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AT&T Staff Confused on Grandfathered Unlimited Data

Grandfathers are supposed to be sweet and supportive, but AT&T is playing the crotchety kind. Thanks to Rob Pegoraro at the Washington Post, we see the iPhone’s U.S. cellular provider has stopped letting some longstanding customers keep their unlimited data plans on some devices, such as laptop USB “modems,” not just when moving to a new contract, but even on existing contracts. But what about iPhone data plans?

AT&T had said in June that existing iPhone customers could keep the unlimited data plan until they canceled or changed their service plan, even when upgrading to a new iPhone. However, some AT&T customer service reps are saying that the company has changed its mind and is forcing customers to choose the $15 DataPlus plan (200 MB/month) or $25 DataPro plan (2 GB/month) to replace their existing $30 unlimited plan, whether or not they want to switch.

An AT&T media contact assures us, “There has been no change to the policy that existing AT&T smartphone customers with unlimited plans can keep those plans if they choose when upgrading to another smartphone.”

If you’re told otherwise, ask for another rep, or a supervisor.

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