AT&T Data plan

**Alpha Omega** · 12-12-2010, 07:52 PM

will AT&T ever go back to the unlimited data plan? I enjoyed the freedom of no worrying about going over. Verizon still have unlimited also Sprint last i looked.

**blueyestm** · 12-12-2010, 08:14 PM

doubtful because with 4g or LTE as it were coming out they expect an onslot of increased traffic and want to be able to control it somehow

**daspollak** · 12-12-2010, 09:45 PM

Simply no, and other carriers will soon follow. With unlimited plans you diminish your profit margin the more people use, and the amount of data being used increases daily. If you honestly look at your data usage most come nowhere close to 2GB. With wifi turned on, on my Bold, only once in the past 15 months have I gone over 200MB. Tiered data is here to stay.

**Alpha Omega** · 12-12-2010, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by daspollak

Simply no, and other carriers will soon follow. With unlimited plans you diminish your profit margin the more people use, and the amount of data being used increases daily. If you honestly look at your data usage most come nowhere close to 2GB. With wifi turned on, on my Bold, only once in the past 15 months have I gone over 200MB. Tiered data is here to stay.

I see what your saying but i use to Tether quite a lot also along with the data i already use through the device.

**papped** · 12-13-2010, 12:42 PM

Larger number of high data consumption phones on the network = switch to tiered plans.

Sprint hasn't done it yet, but it's going to happen. When, not if... The more android devices they activate the closer it comes.

**joeldf** · 12-13-2010, 04:37 PM

AT&T has the tiered plan. Verizon has already said that they will be doing it. T-Mobile's plans for tiered data pricing were outed last October.

Last week, Sprint's CEO Hesse said that they will NOT do tiered pricing.

However, once their network gets bogged down by all their supposed "4G" devices, they will find that they'll have no choice.

I personally wish that AT&T had another level between 200MB and 2GB. Something like 1GB for 20 bucks would be a good point. On my 8100 with only EDGE, I've topped out at about 150MB several times this year. I just upgraded to the Torch (don't have it yet, should be here later this week), and I can see going over 200 even with some wifi time at home. I anticipate using GPS a good bit and listening to the nobex radio at work (streaming on work computers is not allowed). That would add quite a bit more to my data usage over what I do now (no GPS on this old Pearl, although Google Maps is used a lot for traffic info, and the nobex radio only a couple times a month for about a half-hour or so at the most). But I don't see going over 1GB.

At the moment, I'm keeping my existing unlimited plan - first obtained 4 years ago - and will wait to see what I end up actually using on the new 9800. I figure the first few months will be a little more until the novelty of the new device wears off.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**papped** · 12-13-2010, 05:49 PM

^^ One potential option if you normally stay below 200mb is to get the 200mb plan and pay the $10 overage for 1gb if you need to. In that case it would probably be cheaper than the 2gb if you normally use below it.

**Motorcycle Mama** · 12-13-2010, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Alpha Omega

I see what your saying but i use to Tether quite a lot also along with the data i already use through the device.

Which is part of the reason that carriers are moving away from unlimited plans.

**rgorman** · 12-14-2010, 02:27 PM

If you currently HAVE an unlimited plan, then you can keep it. Even if you upgrade to a new phone with a renewed contract you get to keep the Unlimited data. I asked about it at my store, and a friend just upgraded to his new Iphone 4 and was able to keep it.

**TexLonghorn** · 12-14-2010, 09:12 PM

rgorman is correct. I just reupped my plan on Sunday and was able to keep my unlimited data plan. I was told that I would have to keep the same make of device to keep it i.e. I can't switch to an IPhone or Android. I have to stay with a BB.

**Mister Xiado** · 12-15-2010, 01:43 PM

Pfft, the official rule is, if you have an unlimited smartphone data feature, you can switch between smartphones at will. You can go from an iPhone to a BlackBerry to a non-specific smartphone.

If you upgrade, please contact customer care to see if you still have unlimited data. Many upgrade points are forced to remove it during upgrades, but it can be reapplied with no fuss. Just don't wait three months to complain about it.

**barbwyr** · 01-04-2011, 06:19 PM

I heard the tail end of a commercial that said AT&Ts New Family Smart Phone Data Plan...starting at $15. Has anyone seen details on this and if it has an option for BB? I knew they would come out with this eventually and I JUST upgrade from my grandfathered pay per use Curve to a new Torch and would LOVE to get on a Family Data plan because I am sure it will be less that I am paying for mine 2gb and my wife 200mb plan combine. Even if it the same I could then tag my daughter on at no additional cost. But I can't seem to find info on it anywhere..ahhhhh!..lol.

**vrs626** · 01-06-2011, 12:08 AM

This is somewhat off-topic...

Does anyone know if AT&T is going to change their international data plan? Their current pricing is insane, especially when compared with VZW, which gives you unlimited international data for $64 a month.

**Cleveland** · 01-06-2011, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by barbwyr

I heard the tail end of a commercial that said AT&Ts New Family Smart Phone Data Plan...starting at $15. Has anyone seen details on this and if it has an option for BB? I knew they would come out with this eventually and I JUST upgrade from my grandfathered pay per use Curve to a new Torch and would LOVE to get on a Family Data plan because I am sure it will be less that I am paying for mine 2gb and my wife 200mb plan combine. Even if it the same I could then tag my daughter on at no additional cost. But I can't seem to find info on it anywhere..ahhhhh!..lol.

I believe that is for NON smartphone devices, i looked around and i don't think it's anything new, it just seems new because they are advertising it now, i'm pretty sure, not 100% tho

**Mister Xiado** · 01-07-2011, 01:41 PM

Current data service costs:
Smartphones:
200MB - $15 (Overage rate $15 per and up to each additional 200MB)
2048MB - $25 (Overage rate $10 per and up to each additional 1024MB)

iPhone (original 2G version):
∞ + 200 SMS messages - $20
∞ + 1500 SMS messages - $30
∞ + ∞ SMS messages - $35 (if I recall correctly, no one has this)
*∞ <= 5GB per terms of service, but no one really gets slapped for using 17GB

Basic/Messaging phones:
∞ - $15
∞ if you have Family Messaging Unlimited - $10
Pay per use - $2 for up to 1024kB of usage, thereafter is an additional $2 up to each additional 1024kB

You are not billed data usage for MMS messaging. If you're getting data charges, they are valid. If you have a basic phone and don't want it randomly accessing the internet, you can disable your phone's browser profile. I find that pointing the browser to localhost works best.

If you already have unlimited data for an iPhone or smartphone class device, you are entitled to keep it if you swap equipment or upgrade to another iPhone or smartphone. Of course, the only data services available for the original iPhone are unlimited.......

**WestDev** · 02-01-2011, 11:47 PM

Great info, thanks Mr Xiado! I wonder if upgrading to an HSPA+ capable device like the Motorola Atrix will affect our ability to keep grandfathered unlimited data, but w/ faster "4G" access (I have total of three lines w/ data, I plan to keep BB as my main/work line).

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**Mister Xiado** · 02-02-2011, 03:48 AM

At least for the time being... But be advised that as of a few days ago, tighter restrictions went up because of rampant abuse. Now all unlimited smartphone data requests have to be passed through a review group that is inaccessible via phone.