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Print 20 comment(s) - last by Murst.. on Jan 25 at 10:25 AM

  (Source: Lisa Poole/AP )

  (Source: Engadget.com)
Policy changes affect text packages, international rates, and the 3G Microcell

Just days after Verizon eliminated its popular New Every Two upgrade policy, AT&T is also set to make some changes to the discounts it gives existing customers buying new phones. Much like Verizon's, they aren't pretty. But it has also taken an additional step by changing text packages and raising fees.

Engadget reports that AT&T's new policies, designed to "streamline" things, are set to go into effect on Sunday, January 23.

First up, the 1500 text-message package for $15 and the 200 text-message package for $5 are both going away. They will be replaced with a $10-a-month, 1000 text-message package with 10 cents per text for any overage. Customers who currently have these packages are grandfathered in and will not be affected, unless you switch and try to switch back.

Early upgrade pricing on iPhones will only be available six months into an existing iPhone activation. In addition, the $50 and $100 discounts for existing customers on top of subsidized pricing will be going away, though currently eligible customers will have until July 23 to take advantage of the discounts.

Activation fees for family plan add-a-lines will increase to $36 (an increase of $10), and calling to Canada will be an additional 10 cents a minute (39 cents, compared to 29 cents currently). Speaking of our neighbors to the north, international roaming rates are changing in 117 countries -- no additional details on specific rate changes, though judging by all the other increases, it's easy to predict which direction they'll take.

And finally, the 3G Microcell will increase in price from $149 to $199.

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**Facepalm**
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 1/20/2011 1:47:52 PM , Rating: 5
"Since our network is too taxed/limited to provide you with consistent service you'll have to pay $150 for this MicroCell which uses YOUR paid internet connection to tap into our network to help you out. Oh wait, did I say $150? I meant to say $200"




RE: **Facepalm**
By Aikouka on 1/20/2011 2:13:41 PM , Rating: 2
I'm a bit curious why the price on it went up... I mean, typically components go down in price, so the overall device can too. I wonder if their MicroCells will include "4G" support because of this?

Although, I really don't think the target demographic for this device is just those in heavy traffic areas like NYC, but also those with poor service in their houses and such. Kind of like how I went to my brother's place over Thanksgiving and found that my AT&T phone had pretty awful reception almost everywhere. If I ended up living there (I probably would find an area with better reception if possible), I'd probably end up getting one of their MicroCells.


RE: **Facepalm**
By Sazabi19 on 1/20/2011 2:27:14 PM , Rating: 2
4G is currently a myth! A myth I tell you!


RE: **Facepalm**
By mcnabney on 1/20/2011 7:44:59 PM , Rating: 2
An HSPA+ femtocell/microcell would be fairly expensive. I doubt they are because only some of their devices support HSPA+. The competition have been dropping prices on these recently. Odd move.


RE: **Facepalm**
By menting on 1/20/2011 9:14:29 PM , Rating: 3
well..greed always goes up


RE: **Facepalm**
By Samus on 1/20/2011 10:34:05 PM , Rating: 2
So text messages are 'taxing' their network to a crawl? That's pretty damn depressing.

I think the fact that text messages cost money at all is pretty messed up. In Korea for example, carriers just build in unlimited texting, probably because they don't want to have their networks overloaded with phone conversations. But who knows, maybe texting is more of a cultural thing there, too, as it is impolite to use a phone in public.


RE: **Facepalm**
By bill4 on 1/21/2011 2:39:43 AM , Rating: 1
yep, greed always goes up, just ask obama about why he keeps raising our taxes, even though the govt already takes over 50% of our income


RE: **Facepalm**
By peebee on 1/22/2011 10:55:57 PM , Rating: 2
Are you sure about that?

Since Obama has been president I've enjoyed saving $175.00/month from the Making Work Pay tax initiative and this recent Social Security tax reduction.

This is the first time my federal income taxes have meanfully shifted down since I'd started working 17 years ago.


RE: **Facepalm**
By Murst on 1/25/2011 10:25:42 AM , Rating: 2
Ah, I'm curious... what taxes went up? I believe, on average, that 2011 is the lowest average tax rate since the federal taxes were established, so you must be in some kind of really odd situation if your taxes actually went up.

Although chances are that you're completely clueless.

(BTW, if you want to blame obama & congress, blame them for lowering your taxes and extending tax cuts while we're experiencing huge deficits... even the government will have to pay their bills sometime... )


RE: **Facepalm**
By DanNeely on 1/20/2011 2:38:28 PM , Rating: 5
You forgot the part about how even though you're using your broadband network instead of ATTs backhaul to make calls they still count against your monthly quota of minutes.


RE: **Facepalm**
By AnotherGuy on 1/20/2011 3:38:35 PM , Rating: 2
lol somehow that made me laugh... what a company!


RE: **Facepalm**
By DanNeely on 1/20/2011 3:59:07 PM , Rating: 2
It's not just ATT. AFAIK all 4 major carriers facepalm just as badly on microcells.


RE: **Facepalm**
By bill4 on 1/21/2011 2:45:45 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah what a company. Kind of reminds me of Apple charging $129 premium to put a $2 3G radio in your iPad.

Oh wait, when Apple does it, it's great, because Apple is politically correct.


RE: **Facepalm**
By michaelklachko on 1/20/2011 4:54:54 PM , Rating: 2
You're still using ATT backhaul. You're just bypassing the towers.


RE: **Facepalm**
By Alexstarfire on 1/22/2011 11:26:01 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, but you think you'd get a pretty hefty discount since you're basically providing your own tower. You have to pay for the device AND the internet for it to operate.


RE: **Facepalm**
By bill4 on 1/21/11, Rating: 0
RE: **Facepalm**
By acase on 1/21/2011 12:49:41 PM , Rating: 1
Tell us how you really fail .


Love my....
By ashegam on 1/21/2011 12:19:53 AM , Rating: 2
1200 minutes/ 1200 txt's for $30 out the door on verizon network from pageplus :) can't be beat




RE: Love my....
By bill4 on 1/21/2011 2:52:32 AM , Rating: 2
sure you can beat it. low end/prepaid carriers with great deals are a dime a dozen. Just go to Wal Mart prepaid section lol.

what you give up is usually, a cool phone.

Yes when it comes down to it, I pay 30-35 a month more than I normally would, basically for the privilege of having a nice smartphone instead of a low end "feature phone" type thing on a cheap or prepaid carrier.


RE: Love my....
By ashegam on 1/21/2011 9:10:16 AM , Rating: 2
it's the verizon network so you can have any phone that works on their network.


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