AT&T Seems To Be Moving Closer To Shared Data Plans
by Brent Dirks
February 13, 2012
Even though it has been more than eight months since AT&T confirmed that shared data plans were in the works, information leaked over the weekend shows group data sharing is inching closer to reality.
Engadget first published two screenshots provided anonymously from Telegence, AT&T’s internal system used to manage customer accounts. The screenshots refer to adding new group-level data sharing nodes in preparation for the launch of shared data plans. But, on the downside, the system states that any launch date is still unknown.
Group data plans would work by allowing customers to share data between an iPhone, iPad or any other data device on AT&T’s network. Doing so would hypothetically save users money by having them only pay for one data plan to be shared among their devices.
And saving money would be a welcome relief to AT&T customers, especially after the recent news that the much-maligned company is increasing its upgrade fee to $36, forcing users to pay double to just change phones.
Let’s also hope shared data plans wouldn’t be in line for data throttling for the “top 5 percent” of customers. But don’t hold your breath on that one.
Not to be outdone, shared data plans are also in the pipeline at Verizon. We know a little bit more about Big Red’s plans, with a recent leak saying that data will be able to be shared between devices for a $9.99 monthly fee. But just like AT&T, there is still no known rollout date.
Are you excited about shared data plans and the possibility of actually paying less money to carriers to use both your iPhone and iPad? Or, in the case of AT&T, would you just be happy with the company’s data network actually being reliable?
