XTC Technologies

AT&T Drops Unlimited Data Plan June 2, 2010

The title says it all. Today, AT&T has announced that from now on, new customers will NOT be able to purchase the unlimited data plans for smartphones and the iPhone. Instead, AT&T is now offering a 2 gigabyte data plan for $25 monthly. AT&T says that according to their data, the 2 gigabytes is sufficient for 98% of the current unlimited data plan users. For the other 2% who have greater data needs, AT&T is offering additional gigabytes for an extra fee. The reason for this, is that AT&T’s data network is extremely congested which results in a slower 3G data network experience for some users, myself included. Another reason is that in the long term, the unlimited data plan will end up hurting AT&T in the future. For most people who don’t have smartphones the 2 gigabytes is more than sufficient for your mobile IM, Facebook, and Twitter needs. However, for the heavy smartphone and iPhone user this new policy could end up costing you lots of money, especially if you stream lots of music or videos online (obviously including YouTube videos). Also, can’t forget the new iPad. The iPad, with its new capabilities and numerous apps, will be eating your 2GB of data even quicker than your iPhone or smartphone. One thing that concerns me with this new 2 gigabyte plan is how it will affect the new iPhone HD set to come out within a few months. The iPhone HD is said to have video chatting capabilities along with the ability to play HD video, both of which will eat up your alotted 2 GB very quickly. I think this might be another development that may lead to the ultimate decision that Verizon Wireless will indeed get the new iPhone HD instead of AT&T. Verizon Wireless, AT&T’s competitor, has not made any comments about AT&T’s decision yet, but rumors are saying that it is only a matter of time before Verizon Wireless along with other major data carriers to follow suit.

Source: http://yhoo.it/9KPZN0