Wireless broadband is so addictive, the carriers want to make sure you don't use too much of it. Both AT&T and Verizon have recently made it official that their formerly-unlimited $60/month broadband plans really only cover 5GB of data. So what happens if you go over 5GB?
According to AT&T's recently revised terms and conditions, "The parties agree that AT&T has the right to limit throughput or amount of data transferred and/or deny, disconnect, modify and/or terminate Service if you use more than 5 gigabytes in a month. If you require more than 5 gigabytes per month, ask us about our DataConnect 5GB Overage plan."
We've heard elsewhere about both AT&T and Verizon throttling connections to 200 kbps/sec if you go over 5GB. But what about that new "DataConnect 5GB Overage Plan?" You can't find it anywhere on AT&T's Web site. But if you call in, you'll find it's $350/month for 5GB, plus $0.50 per megabyte (really, $.0005 per kb, but my megabyte formula is more readable.) Since you're probably a heavy downloader, let's think of that as $500 per gigabyte.
Yes. They want to charge you $350 for exactly what you're paying $60 for. Want 10GB instead of 5GB? That'll cost you $2,850 for that month.
Now, to be fair, an AT&T rep told me that they'll probably give you a pass for a month or two if you accidentally go over 5GB. Then they'll give you a call and try to convince you to move to the Punitively Expensive Plan.
Verizon, by the way, charges the same $500 per gigabyte, but at least they don't hike your monthly fee to $350 while doing it.
Wireless broadband is great. Just don't, you know, use it.
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March 18, 2008 6:02 PM
Robbery!!!!
March 22, 2008 1:22 PM
stupppiiddd sprint has NO overage charges
and itso nly 60 a month
1 plus meg download plus
March 25, 2008 12:14 PM
This story is a complete fabrication and has NO BASIS in truth reality or news and information.
The Truth:
http://fixyourthinking.com/2008/03/about-at-limited-unlimited-data-plans.html
March 25, 2008 2:16 PM
Er, sorry, Rus, but I got my information from AT&T spokesman Warner May.
Meanwhile, here are places where AT&T specifically cites the 5GB Overage Plan.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp#data
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/messaging-internet/media-legal-notices.jsp
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/en_US/pdf/Master-Data-Terms.pdf
Very specifically, they say that if you use more than 5GB, you are liable to get cut off if you don't move to the Overage plan. It's right there in black and white on the terms of service. I got Mr. May to confirm that and to confirm the terms of the Overage plan.
March 26, 2008 12:31 PM
No ... this is outdated but must remain in the system until a computer switch is made. You ARE billed $0 dollars and $0.00 cents and it IS notated after 5GB but you are not charged ANYTHING nor will you EVER be charged. People in the past may have been charged, but once 3G has a 75% US penetration the computer system will be updated for unlimited data. It is the same at the moment for voice. The system requires that they put a 3000 minute cap ... but you ARE billed $0.00 and pay $0.00 for any minutes past that - this too will be updated in June. I spoke with an executive who specifically ask that I not use her name - not a phone rep like you may have spoken to - quit trying to make a controversy out of nothing.
March 26, 2008 1:19 PM
No offense, Rus, but I'm going to go with my named, official AT&T spokesman (not a "phone rep," he's a corporate spokesman) and the three links on their official Web site over your unnamed, mysterious executive.
Also, the issue here is the Overage plan. According to the TOS, if you want to habitually use more than 5GB, the company will suggest you sign up for the Overage plan. That's what's right there, in black letters in the TOS. The Overage plan costs $350/month plus 50 cents per MB. By the way, Verizon (according to their official spokeswoman Brenda Raney) also charges 50 cents per MB.
Now, it could certainly be that the situation is changing in June. I often don't get that information in advance, because I get most of my information through official channels. I'll make sure to check back in June.
If you'd like to follow up with any named sources or official Web pages or documents to support your position, I'd certainly be glad to see them!
July 3, 2008 11:57 AM
THATS REDICULAS THAT MEANS NO TV GAMES OR MP3 THATS WHY I WANTED TOO GET A SPRINT INSTINCT MAY BE THEY WILL HAVE A 20 TOO 50 GB I HAVE THE IPHONE THAT SUCKS NO TV NO GAMES NO VOICE ACTAVACTED GPS I LIKE TOO USE UP THE INTIERE MEMORY WHY DO WE NEED SUCH BIG MEMORY CARDS OR HARD DRIVES IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO USE THAT MANY GEGABYTES MEGABYTES OR TERABYTES TOO.
June 28, 2009 2:05 PM
The 5GB limit for tethering is still there so I don't know about the "senior executive's" claims. Exactly how much is 5GB of data per month from a usage standpoint? What can you do or not do?