Thought AT&T was going to let Verizon lower their unlimited plans without recourse? Of course not. On the heels of Verizon's announcement Friday regarding changes in their unlimited plan pricing structure, AT&T followed suit and lowered their plans as well.
The new price plans, which take effect today, look exactly the same as Verizon's - unlimited talk for $69.99, and unlimited talk and text for $89.99. Family plans mimick Verizon's changes as well, with unlimited talk (two lines) for $119.99, and unlimited talk and text (two lines) for $149.99. Unlimited text messaging remains the same at $20 for individual lines, and $30 for family plans.
Though the requirement only applies to the new unlimited plans (from what I can decipher from this press release), a $20 monthly text or data feature is now requred on individual lines, while a $30 monthly text or data feature is required on family plans. The good news is that text messaging will cover this - so if you have unlimited text messaging on your individual or family account, you're good to go.
The full press release is below. Who's contemplating a switch?
AT&T Announces New Unlimited Plans
AT&T* today announced new unlimited plans across all devices --including its industry-leading lineup of smartphones -- to provide more value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network.
“With more than twice the number of smartphone customers as our nearest competitor, we are committed to offering great value and choice for customers who want to talk, text and surf on the nation’s fastest 3G network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Our new plans reflect customers’ continuing desire to do more with their phones – including talking and browsing the Web at the same time. Plus these new plans make it even more attractive to choose AT&T which already offers customers the best 3G experience and the industry’s most popular and innovative devices.”
The new plans, which will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 18, can be ordered at AT&T’s 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, through convenient online service at www.att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations.
- Feature Phone customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99. Family Talk customers (prices assume two lines) may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals and $30 for Family Talk plans.
- Quick Messaging Device customers may choose unlimited talk for $69.99 and Family Talk customers may choose unlimited talk for $119.99 per month (for two lines). These plans require a minimum of $20 per month for individual plans and $30 per month for Family Talk plans in texting and/or Web browsing packages for new and upgrading customers.
- All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.
Beginning Monday, existing AT&T customers can change to any of the new plans without penalty or contract extension with the online account management tool at www.att.com/wireless.
For customers who do not choose an unlimited voice plan, AT&T offers Rollover, which lets customers keep the minutes they don’t use. In addition, AT&T offers A-List, which offers unlimited calling to up to 10 domestic phone numbers.
For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.