DailyTech - AT&T Opens Up FaceTime Availability (A Little)

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Gadgets AT&T Opens Up FaceTime Availability (A Little)
Tiffany Kaiser - November 8, 2012 6:29 PM

9 comment(s) - last by leexgx.. on Nov 10 at 2:12 PM

(Source: The Verge)

According to AT&T, this availability will reach Cellular customers over the next eight to 10 weeks

AT&T has flip-flopped on its decision to charge iPhone users for FaceTime, and will now expand its availability to users.

Back in August, AT&T announced that it was limiting FaceTime availability to customers with Mobile Share data plans (for free). This meant that users with regular 2GB/4GB data plans or grandfathered unlimited plans were left out. They didn't even have the option to pay for it.

FaceTime has always been available to iPhone 4/4S customers over a Wi-Fi network, but Apple offered the ability to use FaceTime over a cellular connection once iOS 6 beta released.

AT&T's decision to limit FaceTime to certain users caught a lot of criticism from users, and even landed it a FCC net neutrality complaint.

Now, AT&T has changed its mind. The carrier will now enable FaceTime over Cellular for iOS 6 users on any tiered data plan -- for free. The user must have an LTE device, though. Users with grandfathered unlimited plans are still left out of the loop.

AT&T customers with Mobile Share data plans will still be able to use FaceTime for free, as will those with Wi-Fi connections.

According to AT&T, this availability will reach cellular customers over the next eight to 10 weeks.

AT&T was further pressured when Verizon and Sprint announced that they wouldn't charge extra for FaceTime over 3G/LTE.

Source: PR Newswire

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Payback

By vol7ron on 11/8/2012 10:33:30 PM , Rating: 5

Still have unlimited plan and take advantage of it as much as I should.

Since AT&T keeps treating us this way, being selective of their features, I'm going to be selective of my options and boycott WiFi. Pure LTE here on out.

RE: Payback

By hpglow on 11/9/2012 1:10:37 AM , Rating: 2

I too have the old Unlimited plan. I don't use face-time so I could care less. The more AT&T does crap like this the more people are going to jump ship. In my area my Wifi and 4G net about the same download speed (sometimes a hair faster) but the 4G connection has way more latency. Meanwhile my friends on Verizon are able to get 100+ Mbps with about average latency.

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RE: Payback

By rauelius on 11/9/2012 2:00:10 AM , Rating: 2

With T-Mobile becoming more and more viable everyday, I think At&t should be more respectful to their customers...

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RE: Payback

By BillyBatson on 11/9/2012 10:30:58 AM , Rating: 3

More viable? Where did you get that from? AT&T and Sprint have both tried or entertained the idea of purchasing them mainly for th spectrum. You will see tmobile exiting the US market in the near future if they aren't bought out

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RE: Payback

By LordSojar on 11/9/2012 2:29:49 AM , Rating: 3

Just going to throw this out there... but...

Nationwide, the average AT&T LTE network is faster than Verizon's LTE network, and the deployment AT&T used is much more upgradeable. Also, bull @ Verizon hitting 100Mbps. No phone or tablet can push those speeds, and Verizon currently doesn't have the bonded spectrum to push that.

So, in short, you're lying. AT&T can't do it with a 2x2 bonded 20MHz, and Verizon is lucky to get a 2x1/1x2 bonding. So... NO.

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RE: Payback

By Cheesew1z69 on 11/9/2012 8:23:54 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Also, bull @ Verizon hitting 100Mbps.

Agreed, no way they are hitting 100mpbs+...

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RE: Payback

By BillyBatson on 11/9/2012 10:25:35 AM , Rating: 3

There is no way Verizon is hitting 100 but doesn't mean hey aren much faster. On my iphone5 for AT&T LTE isn't even an option I only get the fake "4g" here in the San Fernando Valley that hits 2-4Mbps. If I'm in Santa Monica (one of the few rare areas with LTE for AT&T) I get 4-6 Mbps. My friend with the Verizon version of the same phone gets 27Mbps through his LTE standing next to me.
It may not be 100mbps but it still 4-5 times faster than AT&T in the Los Angeles area.

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RE: Payback

By leexgx on 11/10/2012 2:12:26 PM , Rating: 2

think the user was calling it 3g spec (fake 4g) not 4g LTE (high latency can be high on 3g on an maxed out cell)

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RE: Payback

By leexgx on 11/10/2012 2:07:50 PM , Rating: 2

@hpglow
you mean 3g ( fake 4g dc-hspa+ pr lower ) or do you mean 4g LTE

(funny when on xda forums users want to replace there hspa icon with 4g guess they think it makes there internet faster )

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