AT&T's raising the prices of legacy unlimited data plans

[mstng86]

AT&T plans to hike the cost of its unlimited wireless data plans by $5 in February 2016. This will be the first price change for AT&T’s unlimited plans in about seven years, rising from $30 to $35 per month. AT&T gave up on unlimited plans in 2012 back when 3G was king but many users are still holding on to their juicy contracts and refuse to let them go.

“Consumers and businesses are using mobile data at record levels and the trend is expected to continue,” AT&T said on its support page announcing the price hike. “To help ensure we continue to provide the best service for all of our customers, a small price increase is being made at this time.”



AT&T says anyone who doesn’t like the price increase will be able to cancel their contract without incurring any early termination fees if they do so within 60 days after the price hike first shows up on their bill.

The story behind the story: For an offering that hasn’t been offered to new customers for three years, AT&T’s unlimited data sure has been in the news a lot in 2015. In June, the Federal Communications Commission said it intended to fine AT&T $100 million for misleading customers by throttling data speeds for unlimited customers. Then in September, AT&T upped the throttling cap to 22GB from 5GB, which likely avoids throttling issues for all but the most extreme data users on AT&T’s networks.

Not the only one

AT&T’s price hike follows a similar move from Verizon in October and then T-Mobile in November. Big Red tacked a whopping $20 onto its unlimited plans, upping the cost to about $50, while T-Mobile upped its price by $15 (T-Mobile’s plan includes unlimited talk and text). Both of which make AT&T’s price hike seem like a bargain.

Nevertheless, if you’re unhappy with AT&T’s price hop check out Macworld’s breakdown of what the other carriers have to offer prospective new iPhone owners.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3010208/carriers/atts-raising-the-prices-of-legacy-unlimited-data-plans.html

[mikeb]

I had 3 phones on the AT&T all you can eat plan for years. I finally looked at my usage vs. cost and I decided to let it go. I wound up saving quite a bit of money every month because I don't need gigs and gigs of data; AT&T is now losing money on me every month for wanting me off of that plan.

I think that AT&T will keep raising the price on that plan to encourage people to switch. Unfortunately for AT&T the people that are likely to switch are the people like me that don't abuse the plan. The people that download porn 24x7 will stay on it.

[CexMashean]

Does at&t not let you transfer ownership of unlimited plans anymore?

I remember people with Verizon and AT&T plans were selling theirs for some serious cash whenever they announced no more unlimited.

[46Tbird]

I've had the AT&T unlimited data plan for over ten years now. I never use over 2GB but I always had it 'just in case' because things like maps and facebook can drain your usage with a quickness. But at this point competitors are dropping their prices while AT&T raises theirs, and I can't use an unlimited plan for tethering anyway. F 'em. My contract expires in six months and I'll find some other carrier.

[likeitfast55]

I held on to my AT&T unlimited data also. Funny thing is that after 8 gigs, they throttle you back so slow that it is unusable. So-- not really unlimited in my opinion. Went to the 30-gig plan with rollover and saved 50 bucks a month, I have 3 phones on the plan.

Un-throttled, the unlimited plan is good. That is providing you use it a lot.

[abecx]

I've been using T-Mobile for the last 2 years, I have 4 phones with unlimited everything for $100 ( $122 after bullshit fees/taxes ). While the coverage isn't exactly the best compared to Verizon, the price point is ridiculously good. I've never used AT&T, so I don't know their coverage, hell I'm surprised Sprint is still around. Having legacy plans was always a good thing kind of sucks they are strong arming the market.

I also heard AT&T is wanting people to switch to dish, maybe they are having problems with quarterly goals.

The sad thing is, if wireless providers would step up their game, they could easily replace broadband, LTE is the future. I know Verizon is dumping lots of money into it.

[A_A_G]

Got rid of mine about a year ago. My family plan with 3 lines dropped $60 and we now share 20 gigs of data which we never even come close to.

[Jose]

Still have my unlimited AT&T plan. Didn't realize they upped the throttled limit to 22GB. I rarely get anywhere close to 5GB but that was because of the throttle cap. I always tried to stream off of my device rather than the cellular so that may change now.

[Gtracer]

Was with Sprint for about 12 years until we started having dropped calls, slow connections....etc (unlimited plan).

So we decided to switch and let my sister pick the plan (5 phones). Well, we are paying about $360 a month for the 5 of us to share....10GB which we routinely gets increased to 15GB for $10 more. So, with all of the plans out there and the discounts that are being thrown around we are planning on switching if anything for more data as my sister and I both have toddlers who use the phone when we are out.

T Mobile has unlimited streaming, Sprint is offering 1/2 off the cost of your current plan along with 18GB of data...so some very obvious options out there already...just not sure about T Mobile and already scarred by Sprint. Maybe AT&T but then again, they are all a sham???

[jluv]

But at this point competitors are dropping their prices while AT&T raises theirs, and I can't use an unlimited plan for tethering anyway. F 'em. My contract expires in six months and I'll find some other carrier.

The other carriers already went up WAY more than AT&T did for their unlimited data. Did you read the OP? A $5 jump is nothing. I don't see other carriers offering as good or better of a service for less.

I held on to my AT&T unlimited data also. Funny thing is that after 8 gigs, they throttle you back so slow that it is unusable. So-- not really unlimited in my opinion. Went to the 30-gig plan with rollover and saved 50 bucks a month, I have 3 phones on the plan.

Un-throttled, the unlimited plan is good. That is providing you use it a lot.

Again, did you read the OP? It isn't throttled at 5 or even 8 gigs anymore.


I have been with AT&T since 1995, and have their unlimited data plan since I got my first iPhone about 8 years ago. I also have mobile-to-mobile, rollover minutes, free nights and weekends, 450 daytime minutes, and 500 (or maybe it's 1000) text messages. I have never gone over any of that. I honestly have no idea how much data I use, but I don't think it's a lot, as I'm on wifi most of the time. My total bill AFTER taxes and fees is right at $65 every month. Pretty much everyone I know says they pay more than that, and many of them with other carriers complain about lousy service (especially Sprint). My work phone is Verizon, and it doesn't work as well in as many places that I go as my AT&T phone does.

If they go up too much on the Unlimited data, maybe I would ditch it, but $65/month for everything seems like a pretty good deal to me right now.

[A_A_G]

I have been with AT&T since 1995, and have their unlimited data plan since I got my first iPhone about 8 years ago. I also have mobile-to-mobile, rollover minutes, free nights and weekends, 450 daytime minutes, and 500 (or maybe it's 1000) text messages. I have never gone over any of that. I honestly have no idea how much data I use, but I don't think it's a lot, as I'm on wifi most of the time. My total bill AFTER taxes and fees is right at $65 every month. Pretty much everyone I know says they pay more than that, and many of them with other carriers complain about lousy service (especially Sprint). My work phone is Verizon, and it doesn't work as well in as many places that I go as my AT&T phone does.

If they go up too much on the Unlimited data, maybe I would ditch it, but $65/month for everything seems like a pretty good deal to me right now.

Sounds expensive for what you get. Why not switch to Cricket (they use ATT towers) and pay almost half of that for unlimited text & mins, and 2.5 gb of data? Its $35 with taxes if you do auto-pay.

[abecx]

just not sure about T Mobile

I require my phone 24x7 and I use tmobile. While their voice coverage is fine, their data coverage isn't perfect but the price more than makes up for the few areas I have shitty data. As well they are always increasing their coverage areas. I still cant believe I pay $100 a month for 4 lines, and can add a 5th one for no additional cost and have unlimited everything.

[zachary]

Sounds expensive for what you get. Why not switch to Cricket (they use ATT towers) and pay almost half of that for unlimited text & mins, and 2.5 gb of data? Its $35 with taxes if you do auto-pay.

I actually went out and got a cricket sim card to test out the network the last two weeks because we were thinking of switching. Our bill would go from 145.29 a month to 76.60 and she would have 5 gig and i would has 2.5 gig(i am always on wifi).

SO far it has been flawless maybe even slightly improved call quality over regular att using the same phone just switching sim card out. 4G LTE everywhere we have gone and internet is very fast. Now it says unlimited but after your monthly amount they throttle you back to 2G speeds, which is basically useless with todays content. That being said it is only 10$ more a gig for the faster speeds if you need it.

Going to do a speedtest tonight on our s6 using att and then cricket.

We are impressed enough that we will switch. With att letting you drop contract with no early termination fees and this out here as a no contract option it is a win win. If you do not like it then go back to att.

[jluv]

Sounds expensive for what you get. Why not switch to Cricket (they use ATT towers) and pay almost half of that for unlimited text & mins, and 2.5 gb of data? Its $35 with taxes if you do auto-pay.

I have a hard time trusting a company I've never heard of. And according to their website, the cheapest plan is $35 before taxes and fees. I bet that pushes it over $50, and my plan has unlimited data compared to only 2.5 gb. I never go over my text or minutes, so mine is the same as unlimited. Doesn't seem like a better deal for me.

[zachary]

Here is a screen shot of a few speedtests att versus cricket. Cricket is slower with higher ping but still not bad. top 3 cricket bottom 3 att