will have no choice but to modify there data usage plan again.
Dan
Then why have I been hearing about a 5 GB limit in the fine print for ages?
The current unlimited iPhone data plan is called "Data Plan For iPhone" and it is unlimited. The 5GB limit applies to DataConnect plans only. There is no mention of the iPhones data plan in the fine prints. This point was addressed many times.
Does anyone know how to contact ATT support?? It won't let me register to get into the ATT website with my iPad phone number. Has anyone else been able to get logged in, so I can access the customer support portion???
Thanks!!!
-Sam
Let's not forget why AT&T is really doing this: If their network did not stink so much and have trouble with keeping up with its customers AND not having to deal with constant dropped calls, maybe they wouldn't have to take the unlimited usage away.
Apple PLEASE go to other providers so AT&T will have no choice but to modify there data usage plan again.
Dan
They won't be changing this plan and other carriers have suggested that they will be moving to similar models. Tiered pricing is here to stay, and for the most part it's a good thing. Paying for tethering however is not.
Ideally you would pay for a set amount of data service and would be permitted to use that data however you please, with an unlimited amount of 3G and tethered devices connected to it. Or at least unlimited tethering and a marginal fee to add another 3G device. We are coming up on an era of multiple connected devices, it isn't feasible to pay for them all independently.
Look at what that beautiful piece of legislation <sarcasm> called the FTC Act of 1993, which deregulated the cable industry, did for your cable bills. It increased them 10-fold over the last 15 years and has done nothing to increase competition. I would love to hear from anyone who has a choice of two CABLE company ISPs. Anyone? FIOS doesn't count - different technology.
Deregulation isn't always the answer. Unfettered capitalism is a bad thing. The snake oil salesmen of more than 100 years ago taught us that.
The current unlimited iPhone data plan is called "Data Plan For iPhone" and it is unlimited. The 5GB limit applies to DataConnect plans only. There is no mention of the iPhones data plan in the fine prints. This point was addressed many times.
Thanks, I'd never seen that explained.
And, yes, it would be trivially easy to go over 2GB of data in 30 days on an iPad.
On second thought, you're probably more likely to see faster action on this if you contact your Senators and Congressman.
You get to keep your unlimited data plan.
I don't understand why you are on 3G that much. WiFi is everywhere.
Is publicly-accessible wifi everywhere? Hardly. Closed networks don't provide you anything.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
I've been a loyal Apple fan (and stockholder). I switched from a decent carrier (T-mobile) to AT&T just to get the iPhone. My service is definately not as good as it was with T-mobile. Since the iPhone was initially announced, tethering was promised. Year after year, no tethering. Now, tethering will be allowed - at a premium price. I'm about ready to get a Droid just to have a decent carrier with adequate customer service.
Until then, jailbreak. The customer has at least one weapon to fight back.
This is analogous to the water company saying that each household could use 5,000 gallons a month, but you have to pay extra if you want
to fill your swimming pool with it.
You don't buy a 2 GB slot, you buy a share in a 2 GB slot. And AT&T is selling more than one share per 2 GB slot. It is like airplane tickets, the airlines will always sell more tickets than they have seats (if they can find enough buyers) because they expect that not everybody will actually show up. Same for AT&T, they don't expect everybody to use 2 GB, they would not even have the bandwidth for that. But as long as others under-consume in regard to what AT&T is budgeting for every user (maybe 700 MB), some can over-consume (in regard to AT&T's internal budget for them). And naturally the more people are allowed to tether, their average consumption will go up, and AT&T won't be able to sell 2 GB slot three times, but maybe only 1.5 times. Which means, the price has to go up, if AT&T wants to have the same income.
To make a simple example, assume AT&T has a total bandwidth of 1000 GB/month for a given cell tower. If the average user uses 500 MB/month (with an advertised 2 GB cap), it can sell 2000 data plans in the area. Assume the average usage goes up to 1 GB if tethering is allowed. Now it can sell only 1000 data plans or it might have to put up another cell tower to keep selling 2000 data plans. So, either way it has to double prices to keep income the same while keeping its costs constant (one cell tower) OR it has to double prices to double income as costs double (adding a second tower).
The point is, with tethering you will use more data, who should pay for this? The other customers who do not tether and thus under-consume, or those which do use tethering and thus over-consume?
Several people mentioned the move towards cloud computing. Hopefully Apple will have some foresight in implementing such tools in a way that keeps network traffic and data usage to a minimum. Otherwise, what AT&T is doing with its data plan and where companies are heading with cloud computing, each traveling in opposing directions, will tear customers apart with frustration.
So I save $5 out of $30 for less than half the amount of usage? Why can't they charge us less than half the price?? i.e. $12....now that would be a deal! It's the principle that ATT can charge much less than they are...that's why everyone should be pissed off about.
So 2 GB is 1/2 of unlimited? If you can't even get the math right, why should anyone listen to you?
ATT is doing a preemptive strike on its users....once the tech (iphone 4th gen) requires more usage (video chatting, multi tasking, NETFLIX!!) they will offer higher GB at higher prices....I can see a future "unlimited" ATT plan running for $40.
No, AT&T is doing a preemptive strike on the pigs who are clogging the network with their data demands - a very, very tiny percentage of users.
In Canada I pay $30 a month for 6 GB of data and have free tethering. Tethering isn't an additional service provided when the data plan is already capped, the iPhone does all the work..
That's nice. OTOH, you could live in Europe and pay much more than the new AT&T rates. In case no one ever explained it to you, countries are different and your experience in Canada has no meaning for US customers.
i use my iPhone ALL THE TIME.
let me repeat that, ALL THE TIME.
i just checked and last month i used 146 megs of 3G data.
[i'm on wifi at work, at home, at all of my friends / family homes]
and now my wife can get an iphone - she didn't like the idea of paying $30 a month when all she wants is an iPod and phone all in one - occasionally using google maps.
My situation is about the same. I just checked - my iPhone is 23 months old (new one this month, I hope!) and has 133 MB upload and 2.6 GB download over that entire period.
Of course, I'm careful to use WiFi when it's available, but mostly for speed reasons rather than cost.
I'm in the same boat - my daughter wants my old iPhone when I upgrade, but I didn't want to spend the money on the data plan. With the new, lower cost plans, it might make sense.
That's what I find distasteful about these plans. If you have a cap, why also put restrictions on how you can use the data? My analogy would be you have paid for a dessert at Dairy Queen, you get a single cone for a price. But if you want to share it with your son you have to pay an additional 80%. You don't get any more ice cream but you get to share it.
That's one of the most strained analogies I've ever seen. Hint: cell phone data plans are not Dairy Queen ice cream.
Agreed. A buddy of mine just got a Palm Pre Plus on Verizon. He can make a free WiFi Hot Spot with his phone and tether several devices at once. For free.
Not worth it. I wouldn't use a Palm Pre if they paid me. But if you're willing to use a crappy phone to save a couple of bucks, go ahead.
I'm not sure you understand how this works. For 3 straight years AT&T has only offered and required Unlimited data, for 20, then $30/mon. This was prohibitive to many potential customers. What AT&T wants is more subscribers, not more dollars per user. The $15 option is supposed to lure the person who wants an iPhone, but isn't a power user. It's a good idea, but I do not think it's aggressive enough. Maybe not 200 mb, but at least 50 or 100 mb should be FREE.
You're on the right track. I think I may sign my daughter up for a low usage plan (as explained above) but never would have with the old plan.
Exactly. These new plans won't work for heavy data users.
They also just gave their competition an excellent marketing advantage.
Sure. "If you're a heavy porn downloader who spends 12 hours per day downloading porn, we'll give you a cheaper plan. Meanwhile, the rest of our customers will suffer because you're clogging up our pipelines".
Sounds like a great promotion.
Just wait till Verizon follows suit with their data cost increase.
You guys all sound like teenage boys. Hopefully most of you threatening to switch phones/carriers are really serious about it so I don't have to read your pathetic rants day after day and deal with you hogging my network. Tethering is so five years ago.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
People complaints are invalid because they don't apply to your situation? People with iPad have the potential to consume more data than you on your iPhone, so the 2 GB cap may be an issue for some considering they were promised unlimited, but now lose that if they cancel their service (which is the point of a month to month data plan). That seems valid to me. But I do think it was an inevitability, and it does lower the costs for many (like yourself).
Paying for tethering when there is no additional service provided is also a valid complaint.
You appear to be the child in the room, using phrases like "so five years ago" and thinking that how these changes impact you is the only thing that matters.
If you have the unlimited plan now you get to keep it.
Yes, but on the iPad if I cancel for 1 month (because I don't need it that month) I lose my unlimited plan.
Well if you want to do all of that over 3G you will have to pay for it.
Umm I was paying for it before, 5 gigs for $30. now I get to pay $25 for 2. RIP OFF
AT&T is actively expanding their WiFi network and allowing iPhone/iPad to use it for free.
That's great, but the last I looked there is no wifi on the T (subway) thats why i'm paying for 3G and its not "Free" you have to have a data plan.
You can go to Verizon where they charge the same for only 5GB.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, might be a good idea. I like how I have 3G built into my iPad so I do not have to carry around another device and worry about its battery. but you really cant deny $30 for 5 gigs is better than $25 for 2 gigs. (the new iPad is not unlimited)
My implication was that they would raise the price, and what they have done is raise the price. The cell model has always been the same, scare you into buying more of whatever service you use by charging ridiculous rates for overages. That is the model they have just reestablished here as well.
You guys all sound like teenage boys. Hopefully most of you threatening to switch phones/carriers are really serious about it so I don't have to read your pathetic rants day after day and deal with you hogging my network. Tethering is so five years ago.
I am a heavy iPhone user and use my phone for work and for leisure. I would say that my iPhone use is pretty data-heavy, but nothing near 5GB, or even 2GB for that matter. Most of the time I am using data I am connected to Wi-Fi; only when I'm connected to 3G and using data is when I'm driving and using Maps, but that usage will never come near 2GB. A few times a week I may download an app using 3G, but a 10 MB app is equal to 0.009765625 GB. And guess what? You have to connect to Wi-Fi to download a 10MB or greater app. So you'll have to download a lot of <10MB apps to get in trouble every month.
Some of your guys' complaints are so invalid it is embarrassing to even try to point them out. Personally, I'm excited about my phone bill dropping from $84 to $69 per month.
Umm your math is wrong your "Saving" $5 not $15.
Also I LOVE how every one is excited to pay a little less, to get ALLOT Less.
if AT&T really wanted to do users good, they would have added a $15 for 2 gig plan
But no they want to screw you and take as much money as they can.
That's one of the most strained analogies I've ever seen. Hint: cell phone data plans are not Dairy Queen ice cream.
Hence they word 'analogy'. duh.
They are however both products that you may buy and consume.
Perhaps another analogy you would understand better. If your landline ISP enforces a cap on your usage, would you think it reasonable for them to charge you extra for additionally using your iPhone on your home network and not just your Mac?
The best reasoning for accepting the extra tethering fee on a capped plan is that if you tether, you are more likely to use the data that you paid for. If you don't tether you likely will pay for data you are not using. So the argument is that if you are more likely to actually use what you have paid for then you should pay an extra fee. In the analogy above, you having your family's iPhones and iPads and Mac on your home network makes it more likely that you will use more of the data that you have paid for than if you just had your own Mac on the network. If you don't exceed your cap, would you accept your ISP saying they are going to start charging you almost twice your monthly fee?