As if mobile phone call reception wasn’t enough of a perception problem for AT&T, along comes the “issue” of data limits. The company just tossed out the “unlimited” data plan (although it wasn’t truly unlimited), and instituted plans to recognize what is really happening in the smartphone market. And that is, most of us are using just a moderate amount of data, and a few are using lots more data. I can tell you that my AT&T data use with an iPhone is very consistently 50 Mb a month (although one months was around 125 Mb). So the new AT&T 2 Gb data plan limit wouldn’t be a problem. Naturally, the new iPhone OS 4.0 tethering feature might change that. But for now, a 2 Gb limit wouldn’t bother me at all. I was worried when signing up for Comcast Internet service that their 250 Gb limit might be too little. Again, as it turns out, it’s not a problem. Comcast just implemented an on-line way to check your monthly data use, and it says I’m consistently using 20 Gb a month. That includes 2-3 of Apple TV movies a month, lots of browsing and moderate Web video watching by my family. Obviously, I still have plenty of data left to download. Those who hear the word “limit” and who are immediately fearful should relax. It’s not limiting. [And read this discussion of how much video you can watch for 2 Gb.]
AT&T Data Limits Change
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AT&T and Apple changed the iPad 3G data plans barely a month after the 3G device shipped to consumers… and now the unlimited plan is gone. In short, the unlimited plan has now been replaced by a 2GB capped plan at 25.00 per month…. so if you ever stop paying for the 29.99 unlimited plan, you can’t ever get it back… This has effectively turned a “no contract” plan into a de facto contract plan.
Seriously, if the iPad 3G was launched with the 2GB capped plan, it would not have sold nearly as well as it did. Many of those iPad 3G purchases were based on the reasonable expectation that the ability to cancel and restart a “breakthrough” unlimited data plan would last longer than a month after the device shipped to customers.
This calls for filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is empowered by law to investigate and address deceptive marketing practices such as these by Apple and AT&T.
It’s easy and takes only a few minutes to file a complaint.
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
Here’s the company info to make filling out the forms easier:
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
AT&T
175 East Houston Street
Dallas, TX 78205-2255
210-821-4105.
I believe that the key points are:
Apple touted and advertised the $29.99 data plan as a major inducement to buy the iPad 3g.
Apple described it as a “breakthrough deal” with AT&T, leading consumers to believe that Apple had locked in the terms and price.
A key, heavily advertised, feature was the ability to jump between plans or have no 3G plan as dictated by needs and budget.
The “grandfathering” announced by AT&T forces customers to either keep an unlimited plan continuously active in order to not lose it.
The change in the plans has significant impact on the value of the device and the manner in which it can be used.
We want AT&T and Apple to honor the advertised deal, not give us money, a coupon, a refund, free service for a month, etc. (That’s what I want, anyway.)
Here’s what Apple says on their website:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/
No-contract 3G service.
AT&T 3G Data Plans for iPad
Data per month Price per month
250MB $14.99
Unlimited $29.99
One month is based on 30 consecutive days, and starts at the date and time of your purchase.
In the United States, 3G service is available through a breakthrough deal with AT&T. You choose the amount of data per month you want to buy — 250MB or unlimited. If you choose the 250MB plan, you’ll receive onscreen messages as you get close to your monthly data limit so you can decide whether to turn off 3G or upgrade to the unlimited plan. Best of all, there’s no long-term contract. So if you have a business trip or vacation approaching, just sign up for the month you’ll be traveling and cancel when you get back. You don’t need to visit a store to get 3G service. You can sign up, check your data usage, manage your account, or cancel your service — all from your iPad.
You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau online…
http://www.bbb.org/us/
marketing jobs can really earn you lots of dollars but most of the time, it is a difficult job `.;