[Q] Why the $45 dollar plan?

[MXIIA]

I do not mind the pricing of the phone. The only pricing I cannot seem to comprehend is the $45 dollar data plan that is required.
The plan is 2GB, same as AT&T's $25 dollar plan... Even the iPhone gets this same plan.

Why jack up the price on the ATRIX?

 

[PersonOfKnownOrigin]

Pretty sure that's only if you pick up tethering.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

 

[RacecarBMW]

Is it possible to buy this phone off-contract?

 

[eatkabab]

If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)

 

[svengalis]

If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)

I don't know for sure but I would think so.

 

[acPIZZA]

Pretty sure that's only if you pick up tethering.

This.

If you are getting the $45 data plan price from a certain article on theandroidblog.com - it is either a typo, or the writer just didn't know what he/she was talking about.

The official press release/article with the ATT exec stated in the applicable terms that a minimum data plan of $15 is required.

Think about it. I don't know anyone that would pay $45 for 2gb of data.

 

[Rred]

Is it possible to buy this phone off-contract?

A couple of places already are advertising $599 without contract, so apparently it will be available just like every other phone.

 

[Rastor]

If you're just getting the phone and nothing else (no tethering), does it still require you to change stuff on your account? (would I have to give up my unlimited data for some retarded ATT reason?)

AT&T is coding the Webtop app to require a tethering plan to use it on the AT&T network.

If you are ignoring the docks / Webtop use, you can ignore the tethering and keep your current plan.

 

[Squeak22]

AT&T is coding the Webtop app to require a tethering plan to use it on the AT&T network.

If you are ignoring the docks / Webtop use, you can ignore the tethering and keep your current plan.

This is all conjecture. I haven't seen anything that claims this on any news/blog/rumor site anywhere except people making weird claims on the forums.

 

[LockeCPM4]

The $45 tethering plan will get you an additional 2GB of data come February 13th for a total of 4GB.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

 

[MXIIA]

Ok, so the article on The Android Blog was mistyped. That is a relief. a 45 dollar plan would deter anyone from the phone. $25 is better... if only I could keep my nonsmartphone Unlimited plan for $10. :/

 

[Mike's Aria]

This is all conjecture. I haven't seen anything that claims this on any news/blog/rumor site anywhere except people making weird claims on the forums.

You need to search a little harder. There are a lot of news sites reporting the pricing. Click HERE for one of them.

Under the section titled "Motorola ATRIX™ 4G" you find this sentence in the third paragraph "The first combines ATRIX 4G and the Motorola Laptop Dock for a promotional price of $499.99 after a two-year service contract and $100 mail-in-rebate after subscription to Data Pro smartphone data plan and tethering add on.". This indicates that to get the package deal you have to sign up for the Data Pro plan which is $25 and the tethering add on which is an additional $20.

If you go down to the quotes section under #3 you see this "Laptop Dock - Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.
". #4 of the same section is indicating that tethered devices require the DataPro Tethering Plan (which at&t could also call using the HD dock tethering).

So all in all, if you're buying the phone by itself, you don't need to change your data plan if you currently have a smartphone data plan. If you are buying one of the docks, be cautious, as they will more than likely require you to change it.

Now here is my speculation on why at&t stated this pricing to news groups and not on their website. They are hoping that the pricing of the atrix will convince a large majority of the people that were excited about it to change their mind and purchase the inspire 4g that comes out next week. They will then release a statement on their website with "revised pricing". Again, my speculation.

 

[SoberGuy]

Mike, that's still your interpretation of it all. I hear where you're coming from, but it isn't final yet.

ATT told me, both on their Facebook page and from a PR contact, that the HD dock doesn't require the tethering plan. I'm awaiting more detail before I do a more thorough write up on it.

Your last argument about changing pricing purposefully doesn't make much business sense. No one likes to operate in a manner in which they appear to be inept. Do they do it? Sure. Purposefully? I highly doubt it.

Sent from my Sexy Nexy, courtesy of the fine developers of Tapatalk

 

[Rastor]

It doesn't require the tethering plan if you stay in Wifi mode when you're docked. Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.

 

[SoberGuy]

It doesn't require the tethering plan if you stay in Wifi mode when you're docked. Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan.

Again, that comment is preceded by "3 - Laptop Dock". When asked specifically about tethering and the HD dock (that also uses webtop and firefox), AT&T has said tethering is not required. I have inquired as to the reasoning behind this, and what it all really means. They have yet to respond with anything more than "we'll get back to you as soon as we can".