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O2 data bolt-ons now rollover into next month's allowance
iD is a mobile provider after our own heart. With all-you-can-eat data plans a distant memory, the Carphone Warehouse-owned MVNO has introduced the next best thing: rollover data. And better yet, there's no fine print. If you don't hit your monthly cap, any unused data will simply be added to next month's allowance. But O2 can't just sit by and let iD have its 15 minutes now, can it? Today, O2 announced its own rollover scheme, though it only applies to data bolt-ons you've purchased after exhausting your monthly allowance.
Two more AT&T prepaid plans will offer data rollover
Looks like AT&T is the latest carrier to hop onto the "data rollover" bandwagon. The company recently announced that customers subscribing to its prepaid GoPhone $45 and $60 plans will be able to apply their unused data allowance -- 1.5 GB and 4 GB, respectively -- to the next month but only until the next month. That is, any spare data you have in January will roll over to February but disappears come the Ides of March. And be warned, if you manage to burn through your total data allotment, that internet connection's going to get squeezed down to just 128kbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. AT&T's plan isn't as good as the full year of rollovers that T-Mobile is offering but certainly better than what it was giving you before. Previously, only subscribers to the Mobile Share Value program were allowed such a rollover. The newly expanded program takes effect on Friday, May 15th. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
AT&T offering roll over data starting January 25 with a catch
Sometimes it's easy to think back to the glory days of unlimited data on mobile plans and mourn the loss. Light a solitary candle to place in a window in memory of watching X-Files on your phone in the park for hours without overages. Those days are largely a thing of the past on the major carriers, but at least now we're seeing a trend of our mobile providers letting us hold onto the data we don't use in a month. AT&T has announced a new plan, launching January 25, which will allow every subscriber with a Mobile Share Value plan to roll their leftover data each month into the next month. There are of course a few minor details. You cannot stockpile your data, meaning if you have an extra GB at the end of April you can only roll that data into May. You don't get to save it for your trip in June. It will simply disappear, unused. For users who mainly use Wi-Fi at home this will be a boon for their data plans when they travel. Still the ability to only roll your data over for one month leaves the AT&T plan falling short of the one recently revealed by rival T-Mobile. T-Mobile's new plan allows you to roll over and stockpile your data for up to one year. If you want to save up for vacation time the T-Mobile plan is still better. Of course if you're under contract with AT&T this small gift is still a gift.
AT&T is the next US carrier to let you roll over unused mobile data
It didn't take long for other US carriers to match T-Mobile's rollover data, apparently -- AT&T is offering its own take on the strategy. As of January 25th, every AT&T subscriber with a Mobile Share Value plan will see their leftover megabytes available the following month. If you're mostly relying on WiFi in February, you'll have a ton of cellular bandwidth available for that March vacation. It's not limited to more advanced tiers, either, so you'll see it kick in even if you're comparatively thrifty.
PureTalk USA debuts 150MB rollover data plans for prepaid market
Rollover minutes were a great idea last decade when capped minute plans were all the rage, but unfortunately rollover data never caught on when smartphones began getting popular. PureTalk USA, an AT&T MVNO, doesn't think it's too late to implement such a concept for its budget-minded customers who don't need to be constantly tied to the internet but still have varying data needs from month to month. The new offering is a $10 add-on to the company's Mobile Flex plans, and you get 150MB of rollover data each month that doesn't expire. We'd love to see options for more data, but this is at least a great opportunity for anyone hoping to keep a close eye on their wallet.
AT&T discontinues A-List feature for new customers, effective today
Nearly two years after AT&T introduced its A-List with Rollover plans to become more competitive against the likes of T-Mobile, Alltel and Verizon, the carrier has decided to nix the feature as of today. After receiving screenshots and a leaked memo detailing Ma Bell's intent, we reached out to company reps, who confirmed to us that these plans are indeed going away. While new customers will no longer be able to benefit from having a pool of five or ten numbers (depending on the plan) to call as much as they want, anyone currently using the service will be grandfathered in. One more disclaimer: switching rate plans from individual to family (or vice versa) may wipe the A-List feature off, so proceed with caution. Head below to read AT&T's official statement regarding the matter, as well as a few shots of the leaked memo. %Gallery-132381% [Thanks, Anonymous]
AT&T handing over 1000 free rollover minutes to all of its customers
Well, would you look at that. A day after the Verizon iPhone goes on sale to the general public, AT&T is dishing out 1000 free rollover minutes to all of its customers. The catch? None that we know of -- the wireless company apparently just wants to thank all of its awesome customers for, you know, not making the switch to some other carrier with Apple's smartphone. Simply text "yes" to 11113020 to be awarded the talk tokens -- which will probably just pile up on top of the thousands you've undoubtedly already accumulated. Too bad they can't prevent dropped calls. [Thanks, Danielle]
Where's my rollover data, AT&T?
You've seen the commercials and heard that they're "your minutes" so why is "your data" any different? The almost-too-painfully-obvious-to-even-say-aloud answer is that AT&T will make more money by not offering rollover data, so they aren't. I don't expect this will change anytime soon. AT&T has done nothing to suggest they have any interest in providing value to their iPhone and iPad customers, but let's imagine a different world, one where AT&T hoped to keep some of their iPhone customers, perhaps a world where other carriers had the iPhone and AT&T had to actually compete for their business. Read on to imagine with me...
Save a little on your existing AT&T iPhone plan
Update: It appears that this post describes a sponsorship discount (business/school/etc). Those users get a percentage off of their monthly plan ($29.99 voice plan and iPhone data charge excluded). Those who do not see this as an option lack the corporate discount; those who do are seeing what the monthly service cost is after the discount is applied.Go here to see if you qualify for the corporate discount.Note that this discount only applies to the voice plan and not to the iPhone data plan. Nor does it apply to the additional lines in a family plan.Looking to save a little on your monthly iPhone rates? AT&T just announced a price break but you do have to opt-in. It's not automatic. You can save from $6/month on the Nation 450 with rollover up to $12/month on the Nation 1350. The Unlimited plan remains unaffected.So what's the downside of all this? You may lose some or all of your rollover minutes by converting to the new plan price. So check the fine print before you click Submit. Any existing corporate or student discounts remain unaffected. If you're already receiving a 15% discount, for example, you'll continue to do so after the change. The iPhone data plan for $30 is not altered in any way.The rate change takes effect immediately. Your current month will be pro-rated up to the date of change, the old charges affecting everything up to your change date, the new charges thereafter. AT&T warns that you may not be able to view your yet-unbilled usage for the remainder of the billing cycle, but you can call and talk to an AT&T representative if you need that information.[Thanks, Dale Gattis]
AT&T Unity subscribers get more freebies
With the way carriers tend to nickle 'n dime us all these days, you won't find this camp complaining about anything offered up gratis. AT&T's latest round of freebies does require you to be an AT&T Unity subscriber -- meaning that you rely on AT&T for wireless and landline service -- but affords those who are in the loop free calling to and from any AT&T phone number. Moreover, it allows AT&T wireless customers to keep their rollover minutes fresh for 12 months, prevents anytime minute usage when phoning another AT&T customer, and includes unlimited night and weekend minutes. Best of all, these gifts are also being given to current Unity customers in addition to newcomers, so make sure you eye your next bill extra carefully.
