dslreports logo
 story category
AT&T Hikes Prices for Grandfathered Unlimited Data Users

You'll recall that back when AT&T and Verizon tried to kill unlimited data and shovel users onto metered plans--they "grandfathered" a select number of customers, letting them remain on the company's older, cheaper unlimited data plans. That said, AT&T routinely tried to do everything in its power to drive those users off those plans, including its 2012 gambit to block Apple's Facetime from working unless those users moved to metered plans, to lying when it was caught throttling users without informing them.

Click for full size
Those plans are notably less relevant since T-Mobile competition forced AT&T and Verizon to bring back unlimited data options. But some of those users remain on grandfathered unlimited data plans that are still better than AT&T's current offerings.

To help "solve" this, AT&T has slowly been raising rates on those users, and did so again this week. MacRumors noticed an announcement over at the AT&T website stating that the company's grandfathered unlimited data users will be seeing an increase from $40 to $45 per month for those lines, in the wake of a late 2016 hike from $35 to $40.

"Consumers are using mobile data at record levels and the trend is expected to continue," AT&T says of the hike. "To help make sure we continue to provide the best service for all of our customers, a small price increase is being made at this time."

"Customers who have a grandfathered $40 data plan will receive notifications of a $5 per month rate increase for the data plan," said AT&T. "The rate increase will take effect starting with the customer’s July, 2018 service."

Users on these grandfathered unlimited data lines will still see reduced speeds if they exceed 22GB of data in a billing cycle and are in a congested area.

Most recommended from 33 comments



Anon5e173
@comcast.net

15 recommendations

Anon5e173

Anon

time to switch

If you have 4 lines then its best to leave ATT and move over to T-mobile. Tmobile have 4line for $140 include tax /netflix, free 1hr GoGO wifi when you fly.
Ostracus
join:2011-09-05
Henderson, KY

12 recommendations

Ostracus

Member

Misdirection.

quote:
Consumers are using mobile data at record levels and the trend is expected to continue
Well, except that the pool of grandfathered customers isn't going to grow, and might shrink just from natural causes. So in the grand scheme of things they'll have little effect. The real reasons in any "follow the money" is that grandfathered doesn't generate as much money as everyone else for the costs given. (articles says as much). So anything that sounds like an implicit "we're doing this for your benefit" should be taken with a large train load of salt.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

10 recommendations

ptrowski

Premium Member

Small increase?

I don't think a 10%+ increase is considered small.

Astyanax
Premium Member
join:2002-11-14
Melbourne, FL

3 recommendations

Astyanax

Premium Member

Sprint!

Sprint is offering $15/month unlimited data when you come from another carrier!