What AT&T's New Data Caps Mean For Gamers

AveryZoe

June 2, 2010

The idea of data caps has long been reviled by consumers. Many feel that for the amount of money they pay for Internet service, they are entitled to whatever amount of usage they desire. The fact that the majority of users do not approach the numbers set for the caps has not prevented consumers from rebelling each time Internet providers decide to try out capping.

The time has come to decide whether consumers will hold mobile providers to the same standards. Just months after the release of Apple's iPad and on the eve of the release of a new iPhone model, AT&T has announced they will be doing away with their unlimited data usage plans. New subscribers will be able to choose from a 200 megabyte plan that costs $15 a month, and a 2 gigabyte plan costing $25 a month. This at first glance seems like a great deal, especially since the current plan costs $30 a month. However, users who exceed their usage limits will face hefty penalties. Subscribers to the 200 megabyte plan will pay an additional $15 for each 200 megabytes used, and users of the 2 gigabyte plan will spend an additional $10 for each extra gigabyte. Current subscribers can choose to keep their unlimited plans, but they will not be available to new subscribers. Additionally, any data used over wi-fi will not be charged.

Smartphone and iPad users who use the Internet mainly for email and social networking will not likely see an issue with the caps, but users who are gamers and/or use the Internet for viewing videos and video-conferencing will be hard hit by the new caps. Many who purchased iPads and iPhones purely for gaming and portable video abilities can look forward to fees and charges that were not considered when they purchased their new electronics.

Another thing to consider with AT&T's new move is other mobile carriers reactions. Should consumers decide to let the data usage caps slide without too much of an uproar, other mobile carriers are likely to follow. Our days of unlimited Internet access may soon come to an end and that is a blow to gamers everywhere.