Email from ATT likely indicates end of Grandfathered Unlimited plans for LTE iPhone

As you likely know AT&T has already gutted the "unlimited" data plans they offered up to those of us early adopters - with their recent announcement that "unlimited" really means 3GB and then throttled to unusable speeds after that.  But hey at least we still were in an "unlimitted" plan and there was always hope that when AT&T figured out their network congestion issues - maybe with the help of their LTE roll out - they would reverse their decision with regards to throttling.  Well we could hope? Right?

 

Sadly I just received an email from a listener (who has been emailing in for almost 2 years - so I believe what he sent is legit). The email is at the bottom of the post.  First with his Question to AT&T with regards to a data plan for an iPad and then the AT&T response.  Names Redacted to protect those involved.   

 

The key line is highlighted in Yellow and what it likely means is that when the next iPhone comes out in the Fall - an iPhone that 99.99999% likely will offer LTE (4G) connection - AT&T will respond in similar kind and that will be - that your grandfathered unlimited data plan on your current iPhone - Well yeah - that dies with the 3G iPhones.  And starting with the LTE iPhones - there will be new data plans and no grandfathering of unlimited to 4G iPhones.   

 

So anyone holding out hope against hope that AT&T would one day lift their 3GB throttle cap on their unlimited accounts - yeah - kiss those dreams goodbye.  

  

Q2:Please enter your phone question below: 
A2:I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T for my current iPad. Will I be able to transfer this plan to the new iPad.

From: AT&T Email Business Customer Care for Wireless
Date: March 8, 2012 
To: xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Wireless from AT&T Customer Email 

Dear XXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting AT&T about your wireless service. My name is AAAAAAA, and I will be more than happy to assist you with your inquiry regarding transfering data plans from one iPad to another today.

I understand your concern and frustration; after reviewing your account I would like to inform you that it is not possible to be grandfathered over unless you?re current and new iPad are both 3G compatible iPads. If your new iPad is a 4G compatible device then you will need to pick from one of the current data plans that we offer. 

XXXXXX, if you have any additional questions about transfering data plans from one iPad to another, please respond to this email. If you have a question about another issue, please send us a new email via the Contact Us link in the lower left-hand corner of your myAT&T account. Thank you for choosing AT&T; we appreciate your business.


AAAAAAAAA 
eCare Customer Service Specialist
AT&T Business Solutions Customer Care

 

UPDATE:  3/9/12  1:30 PM CT

 

Below is an update from the person that sent me the original email.  Looks like AT&T has changed their decision with him and is now going to grandfather over the unlimited iPad plan he had.  I also heard from another call that talked to AT&T and they confirmed they will grandfather his unlimited plan - but he would need a new sim card.  So maybe there is still some hope of keeping your unlimited plan on AT&T for your iPhone when the LTE iPhone comes out.   

 

Hi Rob,

Wow, you post my e-mails on your site and the next thing I know is I get another e-mail from AT&T stating I will get to keep my unlimited plan with an iPad 4G.  Score one for the little guy! (at least for now).

XXXXXX

Begin forwarded message:

From: AT&T Email Business Customer Care for Wireless

Subject: Re: Wireless from AT&T Customer Email - West - [CUST] 

To: XXXXXXXX

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

I discussed the details of your present Session Based (Prepaid) Data Unlimited plan with an AT&T Consumer Data Support specialist. This is the group that provides most Customer Service support functions for an account such as yours.

This plan is compatible with the new 4G Apple iPad recently introduced. Very simply, this plan supports the iPad, whatever version. In fact, I see that you have changed in equipment in the past from the original iPad to the current iPad 2. 

Mr. XXXXXX, if you have any additional questions about the compatibility of the present iPad Data Unlimited plan with the new iPad, please respond to this email. If you have a question about another issue, please send us a new email via the Contact Us link in the lower left-hand corner of your myAT&T account. Thank you for choosing AT&T; we appreciate your business.

ZZZZZZZ
eCare Customer Service Specialist
AT&T Business Solutions Customer Care