AT&T Shared Data Plans Arrive on August 23

[Nvidiaguy07]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AT...ted-David-Christopher-Mobile-Share,16662.html

As promised back in July, AT&T is launching its own shared data plans this month. On Monday the company confirmed an August 23 launch date, allowing families to get their smartphone and tablet use in order before students head back to school this fall.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for you to pick the plan that works best for you," said David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer, in a blog. "We’ve added a Mobile Share Planner tool at www.att.com/mobileshare. The tool is a simple way to estimate your current usage on each device. It automatically calculates your total estimated usage and recommends the right Mobile Share plan."

As reported earlier, shared data plans -- which include unlimited calls and texting -- range from 1 GB to 20 GB. The price for each smartphone depends on the data package: the 1 GB plan requires $45 for each added smartphone whereas the 20 GB plan requires $30 per smartphone. Otherwise, basic phones are an additional $30, laptops, LaptopConnect cards, and netbooks are $20 each per month, and tablets and gaming devices are $10 each per month.

"AT&T Mobile Share allows customers to essentially build a plan to fit their devices and usage. Customers who are more data-centric can choose a larger data bucket. Customers who typically use more voice than data can add multiple smartphones and basic phones and opt for a smaller data bucket," the company said in July.

AT&T said it will also help users track their data usage by keeping them informed with courtesy alerts as they near their monthly data allowance. Yet customers can also keep track of their data guzzling anytime online, through the myAT&T mobile app, or by dialing *DATA# from their phone.

Customers overwhelmed by the online tool can pick the right plan by contacting an AT&T representative at a local brick-and-mortar retail store (find one) or via the call center. "Individual plans, family plans, session-based plans or shared plans – our customers decide what’s best for them. Whatever your needs, we have a plan for you," Christopher added.

AT&T's move to push shared data plans follows Verizon's own just-launched assault to eliminate its old-school unlimited data plans. Verizon customers aren't forced to switch to shared data unless they plan to upgrade their phone. Customer support is also pushing the plans via phone, adding that the new data pool not only simplifies the bill, but eliminates the need to pay an additional monthly fee for tethering.

I'm pretty confused. The 1GB plan costs 45 per extra smart phone? And the 20GB plan costs 30 extra? I'm 100% ATT is going to fuck this one up, but this badly? Seriously?

Right now were all on a family plan. My sister and I are grandfathered in on unlimited data, and my mom has no data. Ive been waiting for shared data to possibly get her a smartphone, but by the look of this, were all better off leaving ATT altogether.

EDIT: I missed the part about unlimited talk and text being included - so i guess its not THAT bad. But if its cheaper - is it worth giving up unlimited?
EDIT2: The 10GB plan looks like 120+30 for each additional phone (so for 3 phones=180) but it actually comes out to 210. Then i went back and read "each device" so instead of just saying 150 for one phone + 30, they said that. You suck ATT. Seriously. Who in their right mind is going to pay 175 dollars a month to share 1gb of data between 3 lines. My god they are stupid.

 

[boomhower]

Did you think they weren't going to follow in Verizon's footsteps? For reasonably nationwide voice and highspeed data coverage they are the only game in town. T-Mobile is much more limited in high speed data and throttles. Sprint's quality is much lower but does have truly unlimited, but that's just because they have so much bandwidth for such few users.

 

[Dulanic]

ROFL what a scam! Holy shit are the US carriers getting to be insane with their pricing.

The price for each smartphone depends on the data package: the 1 GB plan requires $45 for each added smartphone

 

[Dulanic]

EDIT2: The 10GB plan looks like 120+30 for each additional phone (so for 3 phones=180) but it actually comes out to 210. Then i went back and read "each device" so instead of just saying 150 for one phone + 30, they said that. You suck ATT. Seriously. Who in their right mind is going to pay 175 dollars a month to share 1gb of data between 3 lines. My god they are stupid.

Unfortunately, the US consumer buys into the advertising. Well that and the fact competition is so restricted. They charge these insane prices because people are crazy enough to pay it.

I am either staying Sprint when my contact is up (if they have LTE when I switch) or going prepaid.

 

[Sid59]

From what I remember, ATT is offering this side-by-side their exisiting plan but i'm not sure for how long. People should treat it as it is and actually look at their data usage over a 3 month period. They might be surprised and can change plans that saves them money, whether it's the shared plan or moving from 5gig to 3gig (grandfathered unlimited plans not withstanding).

 

[iahk]

Yep, the existing family plans will still be there unlike how Verizon did their's. These plans are not horrible if everyone on your plan actually needs the unlimited voice. Also remember that tethering is included in this.