Straight Outta Data: Knowledge Share Mid-Day Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Thanks @lizdance40 and @kdfederer for the quick responses. @cali4nia442 There is not currently an option to restrict data usage by a specific Gb or percentage from the account level. The only way to restrict data at a specific Gb level is from the device itself. This is most popular on the Android OS and is an option in the settings (typically called the data manager). Windows OS offers something similar called Data Sense. iOS data counters have to be reset and monitored manually by going into the settings > cellular > reset statistics.

Through these data managers, it is also possible to turn off the data for a specific app to prevent it from working over cellular data. Those applications will still work fine over a Wi-Fi connection.

Data can be also turned off via att.com (sign into your myAT&T account) or the myAT&T app if you are on a Mobile Share Value or Advantage plan for no extra cost. If you are not on a Mobile Share plan you can turn the data off remotely by using AT&T Smart Limits for $4.99.

Please see any of the below links for additional assistance:

How to turn off data off via (self-service AT&T) - https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/wireless/KM1022956

How to monitor iOS data usage - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201299

Windows Data Sense - http://www.windowscentral.com/data-sense-windows-phone-81

With our new Mobile Share Advantage Plans, we know that they will not cause overage charges for customers who hit their data allotment, which is fantastic.  There will always be the option to change to a larger plan for the remainder of the billing cycle, of course.

When comparing these new Mobile Share Advantage Plans to the AT&T Unlimited Plan, they sound very similar, since usage over a certain limit can be slowed.  Can you explain the differences for us, please?

@crissyl

the difference is in two words:  throttled as opposed to reprioritised.  The unlimited plan s NOT throttled at 22 GBs, but reprioritised.  Some users will experience occasional or frequent slow data once reaching 22 GBs.  Some users report no slow down well past the 22 mark.

the unlimited plan is also individual as opposed to shared data.

Hey there, @crissyl,

Thank you @lizdance40 for your answer, that is correct! After you reach the allotted amount of your plan on the Mobile Share Advantage data speeds for all lines on the account will be reduced to a max of 128kbps for the remainder of the billing period. As opposed to the unlimited plan where after 22GBs, data speeds may be reduced during times of network congestion. We have a great support article that details the difference in these plans and can be found directly on our website.

Let us know if you have any other questions!

To the ATT team...

Why is there not a data addon like verizon has?  If your going to COPY what Verizon has done why not do it full out?  To me ATT is taking a monkey see monkey do approach.  Why would I pay more than I pay now for 128kbs after 30 gigs?  The new plans are really over priced if you get down to it.  33.50 a month more for me.  ATT needs to INOVATE not COPY.

@crissyl Also remember that the newer Mobie Share Advantage plans do allow tethering, where the unlimited plans do not.  It's not exactly part of the differences you wnated explained, but it will likely be a critical difference to some customers.

For those users with android phones that wish to manage there data have a look at these screenshots.  Android has a built in data monitor.

Another great way to save data on android phones.

https://www.androidpit.com/reduce-mobile-data-usage-android

Another one for the employees, and a GoPhone question again.

We have discovered through forum posts, that iPhones can tether on Gophone, but only ATT android and Windows or other is phones are able to tether.  I assume it's a programming issue with the multitude of OS on those devices.  

Is there a fix?  

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@GLIMMERMAN76 wrote:

To the ATT team...

 

Why is there not a data addon like verizon has?  If your going to COPY what Verizon has done why not do it full out?  To me ATT is taking a monkey see monkey do approach.  Why would I pay more than I pay now for 128kbs after 30 gigs?  The new plans are really over priced if you get down to it.  33.50 a month more for me.  ATT needs to INOVATE not COPY.

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Or add more data plans so that a data bump is a moderate increase in price and data.   I remember the old days when data was in 2 GB portions - 2  4 6 8 etc....   

Many times In the past year I've seen requests for something In between the 5 for $50 and 15 for $100 plans.