SlashGear Japan
So, we had some good news from AT&T a bit ago, but it looks like AT&T wants to basically undercut any good forthcomings they may have. At least, that’s how we imagine many people are going to see this. If you have a smartphone on AT&T already, then this probalby won’t mean much to you at the moment; but if you plan on upgrading, or even getting onto AT&T for the first time and plan on getting a smartphone, then it’s looking like you’ll be spending a bit more money.
Starting September 6th, AT&T is going to mandate that all customers with a smartphone must have a smartphone data plan tied to the line. However! If you have a smartphone already, then you’re going to get some grandfather action, and you won’t need to change your plan at all. If you have a feature phone with a data plan and upgrade to a smartphone after September 6, you’ll be paying the extra costs. So, why is AT&T doing this? They want customers to have a predictable bill each month.
So, we’re not exactly sure what the problem is with people’s bills already, or why they’re not predictable (especially if they have data plans already on there), but it looks like it’s happening one way or another. And yes, it’s a safe assumption that most people who have a smartphone are utilizing the current plans available to them, but there are people out there who just think smartphones look better, have more basic functionality or full keyboards, and don’t want to pay for browsing the internet if they’re never going to do it. Sure, AT&T might want people to have a better bill and better experience, but let’s face it: they want more money, and this is a great way for that to hapen.
[via Boy Genius Report]
4 Responses to “AT&T Smartphone Owners Forced to Have a Plan”
Mrfus September 7, 2009
Yeah… I have an old HTC Tilt and after a call to at&t add the PDA data pack for $35 the phone was runing. oooohhhh!! big mistake my bill skyrocket to the double, between all the freaking bits of adjustments here and there (don’t try to call customer suport, they always justify the charges on some way… waste of time) after a second call to At&t they remove the feature and they let me know of this thing of the data pack forced on smartphones.
Have you see the phones that At&t have for upgrade? the only ones that worth get 2 years more of contract are the smartphones! any other phone that they have are just pice of CRP… and I know that first hand, I have to replace 3 units because they stop working after a couple of months of regular service compared with my BBerry that I have for almost 2 years working fine or the old Thilt that is working perfect.
SHAME ON YOU AT&T!!!
-1aviralmsharma September 8, 2009
VERY IMPORTANT !!!!!!!!! MUST READ
DO NOT add an IMEI of your smartphone even if you had it for past 2000 years. They will simply claim that you ADDED A SMARTPHONE after 6th Sept, 2009 and hence you will need a data plan.
(I had Nokia N95 for past 8months and today they ask me for the IMEI, hence a data plan for rest of the contract)
LOOPHOLE (workaround) :If you are caught in their crap, just add an IMEI of non-smart phone, remove the data plan and start using the smartphone again.
Quote from att.com/smartphoneplans: “If you purchased a smartphone prior to September 6, 2009 and are using data on a pay per use basis, you will not be required to add a data plan at this time.”
They don’t care about purchase date since you ADDED the IMEI after 6th Sept.
NeutralMrfus September 8, 2009
that is true, they say when i remove the data plan that since I add the plan and the IMEI before the doomdate there was no problem but any data plan add for the phone on the future its going to stay there on a permanent way whit no chance to remove it…
The only hope here is wait to see if on some point they lower the cost of the data plans because all new users of smartphones will have to get the plan even if they dont like it… or they will start loosing $$$ because no one its going to get At&T cellphones.
Neutralaviralmsharma September 8, 2009
You CAN remove it (unless you have an iPhone contract). Use a non-smartphone for 1-2days, give them that IMEI and go back to your smartphone and don’t update your IMEI with them ;)
Neutral