AT&T Announces its Shared Data Plans; Isn't Forcing it On Its Customers Though (Yet)

[dgstorm]

This is a rare statement and one that will likely change in the future, but Verizon could actually learn something about customer service from AT&T right now. AT&T just launched their shared data plans and although they are fairly similar to Verizon's plans, AT&T isn't forcing them down their customer's throats (yet), and are still continuing to offer their earlier plans alongside them. Hmmm.... what a novel idea. Give your customers options.

Here is a quick breakdown of their plans followed by a the full press release,

AT&T GIVES CUSTOMERS MORE CHOICE WITH NEW SHARED WIRELESS DATA PLANS

New Mobile Share Plans Allow Customers to Easily Share Data Across Smartphones, Tablets and Other Devices

New and Current Customers Not Required To Choose or Switch to Shared Plans

DALLAS, JULY 18, 2012 — AT&T* customers will soon have more options in choosing the plan that’s right for them and their mobile devices. With new AT&T Mobile Share plans, available in late August, new and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices, plus get unlimited talk and text. AT&T Mobile Share plans make it easy for customers to manage their data, voice minutes and texting, without needing to keep track of multiple plans.

Customers can select one of the new shared data plans or choose one of AT&T’s existing individual or family plans. Current customers are not required to switch to the new plans, but can choose to do so without a contract extension. There are no changes to AT&T’s device upgrade policy, which means customers eligible to upgrade to AT&T’s best device price are not required to switch plans. The new plans will also be available for business customers.

With AT&T Mobile Share plans, customers start by choosing how much data they want each month, then choose up to 10 devices to attach to their shared plan, one of which must be a smartphone. Each plan includes tethering and unlimited domestic calls and texts for smartphones and basic or quick messaging phones. The larger the data bucket you choose, the less you pay per gigabyte and the less you pay for each smartphone added to the shared plan.


AT&T Mobile Share allows customers to essentially build a plan to fit their devices and usage. Customers who are more data-centric can choose a larger data bucket. Customers who typically use more voice than data can add multiple smartphones and basic phones and opt for a smaller data bucket.

“We offer customers a broad choice and the best lineup of plans, now enhanced by Mobile Share,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. “With these new plans, the more you share, the more you save. They’ll be a good fit for a variety of new and existing customers. But if customers want to stay on their current plan or choose from our existing plans, they can do that, too. It’s their choice.

“Today we think of people’s smartphones and tablets sharing a bucket of data. But in the future we’ll see health care monitors, connected cars, security systems and other devices in the home all connected to the mobile Internet,” said Christopher. “Our Mobile Share plans are simple, easy and a great value for individuals or families with multiple mobile Internet devices.”

Mobile Share plans give customers more control over how, where and on what device they use data — which has become more important as people use more data devices. You can choose to use more of your data bucket on your tablet, for example, or tap into your databucket only when needed for devices you use occasionally. And by consolidating data plans, you can take advantage of any data you currently have unused each month by efficiently sharing it across devices.

“The ‘more you share, the more you save’ concept is one that will resonate well with customers because of the value provided through the Mobile Share data plans themselves and in smartphone connection fees,” said Roger Entner, Founder and Lead Analyst of Recon Analytics. “AT&T also is providing its customers with flexibility and choice by keeping its existing data plans and not requiring customers to move to Mobile Share unless they want to. It’s a win-win for both AT&T and its customers.”

To help customers track their data usage, AT&T keeps users informed with courtesy alerts as they near their data allowance for the month. Also, customers can check their usage at anytime online, through the myAT&T mobile app, or by calling *DATA# from their mobile phone.

Each data plan also includes access to more than 30,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots — the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network** among wireless carriers — at no additional charge. Wi-Fi usage at public hotspots, home or office does not count toward the monthly wireless data plan usage.

Customers can learn more about the new plans and determine which plan is best for them at AT&T Cell Phones, U-verse, Digital TV, DSL Internet, and Phone Service.

 

[MissionImprobable]

I think we'd be pretending if we didn't look at this as step one of a likely move to this being the only data provision offered by AT&T as well, though.

 

[jstafford1]

I like the step down in adding a device the higher the plan. A little better than VZWs flat $40 per line. Still wont switch any time soon. VZW is the only carrier with good service around me.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

 

[justin82]

i think i will keep my unlimited until they make me change . just buy phones off ebay that are 6months old or so .

 

[SwiftLegend]

Well if I did the math correct, then for someone like me ( 3 smartphones on the line, 10 GB), it will cost $20 more on Verizon. $230 vs. $210...If I have to switch to it, I'd rather give Verizon the extra $20 for the reliable service and LTE..

 

[cybertec69]

This is for all the screamers that said, I will take my business to AT&T, well here you go, it was just a matter of time, people seem to forget that it was AT&T who where the first to mention tiered plans, before Verizon beat them to it, it's the way of the future people, Sprint will go the same route, once they figure out the cost of building their LTE network.
Go read the business news in regards to LTE build outs and the costs it is mounting on all these carriers "they are all crediting their future", most of them are in the RED.

 

[nikecar]

Well if I did the math correct, then for someone like me ( 3 smartphones on the line, 10 GB), it will cost $20 more on Verizon. $230 vs. $210...If I have to switch to it, I'd rather give Verizon the extra $20 for the reliable service and LTE..

Isn't smartphones on VZW $40? and the 10GB is $100. So that would be $100+$120($40x3)=$220.

They just slap you with higher data charge, but lower the device fee.

If you wanted 20GB with Verizon, it be $150 as its $100 for 10GB and then $10 per each 2GB increase.

 

[johnomaz]

Well if I did the math correct, then for someone like me ( 3 smartphones on the line, 10 GB), it will cost $20 more on Verizon. $230 vs. $210...If I have to switch to it, I'd rather give Verizon the extra $20 for the reliable service and LTE..

I just got rid of Unlimited on Verizon to switch to AT&T. Their LTE service in Modesto, CA is pure rubbish. I have wifi everywhere and averaged 300-500 megs a month on the data plan. Plus on HSPA for ATT where I'm at, I am pulling 10Mbps down and 2Mbps up. More than fast enough for every day use when I'm not on wifi. I was actually shocked at the HSPA speed I got. I didn't think it was that fast.

 

[dgstorm]

I think we'd be pretending if we didn't look at this as step one of a likely move to this being the only data provision offered by AT&T as well, though.

Too true, sadly.

 

[94lt1]

Isn't smartphones on VZW $40? and the 10GB is $100. So that would be $100+$120($40x3)=$220.

They just slap you with higher data charge, but lower the device fee.

If you wanted 20GB with Verizon, it be $150 as its $100 for 10GB and then $10 per each 2GB increase.

You can get a 30 gig plan for 200$ on vzw too. Wait for a double your data promotion though... if they do those any more

DROID RAZR MAXXIMIZED!!!! PREPARE TO BE VANQUISHED!!!

 

[SwiftLegend]

Isn't smartphones on VZW $40? and the 10GB is $100. So that would be $100+$120($40x3)=$220.

They just slap you with higher data charge, but lower the device fee.

If you wanted 20GB with Verizon, it be $150 as its $100 for 10GB and then $10 per each 2GB increase.

Right, forgot I calculated my mom's basic phone in the Verizon cost.

 

[War_Machine]

I'm on AT&T now with 2 iphones and pay $140 with an employer discount. I'll be switching to verizon where I can save about $20 even with a 4GB plan. I am grandfathered in to the unlimited data but I barely use half a gig myself since I have wifi at work and home. My wife uses more data than I do so i'm still making out better. Oh yeah did I mention the Galaxy S3 is my choice once i switch over. I'm excited about that phone and converting to the darkside of the mobile os force.

 

[IN AWE]

Current
$ 100.00 NT&T 1400 minutes, unlimited text
$ 40.00 4 access fees 2 $10/phone
$ 30.00 3 smartphone unlimited data plans (@ $30/plan less the $20 discount per plan)
$ 170.00 total (plus tax, fees, and insurance)

New
$ 120.00 3 smartphones
$ 30.00 1 dumb phone
$ 80.00 6 gb data plan
$ 230.00 total (plus tax, fees, and insurance)


This doesn't work for me. This would result in a 35% increase and a loss of unlimited data down to a 6 GB plan.

AT&T Share Plan
$ 105.00 3 smartphones
$ 30.00 1 dumb phone
$ 90.00 6 gb data plan
$ 225.00 total (plus tax, fees, and insurance)

Still not working for me. Losing the unlimited data is not the end of the world, but losing the $20 discount on my three lines is.

 

[Danielsan]

Working in the industry and being familiar with VZW's plans, you DO NOT have to switch to the Share Everything plan. OP, please stop getting this confused with having to switch to metered data, that's a different story.

Here's an example:

...on a Nationwide Family Share plan, user A has unlimited data at 29.99/mo, user B has the same. User B upgrades to a GS3 and is forced to change to 2g 30/mo, sure, user A can KEEP their Unlimited 29.99/mo data plans and NOT be forced into Share Everything.

 

[jseah]

The big difference is that with at&t, a new customer can opt for either the Share plan or an existing plan. With Verizon, new customers can only get share everything.