AT&T altering the terms of our agreement

cevmartinez · ‎07-07-2010

The story: I purchased a USB wireless modem from AT&T/Sierra Wireless in Spring 2008 because (a) Uverse was not available in my area and (b)the modem was designed to work internationally. My work requires me to do a great deal of international travel, and to be consistently "wired." At that time AT&T gave me a $60/mo data contract. Functionally this meant that I had unlimited wireless from anywhere in the world with speeds up to 8Gbps download, average 1.5 Gbps upload. My monthly usage over the first two years averaged 35GB/month.

The paperwork I received on the date of the initial modem purchase did not use the terms "limit," "5GB" or "unlimited." The contractual rate is listed as a "Flat rate" of $60, with all other items listed as "no charge." On the other hand, beginning with my first AT&T bill, my service was listed as "DataConnect_5GB," also without the words "limit."

As of July 1, 2010 AT&T is charging me an additional fee for every Kb of data transferred over 5GB/month. By July 5th I had already used the 5GB monthly limit and they suspended my internet. After studying the monthly bills over the past two years, the AT&T supervisor agreed that I had, in all practical terms, been operating with unlimited data transfer at $60/month, as I had been verbally promised when I purchased the modem. On the other hand, he argued that I always had a 5GB/month "soft cap" on my data usage, but they had simply not chosen to enforce it until now; his reasoning held that they had therefore not altered our contractual agreement. Surely I knew that the "DataConnect_5GB" on my bill was proof that I had agreed to a limit(!)

The new terms that AT&T are holding ALL their USB modem users to equals $450/GB after going over 5GB. Don't believe for a minute as I did that your initial agreement, or having a lengthy relationship with them will protect you from these new rates.

I will be looking for Verizon FIOS or Sprint 4G. Both are faster and cheaper.

BrianfromNO · ‎03-16-2006

Good luck with FiOS, as Verizon has said they're not going to be expanding into any new markets. And if you're interested in Sprint, you might want to take a look at Clear instead. Sprint is merely reselling Clear (formerly ClearWire) service, and you can get it straight from Clear cheaper.

Unfortunately, you don't have much of a leg to stand on. AT&T's Wireless Service Agreement and Plan Terms & Conditions are published on their web site. Your plan has always had a 5GB soft cap, unlike some older customers who did truly have unlimited plans. While AT&T can't start enforcing a cap on their plans, they (unfortunately for you) CAN make the soft cap a hard cap. These consumer broadband card services are NOT meant as a replacement for a home Internet connection.

And I've never heard of a plan that included free international usage.

waynefoutz · ‎05-24-2006

BrianfromNO wrote:
Good luck with FiOS, as Verizon has said they're not going to be expanding into any new markets. And if you're interested in Sprint, you might want to take a look at Clear instead. Sprint is merely reselling Clear (formerly ClearWire) service, and you can get it straight from Clear cheaper.

Unfortunately, you don't have much of a leg to stand on. AT&T's Wireless Service Agreement and Plan Terms & Conditions are published on their web site. Your plan has always had a 5GB soft cap, unlike some older customers who did truly have unlimited plans. While AT&T can't start enforcing a cap on their plans, they (unfortunately for you) CAN make the soft cap a hard cap. These consumer broadband card services are NOT meant as a replacement for a home Internet connection.

And I've never heard of a plan that included free international usage.

I stopped using AT&T two years ago for internet when my "Unlimited" plan went to a soft cap. They did change the terms of the agreement, as far as I know there are no more unlimited accounts. I left for Sprint, who gave me unlimited, then they in turn changed their agreement as well, and put me on a soft cap.

Wilcopc1 · ‎07-21-2010

After July/2010 at&t is not only changing laptop connect card plans from "unlimited" to 5GB plans, they are also doing it without the customer's knowledge or consent. I purchased the service 2 years ago under the unlimited plan at&t was offering at the time and as of the 15/7/10 my plan shows a 5 GB limit. I called customer service and was told I always had the 5GB plan, which I know not to be true since I was always online. No where on my contract states that I had, nor have, a 5GB plan. I guess is time to look somewhere else for better service.

crama · ‎07-28-2010

I too have been cut off at the knees. I did have an unlimited plan starting in March of 2007. I put up with very slooooow EDGE network as I knew I would someday get 3G in my area. December of last year 3G appeared, and I have been happily using it since then...until early July, when they informed me it was now 5GB per month. I called to say, I wanted from them a copy of the contract were it says that it is a limited "soft-cap", where I signed the contract. They said they would email me a copy. That never came. They then said that I never signed a contract since it was a verbal phone acknowledgment. Then they said that they had the right to change the terms of the contract. That it was in the small print that I never saw, and that probably just wasn’t there. They seem to be a rogue company that doesn’t care about following their own legal contracts. However, if a customer exits the contract early, they surely will attempt to add the early termination fee.

I looks like, for now, the best it to use Virgin Mobile air card, which is $60 per month for 5GB usage. When your 5 gig is up you just buy another 5 gig. No contract.

An article on the Washington Post - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/07/harbinger-skyterra_ink_7_bln_d.html talks about a new company being formed to build a 4G LTE satellite mobile broadband network. So things should be changing quite fast, as more and more people want UNLIMITED broadband wireless. It will be interesting to see how ATT responds to this. How they'll keep up. And as better smart phones come online, the iPhone will become more and more commonplace.

crama · ‎07-28-2010

As an addition to my previous message, I've found a company called Cyberonic.com that offers a truly unlimited wireless broadband (they use Sprints EVDO network). Speeds should be from 1.0 mbs to 1.5 mbs. They send you a router with the aircard attached internally. Sign up is for a year. Price: $69.99 for first 6 months, and $89.00 after that, with a $199.00 setup fee, which includes the router. That part is a little pricey. Checking them out online folks seem to like the service. This is probably how I'll go. It isn't considered a mobile service, just wireless.

crama · ‎07-28-2010

Just another heads up for all you unlimited banwidth folks out there that got shafted by ATT. The company I had previously mentioned, Cyberonic.com, their package just came from UPS. Took only 2 days. Setup took only minutes. Works great. Nice external antenna for good reception. So, it is something to consider for those of you who must have a wireless internet connection that is truly unlimited.

swannyj · ‎07-06-2008

"I called customer service and was told I always had the 5GB plan, which I know not to be true since I was always online."

Same switch and lie was told to me. I know "unlimited" was stated and then was taken off. When I called I was told the same lie as you. AT&T is not an honorable company.

swannyj · ‎07-06-2008

I tried a similar plan that also used Sprint network. However, because Sprint used the AT&T tower near my home roaming applied and made it a no go.

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

Hello. I see I'm not the only one out here who is perturbed by this change in policy.

I am horribly dissappointed with AT&T right now. My laptop connect card stopped working and when I called customer service to try and get the issue fixed I learned that my service had been discontinued because AT&T had cancelled its unlimited plan and I would now have to choose between a 5GB a month plan for the same cost, or cancel service (without any penalties--How nice of them). If I was a weekend user this might not be such a big deal, but I use my laptop connect card as my main source of internet. I have to. Broadband is not available where I live, neither cable, nor dsl. Satellite is only available if I cut down trees on my property. My only legitimate option ouside of the laptop connect card is a dial-up service.

My problem is that I take courses online and regularly upload and download large media file. I'm also a gamer at heart and purchase many games through Steam. These games are each over 5GB easily, some of them are double and even tripple that number. Last month alone I had over 30GB of data usage which, under this new plan at $.05 per MB over the 5GB cap would run me over a thousand dollars.

This is rediculous. I understand that the laptop connect was never meant to be used as a home connection, but there should be an unlimited data plan available on it for those of us who do not have access to AT&T's broadband services. In the past there have been dialup plans which gave a discount to users who couldn't receive their broadband services. I feel this should be a similar idea.

Needless to say, as it stands I am quite displeased with AT&T, and should another service become available that meets my needs I won't hesitate to jump ship. This has crippled my college work. I will now have to drive more than 2 hours round trip and inconvenience my friends, leaching off of their broadband (also AT&T I might add) in order to get my assignments turned in on time. I work 12 hours a day rotating shifts with only four days off a month on average. This doesn't leave much time for getting my assignments completed and turned in. Suppose I shall have to sacrifice sleep, but no one needs sleep, right?

hughes_net · ‎08-30-2010

who gave me unlimited, then they in turn changed their agreement as well, and put me on a soft cap.

Business VPN

JediAmy · ‎10-01-2010

I am in the exact spot as you. No DSL, cable, Uverse and satellite is a farce here. And why isn't this thread blowing up right now with our brothers and sisters in this mess??!!! How can we be heard? I have already let the customer service rep have an ear-full, but they have no control or say-so. How can we let the ones that make these changes know of our frustration? I am so mad right now I am seeing red!

JediAmy · ‎10-01-2010

I just found that Virgin Mobile has unlimited wireless broadband for $40 a month, no contracts. Bye, AT&T! (I just hope it stays that way!)

erichamion · ‎09-15-2010

JediAmy wrote:
I just found that Virgin Mobile has unlimited wireless broadband for $40 a month, no contracts. Bye, AT&T! (I just hope it stays that way!)

You may not have a specific cap with Virgin, but you may want to take a look at their Terms of Service:

If your plan includes data services, such services are provided solely for purposes of web browsing, messaging, and similar activities... You may not use the data service: (1) with server devices or host computer applications...; (4) for tethering your mobile phone to a personal computer or other hardware.... We reserve the right to limit, suspend or terminate without notice any misuse of our network or violation of these Terms of Service.

They also say they may change their terms, and they only need to notify you if they determine the change "to be materially adverse to you."

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

erichamion wrote:

JediAmy wrote:
I just found that Virgin Mobile has unlimited wireless broadband for $40 a month, no contracts. Bye, AT&T! (I just hope it stays that way!)

You may not have a specific cap with Virgin, but you may want to take a look at their Terms of Service:
If your plan includes data services, such services are provided solely for purposes of web browsing, messaging, and similar activities... You may not use the data service: (1) with server devices or host computer applications...; (4) for tethering your mobile phone to a personal computer or other hardware.... We reserve the right to limit, suspend or terminate without notice any misuse of our network or violation of these Terms of Service.

They also say they may change their terms, and they only need to notify you if they determine the change "to be materially adverse to you."

Yeah well they're still offering unlimited mobile broadband atm, and AT&T is screwing us. Plus all providers have caveats in their terms of service that give them the right to modify or cancel service at their own whim. I plan on calling them in the morning and getting more information from one of their represnetatives. I'll keep everyone posted.

waynefoutz · ‎05-24-2006

The Virgin plan IS unlimited, there is no catch. There is a downside, however. I've talked to users and dealers who sell both Sprint and the Virgin devices. Virgin is using Sprint's network. When sharing a tower with a Sprint device, the Virgin device will be slowed down. The Sprint device gets priority. Basically, if the Sprint device is speedtesting at 1.5 mbps, which is about what they normally run, the Virgin modem 5 feet away will speedtest at 700-800 kbps. That being said, it's still a decent speed for the price.

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

I just got my Virgin Mobile device today. $40/month unlimited with no contract. Buy the device, activate it, set up your card. I was told there were no additional fees and that it would always ONLY be $40 a month. So far speed seems easily comperable to Verizon. Not quite as fast as AT&T, but I can still watch youtube videos just fine. I get poor reception here at home anyways, so I'll try it tonight while I'm at work and we'll see if I can't get a better basis for comparison. So far from what I'm seeing I can't see any reason NOT to ditch AT&T's mobile broadband or ANY competitor who doesn't offer unlimited service at this point. I JUST got the device though so I may run into a hiccup or two within the next couple of months. I'll keep everyone informed.

gospace · ‎10-30-2010

I do have unlimted. It says "dataconnect unlimited mb" on my service plan, on my bill, and everywhere else I look. Yet, my service has been cut off. It was cut off 5 previous times in the last month, and each time the cust service rep took one look and said, "You're grandfathered on unlimited" and turned it back on. This last weekend, I was basically told, "We're AT&T and can do what we want, and we told you on your July bill we were doing it. And there's no such thing as grandfathering, and we never told you that." I'm on paperless billing. Page 30 of the July bill, "Your unlimited agreement has expired..." Expired? To expire requires that the contract had an expiration date. It does not. To that effect, the notification was legally not valid.

I've been with AT&T since 2007. EDGE was faster than dialup, and 3G was just activated in my area. Now, finally, I have fast internet, but I can't use it! I filled out a consumer complaint form on the NYS AG website today, and will mail it off later today. With a copy of every page that states my service is "unlimited MB". If you truly do have this service, do the same in your state. Courts tend to frown on one sided contracts that state "We can do whatever we want whenever we want" when they're used to substantially change the contract to the detriment of the consumer. From "unlimited" to "5 GB" is a substantial detrimental change. I've been averaging 8-9 GB month. With 3G service, I may use more. But then, maybe not. A substantial part of that 8-9 GB was resends because the connection was lost. In the few days I was on with 3G, didn't happen once.

Oh, and I live in the middle of nowhere. Can't get Sprint, or Clear, or Clearwire. Or Cricket.... AT&T has the only reliable antenna that covers my house. Can't get cable, and the local phone company has promised me full DSL service by January 2000.

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

gospace wrote:
I do have unlimted. It says "dataconnect unlimited mb" on my service plan, on my bill, and everywhere else I look. Yet, my service has been cut off. It was cut off 5 previous times in the last month, and each time the cust service rep took one look and said, "You're grandfathered on unlimited" and turned it back on. This last weekend, I was basically told, "We're AT&T and can do what we want, and we told you on your July bill we were doing it. And there's no such thing as grandfathering, and we never told you that." I'm on paperless billing. Page 30 of the July bill, "Your unlimited agreement has expired..." Expired? To expire requires that the contract had an expiration date. It does not. To that effect, the notification was legally not valid.
I've been with AT&T since 2007. EDGE was faster than dialup, and 3G was just activated in my area. Now, finally, I have fast internet, but I can't use it! I filled out a consumer complaint form on the NYS AG website today, and will mail it off later today. With a copy of every page that states my service is "unlimited MB". If you truly do have this service, do the same in your state. Courts tend to frown on one sided contracts that state "We can do whatever we want whenever we want" when they're used to substantially change the contract to the detriment of the consumer. From "unlimited" to "5 GB" is a substantial detrimental change. I've been averaging 8-9 GB month. With 3G service, I may use more. But then, maybe not. A substantial part of that 8-9 GB was resends because the connection was lost. In the few days I was on with 3G, didn't happen once.
Oh, and I live in the middle of nowhere. Can't get Sprint, or Clear, or Clearwire. Or Cricket.... AT&T has the only reliable antenna that covers my house. Can't get cable, and the local phone company has promised me full DSL service by January 2000.

Did you obtain a network card from at&t when you signed up for the unlimited data connect plan? If so, you probably purchased the network card on a subsidized basis, and the term of the agreement is the subsidy period (typically two years). After that point, your contract became "month to month" and either party can change the terms of the agreement by giving the other party proper notice. If you didn't purchase a subsidized network card - provided your own and just signed up for the unlimited data connect plan in 2007 - then you have been operating on a month to month basis with at&t all along.

Your on-line account should have a link to your service agreement. I would think that the service agreement for the data connect plan would indicate the contract's expiration date - I know it does for the mobile phones.

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

I know how you feel Gospace, and I'm sorry you don't have other options like Virgin (which uses the sprint network)

Speaking of which I thought I would post an update on the Virgin mobile thing. It's working great, It's faster than dialup and I can generally watch a youtube video with only a little bit of preloading. Definitely works better in town than at my house though. Only real concern I have is that the device gets super hot while in use. Like uncomfortable to touch hot. I'm going to contact their customer service to find out if this is something I should be concerned over. As a viable replacement to AT&T this device and service is acceptable. I'll be calling later in the week and cancelling my AT&T service Let me know if anyone has any questions.

gospace · ‎10-30-2010

Did you obtain a network card from at&t when you signed up for the unlimited data connect plan? If so, you probably purchased the network card on a subsidized basis, and the term of the agreement is the subsidy period (typically two years). After that point, your contract became "month to month" and either party can change the terms of the agreement by giving the other party proper notice. If you didn't purchase a subsidized network card - provided your own and just signed up for the unlimited data connect plan in 2007 - then you have been operating on a month to month basis with at&t all along.

Your on-line account should have a link to your service agreement. I would think that the service agreement for the data connect plan would indicate the contract's expiration date - I know it does for the mobile phones.

__________________________________________________________________________

I signed the original agreement in 2007. Renewed it under the original terms 18 months later. And, renewed it yesterday for another 24 month term, on the first available day. I asked specifically at the AT&T store, not a franchise or Raido Shack, if I still was covered under my original plan. The saleperson looked at his screen, and said it said yes, I was grandfathered. It said so right on the screen; I saw it. And, this customer service agreement states the rate plan is the one before, as did the one before, back to the original. An unbroken string.

I heve not been on month to month yet. All of AT&T's contracts carry automatic month to month extensions, and AT&T, unlike other providers, provides new equipment and contract extension anytime between the 18 month point and the contract expiration date.

And, as of today, everything on the AT&T website concerning my account still says I'm on unlimited MB service. Except when I dial 611, I'm told that I'm not, and offered the chance to break my contract without penalty.

There's a right hand and a left hand at AT&T, and they're not talking to each other, or co-ordinating anything together. And, AT&T spokespeerons have stated in the past that plans are grandfathered, as long as certain changes aren't made. Such as dropping my voice plan. In order to sign up for unlimited dataconnect, I had to have a $39.99 or greated voice plan. I did and do. Much more than $39.99.

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

gospace wrote:
Did you obtain a network card from at&t when you signed up for the unlimited data connect plan? If so, you probably purchased the network card on a subsidized basis, and the term of the agreement is the subsidy period (typically two years). After that point, your contract became "month to month" and either party can change the terms of the agreement by giving the other party proper notice. If you didn't purchase a subsidized network card - provided your own and just signed up for the unlimited data connect plan in 2007 - then you have been operating on a month to month basis with at&t all along.

Your on-line account should have a link to your service agreement. I would think that the service agreement for the data connect plan would indicate the contract's expiration date - I know it does for the mobile phones.
__________________________________________________________________________

I signed the original agreement in 2007. Renewed it under the original terms 18 months later. And, renewed it yesterday for another 24 month term, on the first available day. I asked specifically at the AT&T store, not a franchise or Raido Shack, if I still was covered under my original plan. The saleperson looked at his screen, and said it said yes, I was grandfathered. It said so right on the screen; I saw it. And, this customer service agreement states the rate plan is the one before, as did the one before, back to the original. An unbroken string.

I heve not been on month to month yet. All of AT&T's contracts carry automatic month to month extensions, and AT&T, unlike other providers, provides new equipment and contract extension anytime between the 18 month point and the contract expiration date.

And, as of today, everything on the AT&T website concerning my account still says I'm on unlimited MB service. Except when I dial 611, I'm told that I'm not, and offered the chance to break my contract without penalty.

There's a right hand and a left hand at AT&T, and they're not talking to each other, or co-ordinating anything together. And, AT&T spokespeerons have stated in the past that plans are grandfathered, as long as certain changes aren't made. Such as dropping my voice plan. In order to sign up for unlimited dataconnect, I had to have a $39.99 or greated voice plan. I did and do. Much more than $39.99.

The contract that you refer to - is it for your voice service? Or a contract specifically for the data connect plan itself?

It sounds like maybe it is for the voice service - and if so, then I believe the data connect plan is just an additional feature on the account which is actually on a month to month basis (i.e. you are free to discontinue or change the data connect feature at any point in time). If your contractual obligation is actually to maintain the data connect service itself for the next two years, then yes - if you have a contract that is currently in force for an unlimited plan (with no mitigating "soft cap" disclosures), you should have an unlimited amount of data.

At&t does generally grandfather users into their existing feature plan(s) as long as they don't make any changes themself to the feature or their voice plan. But at&t doesn't have to do this, and they've been known to change the specifics of the feature(s) in force after an extended timeframe and repeated notices - even for those users who are "grandfathered" in to an older plan.

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

gospace · ‎10-30-2010

Two separate contracts. Listed on the AT&T website for my account as Group 1, the voice phones, 5 of them, and Individual lines, the wireless card.

Separate plan descriptions on each contract. Group 1 contract is rate plan

$9.99 FAMTALK NATION 700 ROLL PROMO UNL

M2M UNL N&W

Individual lines contract is rate plan

DTCNUNL

which looks a lot like an abbreviation for data connect unlimited.

When I click on "my rate plan" I find the following:

Data Connect Including Unlimited MB

Which looks an awful lot like unlimied data.

When I review my bill I find

Summary of
Wireless Data

Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Included In Plan

Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Used

Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Billed

Billed
Rate

Total
Charge

DataConnectUNL

Data Access

6,394,963

$0.00/KB

0.00

Subtotal

$0.00

TOTAL USAGE CHARGES

$0.00

Zero for MSG/Min/Kb/Mb included- because it's unlimited.

When I go to check your usage I find both of the following:

USER LINE Data
GPRS DATA CONNECT ALL10 UNLIMITED (MB).

xxxxxx

xxxx

View Details

9069.1 MB of
Unlimited

ad

and

Data Connect Including Unlimited MB View past data usage View your recent data trends here, or click on the calculator to create different usage scenarios.

Unlimited Usage

Data Reflects the Media and wireless Internet services used during the current billing cycle, including ringtones, games, and graphics downloaded. Usage is measured in megabytes (MB). 9069.1 MB

There's a few other spots, but I'm pretty sure I have unlimited megabytes include, and that my plan is indeed for unlimited data. What do you think?

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

I honestly don't know, and I am sympathetic to your situation/the problems you are having, no matter whose side the confusion is on.

Since I don't have a data connect plan, I don't know what the service summary and contract for one looks like; but where I think you may be able to locate a definitive answer - and either have something to prove to at&t customer service that you do indeed have a contract for unlimited data (ask for a supervisor if necessary) or make the specifics of your contractual arrangements more clear to you - is as follows (hopefully):

Within my on-line account - go to "My Profile" and then "User Information". From that page, there should be links (about mid-way down the page) to your service summary and to your contract. Once I access my contract on page 1, it indicates the contractual period was 24 months with a transaction date (at the bottom of the page) of 10/17/2007 - so I am outside of contract and have been operating on a month to month basis since 10/16/2009 (but this is for my voice service only). I do have additional features added to my voice service, but my contractual obligation was only to maintain a minimum $39.99 voice plan for the 24 month period - I could have dropped the additional data and messaging features anytime I chose to do so.

Do you actually have two separate contracts in this area? One for the family voice plan? And one for the DataConnect plan? If so, take a look at the contractual details for the DataConnect plan - and see if you are within the contractual period and if it stipulates that it is an unlimited data amount within that contract.

If you only see a contract for the voice plan, then I suspect that your DataConnect plan was just an add on feature to your voice service. Feature plans can be looked at on a "Pay per Month" basis (as opposed to being "Pay per Use") - as in the customer has no legal obligation to continue the features beyond a month to month basis, and therefore at&t has no obligation to continue the plan under the specifics in force at the time the user chooses the plan beyond the same month to month basis. Typically at&t has grandfathered users in to older feature plan specifics, but they are under no obligation to do so and can discontinue doing so at any point in time.

An analogy would be a number of years ago when the carriers substantially increased the PPU rates for messaging (I believe they went from about 5 to 20 cents apiece); the argument was raised that anyone operating within a voice plan contract had experienced a significant change - but I believe the court system ruled the carriers didn't even have to let users out of their contract without an ETF because features are not included in the contractual obligations. And in this case, at&t is willing to let you out of the voice plan contract without incurring the ETF, correct? So unless you actually have a contract that spells out the obligations of both parties for maintaining your access to an unlimited data plan, I'm not sure you can realistically expect at&t to do much more than they've already offered to do.

gospace wrote:
Two separate contracts. Listed on the AT&T website for my account as Group 1, the voice phones, 5 of them, and Individual lines, the wireless card.

Separate plan descriptions on each contract. Group 1 contract is rate plan
$9.99 FAMTALK NATION 700 ROLL PROMO UNL
M2M UNL N&W

Individual lines contract is rate plan
DTCNUNL

which looks a lot like an abbreviation for data connect unlimited.

When I click on "my rate plan" I find the following:
Data Connect Including Unlimited MB

Which looks an awful lot like unlimied data.

When I review my bill I find
Summary of
Wireless Data
  Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Included In Plan   Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Used   Msg/Min/
KB/MB
Billed Billed
Rate Total
Charge
DataConnectUNL
   Data Access 6,394,963 6,394,963 $0.00/KB 0.00
Subtotal $0.00

TOTAL USAGE CHARGES $0.00

Zero for MSG/Min/Kb/Mb included- because it's unlimited.

When I go to check your usage I find both of the following:
USER LINE Data
GPRS DATA CONNECT ALL10 UNLIMITED (MB).
xxxxxx
xxxx

View Details
9069.1 MB of
Unlimited
ad
and
Data Connect Including Unlimited MB View past data usage View your recent data trends here, or click on the calculator to create different usage scenarios.
Unlimited Usage
Data Reflects the Media and wireless Internet services used during the current billing cycle, including ringtones, games, and graphics downloaded. Usage is measured in megabytes (MB). 9069.1 MB

There's a few other spots, but I'm pretty sure I have unlimited megabytes include, and that my plan is indeed for unlimited data. What do you think?

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

I have found in talking with representatives of AT&T over the phone that they tend to get confused about the difference between a laptop connect service and a phone plan with data connect. I have been told over the phone that the data connect service on my card was unlimited, but when I remind them that it is a mobile broadband service and not a cell phone they quickly change their tune saying "Oh no, mobile broadband no longer has unlimited service, sorry." They seem to have pretty poor communication skills over there. I'm sure that when they pull up the device by phone number on their computers that it shows to be a mobile broadband device and not a cell phone, but I could be mistaken. If it doesn't that sounds like a major flaw in their software that needs to be corrected.

TalonDancer · ‎09-17-2007

gospace wrote: .....
There's a few other spots, but I'm pretty sure I have unlimited megabytes include, and that my plan is indeed for unlimited data. What do you think?

Based on my own experience, here's my take....

If you started out with an unlimited plan, you remain on that 'unlimited' plan as long as you don't exceed 5GB. At that point you get a quiet notification, on the very last page of your bill, that your plan has 'expired'.

"NOTICE: Data Plan Usage Limit Advisory
Notice: Your DataConnect unlimited usage plan has expired. You will continue to receive service at your current monthly rate. However, if you exceed 5GB, you will be billed $60 per month plus $.05/MB for any usage that exceeds 5GB in any billing period. Otherwise, you may terminate your service with no obligation."

The next time you get close to 5GB you get an email warning to the effect that if you exceed 5GB you will be forced onto a plan with terms like $60 for the first 5GB and .05/MB thereafter.

"...IF YOU USE 5GB IN A BILLING PERIOD, WE WILL TEMPORARILY SUSPEND YOUR SERVICE. This is to give you an opportunity to contact us to discuss your options, including being billed $.05/per MB for any usage that exceeds 5 GB. You also have the option to terminate service without penalty.

To avoid a possible suspension of service, please contact us now at 800-551-0300 or 611 from your wireless phone, so that we may assist you in selecting a plan which meets your needs...."

If you do not call and change your plan, your service will be shut off when you reach 5GB BUT...the CSRs are allowed to turn it back on, with no additional cost, during that ONE BILLING CYCLE. After that you are essentially capped at 5GB and paying .05/MB for any usage above 5GB

Note: during the whole process the AT&T website continues to show your account as "unlimited'.

YMMV - Talon Dancer

jasinlaine · ‎11-10-2010

{ Inappropriate comment removed } .in store guy says im grandfathered but 611 says no and my online account manager still says data connect unlimited including unlimited mb.

TalonDancer · ‎09-17-2007

After 3 yrs I just cancelled our AT&T laptop connect service due to the newly instituted 5GB cap on my 'unlimited' account. FWIW we were not one of the accounts that consumes wads of bandwidth. In fact, we had only gone over 5GB one time in 3 years. Our typical usage was 2-4GB. So we could have started monitoring our usage and lived within the 5GB cap. But I really don't want the hassle of worrying about internet usage caps or getting zinged for $.05/MB over 5GB.

So their little warning email caused me to check out other internet services. And it turns out, the local Wi-Fi service has installed a new 'tower' since I upgraded tot he AT&T Lighting (with 2yr contract). So today our monthly internet bill went from $60 -> $35, with dramatically better speed, and lower latency

Thanks AT&T for the heads up and allowing me to get out of that 2yr. contract without a penalty.

chiao - Talon Dancer

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

almost a month of having my virgin mobile device and I thought I'd give everyone a status update. I went through a short period of a couple of days where I had intermittant service interuptions, and it was difficult to get in contact with their customer service, but once I did I learned that they were doing software and hardware upgrades. After that couple of days though I now get much better signal here at home and my connection is a lot more stable and faster than it was. The speed still pales in comparison to AT&T's mobile broadband, BUT I have the peace of mind that I don't have to constantly watch my bandwidth usage and can go and watch youtube videos and download my game updates and buy new games from Steam without having to check my account to see how much bandwidth I have left. That peace of mind, and the $11/month cheaper price makes it more than worth the slower speed. If I have one complaint it's Virgin's customer service. It takes forever to get someone on the phone, and of the 3 or 4 calls I've made, only one has been a technician who spoke clear enough English that I didn't have to ask them to repeat themselves every other sentence. Luckily I have enough experience fixing networking problems from my years with AT&T that I can troubleshoot most issues without their help. Still I do like how quick I've been able to get customer service when I needed it from AT&T. Can't have everything though, I guess, sacrifices have to be made and the unlimited bandwidth takes #1 priority in this case. Still I'd pay an extra $10, MAYBE $20 to have AT&T's speed back in an unlimited plan.

violentserenade · ‎09-29-2010

I've switched from Verizon to Cricket just because the reception in my area is better with Cricket. Like Verizon they have an unlimited plan that just throttles down your DL speed when you go over the cap, however the speed is attrocious. When they throttle you down on Cricket they may as well just turn off your internet completely. Simple pages take minutes to load and you can forget about watching anything on Youtube. Still. It's unlimited and I don't have to pay $.05 for every MB I go over cap. Take notes AT&T.