Earlier this week, we briefly mentioned the news that AT&T has changed their data plans for the iPad and iPhone. One of our readers, Josh, contacted AT&T to see if this would also affect the Text Accessibility Plan (TAP) that many of use for our iPhones because we have no need for voice service. AT&T responded to Josh that they do have new iPhone TAP plans that mirror the new iPhone data plans:
iPhone/Blackberry/Smartphone $35.00/mo 200 MB data (internet and email)
and unlimited messaging *
iPhone/Blackberry/Smartphone $45.00/mo 2 GB data(internet and email) and
unlimited messaging **
iPhone/Blackberry/Smartphone $65.00/mo 2 GB data(internet and email),
unlimited messaging, and tethering *** If you exceed 200 MB of data, you’ll receive an additional 200MB of
data usage for $15, replenished as often as necessary during the billing
cycle.
** If you exceed 2 GB of data, you’ll receive an additional 1 GB of data
for only $10. Each time an additional 1 GB is used during a cycle, you
will automatically receive another 1 GB at the same low price.
If you are on an existing iPhone TAP plan, you will keep the current unlimited data service. If you change the plan to one of the new ones, you will not be able to revert to your old iPhone unlimited plan.
Also remember, if you are upgrading from an iPhone 3G/3GS to a new iPhone (next week? later this month?), you should be able to keep your old unlimited TAP plan.
These changes to the TAP plan have also been confirmed by Tayler Mayer on his blog – he apparently got the same canned email from TAP when asking about the changes.
Jun 5, 2010Julie, I was speaking of those of us who are on iPhone TAP plans.
For reference, check out this link at 9to5Mac.
(I already posted this under June 2nd’s Links of the Day, but am putting this here for your convenience.)
I have also clarified my remark above regarding the unlimited data so it’s more specific.
Jun 5, 2010Genius,
Would my plan stay the same if I were to upgrade to Tilt II?
Jun 5, 2010I am not sure what is mean for unlimited messaging?
Jun 6, 2010Hey,
About those new data only plan — do they include free use of AT&T WiFi service such as at Starbucks? Is it available on ALL plans including $35 200MB?
Just wondering.
Thanks!
Ken
Jun 6, 2010This completely stinks: No more “unlimited” data plan for the iPhone, which is a complete rip-off.
Jun 6, 2010I’m going to find a new smartphone from other service. Bye bye to AT&T. AT&T’s loss!
Jun 6, 2010To #5 Dustin,
If you have iPhone already, you CAN keep your unlimited data plan when upgrading the the new 4G iPhone.
I looked at my ATT Wireless account, and the most I’ve used in one month was 649Mb. Have you looked at your account to see how much data you’re using? If you’ve never gone beyond some of the more affordable plans, you might find it more economical to use the cheaper plans because it saves you money every month.
Jun 7, 2010Hi Ken! Yes. :)
Jun 7, 2010Hey Dustin! Like Brendan says, it’s not all its made out to be. Yes, it stinks, but have you checked your actual usage? We keep our unlimited accounts anyways. (for the time being ha)
Jun 7, 2010Janus: unlimited messaging = unlimited text messages (SMS).
Jun 7, 2010Julie: Your plan should stay the same. I really don’t know cuz that’s not an iPhone. Call AT&T TAP and talk to them.
Jun 8, 2010I believe that TAP should offer unlimited DATA for us deaf customers because we will use video calling ALOT! With the new 2GB cap, whats the point of video calling? Yes, I know FaceTime is restricted to WiFi and it doesn’t count against my data usage but who cares about WiFi calling. I plan on using Qik, Fring, Skype for my video calling and I can use them over 3G! Another advantage of using Fring over FaceTime is that I can videochat with deaf Sprint HTC EVO users too.
Jun 8, 2010North Dakotan: I know. Give them some time, and hopefully they’ll come around to our perspective. We already have some deaf readers who have been calling AT&T yesterday saying the same thing. We need to bug them and explain that the front-facing camera on the iPhone 4 is going to be BIG. Good thing – Apple already understands this – as seen in the FaceTime ad, with a deaf couple talking over FaceTime.
Jun 8, 2010I have a question -
Has anyone formally filed a complaint with the FCC to petition that ATT should not “force” deaf people to pay for, let’s say, 500-minute plan if they do not use it at all?
Jun 8, 2010I am sure that this topic has been heavily discussed in the past – phone plans. If I do not opt to use the TAP plan, unlimited data would be $30.00 a month plus $39.99 for phone (which is the lowest price they can offer), but if I opt to use the TAP plan, it would be $50.00 a month. I wonder why they charge $20.00 more if they charge customers $30 a month for unlimited data?
Jun 8, 2010I also contacted AT&T and got the same canned response.
I’ve been checking my usage – I’m a VERY heavy user of the iPhone and use wifi when I’m at work and at home. My data has gone nowhere near 2 GB/month and I use the Internet, have 5 email accounts that are checked regularly, one of which is work email, and check FB, Twitter, etc.
AT&T said that 98% of users use less than 2GB of data per month.
Remember that data means data use while on 3G service, not wifi service. Keep that in mind. And the data is counted separately from SMS and MMS.
Jun 9, 2010If you are an existing AT&T customer, you still have your original TAP when you get iphone 4 device. If you are a new AT&T customer, then you will get a different TAP for iphone 3gs and iphone 4. If you purchase iphone, iphone 3, or iphone 3gs before June 7, then you are automatically existing customer. That’s what I did a few days before June 7 to get iphone 3gs with unlimited data plan. If you purchase either iphone 3gs or iphone 4 on or after June 7, then you will be stuck with 2GB with optional $20 a month tethering. If you are still not sure, then you contact AT&T NCCD about TAP. It won’t hurt to ask anyway.
Jun 9, 2010Is unlimited text messages (SMS)supported by any instant messengers such as aim, msn, yahoo & others?
Jun 9, 2010Here’s full detail about data plan, including unlimited Wi-Fi service. http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/data-plans.jsp
Jun 10, 2010JPBoston (#16): The TAP $50 plan gave you BOTH unlimited data for $30 and unlimited messaging for $20 – that’s what my bill says. Unfortunately, that is no longer an option.
The new TAP plans do quote you the total cost, but like the old TAP plan, they probably will break them down on your bill – for example, I bet you that the top new TAP plan for $65 will look like this – $20 unlimited messaging, $25 2GB data, and $20 tethering charge. :)
Hope this clarifies things. If you don’t need a voice plan because you’re deaf, TAP is your best bet. Otherwise, you will be forced to sign up for a voice plan along with your data. (Actually this is what happened to me at first, I had to get a voice plan, then send in my TAP application, then they took off the voice plan, heh.)
Jun 15, 2010I am curious on what is your average usage of data?
I am a long-time Blackberry user considering switch to iPhone 4.
I am a power user.
Your average data usage and what you do with it will help me figure out which data plan I should opt for?
I wonder same thing about video chat. What will the impact be? My understanding the Apple is working with AT&T on developing a better plan on usage of Facetime.
Jun 19, 2010I notice the TAP form has not been revised to include the Iphone 4 yet.
Anyway, the TAP form has a boxed space, “Place office stamp here”. What is this and is a stamp required? I might get my NAD chapter prez to sign and I doubt he has a rubber stamp. Ha.
Sorry, comments are closed.
2:11 pm
I have a question about the tap plan. I have ATT Tilt and I’m on TAP plan ($29.99 monthly). A month ago, my Tilt was going bad and I planned to upgrade to a new Blackberry Bold 9700, but my TAP would automatically change to $55.00 monthly (yes this is a TAP plan for Blackberry).
You stated that if you upgrade to a new iPhone later, you should be able to keep your old unlimited plan.
Are you sure that this is correct?