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I really like using the “Rethink Possible” logo as the header image for these types of AT&T articles. It is so humorously ironic.
Indeed, AT&T is once again forcing us to rethink what is possible by taking away even more possibilities. This time, it is in regards to text messaging plans. Engadget first reported yesterday the company’s plans to remove its $10 messaging plan, which offers 1,000 messages per month, leaving the unlimited plan as the only option. AT&T did not take much time confirming this report. Beginning August 21st, the changes will kick into gear and new subscribers will have to choose between all or nothing.
The “all” choices are $20 for individual unlimited text messaging or $30 for family unlimited text messaging. In just a few short days, the third option will be paying an insanely overpriced $0.20 per text message without a plan.
But there is a logical reason for this madness. AT&T is scared. Very scared. BlackBerry Messenger, Google Voice, and other services have already started to eliminate the need for any SMS communication. Facebook just released its Messenger app, further diminishing our dependency on the carriers. And to top it all off, Apple is baking their own iMessage messaging system right into iOS 5 this fall, instantly connecting millions of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners for free. The texting trend is dying and AT&T does not like it one bit.
All of this translates into very simple message for the infamous carrier: profit loss. They hear the message loud and clear and have decided that it is best if we, the customers, suffer for their greed. I currently own an iPhone 4 on AT&T, and as soon as Apple released iOS 5 and iMessage, I fully intended to downgrade my text messaging plan to the $10/1,000 messages offering to save a few bucks. I can no longer do that. And while I am prepared to completely refrain from text messaging to cancel the plan altogether, AT&T still charges a fee when someone messages me.
As of now, the “all or nothing” strategy is a lose-lose situation for everyone. Except AT&T.
Link: AT&T Messaging Plans
This probably hurts AT&T more if more people adopt free messaging solutions that rely only on data plans.
Also, you’ve got until August 21st to drop to a $10/1,000 SMS plan.
I conveniently placed a link at the bottom to the current messaging plans in case anyone was interested in doing just that. Thanks!
All what they ways is to find ways to make money, Don’t care about their iPhone and I am very happy with T-Mobile. I hope the merge will never happen
merge is gonna happen whether you like it or not… at&t wont be the last to get rid of the multiple texting options, just like they weren’t the last to do away with unlimited data plans… more and more people may switch to no text plan and try to rely on others using imessage and what not but that will just increase data use, which in turn the cell companies will charge more for data, not to mention putting more caps on data like they are not only on our cell phones but on our home internet plans (check verizon fios, att uverse, comcast and cox to name a few for your monthly data limits at home)
Foolish, reactionary thinking. With the IPhone on Verizon and soon to be on Sprint, ATT is going to make decisions that drive people away? That doesn’t seem to make much sense. Sure, other companies will follow suit, but I’d wager that at least one will not and that will become a selling point for that carrier. If that carrier happens to be one that also carries the IPhone, ATT is pretty screwed. If you don’t provide the best service or the cheapest price, you had better offer unique features. If you don’t offer any of the three, you’ll learn, first hand, about the invisible hand.