AT&T has indicated that it is doing away with its 1000 message a month plan, offering new subscribers a more expensive unlimited plan (or pay-by-message fees) instead. The change phases in on August 21, 2011.
[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]AT&T’s 1,000 message plan cost subscribers $10 per month. The unlimited plan costs twice as much for individuals and three times as much for family plans, which can be spread to up to five phones.
AT&T said in a statement that “the vast majority” of its customers who use message prefer unlimited plans.
AT&T won’t force existing subscribers to switch to a new plan. Your existing messaging plan can also be transferred to a new phone.
[Hat tip: Engadget]
I’d like to hear opinions about this from anyone who still believes AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile is good for consumers.
In other words, AT&T knows that iOS 5’s iMessage feature is about to send demand for SMS plans off a cliff. Good riddance. SMS costs nothing for the networks to implement—it’s pure profit for them.
“AT&T said in a statement that “the vast majority” of its customers who use message prefer unlimited plans.” …. AT&T is partially right, the vast majority of its customers DO prefer unlimited plans, FOR DATA!
(personally, I don’t give a flying youknowwhat about messaging)
And profit is the money they use to pay to add all that bandwidth people whine about not having.
I just love to disagree with you, and I DO think the T-Mobile acquisition is a good thing. Both companies need more bandwidth. There isn’t enough of it to divvy it up amongst numerous carriers–for the silly sake of “competition.” A large demand for bandwidth itself demands larger (and fewer) companies to administer it.
Well put. Agree.
Gimme a break. From a network perspective, text messages are data, too. There’s always going to be people who disagree with ANYTHING AT&T does, so they’ll do what they need to do, and customers will vote with their wallets. Same as always.
No, it doesn’t. It requires a vigorous playing field of competing utilities that are all efficiently regulated, which is something that used to work before conservatives began dismantling the fed’s regulatory power. Feeding your pro-business “demand” monster creates duopolies and monopolies that have little incentive to improve or economize.
Unless you enjoy paying higher rates for crappier service. In that respect, you’re still awesome.
How can you vote with your wallet if you have few or no alternatives?
You can bet Verizon will be following-suit quite soon.