AT&T to Officially Mandate Data Plans for All Smartphones
I'd rather use Wi-Fi
We have a BlackBerry with no data plan. We use Wi-Fi.
And yes, this does make sense for our situation. The main thing we need a BlackBerry for is a medical app that stores its data locally. It can update via Wi-Fi as needed.
Note to AT&T: you're not the only Internet provider. And no, you don't have to subsidize my phone. I'm happy to buy it up front. Just let me buy the plan I want.
And yes, this does make sense for our situation. The main thing we need a BlackBerry for is a medical app that stores its data locally. It can update via Wi-Fi as needed.
Note to AT&T: you're not the only Internet provider. And no, you don't have to subsidize my phone. I'm happy to buy it up front. Just let me buy the plan I want.
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Also, this is a great quote:
"Being able to take full advantage of these features without having to worry about a fluctuating or unusually high bill generally leads to greater customer satisfaction, so effective Sept. 6, smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan..."
Which breaks down logically to, "since we think you'll be happier with this, we're going to force it on you."
Which is a cover-up for, "this is what we want you to do, so deal with it."
Way to serve your customers.
"Being able to take full advantage of these features without having to worry about a fluctuating or unusually high bill generally leads to greater customer satisfaction, so effective Sept. 6, smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan..."
Which breaks down logically to, "since we think you'll be happier with this, we're going to force it on you."
Which is a cover-up for, "this is what we want you to do, so deal with it."
Way to serve your customers.
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The typical call into customer service costs the company $11 (give or take). Most of those calls happen to be about data. Lets say that a customer without data on their phone calls in once a month (I've seen them do it) to complain about PPU rates. Over the course of the 2 years, that customer will cost the company at least: $264. But that number is on the low end, because data charges (with ATT) are charged per Kilobyte.
So if you want the real translation, it goes like this:
"We wanted to offer customers choice in the devices they used on their plans; however, over the years, it's become apparent to us that customers cannot handle this responsibility and ended up costing us more money than they were worth. To solve this, we are ...
(continues)
So if you want the real translation, it goes like this:
"We wanted to offer customers choice in the devices they used on their plans; however, over the years, it's become apparent to us that customers cannot handle this responsibility and ended up costing us more money than they were worth. To solve this, we are ...
(continues)
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$30 for 15MB?!?!
cheap as hell.
the wifi usage can be better than the at&t internet if u cant connect to 3G. but thats just not how it works anymore. u want any type of data u will have to have a plan.
VZW sprint and tmobile have been doing this already so idk y people r freaking out over at&t doing it
cheap as hell.
the wifi usage can be better than the at&t internet if u cant connect to 3G. but thats just not how it works anymore. u want any type of data u will have to have a plan.
VZW sprint and tmobile have been doing this already so idk y people r freaking out over at&t doing it
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Verizon charges 1.99/MB, so if you use more than.. 200kb, our pricing is a lot cheaper.
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So this mandate is all about customers who have no data on any phone then with all the attention this article has gotten clearly it is a big misunderstanding. Apparently customers with smartphones or dumbphones who have no data are getting charged like a person with no text plan. Pay Per Use can be a nightmare for all involved. Apparently PPU data does not work so then $30 plan should be for unlimited text for any phone. Then their should be a $15 plan for moderate use of data on a smartphone.
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They don't subsidize texting phones as highly as smartphones.
Also the retention rate on texting packages (the likely hood a customer will keep the plan after they pay off the overages) is really high because people see a value in it, and often times it is because their kids are texting on their phones, and telling a teen not to text is like telling a bird not to fly.
For data, a lot of people will add it for a month or two, and then cancel it. Then add it again when they get overages, then cancel it again. I've had customers come into my store where they've done it so many times that Verizon told them their account was LOCKED for a year from making any changes without them discussing it with a store manager.
Also the retention rate on texting packages (the likely hood a customer will keep the plan after they pay off the overages) is really high because people see a value in it, and often times it is because their kids are texting on their phones, and telling a teen not to text is like telling a bird not to fly.
For data, a lot of people will add it for a month or two, and then cancel it. Then add it again when they get overages, then cancel it again. I've had customers come into my store where they've done it so many times that Verizon told them their account was LOCKED for a year from making any changes without them discussing it with a store manager.
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Menno said:
"We wanted to offer customers choice in the devices they used on their plans; however, over the years, it's become apparent to us that customers cannot handle this responsibility and ended up costing us more money than they were worth. To solve this, we are unfortunately removing certain phone/plan combinations to save our company money and reduce the excedrin usage of our call reps."
Which is quite logical. What I don't get though, are these discussions. By all rights, they should go like this:
- Why is AT&T forcing me to use a data plan that I don't need?
- Because too many dumb a-holes called tech support when they got devices without data, so AT&T had to raise prices.
- Gosh, tough....
(continues)
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The only answer is because it's the interwebs.
If someone is presenting a logical argument against it (such as yourself), I'll try and explain it out like I have. If someone is just complaining because they can't have their "cool phone" (like phone_girl) I'll still try to explain it, but in the end get frustrated and go "LOL YOU DON'T NEED A SMARTPHONE. U R DUM." or something because it will sink in as much as my explainations to.
The internet is a great place for discussion, providing both parties are rational. If one or the other isn't.. it is about as useful as discussing thermodynamics with a toddler. 😁
If someone is presenting a logical argument against it (such as yourself), I'll try and explain it out like I have. If someone is just complaining because they can't have their "cool phone" (like phone_girl) I'll still try to explain it, but in the end get frustrated and go "LOL YOU DON'T NEED A SMARTPHONE. U R DUM." or something because it will sink in as much as my explainations to.
The internet is a great place for discussion, providing both parties are rational. If one or the other isn't.. it is about as useful as discussing thermodynamics with a toddler. 😁
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Menno said:
It is about as useful as discussing thermodynamics with a toddler. 😁
LOL, here's what you'd get in reply from mine:
http://images49.fotki.com/v1556/photos/2/214332/7829 ... »
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