AT&T caps phone data usage with new wireless plans

[Maddox]

no you can keep your plan with a new phone if you change the plan then they might remove the unlimited. I have still have a plan from a decade ago on my att service.

No, thats not entirely true. If you have a regular cell phone and go to a smart phone you cannot renew your contact, you have to get a new one. I have a Iphone on the Edge network, when I get the Samsung Galaxy S phone I will have to get a new contract. Even if I get the new Iphone - new contract.

[Loneaggie]

Just one more nail in AT&T's coffin.

With Verizon, you get unlimited data usage. With the Android phones, you can tether day 1 without having to jailbreak. If the iPhone comes out for Verizon this summer as anticipated, AT&T is going to suffer big time. Lots of migration to Verizon, who has a much, much better network and can handle the load.

Verizon's network has never seen even close to the load the iPhone data usage has brought to AT&T. There's a reason you can't talk and use the web on a Verizon phone (at least in the past don't know about right now) ... and you want to increase their data usage by 5 or 6 fold? I think there will be some who switch networks, but I think that honestly what we're going to find is that no one's network was built to withstand the constant data usage brought by iPhones. However, I do reserve the right to be 100% completely and totally wrong.

I'll probably enjoy all the disgruntled people switching though as it should transfer some of that load off of the AT&T network and on to other providers hence giving me better service.

btw there is already a free app from AT&T that tracks your monthly data usage. Its called "My Wireless".

I'm an uber nerdy geek, and I haven't missed tethering at all. If I'm truly on the go I do anything I need to with my phone. If I have a minute to sit down, there's no shortage of wireless hotspots to connect with my laptop. I realize there are those that really need a tethering option, but IMO if you're really tied to that there are better solutions than tethering to your cell phone.

[Loneaggie]

fyi... I use grand total of about 125MB of data a month... and I'd consider myself a fairly heavy user.... so if I increase my use by 16x I will be worried.... personally I'll probably intentionally downgrade my plan since I won't HAVE to buy unlimited. My phone uses free wireless at work, home, McDonalds, Starbucks, etc etc.

[Maddox]

My problem is I use Iheartradio and Pandora alot.

[Mike D]

Yeah, I kinda jumped the gun with my statements. Looks like if you are already a customer with a data plan, you can keep your unlimited plan.

Verizon's network is a joke.

From what I have read there is no way we will see a Verizon iPhone this year because their network is not compatible with the communication protocol of the iPhone. Sorry if I burst any Verizon guy's bubble. Don't hold your breath for an iPhone on Verizon.

Of course like Loneaggie, I reserve the right to be totally wrong, but I'm pretty sure I'm not.

[centexhunter01]

Verizon ceo stated last week that there were changing the unlimited plan to a tiered pricing. Looks like all the couriers are going to start doing the same. All in the mighty dollar!!

[Hillary]

I like this.

Like Loneaggie, look at how much you actually use every month.

I may think about downgrading too at my next contract signing...

[red]

AT&T caps phone data usage with new wireless plans

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[Loneaggie]

Verizon ceo stated last week that there were changing the unlimited plan to a tiered pricing. Looks like all the couriers are going to start doing the same. All in the mighty dollar!!

They've watched AT&T be crippled, so everyone is learning as they go. I wish I knew of some hard numbers of data usage from the average iPhone compared to other smart phones, but it seems like it is a severely titled stat. The current wireless networks here in the US were never intended to serve as mobile broadband providers, but devices like the iPhone have forever changed the usage style and quantity of mobile internet.

Its simple math, if you give unlimited to everyone at too low a price you can't afford to maintain your network at a high enough standard to keep QoS very high. The easiest way to throttle down usage is with tiered pricing. DSL is even sold via tiered pricing, as are T1 lines and lots of other forms of data access.

[Maddox]

Well, I think I will be switching this weekend to a free smart phone so I can just switch my SIM card over to the Samsung Galaxy S when it comes out. This will allow me to keep my unlimited data plan.

[Texastaxi]

Where do you find your usage on your phone?

[CaptainDave]

Yeah, I kinda jumped the gun with my statements. Looks like if you are already a customer with a data plan, you can keep your unlimited plan.

Verizon's network is a joke.

From what I have read there is no way we will see a Verizon iPhone this year because their network is not compatible with the communication protocol of the iPhone. Sorry if I burst any Verizon guy's bubble. Don't hold your breath for an iPhone on Verizon.
Of course like Loneaggie, I reserve the right to be totally wrong, but I'm pretty sure I'm not.

Have you seen the new HTC Incredible? These phones are on 3 week backorder with Verizon. After testing out this phone, I had no reason to switch providers and get an Iphone.

Also, while Verizon may not have a compatible network with the Iphone, that is fixing to go out the window. They are gearing up to roll out their 4G network. I believe Verizon is on schedule for sometime around September. If I'm not mistaken, Sprint has already done this.

[phoneman]

i work for at&t, now ya'll can see what decisions I live with everyday.

[Ol Thumper]

My entire family is on AT&T and I can assure you we all go over, I think they just sealed their fate. I'm going to be gone and soon I phone or not.

[Maddox]

Verizon's 4G network will not be unlimited either.