AT&T Rocks Smartphone Industry by Dropping Unlimited Data Plans
June 02, 2010 at 16:18 PM EDT
In a pioneering move likely to shake up the mobile telecom industry, AT&T (NYSE: T ) today (Wednesday) abandoned unlimited-pricing plans for new wireless subscribers accessing data on smartphones. The changes could lower the cost of service for the vast majority of AT&T's users but potentially raise rates significantly for heavy data consumers. The new plans go into effect on June 7, the same day Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL ) is widely expected to unveil the next generation of its popular iPhone. By instituting usage limits on what were previously unlimited smartphone data plans, AT&T embarks on an important and long-awaited shift in how carriers bill their customers.
