AT&T adds two international data plans for iPhone, still pricey

Following new plans geared to the decidedly less fruity phones in AT&T's lineup earlier this month, the carrier has announced a pair of international data packages geared specifically toward the iPhone and iPhone 3G. The bad news is that they still cost more than the average subscriber's entire monthly bill; the good news, though, is that they should still manage to save globetrotters a buck or two (or a thousand) who insist on keeping data roaming enabled while out in the field. 100MB of global data is going to set you back $119.99 on top of your regular package, while 200MB runs $199.99 -- certainly not enough to go crazy in the App Store, but probably enough of a meager allowance to take care of email and stay on the grid. The new plans are available starting tomorrow.

[Marq @ Aug 26th 2008 12:00PM]

AT&T is smoking crack.

[tom @ Aug 26th 2008 12:12PM]

That's why I fully endorse Jailbreak! An effort to defeat large corporation from levying ridiculous roaming charges

[Kris @ Aug 26th 2008 12:18PM]

.... because jail breaking your iPhone gives you free data roaming in other countries?

[Rich @ Aug 26th 2008 12:20PM]

An unlocked phone allows you to pop in a local SIM card. You can get unlimited data on pre-pay SIMs for around $2 a day in Europe.

[phanbouy @ Aug 26th 2008 12:23PM]

AT&T makes me wanna smoke crack
Fly out of the window and I'm never coming back

[Flashpoint @ Aug 26th 2008 12:25PM]

And I just read a spot on Yahoo Tech talking about how poorly 3G is doing in parts of America and parts of Australia.

These plans are crap.

compare this broadband for phone to my FIOS for $80 per month.

[xcrunk @ Aug 26th 2008 12:30PM]

And my time is a piece of wax falling on a termite
And it's choking on the splinters

[ralphie @ Aug 26th 2008 12:51PM]

You butchered a Fartworthy Beck tune.

[phanbouy @ Aug 26th 2008 3:29PM]

ralphie, the only thing worthy of a fart is your face. just wait there, i had pinto beans for lunch.

[xcrunk @ Aug 26th 2008 12:07PM]

Sheeples, don't do it!!

Vote with your wallets and send a message to Apple and AT&T.

[Wicker24 @ Aug 26th 2008 12:16PM]

While I do agree with you, I am sure that people will respond better if you didn't call them "Sheeple"

Just saying.

[heffeque @ Aug 26th 2008 6:39PM]

We need easier to find free-wifi. There is all around the (first)world, but it's not easy to find sometimes. Free wifi access points = no need for these crazy international data plans.

[kurt.tappe @ Aug 26th 2008 12:13PM]

I tried last month to sign up for their simple, one-time international data roaming plan for my trip to Europe. The hoops AT&T wanted me to jump thru were amazing--fax them copies of my driver's license, passport, utility bills, etc. They refused to just add the $25 fee to my bill or even to put it on my credit card. "We don't know if you're who you say you are," they told me. I offered any info they'd been given at the time I got my iPhone (SS#, mother's maiden name, credit card #, etc.) "I don't want that info, sir" the surly rep. said. So I told them to shove their data plan and I un-SIM-chipped my iPhone while in Europe. If they wanted to make me dance for a mere $25, imagine what they'll make you do for $200. Probably something to do with signing over your firstborn....

[Kris @ Aug 26th 2008 12:20PM]

Why would you give a cell phone company all of that information?

[JerryA @ Aug 26th 2008 12:57PM]

@Kris: It's AT&T. They already know all that stuff anyway.

[avester @ Aug 26th 2008 1:00PM]

Probably since those things might be necessary for fraud prevention, operators aren't those evil mass corporations who have sharks with friggin laser beams on their heads trying to kill you.

[Scott @ Aug 26th 2008 3:02PM]

Can someone give me advice on this? I am going to Japan for 10 days next month on my honeymoon. I would love to be able to have access to the 3G network on my iPhone. Is buying one of these new plans the only option or do they have more limited plans since I'll only be there for 10 days?

I'm not opposed to jailbreaking, but can I revert it back easily assuming I want to? What happens to my purchased content?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[Bootes @ Aug 26th 2008 4:11PM]

Just restore to revert it, although I don't see why you would want to. Everything works the same, all your paid content still works.

[Samurai Jack @ Aug 26th 2008 12:16PM]

Who needs this when you only have to search out a wi-fi hotspot?

[Ashwin @ Aug 26th 2008 12:18PM]

There aren't as many WiFi hotspots in Europe as in the US. That's why the carriers also made a big deal out of the fact that the original iPhone lacked 3G.

[inteller @ Aug 26th 2008 12:19PM]

yes, considering that wi-fi spots are pretty plentiful overseas.

[Samurai Jack @ Aug 26th 2008 12:34PM]

Europe isn't the only place people travel to from the US you know. For example, AT&T's extortion includes Canada and they're not particularly wi-fi challenged.

[avester @ Aug 26th 2008 1:14PM]

Finding open hotspots might be a bit harder.

And USA+Canada isn't that big part of the world, Australia, Europe, Russia, China, Japan, they aren't so WiFi friendly?

And the convinience of having fast 3G connections everywhere, without (that much) fear of someone tapping your WiFi is much bigger than the one of searching for a hotspot somewhere.

But that price is scary, why not just buy local SIM cards for the needs of data, if you seriously need it.

[inteller @ Aug 26th 2008 3:30PM]

My trip to Asia 3 years ago revealed tons of wifi spots (Hong Kong, Singapore). Really, using WiFi for connectivity is not that big of a deal. The only problem will arise if you are in a car or train and you want to do some browsing.

[haX0r @ Aug 26th 2008 12:31PM]

yep, still pricey.

[Jeremy K. @ Aug 26th 2008 12:39PM]

It's pricey, but not that bad considering how much it would be without a plan. T-Mobile charges $0.015 per KB overseas, making 100MB cost over $1500.

[tom @ Aug 26th 2008 12:48PM]

Rogers (Canada) charges us 5cents / kb - 100 MB cost $5000

Take THAT!

[rahul @ Aug 26th 2008 12:50PM]

that would be $ 1.50 not $1500

[tom @ Aug 26th 2008 12:56PM]

FYI

1MB has 1000 KB

100 MB has 100,000 KB

100,000 KB x $0.015 = $1500

[Machu @ Aug 26th 2008 1:01PM]

@tom

THAT made me laugh.....on Rogers my self they just continously rape us.....what ya gunna do....Fido? OHHH right, their Rogers too....

[air12ick @ Aug 26th 2008 2:05PM]

Also, people have to keep in mind, in the US, because of the subsidized model, it was viable for the cell carriers to deploy massive amounts of cell towers along with expanding the network's capacity. Internationally, cell phone consumers usually are pay per use, resulting in an ungauranteed stream of income. So international carriers have to build according to their current revenue, resulting in an more expensive offering. Most likely, because AT&T is dealing with more expensive networks, the more they have to charge the US consumer for overseas data connection. So, honestly, we should not be blaming AT&T but the international carriers for charging so much just to access the internet.

[Vagrant @ Aug 26th 2008 1:40PM]

SIM rental from Softbank in Japan is quite reasonable, but data charges are unreasonable.

Cost: ¥0.32 per 128B
Thus 1MB = ¥2500
100MB = ¥250000 (About $2,300.00 USD)
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/price/index.php

[Brian @ Aug 26th 2008 1:24PM]

This is why Blackberry will always exist, crap like this. AT&T offers a $65 unlimited International data plan for Blackberry while they charge twice as much for a "limited" plan. See for yourself. http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/popup/dataconnect-comp-table.jsp#blackberry Scroll down to international plans.

[Jimbeam @ Aug 26th 2008 1:24PM]

Unlock the god damn phone you greedy assholes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Slocko @ Aug 26th 2008 1:29PM]

With those prices, you are better off either jailbreaking your phone, or buying an unlocked one in Europe if you are going to be there an extended period of time.

[Justfine @ Aug 26th 2008 3:44PM]

Having just spent a year travelling in Europe, I can assure you that wifi hotspots are not plentiful and rates can be quite high. Try $5 an hour and more. I have 3 SIM cards (plus ATT) and an unlocked quad-band Samsung. Local calls (country specific) average about $0.25 per minute, but there are NO charges for incoming calls. Texting is rampant as it's far, far cheaper and again NO incoming charges.

What happened to ATT offering free ATT HotSpots to iPhone subscribers? Anybody know? It was announced, withdrawn, announced again and withdrawn again. All before the 3G went on sale. They operate 1000's of WiFi spots, including Starbucks.

[Sarig @ Aug 26th 2008 6:59PM]

You mean to say you pay for incoming texts and calls in the US? o.O

Wtf.

[Gregg Marshall @ Aug 26th 2008 3:54PM]

The data plans are still confusing to non-technical users...

I had a 79 year old friend get a new iPhone (1st generation) and go overseas...

$1,627.03!!!

Full details are at http://www.attscrewedhim.com

[corncobb @ Aug 26th 2008 11:27PM]

T-Mobile offers an international BB plan for $19.99 (although you must have a domestic plan too, which runs $19.99 too)

[Nightmare @ Aug 27th 2008 1:46AM]

Check please.

[Canadian @ Aug 27th 2008 4:51PM]

Some people think that paying a $120 for 100 MB of data INTERNATIONALLY is too much......in third world countries, such as CANADA, it costs a $100 for a mere 2MB of data LOCALLY.

Ahhh....some people!

[Claudius @ Sep 1st 2008 3:46AM]

Guys, forget about AT&T and get a 3G unlock card. They work. I know. I'm the guy making a living out of selling them :)

I'm the guy at the bottom of this list:

http://www.universal-sim.org/?page_id=8

This card has no known issues. And you get software updates.

Seriously. AT&T? Huh.