http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 12:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
+1]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
+1

The notion that they're even discussing this at AT&T makes me want to leave.]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 1:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
How about letting people CANCEL their data plans???? If they don't want data, don't make them buy it. Some people have no need for data due to Wi-Fi access being readily available - or they just don't think an extra $XX is worth it for data. Give them the CHOICE. Imagine the weight that would be lifted off the network with that option.]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
If you aren't using your data plan they don't care, you are money to them. Why would they care if you are not using the plan and paying for it....CHA CHING....]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
Bastards.]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
I don't think that would work. If people are paying for a data plan and don't use it, they probably aren't using much data now. If they ARE using data now because they're figuring they might as well use it if they're going to be forced into paying for it, then I think a good chunk of those people will probably get hooked and decide to keep the data plan for the convenience even if it became optional.

And hey, maybe that's exactly what AT&T is hoping for with forced data plans....]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
The people who don't use data heavily are the ones AT&T want on their service, they pay for something they dont use and would be the first to drop the data service!! What AT&T would like is for those using data heavily to drop their data service, which isn't likely to happen.

Btw engadget, this comment system is garbage, the SUBMIT/POST button is missing when using IE8. Fix your system, for all the negative stories you post on other companies you have alot of house cleaning to do on your own front, and by alot I mean A LOTTTT!]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
How about just having Fake Steve Jobs talk to them:

http://www.fakesteve.net/2009/12/a-not-so-brief-chat-with-randall-stephenson-of-att.html

(Really, this is the best editorial out there on this topic. You will laugh and cry.)]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
YES! Finally! that link was down everywhere I tried]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/By dream plan would be a prepaid thing like Tmobiles sidekick prepaid, where you pay a dollar a day only when you use it for unlimited data & texting, and then if you ever have to call someone for some reason it's like 15cents a minute. But you can only use that with sidekicks, which suck.]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
IE 8? You've got more problems than just ATT my friend...]]>Dec 17th 2009 1:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
Sorry I'm not jumping on the use firefox because it's cool bandwagon that many of the zombies on the internet do. IE8 works perfectly fine. It's the inability of website owners to code their websites properly:

http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engadget.com&charset=%28detect+automatically%29&doctype=Inline&group=0

Before engadget or another of you zombies blame IE how about fixing the problem on your website? 993 errors and 48 warnings with the w3c validator..

It's not IE or Firefox thats the problem it's the websites that are completely coded like crap. I've coded for all browsers and it's not that difficult to code for them all and follow the w3c exactly, instead of trying to make some fancy looking website that looks like garbage anyway get your basics right first. A form with a missing submit button is a basic.]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
But I liked the last paragraph best, where AT&T says "...when you run the numbers what you find is that we’re actually better off running a s***** network than making the investment to build a good one. It’s just numbers, Steve..."

classic.]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
If AT&T were a car I would light it on fire and push it off a cliff.]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
I agree 100%!!! I'm in the IT industry and I'm near WiFi all day long. I'd love it if the carriers would allow you elect for no data plans. ]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Yeah, but when LTE shows up, with iPhone-type devices for Verizon, the defectors from AT$T would be legion. 3G crawl-out, embarrassing service, semi-messaging capabilities, and lack of insurance options have taken a toll...]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
I've had a smartphone with AT&T in some form for three phone generations now, and for over four years. You know how much data (counting text messages, of which I also don't have a plan) I have used since then? I don't keep track, but it has to be somewhere around 5-10MB. (have to text the few people that REFUSE to contact me any other way)

So why should I have to pay for a data plan? I have NO intention of ever using the data, though if I have to get a data plan, that will obviously change...only adding to their current problem. I actually have a big decision to make in a few months when my contract is up. I was happy enough using AT&T for phone services and the phone for non-Internet-related smartphone purposes, but now that there are no major service providers left that will let me forgo a data plan, I'm going to have to decide which one has the best data network.

I don't know which one that is yet...but I'm pretty sure I can tell you which one it ISN'T...]]>Dec 17th 2009 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
http://operationchokehold.com/

Join the cause!]]>Dec 17th 2009 3:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
This is Apple's fault, in a way

I'm seeing many comments here of people who don't want data plans at all. This will not happen with the iPhone because of Apple. This was one of their requirements when they gave AT&T exclusivity, they had to require a data plan for all phone contracts. If AT&T had not agreed to force everyone into an unlimited data plan, I'm sure we would see dataplan-less iPhones]]>Dec 17th 2009 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
I am a heavy data user - but I don't want to be. If they are going to make me fork out $30 then I'm going to take full advantage of it. I currently have my data blocked and no data plan, because the price my wife and I pay to check our email in the checkout line is a bit steep (for us, not for everyone). We really enjoy our iPhones for the calendar, camera, iPod and phone rolled into one slick package. None of which require data, but all sync back to our Mac.]]>Dec 17th 2009 3:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
sorry to say but you would have a valid point if at least microsoft or the microsoft IE8 homepage passed that test but quite frankly, mozilla.com (PASSED!) and firefox.com (1 error) are much better off on that w3c validator...]]>Dec 17th 2009 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 4:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Go with T-mobile. You can get even more plus for cheaper than most other companies and use the money you will save over 2 years to buy an unsubsidized phone. Plus there is no contract.]]>Dec 17th 2009 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
Don't like it ? Take a hike
]]>Dec 17th 2009 4:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/If people don't need 3G data but are paying for it then they are tilting the scale in Att's favor (i.e. less likely to use it but are paying the same as anyone else).

It's the people that really need 3G data (and thus are more likely to hit the network hard) that are their problem.

Their business model assumes a bunch of people are paying and hardly using it, as all cellular business models do.]]>Dec 17th 2009 4:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
sad and devious. as ridiculous as text message pricing. when I AM paying for the data plan, I am one of those power users (purchasing iTunes songs, browsing YouTube, Facebook photos, Google maps like crazy, emailing photos, video, etc). When my data is blocked - I really don't miss it.]]>Dec 17th 2009 4:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/1) It would save the customer money.
2) It would ease the burden on the network.
How about that, "2 Birds, 1 Stone", Now SLAP IT HIGH!! ;^)...]]>Dec 17th 2009 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
I'm sure if AT&T makes a change they will try to say it's a "new" plan with an increased price, the old plan still has the same price. Whatever their excuse will be I'm sure they'll get it correct legally, because it's worth millions.

I so hope that government tells these companies they cannot have ETFs anymore.]]>Dec 17th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Run the Acid3 test on your beloved IE8 and get back to me.
http://acid3.acidtests.org/]]>Dec 17th 2009 6:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 6:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
All you have to do is call them and give them the imei number of a different GSM phone, saying that your iphone got water damage (so they dont try to fix it). Then hang up, call again, cancel your data for your "non-iphone", and voila!]]>Dec 17th 2009 6:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 17th 2009 8:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/i think you're missing the point. IE i pretty much the standard when it comes to web browsing, meaning, buy a pc/laptop and guess what browser is loaded on it out of the box, yeah, IE. That is a fact, that is the case, so why not just make it work? This site is also rubbish on IE7, btw.]]>Dec 17th 2009 8:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
my vote is that in areas with such problems they offer a rebate of $5-10 each month to all users whose usage falls under a preset range. something where you could check email a couple of times an hour, perhaps download a song or app a day etc and hit it. but those that are playing online games all the freaking time, or illegally tethering wouldn't. ]]>Dec 17th 2009 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
You've had a lot of win comments recently... Just bought my Acer an hour ago. I know I had to fight to get rid of my termination fee.]]>Dec 18th 2009 12:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
Totally agree, they should waive the ECF or even better...

Unlock the iPhone from the carrier if they go 2, 3 or 6 months of using less data.]]>Dec 18th 2009 12:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/also i think they need to EXPAND ASAP!]]>Dec 18th 2009 4:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 18th 2009 9:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
Yes, Just cancel my old iPhone 2yrs sub.

I still can't understand what the heck are these iPhone users downloading in NYC and SF? I mean there's so much in videos and music streaming.

Of course unless they're jailbroken (which is then an Apple problem pushed onto AT&T).]]>Dec 18th 2009 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/
um yes, but, um, NO.]]>Dec 18th 2009 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/atandt-to-offer-incentives-to-customers-willing-to-limit-data-us/Dec 18th 2009 1:34PM