Data Plan Perspective from AT&T - iPhone 3G

Spin This! · 06-17-2007, 01:35 AM

I was thinking about this... why would AT&T mandate a data plan when paying by the KB would make them so much more money? Aren't cell phone companies out to screw customers?

By that token, I think AT&T will not mandate a data plan per se but instead instruct customers that it will be in your best interest to get a plan (even if it's a 5 MB/$10 month one) or you'll be paying by the KB which can add up quick (for the same 5 MB of transfer, you'll end up paying $50 by the KB). This might be especially true if certain features—such as visual voicemail—will require the plan.

wjp09 · 06-17-2007, 01:40 AM

well if your not using their network they dont have Guaranteed money. But if your always near wifi you would never need to pay by the kb because you already have a signal.

Spin This! · 06-17-2007, 01:50 AM

Their "guaranteed money" comes from their minimum $40/month voice plan locked in for 2 years.

wjp09 · 06-17-2007, 01:52 AM

yeah and if they can lock you in for data too why wouldnt they?

Spin This! · 06-17-2007, 02:30 AM

"You can always cancel later" is always an easy answer to "no." Especially when told the hard facts of paying by the KB, a lot of customers would take the "plan" than to overextend themselves.

In sales, you can never come across as too hungry or greedy or the customer will walk. Also, you need to make it seem like the customer is in control every step of the way. It's a lot easier to sell a $40/month plan with a cancellable $20/month data plan than it is to sell a $60/month plan that extends out to 2 years.

It doesn't make any financial sense to lock out a potential buyer willing to pay $40 a month for the phone for 2 years than for them not to purchase anything at all. Go check out one of the polls here... one of them mentioned "would you still get the phone if a data plan cost $40/month?" Over 40% here said no. And that's the hardcore people on this forum—I'd wager the average joe consumer would be even less tolerant. Not every person buying the phone is tech savvy—knowing where all the wi-fi hotspots are, etc.

maclaptopuser · 06-17-2007, 02:34 AM

Let's face it, there is little difference between the cell phone carriers and the gasoline companies.

They both have something we use, they are both large scale enterprises and they all lie to us.

So why complain? It is what it is.....period.

Spin This! · 06-17-2007, 02:39 AM

you're comparing gasoline to cell phone service? seriously? c'mon now...

maclaptopuser · 06-17-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spin This!

you're comparing gasoline to cell phone service? seriously? c'mon now...

Lighten up it's good for you..........

sammyb · 06-17-2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spin This!

you're comparing gasoline to cell phone service? seriously? c'mon now...

Cell phone use started as a luxury, now is a necessity.
I have not had a land line in my house for about 3yrs now, it made sense we were paying about $80 a month for something we did not use because every body just called our cell phones.

maclaptopuser · 06-17-2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyb

Cell phone use started as a luxury, now is a necessity.
I have not had a land line in my house for about 3yrs now, it made sense we were paying about $80 a month for something we did not use because every body just called our cell phones.

Precisely!