AT&T has a new unlimited data plan in store, but it will not be available to all customers. The carrier simply aims to boost its wireless and TV offerings.
Unlimited data plans have stirred lots of controversy in recent times and they're pretty much an endangered species, with just a few offerings now left on the table. AT&T itself went under fire back in December 2015 for spiking the prices of grandfathered unlimited data plans. That change is set to take effect this February, but the carrier now has a new offer for some of its customers.
More specifically, AT&T has now announced a new unlimited data plan only for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse TV customers.
"AT&T is kicking off the New Year with a new unlimited wireless data offer for its new and existing TV subscribers who like watching their favorite videos and TV shows almost everywhere," the carrier touts.
Starting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, both new and existing wireless customers on AT&T will get the new AT&T Unlimited Plan if they have or add DirecTV or U-Verse service.
This new plan basically offers customers more data to watch videos, surf the web or play games on mobile devices, aiming to convince more users to watch TV on their smartphones and tablets.
AT&T customers who want to go for this Unlimited Plan will have to shell out $100 per month, which will get them unlimited data, talk and text, but on a single smartphone. Those who want to add a second and a third handset to the plan will have to pay an extra $40 per month each. Adding a fourth smartphone, meanwhile, will be free, after bill credits.
To sum things up, a family of four, for instance, would have to pay $180 per month to get unlimited data, video streaming, talk and text. Adding a tablet will cost $40 per month as well, while a smartwatch will involve an extra $10 per month.
AT&T further says that it plans to add more integrated video and mobile offers this year. For now, AT&T president and CEO Glenn Lurie boasts that this new AT&T Unlimited Plan is the best value plan the carrier ever offered.
The press release also notes that AT&T's new deal is a limited-time offer, but makes no mention of when it will expire.
With this new announcement, AT&T also found it hard to resist not taking a jab at rival T-Mobile. The Uncarrier recently stirred a great deal of controversy over its Binge On throttling practices, but CEO John Legere said that it's all about consumer choices. AT&T now highlights that its new Unlimited Plan is nothing like T-Mobile's Binge On, because it applies to all content and involves "no compromise in video quality."
