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AT&T Says It Won't Tier Smartphone Plans

Article Comments  69  

Dec 17, 2009, 11:01 AM   by Eric M. Zeman
updated Dec 17, 2009, 11:13 AM

AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega recently said that, "We have not made any decision to implement tiered pricing," but noted that the company is seeking ways to entice customers to take wireless web surfing off its 3G network. Two solutions AT&T is considering include making more free Wi-Fi hotspots available to all its customers, as well as introducing femto cells on a wider scale. Both would help reduce network traffic and congestion. AT&T doesn't believe tiered pricing plans for smartphone users are the answer to solving its network management issues.

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

Ronaldthe1

Dec 17, 2009, 6:20 PM

So we can't use our data WE pay for?

Bye bye AT&T! Slow data on 3G network poor coverage in middle of Atlanta, now saying they don't want to use their data network we pay for?

I'm happy with my Tmobile 9700 so good by iphone 3Gs your on eBay.
Wait, so you switched to T-Mobile, who has by all accounts a far worse data network?

Huh?
...
madmatg

Dec 19, 2009, 3:11 PM

you guys = ridiculous

I have never had a problem with AT&T 3g on my iPhone always get a good signal on it in Auburn, AL. I also get great service in ATL and Birmingham. I don't know what's wrong with AT&T offering free wifi hotspots, since they are undoubtedly faster than any 3G available. As for Verizon "speed" 3G my friends ahve Verizon and always complain about it.
bob a

Dec 17, 2009, 11:16 AM

and don't use it?

Buy our 3g phones... buy our 3g data plan.. AND DONT USE IT? What kinda drugs they on?
probably heroine or cocaine if i had to go from personal experience lol jkjkjk
exactly my thoughts. i have a few friends that work at at&t retail locations and they continue to be frustrated with the management pushing them to sell more and more data centric devices and then the customers are not able to use them to their full ...
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What kind of drugs are you on?? Didn't you read the article? It doesn't say anywhere that it wants customers to quit using data. Why can't you morons realize that they are trying to create a better user experience for everyone?? They can't just go thr...
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fyrmedic02

Dec 17, 2009, 12:05 PM

What an idiot

We have not made any decision to implement tiered pricing," but noted that the company is seeking ways to entice customers to take wireless web surfing off its 3G network.

So what good is a network with the best selection of smartphones when they don't want you using the data portion of the network??? Good news you can talk and surf the web at the same time but please try not to use the internet or data functions. LOL. De La Vega should be removed from AT&T and someone with a clue about the future of wireless should be implemented. One that understands how to build out a network and expand 3G coverage not blame customers for it.
I agree, ATT needs a NEW/FRESH CEO. Somebody who has a vision, and doesn't talk about LTE like it's something in the far, far, far future!!! In the very, very near future there is going to be data wars in the wireless industry, and it seems as though ...
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What are you even talking about?? You're saying you'd rather browse on 3g than wifi? Give me a freaking break. wifi is way faster and if availabe gives all at&t users a better experience by giving wifi users faster browsing speeds and alleviating netw...
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EXACTLY
merrick9

Dec 17, 2009, 11:26 AM

Femto Cell

The femto cell / micro cell is a 1st step in making things better for AT&T customers. I need it... want it... and check each day on availability. When will the Micro cell be available in markets other then NC? AT&T promised delivery before the end of the year and the clock is quickly ticking away!
You wont see it this year.. end of Q1
Multi-Tasker

Dec 17, 2009, 8:47 PM

Best 3G Experience

Here is what I think is funny. Lets start with the "Best 3G Experience", can anyone with AT&T tell me how your experience is? Is it really the best when the carrier is asking there own paying customers to use another means of getting the net on there phones. Also, just a couple of days ago we seen that AT&T is adding another 3G area for Vermont (not sure if it was that state, but I think it is).

Well I will continue using my wonderful Motorola Droid on a network that I know works and can with stand it.
I get full 3g at work, home, and in between. And if it ever defaults to edge then its no big deal because edge speeds are just fine for 95% of uses. I can even stream slacker no problem on edge.
My experience with AT&T has been mostly great. Their coverage in Greenville, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Cincinnati is superb, and I rarely ever get below 1800kbps average in those cities. Usually I get closer to 2600kbps, which is as fast as my internet ...
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muchdrama

Dec 17, 2009, 9:43 PM

AT&T is dreaming

...if they thing anything BUT tiering smartphone plans will take the pressure off their network.
maxnix

Dec 17, 2009, 9:04 PM

New AT&T 3G Plan Revealed!

Mostly none with a little some if you are in a major metropolitan area and get get on the network.

Keep fingering you whyPhoneys, mates!

Oooooo! That was fun!
JeffdaBeat

Dec 17, 2009, 11:21 AM

Is it really that bad?

I know the iPhone takes a lot of bandwidth, but is it really killing AT&T's network that bad or is it just in those major cities?
Considering that most of the 3G coverage is "just in those major cities"...
...
What I'm curious about, is if ATT took managing their network more seriously, how much better COULD it he??? I wonder.
The only issues I see are that in marginal coverage areas where I can get solid 2-4 bars of EDGE coverage, the 3g bounces from 0-3 bars and is less stable. Whether that is from iPhones bogging down the network or not who knows.

But when the service...
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the answer is no, its really not that bad.

The reasons they even brought up Tiered pricing is because some 3% of the users are using nearly half of the data traffic. They are simply looking for ways to make the network experience better for ever...
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island-guy

Dec 17, 2009, 2:05 PM

Huh?

This has to be the most painful admission any wireless provider could ever make. How the heck can you call yourself a wireless service provider, push iphones/smartphones that use the web for their 'smart' abilities, and then tell your customers that they can't surf the web? Face the music, LTE can only be as good as the infrastructure it's implemented in. This has to be an At&t issue period. They should have paid more attention to WIMAX which seems to be the way to go if you ask me. At&t will be served some legal b*tch slaps for this.
island-guy said:
How the heck can you call yourself a wireless service provider, push iphones/smartphones that use the web for their 'smart' abilities, and then tell your customers that they can't surf the web?


OM...
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What does this have to do with LTE or WIMAX!!?? AT&T has no plans for 4G for several years. WIMAX will be great for people who want to be tied to one provider in one country.

AT&T's issues are purely about infrastructure, not technology. They ar...
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BeachSlapped

Dec 17, 2009, 8:05 PM

De La Vega, You Won't Be Happy Until You Crash AT&T To The Ground!

Won't ya? 👿
Azeron

Dec 17, 2009, 5:06 PM

Why I Want An iphone...

YouTube uploads, Qik streams, podcast downloads... Heck all these cool things that are soooooooooooo easy to do on an iphone is why I want one. Sure build out that Wi-Fi! Whatever works Ralphy!
flip mode

Dec 17, 2009, 2:28 PM

De La Vega...

You can help at&t by going off to become a trucker in the south. because you have no clue how to run the telecom game. lower prices, expanding dependable voice/data coverage and great devices are just some of the things that help. not bragging about how you have the nation's fastest 3G network and then trying to get people to use something else as a means of internet. 😉
flip mode

Dec 17, 2009, 2:19 PM

They can't help it..

it's a crappy network with overpriced plans. their cheapness is going to have more and more people running to less expensive carriers.
glinc

Dec 17, 2009, 12:00 PM

Browse on Edge

Just make a firmware that switches web browsing to use edge automatically and other apps. Emails and stuff leave it as 3G.
Ah, EDGE isn't too bad, except I hate sending pix from my phone using EDGE, pix get sent out a lot faster on 3G.
It should be the opposite. Emails and mobile sites should be edge. Heavy browsing and apps should be 3g.
 
 
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