AT&T introduces larger, costlier data plans: $30 for 3GB, $20 for 300MB

In a bid to cope with ever increasing data usage from subscribers, AT&T has introduced new data plans for smartphone and tablet users, adding additional cap space but also charging customers more. The new plans max out at 5GB with tethering for $50 per month.

A press release on Wednesday from the number two U.S. mobile carrier details the new rates that will take effect on Sunday, Jan. 22, marking the first change to the company's data plans since 2010.

"Customers are using more data than ever before," said David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our new plans are driven by this increasing demand in a highly competitive environment, and continue to deliver a great value to customers, especially as we continue our 4G LTE deployment."

The new smartphone pricing is basically a $5 surcharge for a 1 GB bump in data for DataPro users, while DataPlus subscribers will get an extra 100 MB for the same price.

Tablet owners will see a reshuffling of options as the previous 2 GB DataConnect plan is to be replaced a 3 GB per month flavor previously only available on a two-year contract. An additional 5 GB plan will also be added for $50 per month and the lowest 250 MB plan remains unchanged.

Current subscribers can keep their existing plans or opt in to one of the new tiers when the program launches on Sunday.

Smartphone plans are as follows:

AT&T DataPlus 300MB: $20 for 300MB

AT&T DataPro 3GB: $30 for 3GB

AT&T DataPro 5GB: $50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot / tethering

Additional data pricing remains at $10 per gigabyte for the DataPro plans and $20 per additional 300 MB for DataPlus customers.

Current AT&T smartphone data pricing | Source: AT&T.com

Tablet data tiers have changed to:

AT&T DataConnect 250MB: $14.99 for 250MB

AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB

AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

Overage charges only apply to 30-day tablet prices and include $14.99 for and extra 250MB with AT&T DataConnect 250 MB, and $10 per additional gigabyte for DataConnect 3 GB and 5 GB.

Current AT&T tablet data pricing | Source: AT&T.com

The new plans reflect an upward trend in cellphone and tablet data pricing from U.S. carriers as their networks strain under the pressure of a growing customer base.

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82 Comments

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 12 years ago

"Thanks, customers, for showing such an interest in our data plans!"

"You? you force us to have them?"

"To show our appreciation, we're hiking the prices up!"

"? Can we not have them if we want?"

"No."

christophb 1479 comments · 15 Years

I'm pleased I kept the DOM Unlimited MB plan from the iPad 1 launch. I've demonstrated that unlimited MB also means unlimited GB during MLB.tv season.

Edit: iPhone (Edge) too!

plovell 826 comments · 15 Years

All the more reason to leave AT&T when my current contract is up

solipsismx 19562 comments · 13 Years

1) I'm sure people will complain that it's not enough data for the peoce because such-and-such country is cheaper, but these are good options for now. Anyone want to compare to other US carriers for comparable data rates?

edit: I hadn't noticed that it increases prices for the lower tiers.

2) I all think customers would be happy for the option and AT&T would benefit from overage charges if they allowed tethering to all devices, regardless of data plan size.