Roll-Over Data

Wireless product suggestion:

My AT&T wireless plan, called Mobile Share Value Plan, has recently implemented a data rollover benefit. It's helpful, but could be improved and that's the purpose of this message.

The problem is that I can never use my entire data allotment out of concern that I don't want to go over and have to pay overage charges. I monitor my use with online resources such as the iPhone AT&T app. Still, however, there is a delay in reporting so that I can never know exactly how much data I have left. Also, I curtail my use of applications like Netflix because I need to make sure I can make it to the end of the month without a data overage while retaining enough data for necessary uses such as staying on top of my email and using maps while traveling.

To remedy this problem, I propose you consider one of three alternatives:

Alternative 1: Previously, I had a plan with rollover minutes that could be used anytime within a year before they expired. Once I exceeded my monthly allotment, the oldest unused rollover minutes would be used first.

I recommend and request that you have the same policy with rollover data. Allow it to be used anytime in the year following its initial application and use it first before newer rollover minutes.

This solution would enable me to use all the data I pay for. That seems to be a reasonable policy. Some months I can use less than the amount I'm paying for which would create the rollover data. Then in other months I can use more than that month's data allowance, drawing down the rollover data. Since having rollover data last over a year, I can then use up my oldest rollover data without worrying about data overage charges since my newer rollover data will be available as a buffer. I also don't have to try to use up my newer rollover data before it expires because it will last a year.

I was told be a supervisor named Bonnie that this option is the easiest to implement from a programming point of view.

Alternative 2: Count usage first from rollover data before counting usage from my monthly allotment. Under this alternative I don't have to be afraid of losing data I've paid for because as long as I use up the rollover data, the unused monthly allotment will not disappear and will be available in the following month.

Alternative 3: Allow me to use data from next month's allotment if I go over this month's allotment instead of charging an overage. That way I can use up the data I've paid for and not worry about being charged extra for going over up to the limit of my following month's allotment.

I hope you will implement one of these three options so that I can be confident that I can use the full amount of data that I'm paying for without risking an overage charge.

I hope you will agree that it's fair to implement a solution that enables me to get what I pay for. Thanks for your consideration.