AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
AT&T launched two new iPad data plans on Monday, however it remains unclear when the unlimited data plan will be removed as an option. The company previously explained that current subscribers to the unlimited data plan would be able to keep those terms of service on a monthly basis until they stopped renewing the plan.
Since then, reports have surfaced that AT&T might allow iPad buyers who ordered their devices before June 7 to have the unlimited plan as an option when their iPad arrives. Representatives from AT&T couldn't say how long the unlimited option would be available and advised purchasing the plan immediately.
The unlimited option could be removed at any time, so the only way to guarantee the plan indefinitely is to be an active subscriber and renew the plan on a monthly basis automatically. These changes to the data plans will affect new iPhone buyers as well, with only current contracts retaining unlimited data.
Interestingly, it also appears that previous iPad owners are given the option of 250MB for $14.99 instead of the new 200MB plan for $15. Whether or not this option will stay in place of the new DataPlus plan for existing customers is also unknown.
AT&T's new data plans are in two tiers, DataPlus and DataPro, going for $15 and $25 per month respectively. DataPlus gets you 200MB per month, 50MB less than the previous lower-tier iPad data plan. Users who exceed their bandwidth quota during the month can purchase an additional 200MB for $15.
DataPro offers 2GB of data and when a subscriber hits this limit within the 30-day billing period they can add 1GB for $10 as many times as necessary. DataPro costs $5 less than the $30 unlimited data plan that's being phased out.
According to AT&T, 98 percent of users consume less that 2GB of data, and 65 percent use less that 200MB per month. It seems with the unexpected demand for iPad units that AT&T is moving away from unlimited data plans to ease the impact on their network and improve profitability.
Reaction to the move has been mixed, with many complaining of "bait-and-switch" tactics or short lead time between the announcement and implementation of the changes. Others are happy to save money every month since they were previously forced to pay for bandwidth that went unused.
Comments
Re:
So I was deployed to the middle east when I preordeded my iPad 64 GB + 3G thinking that I was going to get a good deal with the unlimited plan for 30$. By the time I got back the unlimited plan was gone. Needless to say I don't use my iPad nearly as much because I know in just a few days I can run threw my plan. I feel that I was baited into buying it than tricked... The navy doesn't give me much wifi time so I was really looking forward to the unlimited plan. I think that the option should still be there for the users that enjoy the content on the iPad. If the next pad comes out with full unlimited plans it's just going to hurt AT&T when users like me put away there ipads and move onto a tablet that offers more flexibility.
LSSN Heidelberger (SW/AW)
USN USS Whidbey Island LSD-41
I signed up for 3G service on 6.14.10 and unlimited option is still available. I did not order my iPad from apple
I signed up for 3G service on 6.14.10 and unlimited option is still available. I did not order my iPad from apple before 6.7.10 but still got unlimited data plan.
Just bought my Ipad at BestBuy on 15 June and was able to sign up for 29.99 unlimited plan. Let's just keep that
Just bought my Ipad at BestBuy on 15 June and was able to sign up for 29.99 unlimited plan. Let's just keep that little secret away from AT&T.
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
I received our iPads on 6/21 that were ordered 6/4. Initial setup indicated only the 250 meg and 2 GB versions of the plan. Called AT&T to get it resolved after checking with Apple because their own website indicated that if were ordered now (Prior to 6/7) we would have the unlimited plan available. AT&T rep said they couldn't do anything. Called Apple back a bit pissed, they were perplexed, suggested I call again. Called back to AT&T and got ahold of a helpful person who understood exactly my situation, had worked for AT&T for 9 yrs and was very sympathetic. Even held the line while I got the other iPad setup but then indicated their supervisor would have to do the changeover. About an hour later I got a callback from her providing a new phone number that was specificly setup for the grandfathered iPad customers. Initially was on hold for 36 minutes and got dropped from the queue. Next call back I was on hold for about an hour (OUCH). Person who answered jumped right in asking if I was an iPad user wanting to get the unlimited plan, perfect! Gave them my "Phone number" and boom, was activated in just a few minutes.
Was a bit annoying that AT&T hadn't better communicated with their support staff the situation but in the end it worked out.
Mani wish I had seen this sooner!!!!!! do you happen to still have the number???
Mani wish I had seen this sooner!!!!!! do you happen to still have the number???
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
I just found out that AT&T changed my unlimited account to the 2gb account without notifying me. The unlimited plan is not showing in the ipad's account menu
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
I just found out that AT&T changed my unlimited account to the 2gb account without notifying me. The unlimited plan is not showing in the ipad's account menu
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
I just bought an iPad and my first concern was the data limits due to new apps like Netflix and ABC Player. I was thinking about how many movies or tv shows I'd be able to stream on 3G without going over the 2GB cap and I doubt it's very many! I also own an iPhone with a grandfathered Unlimited data plan, so I looked into getting that plan switched over to my iPad, but since the billing is different and has no connection to an AT&T cell plan, it wasn't possible.
At any rate, I did try to put my iPhone sim card into the iPad and sure enough, the data worked! Shortly after, I figured out a way to use the Unlimited data plan from my iPhone on my iPad.
The only problem is that I'd have to change my cell phone number--something I'm not willing to do yet! :(
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
for unlimted data on an Ipad for $29.99. Bye Bye old number. Th
Re: AT&T Unlimited iPad Data Plan: Get it While You Can
I got the 64g wifi 3G for Mother's I was of course offer the unlimited plan the follow month the plan was no longer there silly me being new to this and all never asked around I just went with the 2g plan and thought nothing of it. But I found that this plan did not last the month. I found myself paying $36.00+ a month. So I started to ask around to find out that I could have kept my plan. My question is am I too late to still get my unlimited plan back?