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AT&T rep on facebook said we can keep unlimited plan and start and stop
- Thread starter IpadEric
- Start date
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I am really surprised at that.
Here's an idea...you be the first one to test it, OK?
I second this idea
Well, somebody's going to be fired if it isn't true.
The situation is ridiculous. A PR nightmare. Too little time to get correct information out to the public.
There are conflicting statements from ATT press releases, comments to reporters, in-store and telephone reps, reps on social media, etc.
There's gotta be some good story here. The timing certainly is suspect. What is REALLY going on? It doesn't sound like it was thought-out in advance, and perhaps that's what we're supposed to think - ATT got blindsided by unexpected traffic had to cancel their previous plans in a hurry.
That's the only plausible explanation that doesn't lead to a strong suspicion of an preconceived intent to mislead.
I'm wondering if they thought iPad sales weren't going to be as strong as they are and freaked out at the large number of people signing up for 3G literally over night.
Link
http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=wall&story_fbid=402167238908
Just one of a few links where the question was confirmed.
http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=wall&story_fbid=402167238908
Just one of a few links where the question was confirmed.
I don't see what you guys are all confused about. I'm not even an AT&T customer and I understand the new policy.
Basically if your sim is activated by the cut off you will have the ability to purchase unlimited 3g for life. If it's after the cut off you will only be able to purhase the 2gb max.
Any ipad ordered before the cutoff will be able to activate and use the unlimited package as they understand there is supply issues.
What's so confusing?
Basically if your sim is activated by the cut off you will have the ability to purchase unlimited 3g for life. If it's after the cut off you will only be able to purhase the 2gb max.
Any ipad ordered before the cutoff will be able to activate and use the unlimited package as they understand there is supply issues.
What's so confusing?
The key question is the right to stop and start the prepaid unlimited plan as Jobs touted.
The plan can be started and stopped at any time. Unlimited will still be avalible.
Every artical states the same quoted information from AT&T saying existing customers can continue as they are. If you want the new service you can opt in or stay as you are.
Every artical states the same quoted information from AT&T saying existing customers can continue as they are. If you want the new service you can opt in or stay as you are.
Apple's website still shows no indication of any kind of AT&T change at all.
Still shows $29.99 for "unlimited."
http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/
Still shows $29.99 for "unlimited."
http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/
Which "normal official channels" stated that you could not stop and restart the unlimited plan yesterday?
I have mentioned elsewhere that folks love the words - unlimited or free. The 2GB limit IMO will serve most folks, as others have said as well.
You may have a strong point in that AT&T saw a rise in 3G traffic with the iPad and had to make changes to the "unlimited" plan....
I have had my iPhone 1G for almost three years now... and maybe have used 90-95MB a month over the life of the phone... but then I am on Edge not 3G so I held back on streaming apps - save for a few YouTube videos.
With my iPad 3G I went with the 250MB plan, and only used maybe 180MB prior to that plan expiring yesterday. Upgraded to the unlimited to be grandfathered in - just in case.
But with that plan I nursed those 250MB to the max though.... Only used 3G when absolutely needed.. stayed away from any sort of GPS type of mapping... (going to try that for my drive in to work tomorrow - for the full ride - Google Maps). With that in mind I have tried to do a worst case torture test with the unlimited service. Never tried to watch a video on lets say ABC's App (did a test of CougarTown - and it came in at 150MB IIRC). Tried updating some apps... but they told me I needed wifi. Even tried downloading the new VW app (350MB) and was denied on 3G!
Now one of the updates was to the Elements App... not sure that I would have wanted to try that one on 3G or even 4G LOL But the point I am trying to make here is that there are users out there that have no need for a full blown computer and HS internet costs in their home.
The appeal of unlimited access appealed to those users. As of right now I am maybe 300MB total usage over a couple of days so far under my torture test. Keep in mind the network TV season is pretty much over. And I can't see the iPad replacing my current GPS as of yet. Streaming audio.. only did a few times on my iPhone. But then I was on Edge at the time... So that may change as well...
For those that I might be abusing the offer of unlimited access. I am doing this one month only to see how I might end up using it. Do have to say that it is nice not having to go to an AT&T Hotspot to save on the the 250MB limit of my first plan.
The last couple of days have been nice being able to eat at work on the cheap... as opposed to going out to places that that AT&T has a hotspot or looking for a free wifi connection.
My other thought is that AT&T is worried as iPhone OS 4 hits with multi-tasking and the drain on the network. It appears that my download of updates were suspended when I went to IM+ or any other app...
If you scroll down on the facebook page, you'll notice that AT+T corrected themselves and said you need auto-renew on in order to keep the unlimited ability..they've been saying that for days...if you start and stop you'll end up on the 2gb plan
I had my suspicions about keeping on start stop. Were they going to send those grandfathered in to a whole different plan choice page when they went to sign up again? Or were they going to tell all new customers that they couldn't have the $30 unlimited option?
Check the Facebook link again. The AT&T rep backtracked and "clarified" that you will have to auto renew each month in order to keep the unlimited plan. So there is no starting on the unlimited plan then "pausing" for a month or more, then going back to unlimited. Not gonna happen.
And yes, this has to rank as one of the worst PR disasters ever. Actually more than a PR problem really.
And yes, this has to rank as one of the worst PR disasters ever. Actually more than a PR problem really.
Um, I thought the price dropping on the original iPhone by $200 or, GASP, the "ships by late April" fiascos were the biggest disasters ever. Face it...time moves on and people do too. This will be a non-story in less than six months.
What, changing the way America pays to get to the internet to metered usage will be a non-story? Riiiiggggghhhhttttt.
This is step 1 only. Other networks will follow, Cable and other land providers already trying to push metered usage.
The end of widespread unlimited internet use is not a fuss over a delivery date.
Later in that thread the same rep said:
Which means you can't start and stop it.
It was a non-contract service, of course price and limits were going to change over time. It sucks that they did it right away, but the idea they are giving to give people $30 lifetime unlimited for the iPad that they could turn on and off as they like is absurd and is not going to happen.
Sadly, AT&T is making BP look like they have their act together.
I'm pretty sure there are lots of folks down in the Gulf that would take offense to that statement - I sure did.
And by "America" you mean the 5% (let's be generous) of users who use 90% of the bandwidth who will pay more, not less than they do now, right? Yeah...thought so.
FYI...back in the early to mid-90s we did pay metered rates--hourly to be exact, happily, for internet access via AOL. I had bills upwards of $250 some months. Good times!