Report: AT&T to require smartphone data plans

AT&T customers buying or upgrading to a smartphone must subscribe to a data plan starting September 6, according to reports.

Existing smartphone customers sans a data plan will be grandfathered in.

Boy Genius Report first noted the change Friday, citing internal e-mails. BusinessWeek and Information Week later confirmed the change with AT&T.

According to Information Week, here is AT&T's statement:

Smartphone users tend to consume a higher amount of data services, like advanced e-mail, mobile Web, applications and more. Being able to take full advantage of these features without having to worry about a fluctuating or unusually high bill generally leads to greater customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do.

[cvaldes1831]

Is AT&T also going to require 1980's-quality data services?

[gwailo247]

And now for your convenience we're going to make you pay for services whether you want them or not.

I guess that's one detail Orwell got wrong. The Two Minute Hate will be broadcast over an iPhone screen.

[JeffDS3]

Chances are that if you have a smart phone then you use the internet on it a lot and that can add up without a plan. I understand the reasoning but they need to make cheaper data plans for smart phones. I have plan for "unlimited" internet on my Treo but I only really need about 200-500 MB a month.

[jaguar717]

You compare a company you interact with voluntarily and whose presence you can ignore with a story of Omnipotent Government which imposes its control on you via force? 1984 won't come from some company fighting to retain market share, it'll probably come when the Chicago Machine meets Washington...

At any rate, a smartphone without a data plan is one of two things: suicidal (if you use it), or idiotic (if you're buying an iphone for what it is rather than what it can do).

There's already a smartphone without a data plan--the ipod touch.

[tektaktyks]

so if u payed 600 for unlocked iphone without a contract but u r using it on att u have to get a data plan now?

[FreddieT]

The sensible mind would say no, because you'd only buy a SIM, not a smartphone, in that case. Who knows, though? AT&T is known to be not all that sensible.

[Perry_Clease]

"so if u payed 600 for unlocked iphone"

There are smart phones other than the iPhone.

[mizeryschild]

Why pay that much for an unlocked device with an essentially VOID warranty (since unlocking according to apple voids that warranty) when you can get other smart phones for much cheaper?

AT&T requires all iPhone plans to have a data package as a part of the terms and agreements with Apple.

[shigdonfamily]

Why on earth would you overpay for an unlocked iphone (which is dumb because you can unlock it for free) to use it with a service that it is originally meant to work with? There is no point to unlock it if you have AT&T.

[satchev]

If you have an iPhone on AT&T's network, you have a data plan. There is simply no way around this. When, not if, AT&T detects the iPhone on their network, they will add the data plan for you.

Since there is no way to turn off data on the iPhone, you WILL be using the cellular data network, it was designed by Apple to work this way.

AT&T's terms specifically state that every iPhone on their network is required to have a data plan, it has been this way since the iPhone 3G was released and possibly since the iPhone 2G was introduced.

In the end, it really makes no sense to attempt to turn data off on an iPhone, as what you end up with is an iPod Touch.

[tektaktyks]

@mizeryschild i believe they were selling iphones without a contract,the reason why people would pay that is simple,24 moths of data plan is around $710 before taxes...

there is a point in unlocking your phone when u have at&t ,when u travel to other countries and wanna put a prepaid sim there,or in US for some reason,sure unlock is free but it voids the warranty.

@satchev oh there is a way around this and they can tell u have an iphone but they cannot just add a data plan without your permission(so far) and if u try to access internet on an iphone but u dont have data plan the phone tells u that and u cant connect,u can use wifi only...i know from experience in case somebody wants to argue.

Now,will this change?Natalie?

[PeteyBrian]

RE: @sachev
Some AT&T salesman told me the same thing as you - do you work for AT&T? - especially the iPod Touch comment with a HUGE SNICKER... I didn't sign up for the iPhone data plan that day.

Bought my unlocked/jailbroken iPhone full price in Asia while I was traveling for an extended period as I needed a SIMM phone (my Verizon phone didn't work overseas) and chose to leave my laptop in U.S.

I now use my iPhone as my backup phone (have low cost family plan Verizon plan that's very sticky since whole family on this plan) on the AT&T Go Plan (no Data). I pay $1/day for every day I choose to use the phone (nothing if I don't use the phone that day) and $0.10 per minute afterwards but FREE calls to AT&T customers.

I don't need the full capability of the iPhone or a data plan. I have GPS turn by turn on my BMW. I have wifi nearly all day/night. I use my iPhone as a camera, videorecorder, gaming device, iPod music and video player, backup phone (especially when I talk to my AT&T friends), and when at wifi, a cable monitor (Slingbox), email, and web viewer. I don't need a $35 data plan and a $40 minimum AT&T phone plan.

YOU CAN SHUT OFF THE DATA/3G IPHONE DATA!!! Go to Settings - turn off Notifications. Go to Settings, then General - turn off location services, turn off enable 3g, turn off data roaming, turn off VPN ? (I don't know what that is).

If AT&T tries to charge $75-$105 per month for using the iPhone, I'll go to TMobile. If TMobile tries the same stunt, I'll just pop out the SIMM card and not use it as a phone. Then it will be an iPod Touch, but with a camera and videorecorder... snicker, snicker!

[missingxtension2]

Genius, now those greedy bastards are trying to hook you in other ways. I guess people don't understand that some smart phones have a nifty wifi built in.

[JeffDS3]

And some don't like the PalmOS Treos.

[RockaTech]

Yeah I have a smartphone without a data plan and whenever I go online I am using wifi. Forcing their customers to get a data plan is just ridiculous. I hope at&t customers do something about it and don't let such a greedy idea go into play.

[Stormspace]

Ha ha! I was looking at getting an LG incite with Wifi only and no data. Called to ask about it and AT&T wouldn't sell it to me with the plan. Asked about data blocking which I've done on my children's phones for years and they told me that they couldn't do that on an iphone or the incite. I call BS! But since we are all at the cell phone co's mercy I ended up with an unlocked W715 from Sony Erricsson and it has wifi and an iPod touch, just wish the browser was better on the W715.

[Stormspace]

*with out*

[ddhboy]

I guess I'm weird, I own a t-mobile dash and don't use the internet on it at all, and thus don't have a data plan. Even if I had an iPhone or a Hero, I probably wouldn't use the data all too much. I suppose when augmented reality apps come down the pipe, then sure, but until then I never saw the need for internet lite when on the go.

[cvaldes1831]

AT&T sucks very large rocks compared to a real telecom company (e.g. NTT DoCoMo).

I'm not even sure why people consider AT&T to be a real corporation. They run the place like a bunch of amateurs.

[chonnom]

yeah NTT, I like paying for my data by increments of 10 seconds rather than volume (megabytes).....not. Granted, Japan has real phones but the service here is REALLY expensive.

[sdipaola]

In fact many smart phone users prefer to use NO DATA plan because they use WIFI and not 3G. If you live on campus or of course at home as well at your job, WIFI is always there - so there are real good reasons to have a smartphone without a data plan. So this is lame forcing the folks to get a 3G account on a crappy network they do not use - and of course WIFI is better than a 3G data plan - because - much, much faster, no evil phone company rules or snooping or screwups - you are off their grid(what does a phone company know about data grids anyway - you can use your isp advanced services - more compatible/reliable with general internet protocols such as gmail/web browser/ftp/youtube/ ....

[texaslabrat]

While I'm no particular fan of AT&T or their business practices...this post just reeks of ignorance. "more compatible"...huh? IP is IP. I use your listed services on my n95 and n800 all the time via 3g. Good luck on using your vaunted WIFI connection outside your campus or home connection unless you want to pay for it by the hour which costs even more than a data plan over the course of a month....even work is not a guarantee (most "grown up" companies don't allow unauthorized devices on their WIFI connection and personal phones are usually in that category). How's that WIFI work for ya on the highway when you are trying to use A-GPS? And as for "what does a phone company know about data grids anyway" ROFL. It's pretty obvious you're clueless to enterprise IT and telecom technology. But yeah, I agree with the overall sentiment that FORCING a data plan is kinda dumb (the customer should know what they need, and if they don't they should ask)...and perhaps warrants at least a cursory examination by the FCC along with the outrageous rates for text messages.

[aka_tripleB]

While sdipaola might be a bit naive in his post, it's not because people need to have a data plan through a cellular network. There are many people who can goes days without an internet connection. So it's not very likely those people aren't likely to be paying over $30 for WiFi access over the course of a month, especially with the number of free WiFi out there. That's also not including the free WiFi hotspots you get through your home ISP. I know sdipaola said "evil phone company," but there are millions of people who have AT&T DSL which give them access to hotspots at all the Starbucks and Barnes & Nobles throughout the country. And people do have dedicated GPS units, which tend to work more reliably when you need to take a call on the road or drive out of cellular coverage. And if you're not paying for the data connection, you can afford after a few of months if you don't already have one. I do see your point that not all companies have a WiFi connection you can use, but if you do work at a company that does, you don't need the cellular connection. That's an argument that depends on your situation.

[texaslabrat]

@aka_tripleB

Never said that all people need one (I actually wen out of my away to agree with the sentiment against at&t forcing this on their customers if you'll remember)...but his post implies that nobody does due to the availability of WIFI. Which is pretty short-sighted for the reasons that I outlined in my previous post.

[kgsbca]

sdipaola makes a good point. I was wondering why anyone would pay extra for a smartphone if they didn't want a data plan, but there are lots of people who are near a wifi network 90% of the time, and can live without internet access on their phone for the remaining 10%. ATT is basically saying they don't want any of those customers. One more example of their incredibly bad management. I just hope that when they start to lose billions, the government doesn't bail them out.

[RobertFHarwood]

I use a HTC Wing (HERA110) on TMobile. No data plan, but I live in a urban area where I can frequently find a open WiFi. Rarely do I need to use WiFi when I am not at home. The only time I needed to use it at work it wasn't a problem because its MAC address is registered with the system, which is what the Access Control List is based on. TexasLaBrat mentioned GPS on the road without a data plan, and I have been doing it for years without a data plan. I have PharosGPS, which I have had since I was using a Philips Nino, and all my maps are loaded on the 8 Gig HCSD, and all of the US and Canada fits in about 2 Gig.

The flip side of WiFI roaming is setting up our own WiFI networks to be open. Many WiFI gateways allow the creation of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). By allowing a open default VPN and a closed VPN for your protechted network. Using a MAC driven access control list you don't have to use encryption and you don't have to login. The physical MAC address of the phone's WiFi rig is like the userid. I do this with my 3Com Wireless Secure Gateway. Another way is to use a seperate Wireless Access Point and setting up a DMZ.

Competition is a wonderful thing. Cooperation is better. By cooperating with each other we can create a available open WiFi network within our areas, similar to when the major carriers weren't very involved with the Internet. I go back to when we were using "Dark Cooper" to internconnect campus LANs. Peering agreements by handshake. We have a opportunity to use multiple wireless access points to create our own wireless Internet with gentlemen's handshake peering agreements. It would compete with carrier network though friendly cooperation. Maybe some of you remember FidoNet. That was another network made up of friendly cooperation. My network would call another network over regular phone lines, usually a local call, and transfer mail and files. Then that network would call another and repeat the process. I have had mail transfer from NJ, USA to NSW, AUS in less then a day this way. The system worked by gentleman's handshake aggreements. I didn't chagre networks calling me and they didn't charge me. For two of the FidoNet technology network that I was part of I was a major regional hub, handling hundreds of thousand messages and over a hundred megabytes of data daily. This in the Eighties with 9600 baud modems.

[texaslabrat]

@ RobertFHarwood

You missed my point regarding A-GPS. I'm not talking about storing maps, I'm talking about using the data network to dramatically speed up your gps fix time.

And as for using your MAC address as a security function in lieu of encryption....ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!! That's just sad. Do a google search on "kismet mac spoofing" and then go configure your access point properly. Seriously....do it right now.

[swenk22]

This is not good for ATT. I would buy an iphone yesterday except for the fact that ATT required iphones to have $30 data plan and I don't need it enough to pay for data plan... I would have used the iphone like my palm was used and w/wifi BUT no go. And now this is extending to all smart phones... not good for business or customer satisfaction!

[texaslabrat]

just means that the unlocked phone market just got a lot more attractive ;)

[ikramerica--2008]

iPhones eat up data, so it's hard not to use a lot of data on them. There are ways to cut down on usage, but that would also mean that while on wifi, you'd have push and such off. They didn't design them with profiles for wifi and 3G, because there was no need for it. So it would be difficult to stay under a low MB limit on an iPhone, and you'd end up paying out the nose for overages.

That said, making the iPhone data $30+messaging while other phones are cheaper is really lame. I doubt Apple is too happy about it, and they would be stupid to re-sign any exclusivity agreement with ATT, because the iPhone becomes more attractive when Apple can pit carriers against each other for better deals for the customers.

[cvaldes1831]

This just reiterates the fact that iPhone service plans are decidedly a better value in countries not named the United States of America.

[scadata]

having an iphone monopoly has giving AT&T a taste for power and now is trying to rule the world

[scadata]

having an iphone monopoly has giving AT&T a taste for power and now is trying to rule the world

[irisfailsafe]

Well I dont like ATT but I have to agre with them on this one, if you only want wifi get an ipod touch or similar, but if you have an smart then you might as well use it, it is like buying a sports car and use it go buy groceries...

[ikramerica--2008]

Everybody has to eat.

[tektaktyks]

and all those lonely housewives at the market...

[ralfthedog]

I drive a very fast sports car. I buy groceries all the time (Just not very many of them).

[Perry_Clease]

Interesting. The story is about AT&T requiring data plans for smart phones and the only model mentioned thus far by the posters is the iPhone. AT&T offer more than a dozen models of smart phones in addition to the iPhone.

[ikramerica--2008]

Yes, but the point is that the iPhone is the only phone where a data plan is required, and people have always complained about it, so it makes sense to talk about it in this context.

I had a semi-smart sony for 2 years before the iPhone, and the $10 data+messaging plan from ATT, and it was really, really, really easy to go over my data limit even on that phone.

ATT says they are doing this to protect customers from overages (as I'm sure they get a lot of complaints when a $100 bill shows up due to overages), and part of me agrees, but part of me says you should be free to be as stupid as you want to be and run up as many overages as you want. When you call to complain, ATT should then offer a suitable data plan and a credit for the overage as a present. but I don't think they should force you.

[lordmorgul]

@ikramerica, no the iPhone is not the only phone where a data plan is required. There have been a few for a good while now; the data plan requirement is tied to the upgrade discounts on the hardware. If you didn't buy the phone full price they would require a data plan along with it... many people got a deal and/or talked their way out of the data plan when buying smartphones though.

[tektaktyks]

its a lie,if u dont have data plan the iphone wont use any data

[Perry_Clease]

"its a lie,if u dont have data plan the iphone wont use any data"

Are "u", telling me that AT&T does NOT sell smart phones other than the iPhone!

[tektaktyks]

dunno,im sure they sell bunch of stupid phones,i can only tell u about the iphone because i got 1.

[RighteousSoutherner]

Yes, I have a Windows Mobile smartphone and I have HUGE data plan with them--$10 extra per month for 5MB. Suits me just fine for email and a little Web browsing and doesn't break the bank.

[gefitz]

I'm in a Wifi cloud about 90% of my day. So paying for a data plan doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense for someone like me.

Another reason I have avoided AT$T like the plague for years.

[tinlizziedl]

Revenue. They need that data plan to pay for all the "free" VoIP calls people are making as more and more VoIP programs come available.

Nobody actually likes to have all their customers hate them, but it costs money to upgrade, pay employees, pay leases, buy equipment. The more money they charge, the more people avoid their service. They are trying to balance on the edge of a sword- charge too much, lose customers, go out of business. Charge not enough, cannot improve services, lose customers, go out of business.

I'll admit- I have a cell that's prolly got more IQ points than I do, and it's on Verizon. They're the only ones that reach me out here. Nearest cell tower is about 10 miles away, with hills and heavy woods between. I have used the web functionality twice, to download an app to save my contact lists, then to upload the lists to their secure store. I'm not paying for a data plan when I don't text and don't surf. Guess I'm a Gibbs at heart...

[Rottenapple83]

I have read many post about this and have seen people cry and moan.. everybody wants to go to verizon or sprint because data is required. news flash! Verizon and sprint do the same thing!!! If you go with sprint or verizon, get a blackberry or PDA device it is mandatory that you have data on there. there is no way around it. This has happen way back in 2008. AT&T just stepped on the bandwagon. But why would you get a PDA phone and not use data?? its pointless... i seen people who have blackberry curves and dont even use data, all they want it for is the full keyboard. so yeah...

So crying about AT&T mandating data... well sprint and verizon has got it beat there cause they been doing it for there data phones.. even U.S. cellular too!!

[chaunceyo]

I think that people are screaming they are gonna go to Verizon and Sprint because... their data service, 3G, is more reliable. If your going to pay for something, at least get your money's worth.

[sgrmba]

Please note that Sprint's voice+data plans are less expensive that AT&T and Verizon so I didn't complain when I moved to Sprint since it felt like a fairer charge. I can only hope they maintain the current pricing structure as it is quite competitive.

[oknow1]

I have a Mobile Multimedia and Messaging phone: Helio Ocean & I do not pay a data plan now own buy Sprint?

[gwailo247]

If you want to beat the plan comparison horse to death again, AT&T's "everything" plan, is "everything" except data. Sprint's is not. Bottom line, you pay $30 a month more for ATT than Sprint. I have a smartphone, I can just get voice, or I can get data too. Its my choice on what I want to do with my phone.

And all the people saying its not about the iPhone, please wake up. Its *all* about the iPhone. If the iPhone was to become open to all carriers, ATT as a company would come to a screeching halt with the overload of people cancelling their service.

This is all about hypocrisy. Apple branded itself as a company that was founded to fight big brother and bring choice and freedom to the people. And now 25 years later they are one of the most controlling companies in the tech market. Yeah, this isn't Apple screwing over consumers, its ATT. Its nice to have a lightning rod like that. "Sorry, we just make the iPhone. Don't blame us for what our valued partner ATT is doing."

And on top of it all, both of them are stating that they're doing this for your own benefit.

[dennisheadley]

I have a Verizon Omnia smartphone and they will not even let you use it without the minimum $29.99/month data plan on your account, and you have to pay for the $45.99/month or so plan if you want to be able to connect to an exchange server for your email.

In addition you have to pay $9.99/month for Verizon Navigator to unlock the GPS that is built into the phone or else it is locked out from functioning. You have to pay $9.99 extra to have visual voicemail. I traded from an LG feature phone with internet access etc. to the Omnia smartphone with visual voicemail, navigator, exchange integration and push email and whatever other options they made me pay for separately that should be included with a "smartphone" plan and my bill went up by about $75.00 - $80.00 over what it was before.

Hopefully if the FCC looks into all these cellular carrier issues they will prohibit carriers from locking out features like the built in GPS on phones unless you pay for extra services. As in their advertisements for the phone they use it as a selling point without revealing that it will not be able to work with Google maps or other location aware programs without you paying for the Turn by turn Navigation software package.

[ralfthedog]

I use Sprint 3G for my laptops and ATT for my iPhone. Until recently the iPhone had places where 3G service bit the big pickle. ATT has been upgrading their towers and now I get far more reliable 3G with ATT than Sprint. When my 2 year Sprint contract is up I will be dropping them for all ATT.

[zephyr4563]

Now instead of getting an occasional "unusually" high bill you'll always get a "usual" high bill. AT&T is looking out for you, everyone hates surprises so they appreciate paying more money for something they don't want or need.

[Dragonfire870]

This is really, really stupid. I don't use the Internet and other apps on my phone, so I don't have a data plan. I also don't have the money to pay an extra $20-$30 a month. I would use it, but I just don't have the money. Doing this to all smartphone customers is a bad move on their part. Another bad thing is that there are very few regular phones available now as everyone moves towards smartphones.

[l-case]

Current smart phones are exempt. There are plenty of other choices if you don't want to pay for or use data.
Iphone and Crackberry require data plans cause without one what have you got? A simple phone that talks. If that is all you need, then don't get a smart phone that has been subsidized buy the phone company.

[tektaktyks]

u get an music/video player,internet tablet that works on free wifi.thats what u get.

[satchev]

I have to agree with Rottenapple83, why in the world would you get a smart phone and not have a data plan or use the data services? If you just want a PDA, then get a freaking PDA and a basic cell phone, problem solved.

If you simply want a full qwerty keyboard, there are several phones available that do not require a PDA data plan, as they are not smart phones. Choosing one of those phone will allow you to either eliminate the data plan, or if you choose to select one, get a MediaNet plan which is only $20/month.

The point of having a smart phone is to be always connected, get your email anywhere, be able to surf the web when you choose, run apps that may use data, and basically just to stay in touch. It is not possible to do any of this consistently without a cellular data plan.

I personally enjoy having a data plan and think it is well worth it when I can check email anywhere, surf the web when I choose, stream media (radio and video's) anywhere that I am without having to hunt down a wi-fi source. At least in my area, AT&T's data service is good. Blanket statments like the one made by chaunceyo about Verizon and Sprints data service being better are just plain mis-informed. No one carrier has "the best" coverage, it is a matter of finding which carrier in your area has the best coverage. Where I live, Sprint SUCKS. I easily get 2mb download speeds on AT&T's network... why would I switch? Add that to the fact that when comparing prices, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all more expensive than AT&T after my company's discount and none of them have the phone I want... it would make no sense.

In the end, it comes down to choosing the best device, plan, and carrier that meets your needs. Griping about a change like this when the majority of the previous posters seem to have no clue about the current requirements, what the new changes mean, or the costs of the data plan, well... that just makes you sound like fools.

[sgrmba]

May I recommend comparing the voice+data plans again. Sprint is cheaper when comparing offerings to Verizon and AT&T. May I also recommend asking the local AT&T wireless store rep what qualifies as a smart phone. I did and their response: 'any phone with a qwerty keyboard' is a smart phone. If they were correct, then new texting phone upgrades or purchases will now require a full data plan versus only having the messaging plan option. As a former customer of 2 of the 3 I became very familiar with their voice+data+text plans. I think it is remarkable what they all offer anyway so if you like to use all services, at least there are great choices in devices and you just have to select the carrier that you feel works best for you. I do, however, appreciate the clarity that Verizon and Sprint have in their terms. No gray area as to what you are signing up for if you want a smart phone.

[zephyr4563]

um no you sound like a fool, a fool who will happily turn over their money to a company for any reason. It's EXTREMELY logical to get a smart phone without a data plan, as long as it has wifi. True, a PDA doesn't require a data plan, but then you also have to carry around a separate cell phone. Why not just have a phone with PDA-like capabilities (namely WIFI). And as an added bonus, if you happen to be somewhere without wifi and it's an emergency and you need access to email, etc, then you can pay for that data usage. It would still be less than the standard data plan cost you would have to pay each month.

Use your noggin.

[celticdreaming00]

Forcing people to purchase additional services that they may or may not need should be illegal. It should be up to the person BUYING the phone to decide if they want the data plan. It should NOT be FORCED down their throats. I wanted to buy the new Samsung Jack for my husband for Christmas. He like the feel of it. He doesn't NEED data plan at this point, but may need it in the next few months. But he needs a new phone NOW. The Jack was perfect for him and he liked it. Until I found out that I HAD to purchase the $30 data plan if I bought the phone. I know he won't be using the net or email for a few months, so WHY should I have to pay for something he won't use now? WHY should I have to buy him one phone to use now, and then in a few months, have to buy one that IS capable of email and internet? Why should I have to be FORCED into purchasing 2 phones in such a short period of time? It is WRONG. I guess I'll hit ebay and see if I can get an unlocked phone from there instead.