Fighting to keep your Unlimited Data?

[diesteldorf]

Hoping some can share some personal experiences and add advice. When I got my first smartphone last year, I felt my options were very limited between Verizon and Sprint. I just knew that I couldn't survive with AT&T and their 2 GB data cap.

Now, with Netflix ported to Android, it's easy to exceed 2 GB in a few days. I didn't give AT&T a second thought because I could see where Android was going and having a cap would've been extremely difficult.

I wouldn't call myself a Verizon fanboy but I've been happy with the service and love my Unlimited Data---yes, I know I can be throttled, but I've never gotten to that extreme,

My parents are out of contract and currently have the Iphone 3G on AT&T with grandfathered unlimited data. They don't use their phone like I do, but I've told them I think it would be a bad idea to ever give up unlimited.

In the future, my parents will probably want to upgrade to an Iphone 4 or 5?, or perhaps an Android device.

When that happens, should they expect to have to fight (hard) to keep their unlimited data.

I just don't see an Iphone 3G really being able to run many upcoming and newly developed apps for much longer.

Now, I am not stating that Verizon is a white knight by any means, but it souds like they will allow customers with Unlimited 3g data plans to keep unlimited data when they upgrade and move to 4g at least for the time being, although, to be fair, no one knows.

Now it's possible that in a few years AT&T will have a 4G network that is the envy of Verizon but I still think there is work to be done.

I am wondering if they may be better off switching to Verizon within the next 2 weeks and getting a new 3g or 4g device that may at least be more advanced and able to last for a couple years.

Of course, if AT&T will allow grandfathered customers to keep their unlimited data after upgrading and/or switching from Apple to Android or from 3G to 4G, they may be better off to wait.

After all, I took Verizon because I felt I had a limited choice. My parents have unlimited data with AT&T already and could also get it with Verizon (for now) if they choose.

So, does AT&T pull out all the stops to get people off of unlimited data after upgrading?

 

[Jonneh]

"In the future, my parents will probably want to upgrade to an Iphone 4 or 5?, or perhaps an Android device.

When that happens, should they expect to have to fight (hard) to keep their unlimited data."


As it is right now, no, it shouldn't be a problem - if they're supposed to be grandfathered in, then all they have to do is make sure the sales rep KNOWS that your family KNOWS they should be grandfathered in, and make it obvious they are expecting it, and if it comes down to it, stand firm, and you should be fine. For me, when I got my atrix, (former BB user), I was supposed to be grandfathered in as well, and I made them aware that I was aware, and I didn't have to fight at all.

However, in the future, who knows? Verizon just completely got rid of their unlimited. AT&T could do the very same (and probably will at some point). Yes, it's pretty likely you'll have to fight harder at some point, but no one knows when. Or, the fight will be pointless, because there'll be no more unlimited to even grandfathered clients lol.


"Of course, if AT&T will allow grandfathered customers to keep their unlimited data after upgrading and/or switching from Apple to Android or from 3G to 4G, they may be better off to wait." -- Right, AT&T still gives you unlimited if you had unlimited before the change. No matter if you're switching from platform to platform (BB to Android, Apple to Android, etc)

 

[sigmamason]

Verizon is allowing folks to be grandfathered also.

 

[gvndeb60]

AT&T is grandfathering people with unlimited data, and they are not fighting hard to move people off of it. I signed up for new service and got it, it is as easy as asking, they do want your business(as do all wireless companies). Better bet would be to go with who has better service in your/your parents area. Where I live Verizon 3G is very slow(300-500kbps) and we do not have 4G. AT&T does not have 4G here, but their 3G is 3-5mbps consistently and that is a very usable speed(faster is better, but with that speed I can stream anything I need). Plus, AT&T has lots of free hotspots everywhere around me, so the first month I had them I left WIFI on and only used 800mb of data b/c of the free WIFI everywhere. This will be different for everyone in different areas, so the choice is yours. In my opinion, you should choose your provider on their service, b/c any and all providers could remove everyone's unlimited tomorrow if they wanted.

 

[Jonneh]

Verizon is allowing folks to be grandfathered also.

For some reason I thought I read it was only for a small amount of time, though? Oh well, I'm not with them anyway. Thanks for correcting me

 

[Timelessblur]

some people panic way to much about unlimited data. If you are in range of wifi all the time it is a non issue. If it was not for the fact that it is impossible to connect my Atrix to my school wifi (Android crap with Enterprise wireless) my data usage would be 1/10 of the current usage because I would be in range of wifi 90% of the time and so the data off load would be there.

Mind you I have a grandfathered unlimited and using it pretty heavy at school.

 

[diesteldorf]

AT&T is grandfathering people with unlimited data, and they are not fighting hard to move people off of it. I signed up for new service and got it, it is as easy as asking, they do want your business(as do all wireless companies).

That's pretty cool. Were you a completely new customer or did you already have new lines with them?
It would be interesting if you walked into an AT&T store or (ina few weeks)Verizon store and said something like:

I really want to leave AT&T/Verizon and try you guys out but I really can't because I am grandfathered into unlimited data. Can you do anything for me......"

 

[diesteldorf]

some people panic way to much about unlimited data. If you are in range of wifi all the time it is a non issue. If it was not for the fact that it is impossible to connect my Atrix to my school wifi (Android crap with Enterprise wireless) my data usage would be 1/10 of the current usage because I would be in range of wifi 90% of the time and so the data off load would be there.

Mind you I have a grandfathered unlimited and using it pretty heavy at school.

I use wifi at home all the time but can't access it from work. I also like to commute via Metra (Chicago), Greyhound, or Amtrak. Now, Amtrak Acela has wifi but I've never tried it and Greyhound does too on many buses but the speeds aren't great. And, I doubt we;ll see wifi on the Metra Trains for awhile so having unlimited data is extremely handy.

 

[Major]

I am grandfathered with AT&T as well, but I am concerned as to whether or not we will still be allowed to continue with unlimited data once LTE rolls out.

 

[yellowv]

I switched from an I-Phone to an Infuse and had no issue keeping my unlimited data. When going from an I-Phone to another I-Phone it should definately not be an issue.

 

[Incognitum]

I carried unlimited data on me and my girlfriends' phones for almost a year so we could get grandfathered in even though I had a G1 (2d data only on att) and she had a feature phone (so didn't use any data). When I got the atrix and she got the infuse, mine went pretty smoothly, however it turns out there's a difference between 'feature phone unlimited' and 'smart phone unlimited'. It took about 45 minutes and a long phone call to the ATT regional manager to get them to let her switch to smartphone unlimited. After a week we got a phone call from ATT corporate telling us our 'service request' had been denied, but we could get a $50 credit for our trouble... Well that wasn't going to fly at all, so we went back to the store (we had wrote down the names of everyone we talked to the first time) and had them call up the regional manager again, and right away he took care of it. Within 10 minutes our account had been updated so that she had smartphone unlimited too, and she can play Pandora in her office all day without worrying about a thing. We've had no problems since.

 

[1088933]

It's a shame that unlimited data plans are becoming harder to find with big carriers. I'm on Verizon now and have been, but will be going to AT&T next month. I use extreme amounts of data (maybe not extreme, but average 3-4 gigs) and this is a big problem for me in choosing what carrier I want to go with. Maybe I can talk them into or try and convince someone to get me unlimited? Does anyone think that unlimited will even be possible anymore at this point? I'm not expecting much, especially after a year of them not having unlimited plans.

 

[krisguy]

Anyone who didnt have UNL as of June 7 of last year will not get it.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

 

[diesteldorf]

It's a shame that unlimited data plans are becoming harder to find with big carriers. I'm on Verizon now and have been, but will be going to AT&T next month. I use extreme amounts of data (maybe not extreme, but average 3-4 gigs) and this is a big problem for me in choosing what carrier I want to go with.

It may not work, but why don't you go into an AT&T corporate store prior to July 7 and tell them that you are dissatisfied with Big Red and desperately want to give them a shot. However, you are deeply concerned about having to give up your unlimited data and that is the one thing keeping you on the fence.

Do not let them know that this is already a done deal for you next month. Cancel any port/future cancellation you may have with Big Red so it still looks like you are "happy." and then ask the AT&T guys how difficult it would be to port your number to AT&T and ask for their help.

I know that if you do this prior to 7/7, you may have an ETF depending on your contract, but doing it prior to 7/7 may strengthen your case and also let AT&T know how serious you are.

If AT&T does offer to give you unlimited data, thank them and then focus on the "details" of the arrangement. Try to get something in writing so that you won't have issues in the future.

 

[diesteldorf]

Better bet would be to go with who has better service in your/your parents area. Where I live Verizon 3G is very slow(300-500kbps) and we do not have 4G. AT&T does not have 4G here, but their 3G is 3-5mbps consistently and that is a very usable speed(faster is better, but with that speed I can stream anything I need).

Service doesn't seem to be ab issue as I was able to use my phone at their house and speeds were fine. One thing I did notice was that when my mom went to a site to watch a video and said she must be on wifi. I was able to visit the same site and watch the video over 3G.

Does AT&T restrict certain things you can do if you have grandfathered unlimited data? I know that Verizon can throttle me, but I've never been advised that I can't do something while on 3G.

It's also possible it could be an Apple thing and that if she had an Atrix it may not have restricted her from watching the video on 3G.

 

[jambrose]

Hoping some can share some personal experiences and add advice. When I got my first smartphone last year, I felt my options were very limited between Verizon and Sprint. I just knew that I couldn't survive with AT&T and their 2 GB data cap.

Now, with Netflix ported to Android, it's easy to exceed 2 GB in a few days. I didn't give AT&T a second thought because I could see where Android was going and having a cap would've been extremely difficult.

I wouldn't call myself a Verizon fanboy but I've been happy with the service and love my Unlimited Data---yes, I know I can be throttled, but I've never gotten to that extreme,

My parents are out of contract and currently have the Iphone 3G on AT&T with grandfathered unlimited data. They don't use their phone like I do, but I've told them I think it would be a bad idea to ever give up unlimited.

In the future, my parents will probably want to upgrade to an Iphone 4 or 5?, or perhaps an Android device.

When that happens, should they expect to have to fight (hard) to keep their unlimited data.

I just don't see an Iphone 3G really being able to run many upcoming and newly developed apps for much longer.

Now, I am not stating that Verizon is a white knight by any means, but it souds like they will allow customers with Unlimited 3g data plans to keep unlimited data when they upgrade and move to 4g at least for the time being, although, to be fair, no one knows.

Now it's possible that in a few years AT&T will have a 4G network that is the envy of Verizon but I still think there is work to be done.

I am wondering if they may be better off switching to Verizon within the next 2 weeks and getting a new 3g or 4g device that may at least be more advanced and able to last for a couple years.

Of course, if AT&T will allow grandfathered customers to keep their unlimited data after upgrading and/or switching from Apple to Android or from 3G to 4G, they may be better off to wait.

After all, I took Verizon because I felt I had a limited choice. My parents have unlimited data with AT&T already and could also get it with Verizon (for now) if they choose.

So, does AT&T pull out all the stops to get people off of unlimited data after upgrading?

 

[Incognitum]

While capped plans may stick around, I'm convinced the phenomenon of no top-tier unlimited plan at all is a passing phase.

For the first time recently smart phones' market share overtook dumb phones' in the US. The growth of mobile data demand has simply outpaced the infrastructure; rationing is therefore inevitable. Meanwhile, the FCC seems to be doing everything it can to penalize carriers who invest in expanded infrastructure. Together, it makes the outlook for the next few years seem dim.

I remember when txting was new and pricy, and they didn't even offer an unlimited txt plan, now it's like $15 of my phone bill for unlimited txt for two phones on a family plan. Eventually the infrastructure will be built, and then competition will work its magic. On the other hand, that may be small comfort for someone trying to switch carriers today...

 

[ISS2]

Just got my wife an Atrix online from att.com and no change in plan at all.

 

[ISS2]

Service doesn't seem to be ab issue as I was able to use my phone at their house and speeds were fine. One thing I did notice was that when my mom went to a site to watch a video and said she must be on wifi. I was able to visit the same site and watch the video over 3G.

Does AT&T restrict certain things you can do if you have grandfathered unlimited data? I know that Verizon can throttle me, but I've never been advised that I can't do something while on 3G.

It's also possible it could be an Apple thing and that if she had an Atrix it may not have restricted her from watching the video on 3G.

That's wierd. I've had a 3G since it came out and always watched videos, so it just may be the 3G coverage in her area. Especially if she isn't using crazy data, unless they're throttling everybody? Some aspects to consider...