Thinking of cord-cutting with AT&T U-Verse? Think again.
 

I recently got a confusing email from AT&T. Translation: we'll give you "unlimited" internet as long as you bundle our overpriced TV package; otherwise we're going to start charging you for internet data"

Beginning on May 23, 2016 we will be increasing the U-verse® Internet data allowance for many customers. After a grace period, and as our agreement provides, there's a $10 charge for each 50GB of data you use over the allowance amount. If you choose to bundle your U-verse Internet with DIRECTV® or U-verse TV you will be provided an unlimited Internet data allowance with a $30 value at no additional charge, as a benefit of bundling. Or if you choose, an unlimited allowance is available for purchase as an optional bolt-on to your Internet service.

That reads, we'll give you $30 worth of unlimited data.

Meaning, there is no limit to the data you get under $30 worth.

Once had a fight with ATT over my daughters texting plan.

Turns out the "free" texting plan she was on was what they called Free Pay to Text.

Meaning they were not charging me for the ability to text rather they were simply charging for the texts.:rolleyes:

I recently dropped u-verse and had considered using ATT for streaming TV. My computer guru brother in law persuaded me to go with the hated comcast. So far I have not missed having the U-verse. I bought some Kindle fire sticks for each TV and subscribe to various channels. Pleased so far. I have noticed that I do watch less TV, and that is not a bad thing.

50$ for 50 mps a month from comcast with about 8 devices max.

ATT has some inventive ways to seperate you from your money.

Might be time to get Time Warner or Charter Cable. Per their merger agreement link, they won't be able to charge more for unlimited data for at least the next 7 years. I have heard nightmare stories about TWC though.

I am moving into a new home in 2 months, I need to get my ***** together to come up with the ultimate cord cutting solution.

They all universally suck, just pick the least expensive or cut TV altogether. Locally we have either UVerse or Cox, UVerse is about $100/mo cheaper so it's a no-brainer.

Um...that cap they are putting in is 600 GB a month, which is pretty damned high. I'm cutting the cord with my uverse account, and don't expect to come within 1/3 of that cap.

If you go over 600 in a month they warn you first but don't charge you. The second month they will send you warnings as you get close, but won't charge you. The third month they warn you a few times, then charge you $10 for an extra 50Gb, then $10 more for more as needed. Or, just pay $30 a month for unlimited, if you really need more than 750GB a month.

So, not really that draconian, once you actually read the freaking manual ;)

Or depending on where you live getting a leased line of some sort and sharing costs with neighbors, setting up local wireless, etc.

Or it could be something good/appropriate to have a HOA or Condo Association implement...

I got the same email. I think your translation is missing some details. I think a better synopsis is "we are sending this out as a marketing ploy to get paranoid people to purchase extra service"

You (we) already have a cap. When you hit the cap they don't disconnect you or throttle you, they charge you for more data. I've hit the cap before in the past when I had a guest that was using lots of data, I got a warning "don't do that again or we'll charge you extra"

They are for some folks, going to increase the cap. (I assume it depends upon your package, but haven't looked into it)

If you go over your cap, they'll charge you $10 for every 50Gig (I think they are already doing that) up to a max of $100.

Here's the marketing ploy:

"If you either get TV service or you pay $30 for unlimited, you'll have unlimited." Of course, if you're in danger of hitting your cap, you've probably already been spoken to an know it or have moved to some larger cap anyway.