Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

AT&T Removes HBO From an Unlimited Data Plan After Buying Time Warner (arstechnica.com)

Posted by msmash on from the change-of-plans dept.

AT&T revamped its two unlimited mobile plans this week, and in the process it raised the price for the entry-level plan by $5 a month while removing the free HBO perk. The entry-level unlimited plan now starts at $70 instead of $65. ArsTechnica adds: Existing customers can keep their old plan and the free HBO, but new customers or those who switch plans will have to buy the more expensive unlimited plan to get HBO at no added cost. AT&T did add some video options to both plans, however. Both unlimited plans get AT&T's new "WatchTV" streaming service that comes with more than 30 channels, and buyers of the more expensive unlimited plan can choose to get HBO or another premium add-on. While "HBO is no longer included on the lower-priced plan," "customers who remain on their existing plan won't see any change and will keep the HBO benefit for as long as they remain on their current plan," AT&T told Ars. Further reading: AT&T Is Screwing Customers By Almost Tripling a Bogus Fee.

10 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. So, can we say "I told you so" now? by Bryansix · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So basically all the things people were worried about came true? Reduce competition for one of the most evil an unethical corporations out there and they raise prices and remove perks. Who could have seen this coming?

    1. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by SeaFox · · Score: 5, Funny

      We should break AT&T up into smaller regional AT&Ts.

      That plan rings a Bell with me for some reason.

    2. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by khandom08 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I love this line:

      but new customers or those who switch plans will have to buy the more expensive unlimited plan to get HBO at no added cost

    3. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by Bryansix · · Score: 2

      It doesn't. It has to do with the Mergers.

    4. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by mwvdlee · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Corporations will always act as anti-competitive as they can legally get away with, because it improves profits.
      Corporations will make the net as anti-competitive as a lack of net neutrality allows them to do, regardless of any "pledges" or "promises" they make now.

      --
      Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
    5. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by gnick · · Score: 3, Funny

      Buy one for twice the price, and I'll throw in a second for FREE!

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    6. Re:So, can we say "I told you so" now? by Xenx · · Score: 2

      I think there is some confusion there. AT&T has been offering free HBO before all this. The $65 plan USED to offer HBO. They're raising the cost to $70 and removing HBO. They did the opposite of what you're talking about here

  2. Watch that fine print - by the_skywise · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have the old "grandfathered" unlimited plan and was looking to switch to the new one as, I was told (from various articles/reviews on the internet) that it's better with unlimited calling and text too.

    Not quite...
    The cheaper plan throttles earlier. To get the numbers from my old plan I'd have to get the more expensive plan for $5 more a month than I'm currently playing. Not a bad trade-off but there's ONE more gotcha
    The NEW unlimited plans will NOT allow the use of any corporate discounts. These are given out to companies that work closely with the phone company or provide a lot of customers. I get 12% off my grandfathered unlimited calling plan with it. But NOT the new one. So that $5 more becomes ~$15 more!
    Pass.

  3. No video over 480p is "unlimited"? by RhettLivingston · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wow. Ignoring the so-called HBO perk (I "cut the cord" precisely to stop paying for bundled media), this is a heavily limited plan. From the details of the $45/month "unlimited" level:

    Data Restrictions: For all data usage, AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds during times of network congestion. Plan is not eligible for Stream Saver. For content we can identify as video, wireless streaming speed will be slowed to a max of 1.5Mbps, Standard Definition quality (about 480p). Video speed is capped at this amount, regardless of network device is on (for example 4G LTE). Ability to stream, video resolution, and other data usage (including speed) are not guaranteed, may vary, and be aected by a variety of other factors. Other restrictions apply. Tethering/mobile hotspot use prohibited (except Connected Cars).

    So, basically, at any point in time they may lower speeds when some undefined level of "network congestion" has been met. What do you reckon the chances are that that won't be an almost always condition? But video from any known provider will be limited to 1.5Mbps and 480p at ALL times. And tethering is completely disabled.

    Given that video and tethering are likely the two biggest reasons to get unlimited data on a phone, this seems like a pretty useless "unlimited" service. If you don't ever watch video or tether, you'll very likely stay within a 2GB or so limit on a cheaper plan with no problem, especially if you use WiFi for data where available.

    1. Re:No video over 480p is "unlimited"? by satcat · · Score: 3, Informative

      What.. It absolutely does!

      Not as much for say a TV show or movie, but anything with fine text (say a video game steam or lecture of some sort) can be unwatchable at 480p. Faces and expressions in panel discussions can be difficult to see.