AT&T Adds 2GB to Tethering plan, Announces First Phone to Carry Mobile Hotspot
As the Verizon iPhone launch is nearing, AT&T is getting aggressive. They have just announced they are increasing their tethering plans from 2GB to 4GB, and announced that their first hotpost enabled phone will be the $99 HTC Inspire 4G, launching Feb. 13.
The Inspire 4G will carry AT&T's new Mobile Hotspot application. Just as with tethering, it will have access to 4GB of data, which is double what Verizon's hotspot service has. Just as with the current plan, a customer has to have the $25 AT&T DataPro plan and add on an extra $20 for tethering (or hotspot), bringing the total to $45 a month.
Unlimited data for a tethering or hotspot plan would be asking too much, so we'll take the extra 2GB and be happy. Existing DataPro tethering customers will see the extra 2GB automatically allocated to their accounts. Customers will actually receive a text message once the 2GB is added to their account, as early as Feb. 13, the company said.
The press release is below.
The Inspire 4G will carry AT&T's new Mobile Hotspot application. Just as with tethering, it will have access to 4GB of data, which is double what Verizon's hotspot service has. Just as with the current plan, a customer has to have the $25 AT&T DataPro plan and add on an extra $20 for tethering (or hotspot), bringing the total to $45 a month.
Unlimited data for a tethering or hotspot plan would be asking too much, so we'll take the extra 2GB and be happy. Existing DataPro tethering customers will see the extra 2GB automatically allocated to their accounts. Customers will actually receive a text message once the 2GB is added to their account, as early as Feb. 13, the company said.
The press release is below.
AT&T Details Pricing, Launch of AT&T Mobile Hotspot App Coming February 13
Application Provides Additional 2GB of Data, Bundled with AT&T Data Pro
DALLAS, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced select smartphone customers will soon be able to connect multiple devices from their smartphone – via Wi-Fi – thanks to the new AT&T Mobile Hotspot application. The feature will first be available February 13, beginning with the in-store launch of the HTC Inspire™ 4G. Bundled with the AT&T Data Pro plan, customers will benefit from a total of 4GB for $45 per month.
In addition, also on February 13th, to bring AT&T's smartphone tethering plan in line with the AT&T Mobile Hotspot offer, AT&T will automatically add the additional 2GB of monthly data usage to smartphone customers already on a tethering plan – at no extra charge. Customers will incur the same $20 monthly fee they're accustomed to paying, only now they'll receive an extra 2GB of data each month.
AT&T Mobile Hotspot details include:"Our customers want to connect as many devices as possible to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, which is getting faster with 4G," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
- Connectivity for multiple wireless devices to AT&T's mobile broadband network
- 2 GB of data usage for $20 a month, bundled with AT&T's Data Pro plan ($25 / 2GB)
- The combined AT&T Data Pro plus AT&T Mobile Hotspot will provide 4GB for $45 per month
- 4GB applies to collective use among all devices
- Overage fee of $10 per gigabyte
"We want to extend the benefits of an additional 2GB to smartphone customers on our tethering plan. This delivers more value today for the price they're already paying – and that's what our customers want."
Customers will receive a text message from AT&T – as soon as February 13 – once the additional 2GB has been auto-added to their plan.
