AT&T Increases Prices for Customers on Retired Unlimited Data Plans

AT&T is raising prices for customers on its retired "unlimited" data plans, as announced on the telecommunications giant's website. This change will affect many long-time customers who have held onto older plans.

Price Changes

• Single Line of Service: Bills will increase by $10 per month.

• Multiple Lines of Service: Bills will increase by $20 per month, which is the total monthly increase and not per line.

Implementation Date

Customers will first see the price changes reflected in their August 2024 bills.

Benefits of the Increase

Despite the higher costs, AT&T is enhancing the plans with additional benefits:

• Existing Unlimited Benefits: Customers will keep their existing unlimited talk, text, and data benefits.

• Added High-Speed Data: Increased data caps for high-speed usage.

• Hotspot Data: More hotspot data included.

Detailed Plan Enhancements

• Plans: AT&T Unlimited Choice, Choice II, Choice Enhanced, Unlimited &More, Unlimited Value

  • New Benefits: 75 GB of high-speed data and 30 GB of hotspot data.

• Plans: AT&T Unlimited Plus, Plus Enhanced, Unlimited &More Premium, AT&T Unlimited (with TV)

  • New Benefits: 100 GB of high-speed data and 60 GB of hotspot data.

AT&T’s Statement

AT&T explained that the increased monthly bills "will allow us to provide additional benefits to your plan and continue to deliver the great wireless service you expect." This suggests the company aims to justify the price hike with tangible enhancements to service quality.

Options for Current Customers

Customers on older plans may find more cost-effective solutions by switching to AT&T's current unlimited plans. According to Ars Technica, these plans range from about $66 to $86 for a single line before taxes and fees, offering potential savings compared to the increased rates of the retired plans.

Industry-Wide Trend of Price Increases

AT&T’s decision follows a similar move by T-Mobile, which announced price hikes in May for customers on older plans. T-Mobile cited rising costs and inflation as reasons for the adjustments. Specific changes included:

• Voice Lines: Increase of $5.00 per line per month.

• Connected Devices (e.g., cellular-connected watches or tablets): Increase of $2 per line per month.

Customer Impact and Response

The adjustments reflect a broader trend within the telecommunications industry where companies are revisiting older plans to manage increasing operational costs and inflation pressures. Customers may need to evaluate their current plans and consider switching to newer plans that could offer better value for money.

AT&T’s Commitment to Service

By implementing these changes, AT&T is reinforcing its commitment to delivering enhanced wireless service and additional benefits to its customers, even as it adjusts pricing to meet the economic challenges and operational demands of today’s market.

Conclusion

As telecommunications companies adjust to rising costs and inflation, customers on older plans may need to re-evaluate their options to find the best value for their needs. AT&T's price increase, while adding benefits like more high-speed and hotspot data, reflects a broader trend of price adjustments in the industry. The move underscores the importance for consumers to stay informed about their service plans and explore all available options to ensure they are getting the best deal for their needs.