AT&T Clarifies Data Limitations On "Unlimited" Data Plans 247
MojoKid writes "Several months ago, AT&T notified customers that it would begin throttling network speeds for users who exceeded a certain threshold, with the definitive throttle point defined as an imprecise "the top 5% of mobile data users." The company has issued a statement clarifying this policy after irate customers with unlimited data plans demanded to know what the cap was and how the company determined who should and shouldn't be throttled. The magic number is 3GB, which conveniently happens to be the maximum amount of tiered bandwidth AT&T will sell you. So why would AT&T want unlimited users to move to tiered pricing when its maximum tier is also set at 3GB? Simple — the amount of money the company makes on customers who exceed that 3GB limit. The fine print reads: 'If 3GB is exceeded, an additional 1 GB is automatically provided at a rate of $10 for each additional 1 GB.' Anyone using above 3GB on an unlimited plan is a customer who isn't paying enough for the privilege (from AT&T's perspective)."
Re:So why offer an unlimited plan in the first pla (Score:2, Informative)
Re:So why offer an unlimited plan in the first pla (Score:4, Informative)
They don't offer one. But they have grandfathered old unlimited plans so as not to piss off existing customers. It's a strange idea, though, because anyone still with AT&T at this point is already a certified masochist.
REally? (Score:5, Informative)
"The magic number is 3GB, which conveniently happens to be the maximum amount of tiered bandwidth AT&T will sell you."
that's funny because I am paying for 5Gb from them. It's available on the website and at any location. Sounds like the article writer did not know anything about it's data plans.
Yes you can get a business 5GB data plan on your phones, and it had better be outside that 3Gb data cap or they are refunding a lot of money.