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AT&T has released new wireless data plans, removing the option for a $30 per month “unlimited” data access plan for smartphones. Instead, they have replaced it with two new metered plans, at $15/200MB and $25/2GB.

My understanding was that the previously “unlimited” data plan wasn’t really unlimited, but more like 5GB before they started to complain at you. If we assume that “unlimited” really meant 5GB… that breaks down as the following:

• old plan $30 for 5GB: $6/GB
• new plan $15 for .2 GB: $75/GB
• new plan $25 for 2GB: $15/GB

 

AT&T says that if you’re on the $15/month plan, you can get an additional 200MB for another $15, or $10 per each 1GB if you’re on the $25/month plan.

To support their notion that these plans “make it more affordable for more people to enjoy the benefits of the mobile Internet”, they cite the two following statistics:

• “Currently, 65 percent of AT&T smartphone customers use less than 200 MB of data per month on average.”
• “Currently, 98 percent of AT&T smartphone customers use less than 2 GB of data a month on average.”

Here’s the rub: The stats they cite about smartphone data use all hinge on the very first word of their sentences: “currently”.

Yes, while currently these plans would seem to make sense and lower costs for users… that is of course before widespread adoption of the data-hungry iPad 3G, and the new iPhone which will likely support video calls. Surely these stats will change when the new iPhone rolls around.

AT&T never has the best interests of the customer in mind. They are in the business to make money. Just a friendly reminder.

PS. I personally will be sticking with my “$15/month unlimited MEdianet non-smartphone plan”.

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