It looks as if AT&T has figured out a perfectly sneaky way to hold customers hostage to sign up for a bundled texting plan. Though the company is planning to bring MMS services to iPhone OS 3.0 users late to the game, AT&T will be making multimedia messaging (MMS) available to all customers with a text messaging bundle plan at no extra cost. Isn't that generous? The company has not yet addressed MMS usage fees for those without a text plan.
Once AT&T finally launches MMS services to US customers later this summer, there will be no additional fees attached as long as you are already paying for a texting package, which start at $5 per month for 200 text messages and ends at $20 per month for sending unlimited text messages according to PC World. A slick little slight of hand trick by the mobile giant for sure.
AT&T has also not announced further plans to remedy their iPhone Tethering fail that also remains a bone of contention for many iPhone faithful who will have to forgo the service when OS 3.0 is launched. The rumored monthly rate for tethering could be anywhere from $30 to $70 according to some reports. It's all still speculation at this point. Though it is expected that the company will charge a premium for that service.
In the battle for monthly fees... do not underestimate AT&T's sneakiness!
"In the battle for monthly fees... do not underestimate AT&T's sneakiness!"
Huh? My sister just switched from Verizon because her only option for text messages was 20 cents for each received/sent message or $30 unlimited (2-phone family plan) At ATT she was able to get a $5 package for each phone; something that was not available with her Verizon account. Her monthly family plan fee was less and includes rollover. The deal was sealed.
Posted by: Ted | June 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM
By offering a basic (highly sought after iPhone feature) like MMS for photos and video it benefits at&t more to lock in a fixed monthly rate than a per use service. This ultimately means more guaranteed money when you're not using that service. People who don't use text now and I know a many, will feel compelled to go with a bundle to send photos rather than per use (whatever that fee will be).
My point is this, what looks "right" on the surface actually brings at&t the massive benefit of new recurring monthly revenue not guaranteed otherwise. Many people will up their plans to cover more use for photos and video. So free is not exactly what it seems. I call it sneaky.
Thanks for chiming in Bill. Much appreciated!
Posted by: iPhone Savior | June 16, 2009 at 05:17 PM
How is "no extra charge with an SMS plan" worthy of your snarky sarcasm? If you don't have an SMS bundling plan, why would you expect MMS for free?
There are plenty of excellent reasons to bash AT&T -- there's no need to bash them for doing something right.
Posted by: Bill Weinman | June 16, 2009 at 04:56 PM