AT&T to stop slowing down customers on its Unlimited Elite data plan

AT&T will no longer throttle speeds for customers who purchase the carrier's most expensive unlimited plan, AT&T Unlimited Elite.

Previously, all three of AT&T's "unlimited" plans featured data slowdowns when customers hit a specific limit. Now, starting the week of July 12, that will no longer be the case for AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan.

Customers who are on an $85-a-month AT&T Unlimited Elite plan "will now enjoy AT&T's high-speed data regardless of how much data they've used." The carrier says that the change will take place automatically with no needed action from customers.

The new feature will begin rolling out the week of July 12, and AT&T says it will begin informing current Elite customers of the change via text message.

In addition to the new capless Elite plan, AT&T is also increasing mobile hotspot data to 40GB and adding 4K UHD resolution for the included HBO Max subscription.

AT&T still offers two other unlimited plans that feature data caps. The "Unlimited Extra" plan is $75 a month and the "Unlimited Starter" plan is $65 a month. Both plans will be throttled "if the networks are busy."

Most unlimited wireless plans have data deprioritization written in their contracts. Earlier in 2021, however, T-Mobile nixed data caps and slowdowns for customers of its most expensive plan.

Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast — and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.

If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.

5 Comments

Beats 3073 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

“Unlimited data” is such a sneaky term these days.

I have truly unlimited data for $40. If anyone is interested DM me and I’ll give you the details and a referral link.

602warren 72 comments · 8 Years

Funny. I got a text from ATT about this as I was reading the story. haha.

beowulfschmidt 2348 comments · 12 Years

I_Got_A_Bowl_Cut said:

Beats said:

“Unlimited data” is such a sneaky term these days.

I have truly unlimited data for $40. If anyone is interested DM me and I’ll give you the details and a referral link.

I know most people know this but don't give a stranger on the internet in exchange for promises. If this was true this user would be better just posting the referral link to reach more people.

While your warning is certainly apt, I suspect that the posting of such referral links is a near ban worthy violation of forum rules anyway. Otherwise, we'd see more of them.

Crazyhuntaholic 1 comment · 3 Years

602warren said:

Funny. I got a text from ATT about this as I was reading the story. haha.

I have the really old unlimited hotspot plus plan and if I'm not on a congested tower I always have more then 30mbps. They told me ill save money if I upgrade. Is this worth it? And after 100gb have you gotten slowed down at all since this article came out? I use my plan with an actual nighthawk hotspot and its been my main internet for 7 years. Only thing I have in my rural area. I see it says 40gb of hotspot plan. I don't want to upgrade if its stops me at 40gb or I get slowed down to nothing after it. I do use maybe 150gb to 600 a month.

Share Your Thoughts on our Forums ->