AT&T Shafts customers AGAIN!
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From: Space Coast, FL
AT&T Shafts customers AGAIN!
AT&T subscribers, we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that as of September 6th, AT&T will begin requiring that all smartphones sign up for a smartphone data plan. The good news is that customers with smartphones purchased prior to September 6th with non-smartphone data plans will be grandfathered in and will not have to upgrade their current plans. Note that if you currently use a feature phone with a data plan and you upgrade to a smartphone on or after September 6th, you will not be able to keep your current MediaNet plan.
We’ve been hearing rumblings to this effect for a few weeks now but as of this morning it’s 100% confirmed thanks to an internal email from one of our ninjas. AT&T’s claimed reasoning behind the move: to ensure customers receive a predictable bill each month. Mmm hmm. Note that this only applies to smartphones purchased from AT&T or a dealer of course, so those of you who opt for unlocked handsets should be unaffected. Hit the jump for the internal email circulated today at AT&T.
Beginning September 6, 2009, customers who activate or upgrade to a Smartphone will need to sign up for an appropriate data plan. Existing Smartphone customers active prior to September 6, 2009 will be grandfathered and exempt from the new policy.
Why we are making this change?
We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their Smartphones. A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, 2009 Smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do. Data plans let customers fully utilize their device, without the worry of bill shock.
How we will ensure an extraordinary customer experience?
The sales representative is the customer’s expert resource in helping select the right device for their needs. When a customer does not want a data plan, we will position other devices in our industry leading portfolio for the customer to choose from, as many devices do not require a data plan.
Action Required:
Sales Managers will review the Know the Facts, Job Aid, and FAQs (found under Related Links) with their sales teams and ensure all sales representatives fully understand the new policy and how to position the Smartphone data requirement to customers. A Sales Coaching Session will be available on September 5, 2009 (document to be distributed in advance).
We’ve been hearing rumblings to this effect for a few weeks now but as of this morning it’s 100% confirmed thanks to an internal email from one of our ninjas. AT&T’s claimed reasoning behind the move: to ensure customers receive a predictable bill each month. Mmm hmm. Note that this only applies to smartphones purchased from AT&T or a dealer of course, so those of you who opt for unlocked handsets should be unaffected. Hit the jump for the internal email circulated today at AT&T.
Beginning September 6, 2009, customers who activate or upgrade to a Smartphone will need to sign up for an appropriate data plan. Existing Smartphone customers active prior to September 6, 2009 will be grandfathered and exempt from the new policy.
Why we are making this change?
We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their Smartphones. A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, 2009 Smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do. Data plans let customers fully utilize their device, without the worry of bill shock.
How we will ensure an extraordinary customer experience?
The sales representative is the customer’s expert resource in helping select the right device for their needs. When a customer does not want a data plan, we will position other devices in our industry leading portfolio for the customer to choose from, as many devices do not require a data plan.
Action Required:
Sales Managers will review the Know the Facts, Job Aid, and FAQs (found under Related Links) with their sales teams and ensure all sales representatives fully understand the new policy and how to position the Smartphone data requirement to customers. A Sales Coaching Session will be available on September 5, 2009 (document to be distributed in advance).
The hell with this! I was looking at getting a new phone and a buddy just tipped me off about this BS!!!!
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From: Space Coast, FL
I own an 8525, had it for about 3 yrs, and kept it because HTC devices are rock solid, it's easier to type text messages on, etc. I don't have it to be cool and flashy... That's why people buy a Tag Heuer Merdrist phone...
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What BS. I was planning on upgrading my phone this Christmas when my contract expires. I wont be buying through AT&T now. I got a 1st gen Samsung Jack that I bought for texting.
I have a Treo 680 through AT&T (and a 650 before) and I used to have a data package. I'm not sure what prices are these days, but for the "PDA Connect" data package, it was something like $39.99 a month.
I bought the phone so that I didn't have to carry around a PDA and a cell phone, and Palm's devices more or less do what I need in a PDA (simple contact management, notes/memos, tasks lists, neat home-brewed free apps.). Also, the QWERTY keyboard is a big plus when sending text messages.
Being able to opt-out of any data package enabled me to save some money...and for me, I didn't miss web browsing or e-mail from my phone. I valued saving the $40 a month over that convenience.
The being forced into a data plan is kind-of what is keeping me from buying an iPhone. I more-or-less want it so that I have fewer devices to carry around (PDA + iPod + cell phone) and not so I can browse the Internet or retrieve e-mail. Besides, I'm usually within range of a wireless network that I can connect to anyway.
correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't AT&T use sim cards?
how would they know if you buy an unlocked smartphone from somewhere else and just pop in your sim and keep your current plan as is?
how would they know if you buy an unlocked smartphone from somewhere else and just pop in your sim and keep your current plan as is?
the reason i actually got an iphone was b/c i needed a new phone and i had a lot of fido rewards dollars so it only cost me ~$100
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you could remove your data plan from the iphone?
anyways with me im glad i did get the data plan with my iphone3gs, i had an iphone without it and honestly it sucked donkey nuts.
so i dont see the problem here.
anyways with me im glad i did get the data plan with my iphone3gs, i had an iphone without it and honestly it sucked donkey nuts.
so i dont see the problem here.
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I think part of it is having control of whether or not one subscribes to a data package.
I have a Treo 680 through AT&T (and a 650 before) and I used to have a data package. I'm not sure what prices are these days, but for the "PDA Connect" data package, it was something like $39.99 a month.
I bought the phone so that I didn't have to carry around a PDA and a cell phone, and Palm's devices more or less do what I need in a PDA (simple contact management, notes/memos, tasks lists, neat home-brewed free apps.). Also, the QWERTY keyboard is a big plus when sending text messages.
Being able to opt-out of any data package enabled me to save some money...and for me, I didn't miss web browsing or e-mail from my phone. I valued saving the $40 a month over that convenience.
The being forced into a data plan is kind-of what is keeping me from buying an iPhone. I more-or-less want it so that I have fewer devices to carry around (PDA + iPod + cell phone) and not so I can browse the Internet or retrieve e-mail. Besides, I'm usually within range of a wireless network that I can connect to anyway.
I have a Treo 680 through AT&T (and a 650 before) and I used to have a data package. I'm not sure what prices are these days, but for the "PDA Connect" data package, it was something like $39.99 a month.
I bought the phone so that I didn't have to carry around a PDA and a cell phone, and Palm's devices more or less do what I need in a PDA (simple contact management, notes/memos, tasks lists, neat home-brewed free apps.). Also, the QWERTY keyboard is a big plus when sending text messages.
Being able to opt-out of any data package enabled me to save some money...and for me, I didn't miss web browsing or e-mail from my phone. I valued saving the $40 a month over that convenience.
The being forced into a data plan is kind-of what is keeping me from buying an iPhone. I more-or-less want it so that I have fewer devices to carry around (PDA + iPod + cell phone) and not so I can browse the Internet or retrieve e-mail. Besides, I'm usually within range of a wireless network that I can connect to anyway.
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