Today AT&T announced that it will be eliminating unlimited data access for wireless devices, including the iPhone and the iPad, in exchange for new metered plans.
AT&T says the new structure will make data access "more affordable to more people," and will consist of two new options; DataPlus, which includes 200MBs of data for $15 a month, and DataPro, which grants users 2GBs of data a month for $25. If a subscriber exceeds their allotted data on either plan, however, they will be forced to pay additional fees.
Once the 200MB cap is reached in the DataPlus plan, users will be charged another $15 for another 200MBs of data, while DataPro customers will pay $10 for each additional gigabyte used.
To inform users of their data usage and avoid overages, AT&T will send text notifications as subscribers reach 65 percent, 90 percent, and 100 percent of their allotted data. Customers will also be able to check data usage online, through AT&T's iPhone app, or request it via text message.
AT&T's new DataPro plan will replace their current $29.99 unlimited plan for all smartphones they offer, as well as the iPad.
Current subscribers with unlimited data plans will remain unaffected by the changes, but will be given the option to opt into either of the new metered plans.
The new plans, AT&T says, will allow users to send thousands of emails, browse hundreds of websites, and up to 200 minutes of streaming video, but what about gaming? Multiplayer games on the iPhone and other wireless platforms generally require Wi-Fi connectivity for online use and the data consumed by those that don't is hard to quantify, but like all web-enabled functions, usage will inevitably add up over time.
Conveniently, AT&T's new metered data access plans will take take effect on June 7 -- the very same day Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone.
AT&T also announced their plans to offer tethering for the iPhone later this year, which will allow users to link their iPhone to their laptop for wireless data access at an additional $20 a month. Tethering, AT&T says, will be released as part of iPhone OS 4.0.
AT&T says the new structure will make data access "more affordable to more people," and will consist of two new options; DataPlus, which includes 200MBs of data for $15 a month, and DataPro, which grants users 2GBs of data a month for $25. If a subscriber exceeds their allotted data on either plan, however, they will be forced to pay additional fees.
Once the 200MB cap is reached in the DataPlus plan, users will be charged another $15 for another 200MBs of data, while DataPro customers will pay $10 for each additional gigabyte used.
To inform users of their data usage and avoid overages, AT&T will send text notifications as subscribers reach 65 percent, 90 percent, and 100 percent of their allotted data. Customers will also be able to check data usage online, through AT&T's iPhone app, or request it via text message.
AT&T's new DataPro plan will replace their current $29.99 unlimited plan for all smartphones they offer, as well as the iPad.
Current subscribers with unlimited data plans will remain unaffected by the changes, but will be given the option to opt into either of the new metered plans.
The new plans, AT&T says, will allow users to send thousands of emails, browse hundreds of websites, and up to 200 minutes of streaming video, but what about gaming? Multiplayer games on the iPhone and other wireless platforms generally require Wi-Fi connectivity for online use and the data consumed by those that don't is hard to quantify, but like all web-enabled functions, usage will inevitably add up over time.
Conveniently, AT&T's new metered data access plans will take take effect on June 7 -- the very same day Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone.
AT&T also announced their plans to offer tethering for the iPhone later this year, which will allow users to link their iPhone to their laptop for wireless data access at an additional $20 a month. Tethering, AT&T says, will be released as part of iPhone OS 4.0.
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