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AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited

By | August 18, 2011, 10:20am PDT

Summary: Calling the move a “streamlining” of its texting plans, AT&T’s changes are hardly a deal for its customers.

AT&T is making some big changes to its texting plans for new customers. And you won’t like them.

It begins with a jettisoning of its $10 texting plan, which offered users a thousand texts a month for a flat price. In its place, AT&T is offering new customers two alternatives: a $20 (or $30 for families) unlimited texting plan or a pay-per-text plan. Neither is a particularly good deal.

But the move is probably the biggest issue for the average texter. Not prone to texting enough to justify an unlimited plan, these middle-of-the-road customers text often enough that paying 20 cents per message isn’t the best option either.

The changes begin August 21st, so if you were some reason planning to become an AT&T subscriber, you may get on that soon to lock yourself into the old plans.

[Engadget]

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Customer, AT&T Corp., Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.

Disclosure

Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton has no investments that may conflict with his work with ZDNet. Similarly, he has not worked with any companies that he may write about in his technology coverage.

Biography

Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications. He lives in New York, and is a graduate of Amherst College.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
non-biased 29th Aug
@michaellashinsky@... I agree that they shouldn't charge as much as they do but do you honestly believe that providing texting service costs the providers nothing at all?
View in thread
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Cricket: $55 per month unlimited everything.
ye 18th Aug
Been using Cricket for years and have been very pleased with them.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
brianbigel 19th Aug
@ye I've been with Cricket for years also, love the service. Really crappy customer service if you have to call the 800 number though so I've begun going to the nearest store to take care of whatever I need to.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
BillDem 19th Aug
@ye What underlying network does Cricket operate on?
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
KenoshaSysAdmin 18th Aug
They charge .30 per text btw. I'll be switching to verizon soon.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
patrick.spike@... 19th Aug
@KenoshaSysAdmin I believe it's still $.20/text, but I could be wrong.

I've actually never had any major issues with AT&T and their customer service has been great to me. I misunderstood some options when traveling out of the country and racked up a HUGE bill. They sent me a text to contact them based on going over my data plan. That's how I found out. They worked with me to retroactively change my options for a month to cover the overage and reduce the bill by to about 1/5th. I was very happy.

My BIG issue with Verizon - can't talk and use data at same time. This is a HUGE deal breaker for me. I frequently am talking and looking up something on my iphone, or using a map or GPS, etc, etc.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
YetAnotherBob Updated - 21st Aug
@patrick.spike@...

Talking while doing something else at the same time is not hard on the Droid with Verizon Wireless. It may be that you just have the wrong phone.

I do it all the time. Getting directions to a friends house for instance, or adding someone's details to the directory while talking to them.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ScorpioBlue 19th Aug
They charge .30 per text btw. I'll be switching to verizon soon.

Good luck. They'll be nickle 'n dimeing you too.

lol...
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
OurNewz 19th Aug
@KenoshaSysAdmin. If you don't "need" Verizon's coverage, SHOP AROUND. Verizon is constantly eliminating or reducing items that are available under the cost of the plan. i.e. contact back up used to be free, now they push you into a data pack addition even for feature phones that don't have a screen suitable for internet viewing. They changed the amount of numbers you can block to 5, if you need to block more they do it for a fee (Sprint still allows 50 blocks for $0). Those are the two recent changes that come to mind, I know there are more. Verizon plans are NOT competitive in comparison to other providers, do a side by side of minutes and the overage costs. Also check to see if the provider has "buckets of minutes" available for you to purchase. Sprint has buckets of minutes you can purchase $5/100, $10/200, $15/300, $20/400 and they will allow a ONE TIME bucket purchase of 599 mins for $25.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@OurNewz

There is an anti-price war going on. In a price war, companies increase services and cut prices to gain customers. The wireless phone companies and Internet Providers are all cutting services and raising prices. It is safe enough for them to do it as long as they all do it, because then we have no real options. God! We need some real competition in the USA!

Maybe we should rename this country to the United Corporations of America!
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
emiliosic 18th Aug
Test messaging used to cost $ 0.10 when it was Cingular
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ashdude 18th Aug
@emiliosic I loved Cingular, but I hate AT&T.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
BillDem 19th Aug
@ashdude Ditto. Cingular was great. AT&T ruined it. T-Mobile customers should be afraid... very afraid...
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
non-biased 29th Aug
@ashdude I had FAR more problems with Cingular such as them calling every single month asking when I was paying my bill. When I would telling them I already had and they confirmed that they would ask when I was paying this months bill. Of course this call always came a good week or more before I ever received the bill to even be able to pay it so would have to tell them not until I receive it.

We have unlimited family but I though the $10 plan only included 250 message, not 1K.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... Updated - 25th Aug
@emiliosic

Text messaging should be a free service with your phone plan. The bandwidth used in texting fits inside the packets going to and from the cell towers keeping you connected anyway. (That is why they are only 160 characters.) The cost per text is $0.00 to provide. They are already getting your monthly fee for service. $10 extra a month for something that costs them nothing is not enough, so now they want $20 a month extra. Greedy bastards!

By the way, I use Immix, and I have unlimited texting as part of the basic rate. We need more small companies that are trying to compete, not more nation wide monopolies.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
non-biased 29th Aug
@michaellashinsky@... I agree that they shouldn't charge as much as they do but do you honestly believe that providing texting service costs the providers nothing at all?
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What about spam text messages, and cost per text
ken325 18th Aug
I get about 10 spam text messages a week. You can block individual cell numbers or all text sent by email. I put up with the spam from email so I can get stock alerts and flight information. What are my options if it is pay per text?

Anouther question is what does it cost AT&T to send text messages? As I understand it this is already very profitable with very low cost for the carrier. Is this just exploaiting your coustomers? This is a big reason not to renew when my contract is up.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
patrick.spike@... 19th Aug
@ken325 I searched AT&T's site regarding spam texts and found they provide a number to forward spam text to them for them to investigate. This only applies to texts with a full 10 digit standard phone number. Forward the text message to 7726. You'll then get an automatic response requesting you send the 10 digit phone number. Then you'll get a thank you confirmation. I've been doing this on every one I received.

Note that any texts you receive that have the shortened text number can just be replied to with STOP and you should no longer receive them.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ScorpioBlue 19th Aug
@patrick.spike@...
Sounds like a lot of trouble to go through. The best solution would be to have a system like Europe where you only pay for outgoing texts. I refuse to pay for spam coming to my phone so I've blocked all texting anyway.

Only an idiot would pay for spam. The telephone companies are hoping you are.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
OurNewz 19th Aug
@ken325 Are you getting those text messages through a "premium" text service for a monthly fee? If you are find out what their web site is and see if you can "uncheck" allowing 3rd party messages. You can also scour the internet and look for flight information services that DO NOT allow 3rd party spams. Stock alerts...same thing.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
dealer27 18th Aug
I have 2 iPhones on a family plan and switched to the $30 plan a couple of months ago rather than two $10 plans. Since you get unlimited calls to and from any domestic cell phones I was able to drop from a 1400min plan to 700mins since the majority of our calls are to other mobile phones. I actually saved money with the switch. In addition you get unlimited text, pictures, video and IM. Had Verizon for 6 yrs and they are not that great either.
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PlatinumTel 2 cent text
doctordawg 18th Aug
Pay as you go. 2 cents per message. 5 cents per minute. Do the math.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
wilmerlong@... 19th Aug
I think it stinks. All they want is more money. Why should a phone plan cost $40 after your 2 year agreement is up. I paid for the phone. I don't text that much either. It's all a ripoff. I have been a customer for 20 years I get nothing for being loyal. I think its time to switch.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@wilmerlong@...

What good is switching if they all have the same bad deals?
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what options are there for iPhone
mmuha@... 19th Aug
My wife & I both have iPhones and love them, but don't like ATT and have also heard bad things about Verizon. So what choice do we have?
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
PollyProteus 19th Aug
@mmuha@...

If you want to continue to use iPhones in accordance with Apple's plans and use the Apple App Store, currently there's no other options.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ITOdeed 19th Aug
Aaah... the insatiable greed of AT&T and Verizon. They sure can be creative to provide more greed for themselves.
AT&T definition of integrity: Greed is good.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
Kaizn 19th Aug
Stop paying for text messaging and text free with Google voice. Install Google voice on your phone (make sure you have data plan) and sent text directly to your contacts from your phone. I've stopped paying any carrier for text messages long ago.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@Kaizn

Data plans are also a tremendous ripoff! That is one reason I am still using my Razr phone. It has much less features that cost money to use, but it is still a good phone. (And it has outlived the Nokia POS that was it's replacement.)
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
JNSunday@... 19th Aug
I hope they triple their rates... then maybe drivers will cancel their cell phone plans and stop texting while driving!
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ScorpioBlue 19th Aug
@JNSunday@...

Not a bad idea at all. Maybe kill all those phone glows in movie theaters too.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@ScorpioBlue and @JNSunday,

You cannot kill stupidity and/or rudeness and bad behavior. Let's hope that when these idiots kill themselves they do not take any innocent lives with them.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
toddedens 19th Aug
Its called google voice, sign up for the free number and text away using your mobile internet. At a few kilobits per text message you will never put a real dent in your data plan. Since I rarely make phone calls, I combined an iPod touch 4g with a Cricket wireless internet device. Add Skype and Google voice to that and you can text and make outgoing phone calls for $43 dollars a month.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
HackerJ 19th Aug
It is hard to believe anyone puts up w/ ATT if they don't have to (i.e. only ATT covers their area). No more exclusive on the fruity-themed Iphone toy, even the Apple fanbois can bail on them now.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
grovak 19th Aug
The ironic thing is that text messaging probably uses the very least bandwith of any communication. How many 100-character text messages does it take to equal the data carried in a 5 minute conversation? Simply a matter of what the market will bear, not of the cost to provide the service.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
ScorpioBlue 19th Aug
It's called greed, dude.

GREED.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@grovak

It doesn't cost them anything at all. A text message is limited to 160 characters because that fits within the carrier signal going to and from the cell towers keeping you connected. They are already using the bandwidth just having your phone turned on and idle. The texts cost nothing to the cell providers!
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
bpollock@... 19th Aug
The first thing they better do is get their cell phone environment working correctly... Mine is actually getting worse and my contract is coming up. After years with them, I'm leaving... it can't get any worse...
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Switch to a smartphone and install WhatsApp
MrElectrifyer 20th Aug
Forget about carrier text plans; if you have a smartphone (iOS, Droid, BB), you should have a data plan as well, if you didn't just buy one for the sake of having one silly

With a data plan, you can simply use the multi-platform app known as WhatsApp to for all your texting desires. As for your grandpas who don't use smartphones, the pay as you text plan is good enough (assuming they know how to text wink )
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
Mr. Science 21st Aug
A friend turned me onto the plan that one can buy at Walmart called Straight Talk. $45 per month. You get unlimited everything. They have a lot of phones to choose from and if ya wanna ever take a break from them, no penalties and you can start it up whenever. One has to buy the phone (one time charge). Beats whatever Verizon had going (who, by the way, is the subcarrier for Straight Talk (?)) This service works great here in ho dunk Montana.
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
michaellashinsky@... 25th Aug
@Mr. Science

Here in Reading PA, I use Immix, a small local company. Plans start at $30 a month for 500 min with unlimited texting. They contacted me 6 months before my contract was up and reduced my rate to $25 a month for the same plan just to make sure I don't leave. Small companies will compete for your business! Anytime you can avoid doing business with the major greed conglomerates, AVOID IT!
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RE: AT&T to axe $10 texting plan, pushing new customers to go unlimited
kfessler1@... 23rd Aug
Straight Talk - $45/mo, unlimited.

If you dont need a super fancy phone, why pay the big corporations the big bucks? Their rates are rediculous.

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