AT&T smartphone plans now a tad smarter, still no tethering
Ma Bell got it together and responded to Verizon’s all-in-one calling plan price cuts, which is a welcome change. Nevertheless, the company’s “unlimited” data plans won’t be meaningful to iPhone users until tethering arrives.
Late last week, AT&T revamped its unlimited calling plans to compete with newly affordable packages from arch rival Verizon, reports News.com. For the carrier’s long-suffering iPhone subscribers, which pay among the highest average monthly rates, this $30 all-you-can-eat calling plan reduction (for individuals) will be a welcome, if limited, bit of relief.
Ma Bell’s all-you-can-eat calling:
• Feature Phone customers now have the option of unlimited talk plans for $69.99 (was $99.99) a month per person or $119.99 for a family plan (two lines)
• Likewise, Quick Messaging Device customers may now choose unlimited talk for — $69.99, individual; family, $119.99
• All smartphone customers, including iPhone owners, can now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99 (Family Talk plans, two lines included, $179.99).
Of course, there are caveats. Texting, which costs the AT&T and its competitors essentially nothing, still costs $20 for a single line and $30 for a family.
Still, the biggest caveat of all for iPhone users is the lack — in spite of their promises — of tethering, which would allow subscribers to use their Apple handsets as modems to connect their computers to the Internet. Yes, there is a hack for that, but that opens you up to hacker attack.
Here’s hoping 2010 is the year iPhone, and the tablet too, breaks free of AT&T…
What’s your take?
Related posts:
