19 thoughts on “AT&T responds to FaceTime criticism”
If I upgrade FaceTime, that doesn’t count as ‘preloaded.’ The tone is like ‘AT&T phone, AT&T software, AT&T rules’ which is not the case.
To play devil’s advocate for a moment…
The reason AT&T differentiates between “preloaded” FaceTime and apps like Skype is that every single iPhone user (and we know there are millions of them) could start using FaceTime immediately, whereas it takes a certain knowledge, skill, and desire to download, configure, and use Skype. I seems they are worried that their network will keel over if millions of iPhone users are suddenly able to make video calls, but they’re pretty confident they can handle maybe a few tens or hundreds of thousands of users who opt for something like Skype.
I’m still not happy about it. But I do see where they’re coming from. And I hold onto a (perhaps naive) optimism that if all goes well with this initial rollout, maybe someday they’ll open up FaceTime over cellular to the rest of their customers as well.
One wonders why Apple allows the carriers the ability to disable in built phone features.
They didn’t do this for iMessage.
And yet Skype is permitted to do video chat. Presumably because it is a downloaded app. Perhaps Apple should make Facetime a download?
I’m no AT&T shill. I’ve been a happy customer for almost THREE decades from the early days of cellular with Ameritech Mobile in Chicago.
With the happy acquisition of Apple mobile devices–iPhone, iPad, MacBook–we are looking forward to their Mobile Share program which promises to be more convenient at a somewhat lower price.
I’m not surprised that the complainers jumped on the new chance to slam a big corporation for yet another perceived “injustice.” It’s so easy to do so these days, especially when there seems to be less and less general regard for truth, honesty, integrity, etc.–amongst the hoi poloi.
I actually appreciate AT&T’s efforts to arrive at an equitable system to manage its mobile services as it struggles to keep up with staggering demand. They were probably caught way off guard over the initial demand for bandwidth with the advent of the iPhone. So now they’re being a bit wiser in anticipating this next wave of even higher demand.
Gone are the days of “unlimited data”, and so be it. Just like Apple which makes a decent profit off of reasonably-priced products and services, AT&T needs to also charge equitably and to profit from its products and services so that it can continue to do its own R&D and to make capital investments in ever more infrastructure–all to the benefit of all of us.
I can see anyone who’s stuck in a contract with AT&T being extremely pissed, especially if you’re on a grandfathered unlimited plan, the only way you can use Facetime is by leaving your current plan for a plan that is worse and more expensive… it’s just not worth it.
While it’s a bit of stretch, it’s like buying a Corvette then having Chevy tell you that they installed a governor and you can only go 45mph, unless you come back and pay them for the engine’s full power. When it’s something the car, or in this case, device, can already do, the carrier shouldn’t prevent it. If they can’t support the device, don’t offer it. Plan and simple.
Now, for those who are eligible for an upgrade and want the new iPhone, I say stick it to AT&T by moving to Verizon. Here’s a few reasons why… 1.) With the new iPhone supporting LTE, Verizon has a larger coverage area. 2.) Because of Verizon’s agreement with net neutrality, they can’t do what AT&T is doing, so you’re good there. and 3.) Verizon’s shared data plans include free WiFi tethering.
All in all, people would be better off moving to Verizon than sticking with AT&T. Of course Sprint is another option, but that’s more of a step backwards.
When your response or press release is essentially saying, “Technically, we’re obeying the law, so deal with it,” you’re in for a long haul
I sort of agree with you. Unlimited data is something AT&T should never have offered to begin with. You don’t offer unlimited anything unless you can provide it to your customers for free.
However, I long for the days where the carriers just give me a dumb pipe and just charge me a fair price for what I use. Charge me less than the heavy users and more than the light users. i.e. charge me like my water bill.
And I wish their contracts went like this. “Here are off-contract prices for all of our phones and monthly rates. If you sign a contract and pay $x over the standard monthly rates, we’ll give you a $y subsidy on any phone you wish to buy.”
AT&T I am going to cancel my account soon! Your on notice!
I will leave AT&T for Verizon at my first opportunity and I don’t even see FaceTime as a feature I would use often (Tango does the same thing over the network and I rarely use it). I just cannot stand AT&T’s constant and habitual dishonesty. I have an unlimited plan that AT&T no longer honors as it should. Rather than saying “We can’t honor our commitment and must break it,” AT&T lied and tried to tell me that “unlimited” meant 2 gbs, then 3 gbs a month. Now AT&T is further limiting what we can do with the buckets of data we buy and pay for each month. There is nothing honest about these actions. On top of being dishonest, AT&T tries to sell its actions like it is doing me a service. It’s galling.
For as long as I am forced to be an AT&T customer, I will stay with my unlimited plan just because I know it bothers AT&T. Sort of like George Costanza when the company wanted him to quit and kept making conditions worse and worse for him and he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
Well, just like “unlimited” being a thing of the past, “dumb pipes” are, too. The past will never return as much as some may want it to.
But what you’re asking for will actually be delivered with AT&T’s Mobile Share. The simplicity of it is that you simply pay proportionately to the number of devices you have and to the data you consume.
That’s equitable and fair, and I look forward to getting onto such a plan. With the proliferation of devices which require cellular data access, this seems to be a good way to handle the data–for both AT&T and its customers.
What the grumblers conveniently ignore is that this new system will be a much more efficient means of providing data to those who need it, that it will indeed be equitable, charging proportionately AND with a sliding scale discount for higher levels of usage, AND subscribers will benefit from the use of all of these devices in countless ways.
And, in a way similar to Apple’s iTunes putting a bit of a damper on music pirating, miscreants misusing the old “unlimited” plans for nefarious applications will at least have to go elsewhere if not start paying for their data.
You’re totally wrong there pal. We’re not “stuck” with our AT&T contracts. We’re happy with AT&T’s service.
And we’re looking forward to Mobile Share with its convenience and lower bottom line rates for our multiple mobile devices.
You complainers conveniently neglect the fact that, along with “unlimited”, both voice minutes and text messaging charges will be gone, too.
First off, I’m not your pal, so don’t assume. Secondly, for those customers who have the grandfathered unlimited plan, yes, they are stuck, between a rock and hard place. If they wish to use this Facetime feature of iOS 6 over cellular, they need to switch plans and “give up” their unlimited data for a plan that will ultimately cost them more and give them less.
How you’re too blind to see this, I don’t know. You are apparently the only person who’s not frustrated by AT&T’s actions, (read the rest of the comments on here), which to me means you’re either an AT&T employee or have a family member who is. I’ve had AT&T, I had them for the first gen iPhone, my 3G, and 4, I’ll be joining Verizon come September 21st and I’ll enjoy a great LTE network and my Facetime over cellular, even on an individual plan.
As someone who uses FaceTime several times a week to keep in touch with family, I will continue to jailbreak and use FaceTime on 3G (via My3G). I pay for “unlimited” data (really just 3gb, now), so I will use it how I see fit, AT&T.
The “pal” reference was rhetorical, you idiot. And I AM grandfathered into an “unlimited” plan. I have an iPhone 3GS and I’m far more looking forward to using FaceTime on my iPhone 5 than on hanging onto the silly notion of “unlimited.”
The fact of the matter is, I’m NOT an employee or family member. I simply see the logic and actual equity of AT&T’s Mobile Share which will factually help ALL of us to enjoy reliable service while paying reasonable rates for it.
Good luck on enjoying the “grass is greener” service of Verizon. Idiot.
Poor AT&T. Forced to find new, creative ways to put a premium price on bandwidth by calling it different names.
Let me get this straight…you’re on an unlimited plan, which you’ll gladly give up because you care MORE about Facetime over Cellular than hanging on to unlimited data?? You do realize how much more data you’re going to be using once you buy an iPhone 5 and use LTE, right? You’ll be crying yourself to sleep for leaving an unlimited plan simply so you can use Facetime over 4G (again, using heaps of data) that’s no longer unlimited.
You may be the only person on AT&T who gives a rats ass about “their” well being. This company has continued to screw over its customers by taking away one bit of freedom, little by little and you’re going to defend them.
You sir, are the idiot.
Hey, if you’re so trusting of AT&T, why not ask them why they still haven’t given an answer to, or update about, the “free” tethering with an iPad plan like Verizon offers. Last I checked they said they were “talking” with Apple to see how they can make that work. Verizon didn’t need Apple’s help, because it’s not necessary. They just offer it, FREE. Once again, it’s AT&T screwing with its customers because their network is inferior and would buckle under the pressure.
(As for the pal being rhetorical, yeah I know, I was being “sarcastic” look it up.)
I’m obviously wasting my typing strokes on you, seeing that you just don’t get the plain and simple fact that “you have to pay for what you get.” But perhaps some others less crazy and/or criminal-minded reading this might yet benefit, so I’ll continue on a bit.
Reading between the lines, AT&T simply wants to be able to manage what will most likely be yet another huge wave of demand for its services–obviously not from the likes of you, but y’all are in a sad minority, judging by AT&T’s continuing prosperity fueled by yet others who share my views on being willing and able to pay for these excellent services.
The fabled “unlimited” plans were at best optimistic when first introduced, as I believe few could predict then the ultimate popularity of the newly introduced iPhone or its ultimate impact on the whole industry. AT&T has since been struggling to catch up with this popularity.
In part due to the failure of the T-Mobile merger which would have bought them some time and infrastructure, they yet are resorting to other strategies in order to at least be able to profit from this demand instead of continuing to be at the ill effect of a relative few who misuse “unlimited data” at the expense of the overall smooth functioning of the network.
Mobile Share seems to me to be a fair and efficient system to allow them to both profit from their data services and to somewhat temper the demand, at least from those miscreants who are not inclined to pay commensurately for the relatively heavy load they put on the network.
I like it also because it puts me in better control of my AT&T bill, as I know that I’ll be paying for simply “data usage” and commensurately according to how much I use the network collectively on all of my devices.
That’s it from me. Rant on if you must, but I’m done.
No, Daniel. You’re not a shill. You’re an apologist.
AT&T found an end-run around the letter of a toothless law (thanks, carrier lobbyists!) that allows them to charge more to users who’d rather not make use of AT&T’s “competing services.” Because one use of bandwidth should somehow be more expensive than another. Please.
“Charge equitably… to the benefit of all of us”? Not in this lifetime.
Verizon just charges higher prices for the same experience. As in WarGames, the only way to win is not to play.
Maybe one day T-Mobile or Sprint will be able to field a network capable of making the big two worry, but I unfortunately doubt that’ll be in our lifetimes.
If I upgrade FaceTime, that doesn’t count as ‘preloaded.’ The tone is like ‘AT&T phone, AT&T software, AT&T rules’ which is not the case.
To play devil’s advocate for a moment…
The reason AT&T differentiates between “preloaded” FaceTime and apps like Skype is that every single iPhone user (and we know there are millions of them) could start using FaceTime immediately, whereas it takes a certain knowledge, skill, and desire to download, configure, and use Skype. I seems they are worried that their network will keel over if millions of iPhone users are suddenly able to make video calls, but they’re pretty confident they can handle maybe a few tens or hundreds of thousands of users who opt for something like Skype.
I’m still not happy about it. But I do see where they’re coming from. And I hold onto a (perhaps naive) optimism that if all goes well with this initial rollout, maybe someday they’ll open up FaceTime over cellular to the rest of their customers as well.
One wonders why Apple allows the carriers the ability to disable in built phone features.
They didn’t do this for iMessage.
And yet Skype is permitted to do video chat. Presumably because it is a downloaded app. Perhaps Apple should make Facetime a download?
I’m no AT&T shill. I’ve been a happy customer for almost THREE decades from the early days of cellular with Ameritech Mobile in Chicago.
With the happy acquisition of Apple mobile devices–iPhone, iPad, MacBook–we are looking forward to their Mobile Share program which promises to be more convenient at a somewhat lower price.
I’m not surprised that the complainers jumped on the new chance to slam a big corporation for yet another perceived “injustice.” It’s so easy to do so these days, especially when there seems to be less and less general regard for truth, honesty, integrity, etc.–amongst the hoi poloi.
I actually appreciate AT&T’s efforts to arrive at an equitable system to manage its mobile services as it struggles to keep up with staggering demand. They were probably caught way off guard over the initial demand for bandwidth with the advent of the iPhone. So now they’re being a bit wiser in anticipating this next wave of even higher demand.
Gone are the days of “unlimited data”, and so be it. Just like Apple which makes a decent profit off of reasonably-priced products and services, AT&T needs to also charge equitably and to profit from its products and services so that it can continue to do its own R&D and to make capital investments in ever more infrastructure–all to the benefit of all of us.
I can see anyone who’s stuck in a contract with AT&T being extremely pissed, especially if you’re on a grandfathered unlimited plan, the only way you can use Facetime is by leaving your current plan for a plan that is worse and more expensive… it’s just not worth it.
While it’s a bit of stretch, it’s like buying a Corvette then having Chevy tell you that they installed a governor and you can only go 45mph, unless you come back and pay them for the engine’s full power. When it’s something the car, or in this case, device, can already do, the carrier shouldn’t prevent it. If they can’t support the device, don’t offer it. Plan and simple.
Now, for those who are eligible for an upgrade and want the new iPhone, I say stick it to AT&T by moving to Verizon. Here’s a few reasons why… 1.) With the new iPhone supporting LTE, Verizon has a larger coverage area. 2.) Because of Verizon’s agreement with net neutrality, they can’t do what AT&T is doing, so you’re good there. and 3.) Verizon’s shared data plans include free WiFi tethering.
All in all, people would be better off moving to Verizon than sticking with AT&T. Of course Sprint is another option, but that’s more of a step backwards.
When your response or press release is essentially saying, “Technically, we’re obeying the law, so deal with it,” you’re in for a long haul
I sort of agree with you. Unlimited data is something AT&T should never have offered to begin with. You don’t offer unlimited anything unless you can provide it to your customers for free.
However, I long for the days where the carriers just give me a dumb pipe and just charge me a fair price for what I use. Charge me less than the heavy users and more than the light users. i.e. charge me like my water bill.
And I wish their contracts went like this. “Here are off-contract prices for all of our phones and monthly rates. If you sign a contract and pay $x over the standard monthly rates, we’ll give you a $y subsidy on any phone you wish to buy.”
AT&T I am going to cancel my account soon! Your on notice!
I will leave AT&T for Verizon at my first opportunity and I don’t even see FaceTime as a feature I would use often (Tango does the same thing over the network and I rarely use it). I just cannot stand AT&T’s constant and habitual dishonesty. I have an unlimited plan that AT&T no longer honors as it should. Rather than saying “We can’t honor our commitment and must break it,” AT&T lied and tried to tell me that “unlimited” meant 2 gbs, then 3 gbs a month. Now AT&T is further limiting what we can do with the buckets of data we buy and pay for each month. There is nothing honest about these actions. On top of being dishonest, AT&T tries to sell its actions like it is doing me a service. It’s galling.
For as long as I am forced to be an AT&T customer, I will stay with my unlimited plan just because I know it bothers AT&T. Sort of like George Costanza when the company wanted him to quit and kept making conditions worse and worse for him and he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
Well, just like “unlimited” being a thing of the past, “dumb pipes” are, too. The past will never return as much as some may want it to.
But what you’re asking for will actually be delivered with AT&T’s Mobile Share. The simplicity of it is that you simply pay proportionately to the number of devices you have and to the data you consume.
That’s equitable and fair, and I look forward to getting onto such a plan. With the proliferation of devices which require cellular data access, this seems to be a good way to handle the data–for both AT&T and its customers.
What the grumblers conveniently ignore is that this new system will be a much more efficient means of providing data to those who need it, that it will indeed be equitable, charging proportionately AND with a sliding scale discount for higher levels of usage, AND subscribers will benefit from the use of all of these devices in countless ways.
And, in a way similar to Apple’s iTunes putting a bit of a damper on music pirating, miscreants misusing the old “unlimited” plans for nefarious applications will at least have to go elsewhere if not start paying for their data.
You’re totally wrong there pal. We’re not “stuck” with our AT&T contracts. We’re happy with AT&T’s service.
And we’re looking forward to Mobile Share with its convenience and lower bottom line rates for our multiple mobile devices.
You complainers conveniently neglect the fact that, along with “unlimited”, both voice minutes and text messaging charges will be gone, too.
First off, I’m not your pal, so don’t assume. Secondly, for those customers who have the grandfathered unlimited plan, yes, they are stuck, between a rock and hard place. If they wish to use this Facetime feature of iOS 6 over cellular, they need to switch plans and “give up” their unlimited data for a plan that will ultimately cost them more and give them less.
How you’re too blind to see this, I don’t know. You are apparently the only person who’s not frustrated by AT&T’s actions, (read the rest of the comments on here), which to me means you’re either an AT&T employee or have a family member who is. I’ve had AT&T, I had them for the first gen iPhone, my 3G, and 4, I’ll be joining Verizon come September 21st and I’ll enjoy a great LTE network and my Facetime over cellular, even on an individual plan.
As someone who uses FaceTime several times a week to keep in touch with family, I will continue to jailbreak and use FaceTime on 3G (via My3G). I pay for “unlimited” data (really just 3gb, now), so I will use it how I see fit, AT&T.
The “pal” reference was rhetorical, you idiot. And I AM grandfathered into an “unlimited” plan. I have an iPhone 3GS and I’m far more looking forward to using FaceTime on my iPhone 5 than on hanging onto the silly notion of “unlimited.”
The fact of the matter is, I’m NOT an employee or family member. I simply see the logic and actual equity of AT&T’s Mobile Share which will factually help ALL of us to enjoy reliable service while paying reasonable rates for it.
Good luck on enjoying the “grass is greener” service of Verizon. Idiot.
Poor AT&T. Forced to find new, creative ways to put a premium price on bandwidth by calling it different names.
Let me get this straight…you’re on an unlimited plan, which you’ll gladly give up because you care MORE about Facetime over Cellular than hanging on to unlimited data?? You do realize how much more data you’re going to be using once you buy an iPhone 5 and use LTE, right? You’ll be crying yourself to sleep for leaving an unlimited plan simply so you can use Facetime over 4G (again, using heaps of data) that’s no longer unlimited.
You may be the only person on AT&T who gives a rats ass about “their” well being. This company has continued to screw over its customers by taking away one bit of freedom, little by little and you’re going to defend them.
You sir, are the idiot.
Hey, if you’re so trusting of AT&T, why not ask them why they still haven’t given an answer to, or update about, the “free” tethering with an iPad plan like Verizon offers. Last I checked they said they were “talking” with Apple to see how they can make that work. Verizon didn’t need Apple’s help, because it’s not necessary. They just offer it, FREE. Once again, it’s AT&T screwing with its customers because their network is inferior and would buckle under the pressure.
(As for the pal being rhetorical, yeah I know, I was being “sarcastic” look it up.)
I’m obviously wasting my typing strokes on you, seeing that you just don’t get the plain and simple fact that “you have to pay for what you get.” But perhaps some others less crazy and/or criminal-minded reading this might yet benefit, so I’ll continue on a bit.
Reading between the lines, AT&T simply wants to be able to manage what will most likely be yet another huge wave of demand for its services–obviously not from the likes of you, but y’all are in a sad minority, judging by AT&T’s continuing prosperity fueled by yet others who share my views on being willing and able to pay for these excellent services.
The fabled “unlimited” plans were at best optimistic when first introduced, as I believe few could predict then the ultimate popularity of the newly introduced iPhone or its ultimate impact on the whole industry. AT&T has since been struggling to catch up with this popularity.
In part due to the failure of the T-Mobile merger which would have bought them some time and infrastructure, they yet are resorting to other strategies in order to at least be able to profit from this demand instead of continuing to be at the ill effect of a relative few who misuse “unlimited data” at the expense of the overall smooth functioning of the network.
Mobile Share seems to me to be a fair and efficient system to allow them to both profit from their data services and to somewhat temper the demand, at least from those miscreants who are not inclined to pay commensurately for the relatively heavy load they put on the network.
I like it also because it puts me in better control of my AT&T bill, as I know that I’ll be paying for simply “data usage” and commensurately according to how much I use the network collectively on all of my devices.
That’s it from me. Rant on if you must, but I’m done.
No, Daniel. You’re not a shill. You’re an apologist.
AT&T found an end-run around the letter of a toothless law (thanks, carrier lobbyists!) that allows them to charge more to users who’d rather not make use of AT&T’s “competing services.” Because one use of bandwidth should somehow be more expensive than another. Please.
“Charge equitably… to the benefit of all of us”? Not in this lifetime.
Verizon just charges higher prices for the same experience. As in WarGames, the only way to win is not to play.
Maybe one day T-Mobile or Sprint will be able to field a network capable of making the big two worry, but I unfortunately doubt that’ll be in our lifetimes.