will att charge more for data use through a dock?

[cdjh]

If using the hotspot app means an extra charge per month, what will ATT do with dock data usage? For now there is no extra charge, right? It seems like using the laptop dock is not much different than tethering if the browser really is a fully capable firefox. OK, maybe you can't play online games or download torrents with the dock, but this seems like a distinction that could be overlooked by "The Man" at att when this type of thing becomes really popular. All they see is a laptop on their network.

Maybe the Atrix won't be powerful enough for extreme data use. But if wireless companies are going to start offering these swiss army knife computing machines, how long before this becomes a real issue? Having a desktop, laptop, and phone on one data plan seems like a great deal to me. But that's the kind of thing wireless companies are not going to offer for no extra charge...not for long anyway.

 

[E_man]

I doubt they will charge for it. Where tethering allows sharing the data with multiple devices, docking uses the same device for data no matter what it's in.

 

[zero3187]

Especially won't if you use wifi! lol. I imagine that if you're loading a bunch of pages in a bunch of tabs then you'll probably use more data than you usually do.

 

[textiaac]

I could imagine it happening, but it mentions nothing of it on their website as of yet.

MOTOROLA ATRIX 4G - Android 2.2 Smartphone - Wireless from AT&T

 

[Ezcal#AC]

Even if they do, I'm sure there's a way to set it up so that it switches to WiFi for data when it's connected to a dock. Heck, there's even probably a way to do that on current android phones.

 

[cdjh]

as these devices become more capable, one of two things will have to happen:

1. providers will see the increased data usage, and try to get paid for it. Since every phone uses data now, they can raise the rates for everyone (as they have begun to do lately). But this vilifies them with all their customers. So instead or in addition, then can find a way to charge more for devices like this one that stand to use a great deal more data. I'm not sure this device could replace a netbook or pc. But some will try to use it that way. And if this one won't, maybe the next one will

2. They open the whole thing to a range of devices. I envision a time when we pay for data access and possibly usage. But this would cover all our devices. No more nickel and dime charges for hotspot or whatever. Why would anyone pay to have a smartphone and a laptop card separately with two different plans when a device like this is out there. I can see them changing things so that you can have one plan and access the network from your phone, tablet, netbook, whatever with one monthly charge. This is almost certainly where things will evolve to. But probably not before they try to get every dime out of us first.

The lines between devices are being blurred with the atrix. Although it could be a popular device and bring revenue from selling accessories, it can also mean revenue lost with only one data plan and so many uses for it.

 

[scaots]

Hopefully ATT avoids extra data fees since they are already on tiered data and customers already pay for what they use. Heavy users will pay more anyway.

Eliminating unlimited data is not unfair, but data use should include tethering VOIP or however you use it without extra costs. I can possibly see charging more for faster data service. That is what we do with home internet.

 

[corneliusm]

Hopefully ATT avoids extra data fees since they are already on tiered data and customers already pay for what they use. Heavy users will pay more anyway.

Eliminating unlimited data is not unfair, but data use should include tethering VOIP or however you use it without extra costs. I can possibly see charging more for faster data service. That is what we do with home internet.

AT&T is certainly one of the least "fair" of the carriers. You know those 3G Microcells they provide you (for $150, and extra contract)? Despite the fact that they use YOUR OWN INTERNET, using data through your own microcell will count against your quota. So, they're effectively charging you for a service that your local ISP provides you.

Then again, might as well use wifi when you're at home.

But still, AT&T is pretty arrogant. Luckily, I'm grandfathered on the old $30 "unlimited" plan, and I use up >2 GB on a monthly basis just listening to internet radio at work (we're not allowed to use the company wifi with our personal devices). I don't tether nor watch online videos (over 3G anyway), yet AT&T considers me a "data abuser" simple for using a service that I pay for.

If I wasn't already grandfathered in on my current plan, I would be nuts to come to AT&T right now.

 

[john_v]

pay for.

If I wasn't already grandfathered in on my current plan, I would be nuts to come to AT&T right now.

+1 to everything you said. And if they don't let me keep my grandfathered unlimited data when I upgrade to the Atrix, I'm leaving for Sprint and the Evo (I believe I'm still grandfathered in on the 150 etf; haven't signed a new contract since they changed the ETF). Even with the extra $10 charge Sprint is adding, it would still be cheaper and I'd get a plan with better things included. The only thing keeping me with AT&T right now is the unlimited data and the fact that 98% of my co-workers and friends are on AT$T. With sprint I could call their mobiles for free, but they'd use minutes to call me. In my area, both networks are equal as far as "real-life" coverage. So we'll see what happens.

 

[textiaac]

+1 to everything you said. And if they don't let me keep my grandfathered unlimited data when I upgrade to the Atrix, I'm leaving for Sprint and the Evo .

Have you thought of buying it on newegg? It is easier to grandfather your data on newegg (as there is a button you can click) and if you get rejected they will not charge your credit card.

 

[john_v]

Have you thought of buying it on newegg? It is easier to grandfather your data on newegg (as there is a button you can click) and if you get rejected they will not charge your credit card.

No I hadn't heard of that...I don't think it will be a problem, AT&T didn't require iphone4 upgrades to switch to the new tiered data so I'd be surprised if they did now, especially in light of the flock of people that I'm assuming will migrate to verizon. However, if they do, I am prepared to vote with my wallet.

 

[RUSH]

No one knows for sure if that will happen.

 

[cdjh]

Engadget

So now they do want a tethering fee. But maybe only if you bundle? I had a feeling they would squeeze every penny. So can you have the dock without tethering? At $500 I have no idea why anyone would want the dock.

 

[textiaac]

It only costs more for data if you decide to buy the dock bundled with the phone.

 

[myriad46]

All the Presser says is that use of the Firefox browser will require tether plan. Im not sure what you'd do with it without using the browser.