AT&T to require smartphone data plans starting September 6th
AT&T subscribers, we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that as of September 6th, AT&T will begin requiring that all smartphones sign up for a smartphone data plan. The good news is that customers with smartphones purchased prior to September 6th with non-smartphone data plans will be grandfathered in and will not have to upgrade their current plans. Note that if you currently use a feature phone with a data plan and you upgrade to a smartphone on or after September 6th, you will not be able to keep your current MediaNet plan.
We’ve been hearing rumblings to this effect for a few weeks now but as of this morning it’s 100% confirmed thanks to an internal email from one of our ninjas. AT&T’s claimed reasoning behind the move: to ensure customers receive a predictable bill each month. Mmm hmm. Note that this only applies to smartphones purchased from AT&T or a dealer of course, so those of you who opt for unlocked handsets should be unaffected. Hit the jump for the internal email circulated today at AT&T.
Beginning September 6, 2009, customers who activate or upgrade to a Smartphone will need to sign up for an appropriate data plan. Existing Smartphone customers active prior to September 6, 2009 will be grandfathered and exempt from the new policy.
Why we are making this change?
We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their Smartphones. A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, 2009 Smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do. Data plans let customers fully utilize their device, without the worry of bill shock.How we will ensure an extraordinary customer experience?
The sales representative is the customer’s expert resource in helping select the right device for their needs. When a customer does not want a data plan, we will position other devices in our industry leading portfolio for the customer to choose from, as many devices do not require a data plan.Action Required:
Sales Managers will review the Know the Facts, Job Aid, and FAQs (found under Related Links) with their sales teams and ensure all sales representatives fully understand the new policy and how to position the Smartphone data requirement to customers. A Sales Coaching Session will be available on September 5, 2009 (document to be distributed in advance).
BTW getting and unlocked phone won’t save you.
The moment they detect a smartphone they charge you the data plan. And if you have an phone that was grandfathered in and something happens and you get the SAME data phone and put your old chip in.. you also get charge for the data plan cause they detect the new IMEI.
out of curiosity..how do you know this
umm sounds like he is either a troll or probably part of atts master grand scheme….of corporate dominiation….
but he is slightly incorrect tho…att will know if you put in your sim to another phone, but they do not care as att does not have the resources to make sure everybody is using their phone properly…..here is what i did to remove my data plan…the other day when i upgraded…
1 I put my sim into another non smartphone and called/chatted with att…
2 I told att that my smartphone is going to be sold to someone else….and that I do not want the data plan on my nonsmartphone…
3 they told me to switch back to the old phone and they turned off my data plan…viola! no data plan!
Hate to break it to you. I purchased a BlackJack II for my son because he thought the phone was cool and he had a Razr before.
Once At&t detected the Blackjack II, they added the $30.00/month data plan. We have to call customer service to cancel the plan. For now, it is cancelled, but if the Blackjack II is used again, then they would still charge us for the data plan. Since At&t can tell what type of phone you are using, you will have to stay away from the smart phones or you will be charged.
Yea I called att customer service and they told something similar.
I should have the right to use whatever device I want to use the SERVICE I CHOOSE to have. If I only have a voice plan, I should be able to call them and tell them I DO NOT WANT A DATA PLAN: DISABLE ALL POSSIBLE DATA TRAFFIC FROM MY PHONE. That is exactly what I have done for the last couple of years. I use my smart phone for smart purposes only. I do not consider the ability to connect to their slow a$$ network a smart feature. If they are going to force me to have a data plan instead of just disabling the data traffic like they have in the past; that seems to me that they care more about their bottom line than my satisfaction. I call this:
1- A privacy violation for even knowing what device I have and using that information against me.
2- Extortion, for forcing me to pay for something I do not want.
Oh boy I feel a lawsuit is coming!