If it was possible for AT&T to make their already pathetic situation worse, they just did. Starting June 7th AT&T is rolling out new plans.
Customers can pick the new data plan that best meets their needs either a $15 per month entry plan or a $25 per month plan with 10 times more data. Current smartphone customers are not required to switch to the new plans, but can choose to do so without a contract extension.
The new plans effectively replace AT&T’s current $30/month unlimited plans. Joy. But at least you get unlimited use of AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots!
Ok, it does seem like AT&T will allow you to keep your unlimited data plan if you sign up before June 7th. You can also upgrade your phone while still retaining the unlimited plan. After June 7th however, you can only choose from one of two plans:
Data Plus – 200 MB of data for $15/month. Additional 200MB for another $15.
DataPro – 2GB of data for $25/month. Additional 1 GB of data for $10.
Tethering – Additional $20/month for DataPro customers.
Yes you read correctly, AT&T finally got it’s act together and will be offering a tethering plan. Here’s the catch (You knew there’d be one). AT&T is only allowing users with the “DataPro” plan to purchase the tethering option for an additional $20/month. So, users must choose between keeping their unlimited plan, or switching to the DataPro plan and tacking on the tethering option. It also doesn’t look like custoemrs will be able to purchase the tethering option if they sign up for the DataPlus plan, only the DataPro.
Lastly, and we all knew this was too good to last, the iPad 3G’s unlimited, no-contract, data plan is going away. They are replacing it with a $25/month plan capped at 2GB.
For new iPad customers, the $25 per month 2 GB plan will replace the existing $29.99 unlimited plan. iPad customers will continue to pre-pay for their wireless data plan and no contract is required. Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan can keep that plan or switch to the new $25 per month plan with 2 GB of data.
Just like with the iPhone’s unlimited plan, if you’re already signed up for the unlimited plan, you’re safe, but after June 7th, it switches over to the 2GB plan.
What strikes me, is that AT&T is trying to spin this as a “lower cost” offering. As if they are lowering their prices, but cutting you out of your all-you-can-eat buffet. Uh-huh.
So, AT&T can’t handle the strain on their network, so they fix this problem by cutting everyone back. These dumb bastards offer nothing more than utter contempt towards customers who are otherwise trapped with their crappy network here in the U.S. This is the same group of people that offered data plans before the iPhone, but didn’t bother to keep up with the infrastructure. Once a product came along that actually utilized the data network to it’s full potential, AT&T choked and has been struggling to keep up since. In short, pre-iPhone, AT&T was raking in easy profits with little work. In the post-iPhone world, AT&T is having to work for their money.
[Update] TUAW actually contacted AT&T for details on the gray areas. Here’s what they found out.
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