14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier AT&T has been rumored for the past few days to be on its way to introduce a series of messaging plans for certain handsets in its offering, and it seems that these plans have already been put in place by the operator. Unlike other service agreements, these new plans are said to be requirements for those users willing to purchase a so called “Quick Messaging” device from the carrier.
According to the guys over at BGR, who broke the news on AT&T's intentions, there are quite a few handsets that require the purchase of a messaging plan, and the plans are priced somewhere at around $20 per month. The cost comes from the bundling of a messaging plan, which is of around $5 per month, with an unlimited data plan, which costs around $15 per month.
Here's what BGR has to say on the matter: - Phones that require a messaging plan at time of purchase include: Pantech Reveal, Pantech Impact, Motorola Karma, Samsung Flight, Samsung Impression, Samsung Magnet, Samsung Solstice, Samsung Mythic, Samsung Propel, LG Xenon, LG Neon, and the LG Vu. - It looks like the minimum monthly cost when buying a “Quick Messaging” phone is around $20. That’s a $5 200 SMS/MMS plan and a $15/month unlimited data plan. It doesn’t look like you can walk out of the door without paying less than $20/mo in features in addition to your voice plan. - There are slightly different requirements if you have a family plan, so check those out in detail with your AT&T liaison. - If you have an existing “Quick Messaging” device, you don’t have to do a thing. But, if you want to ever upgrade to a new device, you’d then be hit with the messaging feature requirement.
There is also a screenshot of what appears to be a FAQ for sales representatives that proves AT&T made the move, yet it appears that this is something old, actually. The carrier made some changes to its unlimited plans not too long ago, and the messaging plans were introduced at that time, it is believed. Older customers should be safe for now, as they will only have to go for a new messaging/data plan when upgrading to a quick messaging phone, it seems.