AT&T adds 2 GB to tethering plans ahead of Verizon iPhone
Today, AT&T announced it would finally support a wireless hotspot feature -- on the upcoming HTC Inspire 4G phone. The Android phone will be released Feb. 13.
The company will also change its current data allowance to 4GB for customers who pay $45 for data plus tethering.
Previously, the data was capped at 2GB.
So if nothing else, if you're a heavy data user, you can now get a 4GB plan for $45.
Of course, it's natural to assume this is a reaction to Verizon's upcoming iPhone. Thursday morning (2/3) at 3 a.m. current Verizon customers can start to order Apple's phone and everyone else can get one on Thursday Feb. 10.
Verizon stores will open at 7 a.m. and allow lines to form by 5 a.m. on the 10th. The Verizon iPhone will come with unlimited data plan for $30 and WiFi hotspot for an additional $20 per month. That hotspot will have a separate 2GB bucket of data. Go beyond that 2GB bucket and you'll incur an overage fee of $10 per gig.
AT&T stopped unlimited data for its iPhone/smartphone customers, allowing legacy owners to keep the plan but forcing new customers into one of two new options: $25 per month for 2 GB or $15 per month for 200 MB.
AT&T has forced its unlimited legacy customers into the 2GB plan in the past if they wanted to add tethering.
No word on whether AT&T will allow its iPhone customers to use the HotSpot fuctionality, which will be included in the next Apple software update. But iPhone owners who want to tether their device to a single other device could adopt the new plan.
The hotspot feature would theoretically allow multiple devices to get onto the internet with the phone.
The company will also change its current data allowance to 4GB for customers who pay $45 for data plus tethering.
Previously, the data was capped at 2GB.
So if nothing else, if you're a heavy data user, you can now get a 4GB plan for $45.
Of course, it's natural to assume this is a reaction to Verizon's upcoming iPhone. Thursday morning (2/3) at 3 a.m. current Verizon customers can start to order Apple's phone and everyone else can get one on Thursday Feb. 10.
Verizon stores will open at 7 a.m. and allow lines to form by 5 a.m. on the 10th. The Verizon iPhone will come with unlimited data plan for $30 and WiFi hotspot for an additional $20 per month. That hotspot will have a separate 2GB bucket of data. Go beyond that 2GB bucket and you'll incur an overage fee of $10 per gig.
AT&T stopped unlimited data for its iPhone/smartphone customers, allowing legacy owners to keep the plan but forcing new customers into one of two new options: $25 per month for 2 GB or $15 per month for 200 MB.
AT&T has forced its unlimited legacy customers into the 2GB plan in the past if they wanted to add tethering.
No word on whether AT&T will allow its iPhone customers to use the HotSpot fuctionality, which will be included in the next Apple software update. But iPhone owners who want to tether their device to a single other device could adopt the new plan.
The hotspot feature would theoretically allow multiple devices to get onto the internet with the phone.
