AT&T caps phone data usage with new wireless plans

[Loneaggie]

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.

I'm really curious to see if there is any proof in the pudding of the "4G" networks. Yes yes android has some competitive phones; however, if they become the top-selling smart phone in the world it will still take them over 2 years to catch up to the number of iPhones out there RIGHT now.

If backorders equal success, the iPad is on a 2-3 week backorder and has already sold over 2 million units in the first month. 2 million units, 1 month...
The sold iPhone estimates worldwide are around the 50 million mark. The current stats I've found for all the various android phones is somewhere around 8 million. So the score is 52 million to 8 million. Could that flip-flop? Of course it could, but it could also remain the same. Android targets geeks with open source and free development environments, but geeks don't govern consumer technology purchases like they once did. People have learned they can buy what they want without consulting someone with Star Wars posters in their bedroom. (I took mine down a few years ago due to fading)

If you want to look at the cutting edge of functional mobile technology you don't look at the US, you look at Europe. Europe is all GSM, a lot of the US is CDMA, which is better can be debated for years. Relevant due to AT&T is GSM, Verizon is CDMA.

[blacksunshine]

Matt, you're scaring everyone....

[Loneaggie]

Matt, you're scaring everyone....

Yeah, I just don't get it sometimes. If one provider has better service for you and is a price you can accept then switch. However, read and make an informed decision. In this case all major providers are going to data tiered pricing so if that's your primary reason for switching then it makes no sense.

[JHT]

I'd like to see a provider that had the Hogans to give a refund for every dropped call..

T-Mobile would be sending me a check every monty...

[Chew]

Anybody want to buy my motorola flip phone?

It has call waiting and backlit keypad!

[Stan R]

I just looked.. my max usage was 190 mb I might downgrade to save some money.

But just saved some money on my bill.... I am a lifetime Harley owners group member and they get a 17% discount. So you HOG members check that out..

[hntndawg]

ATT is the only provider that works at my house and at the ranch...I am just about to upgrade to an iphone, but was waiting to see the new one. Now I have to decied to jump on right now for the unlimited or wait...I think I am waiting since I doubt I will use 2gb per month

[blacksunshine]

I'd like to see a provider that had the Hogans to give a refund for every dropped call..

T-Mobile would be sending me a check every month...

Actually, I recall something about a class action lawsuit recently about this...I am thinking it was at&t that was sued but can't recall....

might do a search for it....

[blacksunshine]

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.

over what? text or data?

re-read the article, you could stand to do some jiggering and save a little coin....

if not, post up the iphones when you switch....or if you are going to t-mobile, you can get them to work on there too...

[Shane]

Only thing I'll add is that if you change to a plan that is something other than unlimited data - especially for your kids - then make sure you don't have your cell phone bill automatically debited from your checking account every month.

Some friends of mine had their bill debited, and it cost them close to $7K one month. Their daughter got a new iPhone, and she was constantly on facebook and uploading pictures and videos, etc..... They didn't have unlimited data - this was before it was a requirement. Parents went online and found that there had been a HUGE withdrawal by AT&T. They called T and found out that it was for their daughter's internet usage, which was billed at an astronomical rate. There was already another $5K on the current month's bill, but it hadn't been drafted yet. AT&T refused to refund any of the previous month's payment, and since it had already been drafted from their bank account there wasn't much the parents could do. They discontinued the direct draft and got the current month's bill cut down to $250 or so, and then they signed up for unlimited data.

I imagine there will be more similar stories once people don't have to sign up for unlimited data again. WATCH OUT!

Personally, I don't allow my kids internet access at all on their phones. It's way to unfiltered, and there is too much out there that they don't need access to. But that's another conversation.

[txfireguy2003]

Sounds like a bait and switch scheme to me. AT&T gave their customers a great deal with $30 a month unlimited data, and now that everyone is used to being able to use their phones the way they were were intended to be used, they're going to cap your data usage and charge you extra for going over. I bet a lot of people will get hammered on the first month with a new contract because they don't realize how much data they are using, get a new contract and all of a sudden, they're limited....bamm $1200 bill! Seen it happen with teenagers and the unlimited text plans that their parents cancelled, not realizing how many texts their kids actually send.

[Loneaggie]

how many texts their kids actually send.

I've broken the 2,000 texts in one month barrier more than a few times

[Maddox]

I bet I don't send 50 text a month, but I use the hell out of the data package.

[quackerback]

i don't see it being that big a deal. 2 gig of data is a lot of data. i have only downloaded 3.1 in about 6 months.

[blacksunshine]

Sounds like a bait and switch scheme to me. AT&T gave their customers a great deal with $30 a month unlimited data, and now that everyone is used to being able to use their phones the way they were were intended to be used, they're going to cap your data usage and charge you extra for going over. I bet a lot of people will get hammered on the first month with a new contract because they don't realize how much data they are using, get a new contract and all of a sudden, they're limited....bamm $1200 bill! Seen it happen with teenagers and the unlimited text plans that their parents cancelled, not realizing how many texts their kids actually send.

that is capitalism...you buy the pipe, crack is cheap/free...once your hooked...jack the crack price...

(looks like those of is with unlimited can keep unlimited)