AT&T officially confirmed Friday that it is "simplifying" monthly service plans allowing new customers to choose from Mobile Share plans allowing data sharing across multiple devices.
AT&T, the second largest mobile operator in the U.S., announced Friday that it is eliminating its traditional device plans for the popular Mobile Share plans, which are pricey but offer data sharing across multiple devices. This will take effect for all new customers starting October 25, while the plans remain the same for existing subscribers.
AT&T introduced the shared-data service plans in 2012, along with competitor Verizon. The carrier also announced that existing customers will not lose their current plans even if they choose to upgrade their smartphone. Last month Verizon, after a technical glitch, had allowed users to upgrade to a new smartphone without losing their unlimited data plan.
"Our customers have expressed an overwhelming preference for simplified options that allow them to share data across multiple devices," AT&T said in a press release, Friday. "New customers will have the choice of any of our Mobile Share plans, which start as low as $50 a month for a basic phone or $70 a month for a smartphone - both of which include unlimited talk and text and 300MB of data that can be shared***. In 95 percent of the new customer scenarios, Mobile Share offers the same or better price with additional value."
The news was first reported by Engadget before AT&T confirmed it in a press release later that day.
AT&T's $70/month plan for a smartphone gives 300 MB, and for those who want up to 50 GB can pay up to $530/month under the Mobile Share plan. Customers can connect laptops and netbooks for an extra $20 a month.
