AT&T Inc plans to sharply raise prices

[MidwestGirl]

(Reuters) - AT&T Inc plans to sharply raise prices on data plans for smartphone and tablet customers from next week, calling the move a response to an explosion in wireless usage.

The No. 2 U.S. carrier dropped a controversial $39 billion bid for Deutsche Telekom's U.S. wireless unit T-Mobile last month, bowing to fierce regulatory opposition but leaving AT&T to try and find an alternative to address its shortage of wireless airwaves.

From January 22, AT&T customers will pay $20 for a 300-megabyte monthly data plan, up from $15 for 200-mb currently. Users with higher requirements can also opt for $30 for 3 gigabytes -- versus $25 for 2 GB previously -- or $50 for 5 GB, up from $45 for 4 GB.

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel estimates that data usage is increasing 40 percent every year, spurring the company to offer more upfront. Consumers are rapidly migrating to video and music.

The new prices affect only new customers; existing customers can stick with their current plans or upgrade as needed, AT&T said in a statement.

We will see how long that lasts.

[Di]

Wonder how that will effect those of us who have had unlimited from the get go. They no longer offer unlimited data plans from what I understand.

[Princess Zoe]

Wonder how that will effect those of us who have had unlimited from the get go. They no longer offer unlimited data plans from what I understand.

You do with Verizon. New customers can't get unlimited but existing can keep it.

[MidwestGirl]

Wonder how that will effect those of us who have had unlimited from the get go. They no longer offer unlimited data plans from what I understand.

We had that too until we got Smartphones, no unlimited for us now.

[Di]

I still have unlimited with ATT , I just don't think they offer it to anyone with newer plans. I was just wondering if they will jack up the price for those of us who still have the unlimited plans.

[Ender's Mom]

I still have unlimited with ATT , I just don't think they offer it to anyone with newer plans. I was just wondering if they will jack up the price for those of us who still have the unlimited plans.

I doubt it. I've had unlimited since it first came out and they've changed their rates various times and never changed mine.

[AbbyandMolly]

It's stuff like this that makes me not want to go out and get my own cell phone plan! Haha. I've been on a plan with an AT&T family plan since I got my first cell phone and since we have been customers for so long we are locked into the good rates.

Unfortunately my mom is the only one locked into unlimited data, she was the only one with a smartphone when they moved to the current rates. I'm locked into the current rates and that's fine by me! I don't go over my allotted data amount, sometimes I come close but that's very rare.

[georgie]

I have Verizon & I have an unlimited data plan. I know new customers can not get it anymore. I wonder, too, if they will change that in the future.

[Wendy]

I personally think if they are going to raise rates then they should have to let us out of our contracts.

[Golfgirlrobin]

I personally think if they are going to raise rates then they should have to let us out of our contracts.

It doesn't apply to people currently under contract; only new subscribers.