[NEWS] Want a Smartphone on ATT Be Prepared to Pony Up for an Expensive plan

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Want a Smartphone on AT&T? Be Prepared to Pony Up for an Expensive Smartphone Data Plan!

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GSM users on AT&T's wireless network have been able to get by for years without having to commit to purchasing a data plan and could get a smartphone primarily for voice, use pay-per-use data, or even use a non-compatible data plans designed for feature phones that are less expensive than their smartphone counterparts. All that is about to change as the carrier is mandating that all smartphones be sold with a data plan attached. AT&T's centralized control of data plan comes after the carrier instituted similar policies for its iPhone users.

The plan will go into effect on September 6th, but the good news is that existing smartphone users will be exempted from this policy--that is, until you decide to upgrade to the next generation of smartphones, including the rumored Tilt2 and the carrier's Diamond2 version in October.

Click on to find out more about AT&T's tight clamp over smartphones and data plans.

Mandating a smartphone data plan may give the carrier more flexibility with rebates and smartphone subsidies as it means that the carrier will enjoy a higher average revenue per user (ARPU) with a guaranty of a minimum of $30 per month for a PDA/smartphone plan. Carriers understand that the data is a more lucrative business than the voice business and requiring a data plan will help AT&T boost its bottom line over the length of your contract. Of course, the carrier is spinning it so that it will seem like the requirement is beneficial to consumers.

According to AT&T memos, the requirement is in fact to help and protect the customers. Is this a beneveloent gesture? Well, you tell me after reading this nice little clause:

We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their Smartphones. A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, 2009 Smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do. Data plans let customers fully utilize their device, without the worry of bill shock.

This is just the new AT&T, delivering your (internet) world to you for a price, and that price is the value of a smartphone plan for those gadget lovers here at pocketnow.com subscribing to the carrier's wireless network.

Here's also the unabridged memo from AT&T corporate to its retail employees, educating them on pitching data to customers:

Beginning September 6, 2009, customers who activate or upgrade to a Smartphone will need to sign up for an appropriate data plan. Existing Smartphone customers active prior to September 6, 2009 will be grandfathered and exempt from the new policy.

Why we are making this change?
We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their Smartphones. A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction, so effective September 6, 2009 Smartphone customers will need to subscribe to a data plan, as the vast majority of customers already do. Data plans let customers fully utilize their device, without the worry of bill shock.

How we will ensure an extraordinary customer experience?
The sales representative is the customers expert resource in helping select the right device for their needs. When a customer does not want a data plan, we will position other devices in our industry leading portfolio for the customer to choose from, as many devices do not require a data plan.

Action Required:
Sales Managers will review the Know the Facts, Job Aid, and FAQs (found under Related Links) with their sales teams and ensure all sales representatives fully understand the new policy and how to position the Smartphone data requirement to customers. A Sales Coaching Session will be available on September 5, 2009 (document to be distributed in advance).

(via: BGR)

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very interesting and the 30 bucks for the data is ridiculous imo.... but the major question that i have is who would get any sort of a smartphone without a data plan? doesnt make sense to me.