AT&T's messaging plan requirement on 'quick messaging' handsets slipped in with unlimited voice launch
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 29th 2010 3:13PM
posted January 29th 2010 3:13PM
posted January 29th 2010 3:13PM
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So on top of this trend to REQUIRE you to purchase data plans for certain phones, they are now going to REQUIRE people to purchase texting plans (minimum of $20 dollars) just for owning a specific phone. Oh, I can't wait for the FCC to weigh in on this.
Hey FCC, Why don't you actually start doing something in the best interest of the consumer and start stopping these requirements and restrictions simply based on the phone you are using!!!!!
@zachavm
On Second thought, if the Goverment can require us to purchase Health Insurance simply for breathing then I guess they can should be allowed to require us to purchase text and data because of our phone.
For anyone that does not want to be locked into any minimum monthly spend or make one zillion calls or send one zillion messages, PagePlus cellular is the way to go. They use verizon's network and you are able to bring your own handset.
Switch to a company with lower c rates. Hit a company where it hurts, their wallet, and you will see them drop rates quickly when people leave in droves.
@LowSky
Sadly, I think most people might put up some fuss then say "fine whatever" and deal with it... welcome to America.
shit just get sprint how easy can it get. If sprint is good in your area just get it. Is funny how many dumb people overpay att and vzw the people that don't have other options I understand but the ones that do is because of their fault these companies keep charging so much since they are willing to pay. If people actually started leaving companies will lower their price
I guess this makes AT&T more expensive than Verizon lol
$20 min add on vs. $9.99 min hmmm
sure great to tripple the cost of that 3rd, 4th, and 5th lines.
These companies should just include txting with any data add on, since what 160 characters = ? 160bytes? so 830bytes for 5 round to 1KB / 5 messages... that means easily 5,120 per MB or 128,000 for 25MB assuming i did the math right...
I doubt the AVERAGE user exceeds 2-5,000 messages /mo so thats what 1MB whoopee! Definitely not at a very high rate. Like Sling player would be... 1MB in what a second or 3?
Now this would make sense, the whole $30/mo for unlimited txt and same for data, just does not compute!
@MJ
Exactly. They aren't charging for the cost to them and their network. They are charging based on popularity. The fact that the FCC allows this to go on is an utter joke. Any person who's more than an amateur with computers knows that text doesn't take much data. However, we can't fight that. It's either pay or don't use the service. Once again, where's the #*&@ FCC?
@MJ $10 bucks for 20 MB or $15 for unlimited? That is the question. Also, how can you sit there and compare data to texting? Two totally different things. The only thing the two have in common is that they are now required for certain phones. And, as I said in my post below, why get a messaging phone if you don't need messaging? You aren't required to have it for any other phone but the ones with a QWERTY keyboard or a smartphone. Chances are that the average user of these messaging phones are either teenagers or moms that wear things that say "Juicy" across their asses. And, again, comparing text messaging to data is not fair. One uses circuit switched data while the other uses packet data, respectively. Only multimedia messages use packet data connections, but those are included in texting packages and don't charge for data. And it's not the FCC's job to step in on everything and tell people what they are doing wrong with their businesses. That is the Federal Trade Commission's job. The FCC just regulates spectrum and electronics.
@aschettler
Either way, NOT neccessary! Still if they are going to mandate data, why not include txting as data, IM's on my PDA are data they are just text... They are only different because the cell co's consider them to be... It's like (dare I say) why don't they charge you for the number of times your phone rings, also a small amount of data on the circuit switched 'data' channel...
All the more reason incoming should be free, just like letting your phone ring is free... or letting it go to v-mail (yes I know not checking it from the phone that uses airtime... but not to fwd it to the v-mail box)
Maybe the "messaging phone" has better keys for taking notes or entering contact info... maybe a touch screen, easier to navigate for some people.
Typically they have larger screens good for people with poor eye sight.. not their fault... Why should I have to pay $10 /mo because I need a larger screen? Thats down right discrimination! While I know it's not like you can sue, you can get up and leave, I just may when my other contracts come up 2 will be soon one later this year so...
The smartphones I do NOT totally agree with needing it, but I understand to some degree, as people would rack up a lot of ridiculous charges
Now why V & T don't just do something like Fair & Flexible I believe thats an OLD sprint thing call it whatever, but make the data rate X and cap it at $30/mo no matter how much u use, never go over $30 more people would go for it... Don't need data pay $0 Need lots of data don't pay more than $30 works well, I would not mind that...
So exactly the MMS using packet data but not charged for, well, it's still data... if data can be included in text packages why not texts included in data packages? They CAN bill it anyway they want...
They could do 6 second billing too, but they don't...
If the gov won't do it, get the word out, once verizon starts losing enough post paid customers, they will have to listen or suffer the $ lost.
If you only have verizon that gives decent coverage then use Page Plus or Other MVNO... Who knows try other providers, see if others are as good now, and then vote with your wallet it's simple!
@MJ
The bigger screens argumentnisn't very valid. There are places that sell phones specifically for those with sight problems (and last I checked a number of phones have options to increase text size), and there's always the unbranded and unlocked market for phones with keyboards or touch screens if needed.
This might suck, but it
@GenesisDH
I'm assuming you were going to say "This might suck but it makes sense." Or something to that effect.
The larger screen argument is valid. Phones that have displays made for those with poor vision generally also have far more limited feature sets (in my experience anyway). Just because someone can't see doesn't mean they want a second rate phone.
Also, my dad has to use his flip phone with the larger lettering. Thing about it is though the phone's small display isn't made for that, and now requires A LOT of scrolling.
hahahahahaha! Idiots.... Sprint. 1500 minutes. Unlimited data. Unltd tv. Pic txt. Instant messaging n txt. Unltd mobile to mobale (nomater what carrier) unltd roam. N that's for 2 phones. 120.00 before taxes. O I forgot unlimited gps nav 2.
@saddam3
Sprint, Touch Pro 2 with wonderful internet. 500 anytime minutes. N&W starting at 7. Unlimited Text and Data. $30 bucks a month. I got ya beat ;)
@zachavm
touch diamond, 1000min, 7-7, unlimited everything (including roaming on vzw) with insurance 60bucks after everything
sprint. Yay yay!
$69 everything data sprint FTW!!!!!!!!
Wouldn't it make sense for a message-centric device to require a messaging plan? I mean, after all, why would you need a QWERTY keyboard on a phone you are only going to use to call people? If you only want to make calls, I would think it would make sense to pay for only what you need.
@aschettler Because people like choice. Texting plans start at $5 for 200 messages. For some people, that is enough. If you require $20, then that is unlimited and not everyone needs that.
I sell phones, and often times we encourage people who are very light texters to get something with a keyboard, because essentially you'll have the phone for 2 years; you need something that will grow with you. Now with these changes, they will be more reluctant to do that and will simply get a flip phone.
Wow, here's a thought:
Block messaging beforehand, and buy an unbranded/unlocked QWERTY phone (or even a GoPhone QWERTY). If you want SMS later, get. GV account and use it for SMS.
If you want to buy a cheap non-basic phone, you have to pay in another. Can't have your cake and eat it too... this isn't Burger King, you can't always have it your way.
@GenesisDH
You'd need data for that though which also cost $20 IIRC.
AT&T plan make sense if ur purchasing a messaging phone u need a ulimited text plan. There are alot of other awsome phones on AT&T that are phones. Also ur on a family plan with unlimited text ur coverd
This is a good take. I don't know if they'll let me upgrade to this plan though.
i guess this is good news...
These two companies will always do what the other one does.Doesn't surprise me.