AT&T introduces new international data plans, raises minimum plan to $30 for 120MB

[CA]

[top]AT&T introduces new international data plans, raises minimum plan to $30 for 120MB

AT&T is following Verizon's update to international data plan rates, and has announced that AT&T customers will be able to choose between three new plans starting June 1st. AT&T will offer monthly plans starting at 120MB for $30 a month, moving up to 300MB for $60, and 800MB for $120 — with any overages automatically triggering an additional 120MB for $30 (AT&T previously charged $10 for every 10MB over the limit). AT&T's new plans raise the minimum monthly cost by about $5, with the previous low-end plan offering 50MB for $24.99 a month. While the minimum plan price and overage charge has increased, the plans are far more affordable overall on a cost-per-MB basis.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/31/30...a-plan-refresh

I'm looking right now to see if this is a dupe.

[efparri]

Here is AT&T's press release:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pi...sumer|wireless

[mrcamp]

It's getting better

[Jags4186]

AT&T already had by far the best international data plans for non-extended trips--I.E. prorated charges, but not prorated data usage. I was in Jamaica for 1 week and received a full 800mb of data for about $50 ($200/30 days(1 month) * 7 days away = $46.66 I hope someone soon can test this here to see if this is still the case, otherwise things didn't really get better.

[quagmire]

AT&T already had by far the best international data plans for non-extended trips--I.E. prorated charges, but not prorated data usage. I was in Jamaica for 1 week and received a full 800mb of data for about $50 ($200/30 days(1 month) * 7 days away = $46.66 I hope someone soon can test this here to see if this is still the case, otherwise things didn't really get better.

In OLAM it now says "ONE MONTH MINIMUM REQUIRED".

[mrcamp]

I am not surprised. I've always believed the part about the charges being prorated, and the allotted data not being prorated was an error in their system. That stipulation of a "one month minimum" will certainly take care of that.

In OLAM it now says "ONE MONTH MINIMUM REQUIRED".

[awj223]

I am not surprised. I've always believed the part about the charges being prorated, and the allotted data not being prorated was an error in their system. That stipulation of a "one month minimum" will certainly take care of that.

Why not just (gasp) make the data prorated as well as the charges? For example if you're on the 800MB plan, you get about 26.7MB/day. Once you switch to another plan (say the 200 MB), then two things happen:
1. All data from that point is treated as if you're getting 6.67MB/day
2. Any usage over 26.7MB/day up until that point, is charged as overage

This is always the way I've assumed it worked. I'd add a larger plan at the beginning of my trip. If my usage was significantly under that, I'd switch to a smaller plan half way through. If my usage exceeded the daily rate of the smaller plan, I'd simply leave the smaller plan on the account for a few days after getting home.

[GSMinCT]

Why not just (gasp) make the data prorated as well as the charges? For example if you're on the 800MB plan, you get about 26.7MB/day. Once you switch to another plan (say the 200 MB), then two things happen:
1. All data from that point is treated as if you're getting 6.67MB/day
2. Any usage over 26.7MB/day up until that point, is charged as overage

This is always the way I've assumed it worked. I'd add a larger plan at the beginning of my trip. If my usage was significantly under that, I'd switch to a smaller plan half way through. If my usage exceeded the daily rate of the smaller plan, I'd simply leave the smaller plan on the account for a few days after getting home.

That's not complicated or anything. Maybe they could just sell chunks of data for X price for XMB and let it last, say 12 months? That would be the most consumer friendly. And you'd just text in for that MB, and when you hit the limit, it would shut off, and the system would text you asking you if you want to buy another block. Other countries do it that way domestically, but I guess it's just too fair for US carriers to do.

[goestoeleven]

nothing beats the unlimited domestic/international data plan for $64.99 though (minus discount!)

[skippinjack]

nothing beats the unlimited domestic/international data plan for $64.99 though (minus discount!)

This.

[technoevil]

Just in time for me! I am leaving for London Sunday and now it will be slightly cheaper.

[GSMinCT]

This is good progress, it seems like they responded to Verizon's $25/100MB plan. They are getting close to the point where it's not worth getting an XCOM or local SIM, although in principle, roaming anywhere on the globe should be free or very cheap for postpaid subscribers.

[johnhere]

They should at least include a certain amount that comes with postpaid for the prices people pay.

[GSMinCT]

They should at least include a certain amount that comes with postpaid for the prices people pay.

Certainly it shouldn't be unlimited, but it should just count against domestic, with maybe only 1/2 or 1/4 allowed internationally (so if 1/2 was allowed globally and you had a 2GB plan and used 4GB, you would be charged for 8GB, and have 4GB as freebie back in the US). Either that or a low per-use rate of maybe $.01-$.05/MB AT MOST would be fair.

[Jags4186]

One month minimum required=these new plans suck. Only good if you go away for extended (greater than 2 weeks time) or go over 800mb on the trip.