AT&T approves grandfathered data plans for use with iPhone 5
As it was already announced, the iPhone 5 will be available with three out of the four major wireless carriers in the U.S. – AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. And it goes without saying that purchasing Apple's new smartphone will require a subscription to a cellular data plan. That shouldn't be too big of a deal for AT&T users who prefer holding on to their grandfathered unlimited plan as the carrier will allow them to keep it. We're looking at you, folks, who still get unlimited data for $30 per month. Yeah, we know that you get throttled after reaching the 5GB mark, which is why the plan isn't truly unlimited, but still, it's a killer deal you cannot simply leave behind.
Unfortunately, Verizon subscribers aren't that lucky as they will have to make a choice prior to getting an iPhone 5: buy the smartphone at its subsidized price and sign up for a tiered data plan, or purchase it at full retail price (think $650 and above) in order to keep their grandfathered subscription. Basically, those who renew their Verizon contract and purchase a subsidized iPhone 5 will lose their existing unlimited data plan.
At the same time, switching to Sprint is also an option as the carrier offers truly unlimited data plans, which makes for a tempting deal now that the iPhone 5 offers LTE connectivity. But then again, the carrier has yet to expand its LTE network sufficiently to blanket a considerable percentage of the U.S. with its LTE airwaves. Sure, a large number of new markets will be added over the next few months, yet still, coverage might not be as good as one would want it to be.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: