Buy an Atrix, give up your unlimited data [for new contracts only]

[Deleted User]

AT&T's 4G policies revealed | Android Central

updated from AC: http://www.androidcentral.com/att-clarifies-their-4g-policy

 

[kb58]

As I said in another thread:

It was only a matter of time... and you know every other carrier will do the very same thing eventually. They aren't about to allow people using 10 GB for free on their system. Yeah it sucks, but don't think for an instant that ATT is somehow unique about profits and network loading.

 

[aztooh]

This sucks if true. I don't really have the need for my current unlimited plan, but I don't want to lose it.

Funny...I was forced to have a $30, unlimited data plan when signing up with AT&T...and now they are forcing me (maybe) to downgrade. Makes sense.

 

[sarstube]

i use no where near 2gb, but the pricing structure is ridiculous. 2gb for $20, whereas former unlimited for $30? this will make me take pause about the new atrix and i was afraid of it. it should be $10 for 2gb at the most. i have a "grandfathered" unlimited plan on a family plan with 5 phones, 4 of which also have unlimited data and I will have to contemplate a move to verizon. 2 and maybe 3 of the smartphones on my plan will never switch from iphone, but thankfully that monopoly stranglehold has been removed

 

[shawn1224]

Don't you have to complete the backhaul and start rolling out actual HSPA+ speeds before you start charging for 4G.

Sometimes AT&T is so ass backwards

 

[quinto0827]

if you buy the phone at full price, will this still apply?

 

[Willy Willy]

I would assume as it is a "4g" phone

 

[Deleted User]

I still wonder if this is for LTE instead of HSPA.

 

[fujigonewild00]

I don't really see the big deal about this. I mean, are you never going to by another phone ever again? My guess is yes, and that would make it pointless to complain about this. Every other high end phone that comes out from now on will either be hspa+ or LTE, and so that means that no matter what, the next phone you buy will make you lose your unlimited data.
In the end, we all knew this was going to happen.

 

[Scholar]

AT&T is bat shit insane if they think they will take back my unlimited data plan. Especially with the price they are charging me for the laptop dock... I will go straight to BBB and management if they refuse to let me get my Atrix and keep my unlimited. AT&T is about to get the worst press of their corporate life. I know this forum is willing to go all out on them if they keep pulling horse shit.

I am absolutely appalled by this. Like Shawn mentioned I won't be seeing these 4G speeds yet. That alone gives me reason to complain if they try to remove my current plan. I am highly anticipating Sunday. Gonna be a good fight between me and corporate. Or if they refuse to hear my complaint then I will refuse to pay them ever again. Damn I'm furious. Not even 4G.....

And loyalty is what infuriates me. I have been paying AT&T since the iPhone 3G. I deserve my unlimited data plan I have continually paid them for. Especially when this phone is only HSPA+. If it was LTE I'd gladly release my unlimited data. Or if they didn't charge for tethering the phone to the phone... All these disappointing announcements... Just too much for a customer.

 

[mayerr2]

I just thought I would help put some minds at ease. I just got off the phone with my brother who works for AT&T to ask him about this. For the record, so far every bit of information he has told me has been 100% accurate. With that being said, he received an internal memo that stated to tell all customers if they are currently grandfathered in to an Unlimited data plan, upgrading to an HSPA+ device (Atrix 4G and Inspire) will allow them to keep their Unlimited Data. The above document is for the 4G (non HSPA+) plans, which he did in fact also confirm. So while this is something to worry about at a later point, this is not an issue for people upgrading to the Atrix. Of course new customers that is another story all together but not one that hasn't already been told.

 

[MosIncredible]

I just thought I would help put some minds at ease. I just got off the phone with my brother who works for AT&T to ask him about this. For the record, so far every bit of information he has told me has been 100% accurate. With that being said, he received an internal memo that stated to tell all customers if they are currently grandfathered in to an Unlimited data plan, upgrading to an HSPA+ device (Atrix 4G and Inspire) will allow them to keep their Unlimited Data. The above document is for the 4G (non HSPA+) plans, which he did in fact also confirm. So while this is something to worry about at a later point, this is not an issue for people upgrading to the Atrix. Of course new customers that is another story all together but not one that hasn't already been told.

I went to AT&T as soon as I saw this thread, and was told the same thing your brother told you. The rep said that I would be able to keep my unlimited data.

 

[Deleted User]

AT&T said the same on Facebook. We can keep our unlimited data?

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?u...&ref=notif&notif_t=board_post_reply#post95686

 

[nemesiz]

ATT rep to the rescue... AT&T representative clarifies their 4G policy - Android Central

 

[rad204]

whats the "unlimited" limit?

 

[thabends]

whats the "unlimited" limit?

I hit 14.7GB one month and no one contacted me.

 

[Willy Willy]

What the he'll were u doing!!! I am usually at 1.75 and use my iPhone all day

 

[thabends]

What the he'll were u doing!!! I am usually at 1.75 and use my iPhone all day

Stream Pandora for 6-8 hours a day...it goes up quick.

 

[MarcMaiden]

Stream Pandora for 6-8 hours a day...it goes up quick.

congrats for being part of the reason why AT&T took away unlimited data

 

[ap3604]

congrats for being part of the reason why AT&T took away unlimited data

His mother must be so proud

6 - 8 hours of streaming a day is beyond ludicrous...

 

[thabends]

Well they had a usage calculator on their site; I used it...told me to choose unlimited. My mother die of ovarian cancer 7 years ago.

 

[drdoom]

congrats for being part of the reason why AT&T took away unlimited data

That isn't fair to blame him for that. Blame the people that tether their phone all day because they are too cheap to buy home internet because their phone has "unlimited" data. At least he was legit in his use; meaning he only used his phone to achieve the data consumption, which is exactly what the point of an unlimited data plan is. Tethering without a plan is against every wireless providers' contract, but using your phone for entertainment isn't and is a good reason why people use smartphones to begin with.

 

[knappkd]

That isn't fair to blame him for that. Blame the people that tether their phone all day because they are too cheap to buy home internet because their phone has "unlimited" data. At least he was legit in his use; meaning he only used his phone to achieve the data consumption, which is exactly what the point of an unlimited data plan is. Tethering without a plan is against every wireless providers' contract, but using your phone for entertainment isn't and is a good reason why people use smartphones to begin with.

Agreed! If you are gonna blame someone. Blame the people who jailbreak their iphones; use installous to get cracked version of mywi and illegally tether. Or the many droid users that root and tether for free.

These are also the people who steal apps that developers have worked hard to create.

Please don't blame the guy for using a LEGAL application in a LEGAL way!!

 

[ECdOc]

His mother must be so proud

6 - 8 hours of streaming a day is beyond ludicrous...

6-8 Hours a day is nowhere near ridiculous if you have a job that you are at for 8 hours a day, plus the commute... especially when half the networks at peoples jobs are locked down so you can't stream on your pc. Also, what about the guys not in an office. They make apps like pandora, SIRIUS (which I use) and other streaming media apps to be used, so use them. They shouldn't be pushing these apps if they don't want you to use them. I did an experiment using the SIRIUS WM6 app on my touch pro in august...see:

 

[dyezak]

I think you all should complain to the FTC about any wireless company charging extra for "4g" service when they aren't delivering true 4g service. According to the ITU-T standardization:

http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/StandardizationGap/Bahrain2007/Presentations/Day2/Presentation_Bahrain_STabbane.pdf

Page 19 of the ITU's PDF states 4g's requirements as:

High Data Rate Transmission: 100mbps down 20mbps up
Larger System Capacity: 3g - 1.2mbps/1mhz 4g - 5-10x more than 3g
Lower cost/bit (ie, 4g should be of less cost to the consumer)
Wireless QoS Control

The back end technology you use is unimportant. Which is what the ITU said in December when asked about if T-Mobile, Sprint, ATT and Verizon can claim their service as 4g. Their response was HPSA+, LTE and WiMax are all viable technologies and can be called 4g. However they still have to meet the requirements of the standard (listed above).

According to the FTC, False Advertising under Deceptive Methods has a section entitled "Manipulation of Standards". Meaning if someone claims to offer a product or service that meets a certain standard, they are required to meet that standard. If they don't, then they are deceiving the customer and can be sued. Seagate did this back about 5y ago where they claimed 1gb is 1,000,000 bytes. But the standard is 1,048,576 bytes to equal 1gb. This caused seagate to lose a class action lawsuit and pay out millions of dollars for reparations.

That was a 7% manipulation of a standard. 4g standard states 100mbps speed, AT&T is giving 3-4 right now on their HPSA+ network. To get to true 4g speeds they would need to increase the speed 25x (or 2500%).

File a complaint.........................................