New AT and T data plan with lower prices and lower limits

AT and T has announced new data plan pricing for smartphones and tablets that will go into effect on Monday. This new AT and T data plan pricing is intended to help reduce network usage when providing a lot more of transparency within the billing process. Many wonder whether other wireless carriers will follow suit.

Source for this article: New AT and T data plan – Lower prices and lower limits By Personal Money Store

AT and T data plans plan on eliminating 'unlimited'

When the iPhone was introduced on the AT and T network, the one-size-fits-all data plan was just a $29.99 a month “unlimited” plan. The definition of “unlimited” however, was sometimes brought into question. Some of the AT and T customers got huge data-use bills that indicated there was a limit to network usage that they were not aware of. Some customers had to pay their bills with best payday loans . Heavy use of the data network led to many dropped calls and slow data speeds that have been a tough sticking point between the carrier and customers.

The newest AT and T data plan

The new data plans revealed by AT and T will have 3 “levels” of data use. There could be a $15 plan allowing 200 mb of data per month. A $25 plan will allow 2 gb of data per month. Connecting a laptop to internet through an iPhone costs an extra $20 per month. These new AT and T data plans will send a text message to the users when they’re approaching their data limit. These data limits will not apply to anybody when the smartphone or tablet is getting used at a WiFi hotspot – only the 3G network. Users that already have a contract with AT and T could be allowed to keep their “unlimited” plans and pricing.

AT and T data plan effects

While the new AT and T data plans are very likely to lower the cost for light data users, heavy data users will feel the strongest effects. Many wireless carriers and app developers have worked to move streaming video and data-intense applications onto smartphones and tablets. AT and T will be limiting the available applications on its 3G or 4G network by limiting data so heavily. The chairman of the FCC has expressed repeated concern over the “bandwidth crisis” that smartphones have created. If other wireless carriers do not follow the AT and T data plan model and limit their data usage, then heavy users will probably just switch carriers. Though demand for wireless data services has increased in the last few years, capacity is growing at a much slower rate.