AT&T considering cheaper data plans for iPhone, other smartphones
By Will Park on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 11:03 AM PST In AT&T, Apple, Financial/Corporate News, Rumors
We’re not too keen on paying through the nose for unlimited (well, soft-capped 5GB) data plans that keep our iPhone 3G’s and Touch Diamond2’s fed with 3G data from AT&T (NYSE: T)’s network. But, it is what it is. You have to pay to play, right?
Actually, AT&T is reportedly considering a lower-cost data plan option for those that want to pay less to play less. AT&T may soon launch a cheaper, more limited data plan tier for smartphone customers looking to occasionally check emails and surf the web. The new data plans would likely mirror AT&T’s data plan trials for netbook customers, which offers 200MB of data for $40 per month.
AT&T is unlikely to cut the cost on their unlimited data plan, which is a requirement when activating an iPhone 3G. But, we may just see AT&T launching their cheaper data plan offerings alongside the new iPhone launch this Summer. “Right now we continue to study what is the best thing that is available, not just from an iPhone point of view, but what you can do to stimulate additional demand,” said AT&T Mobility chief Ralph de la Vega.
Indeed, a cheaper data plan would likely spark a new wave of curious smarpthone customers intrigued by the notion that emails and web-surfing aren’t tied to their computer desk.
[Via: Reuters]
This would be sweet. I actually rarely use the 3G on the iPhone as I don’t want my battery to die while I’m out. I turn it on when I need to get info ASAP, to which it only lasts a couple of minutes and then I just switch off the 3G. I would love to pay less for a more limited 3G usage plan.
It is about time that AT&T will offer a new cheaper data plan with iphone 3g…after all there is only a limited number of people that are willing to pay an extra $30 per month.