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As emergency back-up for business people, it's good.
The problem is that it should be more widespread than that and for widespread service, the prices need to come way, way down. In Israel, people can get 2.8/1.2 cellular for $35/month, no data caps - a far, far cry from $60/month in the US with a 5 GB data cap.
I've definitely been in situations where I would love to have some PAYG data, and $30 a week or $50 a month doesn't seem too unreasonable. On trips a couple of times in the last year for instance, I found myself with no reliable internet and I absolutely needed it for business. At that point, paying $30 seems like a bargain compared to wardriving for a WiFi connection or trying to hack my iPhone for tethering, only to get 19.2kpbs. It's the cost of the hardware that is the only thing about this deal that I don't like. I'd have a hard time justifying the $250 that they charge for the modem without a contract.
@weatherman: I agree, the moaning about how this is high cost is kind of silly--when you pay for convenience, you usually pay a lot. See, for example, the comment about bottled water. Or take car rentals. Paying for data as you go, on the fly is no different.
Also agree wrt the cost of the modems. I can't see AT&T subsidizing the things when its PAYG. That hurts a lot.
I think this makes an awful lot of sense for a particular class of users and AT&T is pretty smart for doing it. There are times when I'm traveling where I'd pony up the money for a day or week of wireless access. But, I don't get an AT&T card because most of the time I don't need it, and paying even $30/mo for unlimited data isn't worth it. $15 is about what people used to pay for Wi-Fi in an airport. And, yeah, while the data caps kind of suck, I think the audience they are targeting aren't downloading movies, they are probably interacting with email.
And who knows, you get business users used to the idea behind this, they start using it more... Pretty soon its cheaper to take on the $30/mo data plan, etc. I think it is a sharp move on their part.
Is it just me or does 3% of Americans not covered seem like a pretty large number? There are 10M people out there that are not covered by AT&T wireless? How about putting up some masts?
@orthorim: I don't know what the 3% geographically means but, there is a lot of pretty isolated folks in the US. It's pretty hard to go places were someone isnt trying to live. There are still entire communities that really dont give a damn about telephones, cellphone or otherwise.
@savage3006: He caught me walking down a dark ally, I kicked the crap out of him, knocked his teeth into his skull and tore off his arm. He won't be coming around anytime soon.
BOO.. I love my iphone, but I'm very disappointed with AT&Ts 3G coverage. When purchasing my iphone, I was told my city was supposed to have 3G in October 2008. Here we are, pushing 2010 and still no 3G!
I really can't complain about their regular network coverage though. Other than a few dead spots here and there when outside city limits, I haven't had any problems. I've also never had a dropped call in an area receiving network reception.
@SpriteMV: We were told we would get it in 2007 but didn't until August this year. Luckily that is when I upgraded from the Edge iPhone to the 3GS and now experience a 1.9 Mbits/s connection average. So I guess it worked out well enough for me.
Look at this...look at what Verizon started. I'd say that they've won. First "there's a map for that" then AT&T responds with a lawsuit, and THEN AT&T tries to hit back with their own ads. Really, AT&T? They should have taken the high road but--instead--ended up looking defeated with their weak responses. It's too late AT&T.
Verizon went on the offensive because the iPhone is simply dominating the smartphone market. They needed the Droid and those ads to hit back.
Surprisingly, AT&T took the bait in the worst way. Verizon has won this battle.
@jeffrey001: Yeah, I haven't even watched this new AT&T spot and I already know it was a mistake. Verizon's current marketing team has done a great job.
Anyone else find it funny that people get so worked up about network coverage? Its all relative... certain providers have better coverage in certain places... find the coverage on the provider that works for you and deal with it. If you want a specific device that one company has exclusivity then make the decision whether or not you can deal with the spotty coverage. If I want a huge truck with big giant tires Im probably not going to get the gas mileage I would with a prius but I made that choice to get to go muddin...
when it comes to the iphone, it's the phone that's the deciding factor over network coverage. I've seen a lot of people complaining about AT&T but love their iphones. As for me, AT&T coverage is pretty good where I live and work - if it's patchy in the rest of the world it doesn't make a difference. I love my iPhone! AT&T and Verizon ...bah :)
customer: 'yeah that's a great map and all, and i do love luke wilson, but wasn't the verizon add specifically targeting 3g coverage?'
at&t: 'you've missed the point. don't you see how much orange is on that map?'
customer: 'right...'
11/23/09
11/23/09
The problem is that it should be more widespread than that and for widespread service, the prices need to come way, way down. In Israel, people can get 2.8/1.2 cellular for $35/month, no data caps - a far, far cry from $60/month in the US with a 5 GB data cap.
11/23/09
11/23/09
11/23/09
Also agree wrt the cost of the modems. I can't see AT&T subsidizing the things when its PAYG. That hurts a lot.
11/23/09
from a martketing stand point, this doesnt sound like a good plan
11/23/09
11/23/09
but compared to Verizon which does allow for it, these prices are a lil, meh..
unless i misunderstood the topic and verizon's pricing
#tips
11/23/09
And who knows, you get business users used to the idea behind this, they start using it more... Pretty soon its cheaper to take on the $30/mo data plan, etc. I think it is a sharp move on their part.
11/23/09
11/23/09
11/23/09
And they're bound to be because the truth of Verizon's ads (largely) still stands.
11/22/09
11/23/09
11/22/09
Looks like Luke has been dropping BonBons in his mouth like AT&T has been dropping calls.
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
I really can't complain about their regular network coverage though. Other than a few dead spots here and there when outside city limits, I haven't had any problems. I've also never had a dropped call in an area receiving network reception.
11/23/09
11/22/09
Verizon went on the offensive because the iPhone is simply dominating the smartphone market. They needed the Droid and those ads to hit back.
Surprisingly, AT&T took the bait in the worst way. Verizon has won this battle.
Verizon 1 AT&T 0
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
And some love handles.
11/22/09
at&t: 'you've missed the point. don't you see how much orange is on that map?'
customer: 'right...'