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AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

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31–40 of 108 posts

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#31
post #27

I hope Apple gets hit hard on this. Either they didn't sign a contract with AT&T and got blindsided, in which case they're guilting of creating a carrier-locked device that enabled this to happen, or they were fully aware of the upcoming changes and decided to misrepresent the product back in February. Would this have happened if the iPad was T-Mobile 3G compatible? I really doubt it.

iPad is NOT carrier locked

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#32

For some perspective on how low 2GB is, this isn't just about video, it is audio streaming too... Pandora uses 64 kbps for normal quality and 128 kbps for high quality. 64 kilobits (Kb) = 8 kilobytes (KB) 8 kilobytes = 0.008 megabytes (MB) 0.008 MB per second * 60 seconds = 0.48 MB per minute 0.48 MB per minute * 60 minutes = 28.8 MB per hour 28.8 MB per hour * 8 hours = 230.4 MB per work day 230.4 MB per day * 23 wo…

True, but if you're at work it can just go over WiFi (or just use Pandora on your computer). I think it's a bum deal because the terms changed just a month in, but as an iPad owner I'd have to try hard to use 2GB per month outside the range of WiFi.

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#33
post #3

The sign up any time you want unlimited plan is why I waited a month for the 3G to be available and why I paid a 130 dollar premium... This is completely untenable for apple to allow this to happen not even six months later. As a matter of fact, the announcement is VERY suspiciously timed exactly 1 month and 1day after the sale of the 3G ipads, making them unreturnable!!!

As of now, Apple still has not updated their product page: http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#34
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, but one of the very appealing things about the iPad data plan is that you can start or stop service whenever you like. But now, if you stop your unlimited plan (or hadn't started it yet) the unlimited option ceases to be available to you.

Here is my FTC complaint. You too can file one! https://www.FTCComplaintAssistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=e... Apple computer advertised 2 different models of the iPad: one at $500 with wifi only Internet capability, and one with wifi and 3G coverage for $14.95 for 250 MB of data per month, or $30 a month for unlimited data (provided by AT&T) This 3G was a no contract plan, requiring no longterm committment from con…

Good letter. I have a feeling the class action attorneys are going to have a field day with this one.

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#35

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for the screaming matches between AT&T and Apple. This must be a prelude to AT&T losing exclusivity on the iPhone and punishing Apple for it. With all the data intensive iPad apps (e.g., Netflix) and the video conferencing coming in the next OS, this is a brutal move by AT&T. Factor in the dynamics of Android competition and we are in for some interesting telco moves in the coming mon…

If this is a prelude to AT&T losing their exclusivity then it's an odd move - the standard "unlimited data" cap on Verizon is 5GB. I'm not sure why AT&T would charge more for less compared to a competitor who was about to offer an alternative for their customers.

I wonder when we'll see the famed Jobs reality distortion field try and sell us on 2GB being enough data for anyone.

This also exposes the ridiculousness of mobile data pricing - the excess charges are $10 per extra 1GB, but the base plan is $15 for 250MB? Hmm.

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#36
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, but one of the very appealing things about the iPad data plan is that you can start or stop service whenever you like. But now, if you stop your unlimited plan (or hadn't started it yet) the unlimited option ceases to be available to you.

Here is my FTC complaint. You too can file one! https://www.FTCComplaintAssistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=e... Apple computer advertised 2 different models of the iPad: one at $500 with wifi only Internet capability, and one with wifi and 3G coverage for $14.95 for 250 MB of data per month, or $30 a month for unlimited data (provided by AT&T) This 3G was a no contract plan, requiring no longterm committment from con…

Well said! It's hard to argue this is anything but a bait and switch.

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#37

For some perspective on how low 2GB is, this isn't just about video, it is audio streaming too... Pandora uses 64 kbps for normal quality and 128 kbps for high quality. 64 kilobits (Kb) = 8 kilobytes (KB) 8 kilobytes = 0.008 megabytes (MB) 0.008 MB per second * 60 seconds = 0.48 MB per minute 0.48 MB per minute * 60 minutes = 28.8 MB per hour 28.8 MB per hour * 8 hours = 230.4 MB per work day 230.4 MB per day * 23 wo…

But who's using Pandora over 3G 40 hours a week? I would imagine that's a nearly infinitesimal number of people (i.e., not worth investing the money in a plan just for them). Get on wi-fi, or pay the extra $30 a month and get over it.

The parent is demonstrating how low 2GB actually is. It's not meant to describe a situation in which a user is actually likely to exceed the 2GB cap.

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#38
post #23

Barely a month and they kill this plan? This was a large part of the reason I decided to buy a 3G iPad. Isn't it past time for Apple to dump ATT?

I bet Steve would want to for a long time. But it's an exclusive deal, so AT&T has the upper hand here, i think. If the rumours are true, AT&T has a 5-year-exclusive contract with Apple. That's still a lot time left. Ironically, this exclusiveness is some sort of lock in (from at&t's side) and here it's widely considered harmful :) Meanwhile androids infiltrate all other major networks..

If things get bad enough, can't Apple buy out the rest of the contract ahead of time?

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#39
post #31
post #27

I hope Apple gets hit hard on this. Either they didn't sign a contract with AT&T and got blindsided, in which case they're guilting of creating a carrier-locked device that enabled this to happen, or they were fully aware of the upcoming changes and decided to misrepresent the product back in February. Would this have happened if the iPad was T-Mobile 3G compatible? I really doubt it.

iPad is NOT carrier locked

You can't get 3G speed on T-mobile with an iPad though can you?

Re: AT&T Gives Up on the iPad 3G Unlimited Data Plan

#40
I was going to sell my WiFi iPad and switch to the 3G, but now I'm going to stay put. I have a mobile hotspot with a true unlimited plan from Millenicom, which I use for all devices. I would have liked the GPS and the 3G, but AT&T just lost a customer. (It's also not attractive to get one for my Dad either, for his month-long stints in Florida.)
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