AT&T's Capped Data Plan Could Save You Money [telecom]

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AT&T's Capped Data Plan Could Save You Money

By DAVID POGUE The New York Times June 3, 2010

I don't know if you've seen the frantic blog headlines, but they boil down to this: Those big, greedy, monolithic cellphone companies have found yet another way to gouge us for more money.

Well, hold on a minute.

The news Wednesday was that AT&T is the first company to introduce capped data plans. After June 7, new customers will no longer be offered a $30 plan for unlimited Internet use on a smartphone (including iPhones). Instead, you'll have to gauge how much data you use, and buy the appropriate number of megabytes a month, and worry about either going over or paying for capacity you never use-just like you do now with talk minutes.

Verizon and the other carriers will probably follow suit.

How anti-consumer, right? Surely this is yet another way to exploit the masses and stifle innovation!

Look, you know me. I'm the first guy to lead the charge against cell-carrier greed.

But this is different. This time, I think you'll wind up coming out ahead. I think AT&T has put together one of the fairest, most carefully considered plans in a long time.

First of all, if you're an existing AT&T customer, the new plans are optional. You can hang onto your $30 unlimited plan if you like. Yes, even if you get a new phone.

If you're a new customer, or an existing one who wants to save some money, here's the deal. There are two new capped Internet-service plans:

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