AT&T to Officially Mandate Data Plans for All Smartphones
what is worse
smart phones dont work with out data plans
im glad they are doing this because im sick of every gansta buying one to look cool when he knows he has no use for a blackberry or treo
By claiming something is a "right" you make the word meaningless, like the boy who cries wolf.
And no, if someone cannot afford the data plan, they should not purchase the phone. It is much better to get a phone that suits their needs and save the additional money instead of wasting it on a status symbol.
Consumerism is a cancer to be irradiated, not a sin to be encouraged
Menno said:
And no, if someone cannot afford the data plan, they should not purchase the phone.
"Afford it"? There's plenty of crap (sorry, merchandise) out there that I can afford, but don't need. A data plan is a prime example - it's near zero value for me. For $30 per month I'd rather buy something I'll actually use.
But I do need a WinMO based PDA with wifi, and don't want to carry and synch it separately from my phone.
Looks like after September 6th, I'll have to stick with buying unlocked third party devices.
My only issue are with the people who are buying phones at 199, and then not using the data that allows the companies to offer the phone for that price.
And believe me, I know the frustration of carrying two devices around (that's what I'm doing now until I can afford a blackberry)
Menno said:
I have no issue with people buying unlocked phones and using it without data.
He-he, my third party Windows Mobile Smartphone (bought unlocked) was about $100:
https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=395. » I think "unopened box" voqs still pop up on eBay every once in a while.
My only issue are with the people who are buying phones at 199, and then not using the data that allows the companies to offer the phone for that price.
Why would you have issue with them? It's AT&T's price policy miscalculation. It really is. If AT&T cannot afford selling $99 phones, they'll raise their prices (which is what we're seeing now).
If, say, a grocery store runs a we...
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When they came out with the iphone for 199, other companies had to match it, because when they were selling their non-touch screen smartphones for 300+, it was really hard to justify it to the typical consumer. So everyone dropped prices, and now that price is almost a barrier for companies. If they make a phone higher priced than that (on an upgrade) it better make sandwiches and whistle Dixie.
So while I agree that they got themselves into this mess, raising the price above that 199 is a lot more difficult for a company than it...
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Menno said:
So while I agree that they got themselves into this mess, raising the price above that 199 is a lot more difficult for a company than it sounds.
Don't get me started on this whole iPhone thing. Suddenly, a whole bunch of people decided that they must have an expensive device, with an expensive multimedia network connection. Nice GUI can only account for so much, the rest must be some kind of woodoo that only Steve Jobs is privy to.
But yes, I agree - it's a tough job making money in cellphone market. Especially for a company as huge and messy as AT&T. As far as I'm concerned, they are within their rights to do anything they like with the prices and rates - it's their stuff, up to them ho...
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ExploderBlade said:
They actually do....It's at the bottom of your contratc, where it says ATT withholds the right to switch up their network at anytime. Anything you dowload to your device stays there until you remove it. If ATT decides to axe it before you get hold of it, then you gotta deal.
Forget the network services and stuff that I download. Administrative access means control over everything on the device and the memory card.
An administrator can view, delete, and lock all programs and data at will. Install and revoke and trust certificates. Remotely format the device and the memory card. Install, deinstall, enable and disable programs over the air. Apply and undo upgrade...
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Then buy a phone you will "use" not a smart phone that requires data you wont "use"
doomtroll said:Then buy a phone you will "use" not a smart phone that requires data you wont "use"
But what I need is a Windows Mobile mini-computer with GPS, wifi, and text keyboard, that also functions as a phone. These are only marketed as smartphones.
ExploderBlade said:
The[n] get a regular PDA...you know, with out the phone tech in it. Or buy an unlocked WINMo phone and use it as such. OR, get a Sprint WinMo with out data, OR, just [p]ay for the dang data....simple.
Here's what you should've said: "Oh I see now why you need a smartphone, thanks for the explanation".
What, where, and how to buy - I'll figure out all by myself, thank you very much.
Anyone that says that you should have to buy data is an idiot and doesnt even deserve a phone.
Its all about money. These companies want as much money as they can take from us. Once the data plan comes into effect.....the next thing they will do is raise the price. Whats to stop them? You have to buy the data plan to get the phone so whats 5 more dollars a month?
You sheep need to wake up and recognize.....
Anyone that says that you should have to buy data is an idiot and doesnt even deserve a phone.
Its all about money. These companies want as much money as they can take from us. Once the data plan comes into effect.....the next thing they will do is raise the price. Whats to stop them? You have to buy the data plan to get the phone so whats 5 more dollars a month?
You sheep need to wake up and recognize.....
If your brother buys the phones at retail cost, I have no issue with him using it without data.
If customers:
1) Were willing to pay a premium to get the phone without data. (or were willing to pay for phones period)
2) Actually paid for then they used PPU data instead of bitching about it every bill cycle.
You wouldn't see this. Companies will do whatever they can to make money. If the subscribers they gained from offering a no data plan option were profitable, you can bet they would continue to offer it. The problem is, is that they're not.
and yes they annoy me. they should think about paying their child support before they buy a 300 dollar phone...but thats just me
are you talking about having to put up with people like that
i know many people who DONT pay their child support that are NOT gansta thank you very much.
so like i said i feel sorry for that guy judging people by the way they look and talk and act. they might act all tough and wear bandanas but that does not mean they dont pay their child support and that they dont deserve a smartphone
🙄
matonater said:
you have to buy a new car with tires on it
smart phones dont work with out data plans
im glad they are doing this because im sick of every gansta buying one to look cool when he knows he has no use for a blackberry or treo
*facepalm*
Everyone keeps giving examples that make no sense. Nobody has to pay an extra MONTHLY fee for tires on their car. A Smartphone will make and receive calls just fine without a data plan. You do NOT have to subscribe to Satellite Radio when you buy a new car, do you?
That is the costs associated with that status symbol. If you do not want to pay the cost, you need to find something else to buy.
I personally own a Curve 8900. I CHOSE to get the data feature offered by T-Mobile because I wanted the full experience of the device. But lets say my Grandfather wants the same device, not because of the data connectivity, but because the high resolution screen makes it easy for him to see his contact list or whatever. Why should he be forced into pay...
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they do this because they regain the money via the data charge
when to many people started not getting data they decided to make it mandatory so they wont continue to lose money at the point of sale
I have no problem with att's decision
If a customer without data on their smartphone is not profitable to a company, it is their prerogative to prevent such customers from getting service.
a customer without data:
-Costs the company more up front because they are buying a highly subsidized phone without the data plan it was built for
-Cost the company more in typical customer service calls
-Cost the company who knows how much in failed revenue when they are "forced" to waive PPU data fees for a customer who swears "they never use data" every month.
-Cost the Phone manufacturers choices when it comes to making a phone function to it's full potential.
and a phone without data will not be able to MMS, will suffer in call quality and si...
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And there are other high resolution screens (screens with larger font capabilities too) for your grandfather. He does not need a 8900, and it is not cost effective for him to get it.
Before ATT lowers any prices, they should show more good faith and get a 3g network that works. They won't lower prices (and they don't need to) as more people are coming to their service than leaving.
Verizon's required data for almost a year now, and their smartphone sales a...
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I own a cleaning company and my accounts dont get to choose what chemicals and supplies I use
very loose comparison but along the same lines
matonater said:
smart phones dont work with out data plans
Actually, they work just fine. Even better in many cases.
matonater said:
they do not do anything they are designed to do except calls and text
They are tiny computers. They are designed to do whatever their user wants them to do. Just like with my home computer, I install software that does what I want, and deinstall or disable software that doesn't.
It's up to me to decide which is useful and which is a wastes of resources on my device, not up to AT&T. If I decide that cell data connection is useless - then it is, for me.
and att provides the service and phones so anything involving the service and phone is completely their choice
if they no longer wanted to offer data or txt messaging they are free to do so.
matonater said:
then dont buy a pda phone if you think its useless
Whatever gave you that idea?
To me, the cell data services are useless. What I need, is a Windows Mobile handheld PDA with wifi and GPS, that also makes and receives calls.
and att provides the service and phones so anything involving the service and phone is completely their choice
Absolutely. I'm not telling AT&T what to do. Than again, it's AT&T's job to look after AT&T, and mine to look after me.
That being said, if a customer buys the phone unlocked/provides their own equipment, or pays an higher initial cost for the phone, I think they should be able to get what services they want on the device.
The thing is, is that most customers won't pay the higher cost (as shown by Pocket_girl)to do this, or if they do, will call in to complain about PP...
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Menno said:
Which i agree with (to a point) The problem is that unlike a computer, the phone you get is just your way to connect to the network, and how you use your phone directly impacts the network (using it for voice as opposed to connecting it to 3g for data). Companies should have some say in the phones on their network because, as shown by the iphone, your usage can negatively impact others.
Oh, absolutely. The provider should be able to block me from damaging their network by excessive traffic.
That being said, if a customer buys the phone unlocked/provides their own equipment, or pays an higher initial cost for the phone, I think they should be able to get what services they want o...
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And I can't speak for ATT, but for Verizon smartphones suffer in call quality and connectivity if they are made to require data and the customer somehow gets it blocked (just like Nationwide-only phones suffer if activated on grandfathered plans)
Menno said:
That is like saying a car works just fine if you hook it up to a pair of horses instead of paying for gas.
I can make my phone do what I need it to do without a data plan. A data plan will not add anything of value to my usage of the phone. But I do need a Windows Mobile device, with wifi and a GPS receiver and a text keyboard. What I don't need, is the cell data access.
Part of it has to do with the fact that I live and work within wifi range (at home, I'm paying AT&T for it).
And I can't speak for ATT, but for Verizon smartphones suffer in call quality and connectivity if they are made to require data and the customer somehow gets it blocked (just like Nationwide-only pho...
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This forum is closed.