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AT&T Messaging Plans: Perspectives

AT&T is getting people riled up with its new plans for messing plans. This is not exactly the first time AT&T has touched a giant nerve among customers. Another recent nerve-touching occurre...
AT&T Messaging Plans: Perspectives
Written by Chris Crum
  • AT&T is getting people riled up with its new plans for messing plans. This is not exactly the first time AT&T has touched a giant nerve among customers. Another recent nerve-touching occurred when the company put its data limits in place earlier this year.

    Now, it has been revealed that AT&T is going to offer only unlimited text messing plans starting August 21. There was previously a $10 plan for 1,000 messages.

    Engadget, who first learned about the plans, shares in an article called “AT&T Streamlining Individual Messaging Plans August 21st, Leaving Unlimited As the Sole Survivor,” this official statement from AT&T:

    “We regularly evaluate our offers and are making some adjustments to our messaging lineup.

    Starting August 21, we’re streamlining our text messaging plans for new customers and will offer an unlimited plan for individuals for $20 per month and an unlimited plan for families of up to five lines for $30 per month. The vast majority of our messaging customers prefer unlimited plans and with text messaging growth stronger than ever, that number continues to climb among new customers. Existing customers don’t have to change any messaging plan they have today, even when changing handsets.”

    There is plenty of reaction around the tech blogosphere as you could imagine. TechCrunch writer MG Siegler goes so far as to say on his personal blog, “A cynical person may think that AT&T are being huge fucking scumbags here. Really, they’re just ‘streamlining’ their plans. Just like when they ‘streamlined’ their plans by removing unlimited data a few months back. It’s all in the name of what’s best for the consumer. What class acts.”

    Here’s some reaction from the Twitterverse:

    Whenever I change features on my AT&T plan, I am extra careful not to uncheck this option: http://t.co/HyaYtC7 1 hour ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    AT&T’s making us choose between $20 for unlimited SMS or $0.20 each: http://t.co/OD46D35 I’ll choose $0.20 each and pay less than ever. 2 hours ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    AT&T removes choice and our ability to pay anything but top dollar for SMS. Wait, this isn’t really news I guess, is it? http://t.co/mNBKRxM 2 hours ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    Engadget printing “streamlining” in that AT&T story without even ironic quotes is an insult to its audience and the entire blogging industry 2 hours ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    AT&T killing $10 a month messaging plan Sunday. Good riddance, we have iMessage and Google… http://t.co/RJtYuIG 1 hour ago via Google · powered by @socialditto

    Instead of getting more money from me for text messaging with these new SMS plans, AT&T will be getting almost none when iMessage comes out. 1 hour ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    Just downgraded my unlimited text messaging plan to the $10 option for 1,000 texts since AT&T is taking the option away soon. 12 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

    i’m sorry. extortion. AT&T will offer only $20 unlimited msging starting 8/21 http://t.co/0PpfBkW that’s $15 more than the $5 i pay now! 1 hour ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    Upset about AT&T dropping limited text messaging plans? Vote with your wallet and cancel your service. Complaining on Twitter helps nothing. 1 hour ago via Tweetbot for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

    Some are complaining about the service itself:

    Anyone else having AT&T text messaging issues?? I am able to send but not receive..? 2 days ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

    In other AT&T news, Reuters reports that the company is suing customers who are trying to block its deal with T-Mobile.

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