I expect this will increase the cries for a non-AT&T iPhone:
In time for the widely expected launch of a new iPhone model, carrier AT&T Inc. is pulling in the reins on data usage by its customers with smart phones and iPads.
The sole U.S. carrier of the iPhone is introducing two new data plans, starting June 7, with limits on data consumption. They’ll replace the $30 per month plan with unlimited usage that it has required for all smart phones, including the iPhone. . .
Current AT&T subscribers will be allowed to keep the unlimited plan, even if they renew their contracts. But all new subscribers will have to choose one of the two new plans.
What’s amusing is the part where AT&T implies they’re doing us a favor.
UPDATE: Daniel Indiviglio says they really are doing us a favor: most iPhone users don’t use anywhere near 2GB a month. I suppose that’s true; I was being overly harsh. But I still don’t like the idea: (1) Most iPhone users probably have no idea how much data they transfer. (2) It’s reasonable to pay a premium not to worry about it. (3) If an app goes haywire, you have no good way of knowing it and the overage charges are steep.
UPDATE: I’m going to reverse myself partially and say that this might be a good idea, if Apple gives us a good way to monitor our usage. I want to be able to track my data usage so I know if I’m using too much, and not just when I’m about to reach my cap. Also, I want to be able to set a hard cap that the phone won’t exceed without my say-so, to protect me against rogue apps.
I still think that its funny that AT&T is pretending they’re doing us a favor. We may have reason to accept this change, but it’s obvious that AT&T is doing this because their network is unable to deliver on their implicit promises.
Internet Scofflaw 