AT&T has recently introduced minor modifications to their consumer postpaid smartphone plans. As part of this update, they have replaced their previous top-tier plan, AT&T Unlimited Elite plan. In its place, they introduced a new plan called Unlimited Premium.
Variations in the AT&T Unlimited Elite Plan
AT&T’s former top-tier consumer postpaid plan for smartphones was the Unlimited Elite Plan. Note that it began at $85 per line for a single line of service. The plan offered several attractive features, including unlimited high-speed priority on-device data, exemption from network management, 40GB of high-speed mobile hotspot usage, 4K video streaming capabilities, service usability in Canada and Mexico, and access to the HBO Max streaming service. However, they discontinued the plan, and existing customers can keep their current plan arrangements.
AT&T’s latest plan, Unlimited Premium, takes over from the previous Unlimited Elite and retains most of its features. However, there have been a few minor modifications. For example, the high-speed mobile hotspot allowance now stands at 50GB instead of the previous 40 GB. Once users surpass the 50GB limit, the hotspot speeds will experience a significant reduction to 128 kbps. Note that most individuals might not find it very beneficial.
This adjustment aligns AT&T’s hotspot throttling policy with that of Verizon. On certain plans, Verizon also enforces a 128-kbps throttle after reaching the high-speed mobile hotspot cap. However, on other plans, the throttling is set at 600 kbps for LTE/5G Nationwide or 3 Mbps for 5G UW. It’s worth noting that these modifications didn’t affect any of the other AT&T consumer smartphone plans.
AT&T Business Unlimited Elite
If you qualify for a business account and are interested in an AT&T plan, you might want to explore the Business Unlimited Elite plan. This version of the plan costs $85, just like the consumer version, and offers several attractive features. It ensures there is no network management, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted high-speed data usage. Moreover, the plan includes 4K UHD streaming capabilities.
The Business Unlimited Elite plan also provides an additional benefit of 100GB of high-speed data for mobile hotspot usage, which can be quite advantageous for your business needs.
Conclusion: AT&T Unlimited Elite Plan
The recent plan adjustment may come with a new plan name, but the actual changes are quite modest. Customers who were on the Unlimited Elite plan have the option to retain their plan if they value the HBO Max add-on, at least for the time being. The future scenario is uncertain once the dedicated HBO Max service is no longer available. However, for those who find the increased hotspot data appealing, it is a straightforward process to get in touch with AT&T at any time and switch from Elite to Premium. This allows customers to tailor their plans to their preferences and needs.
The carriers’ adoption of premium plans without network management thresholds, along with generous mobile hotspot data and 4K video streaming, is a positive development. It’s especially noteworthy that the price remains unchanged, which is reassuring, especially when considering that AT&T is implementing monthly increases of $6-12 on their legacy plans starting this month. This stability in the pricing of the new premium plans provides customers with more value and predictability in their mobile service costs.
FAQ: AT&T Unlimited Elite Plan
Q: Is AT&T increasing the rates for its older Unlimited Elite plans?
A: Yes, AT&T is raising the rates for its older Unlimited Elite plans.
Q: Does the rate increase affects the new premium plans?
A: The provided information only mentioned rate increases for older Unlimited Elite plans. There is no information about the impact of the new premium plans.
Q: Can customers keep their current Unlimited Elite plans despite the rate increase?
A: The provided information did not explicitly mention whether existing customers can retain their current Unlimited Elite plans after the rate increase.
Q: Will the rate increase apply to business accounts as well?
A: The information about whether the rate increase will apply to business accounts is not available.
Q: Are there any additional benefits or changes to the plans accompanying the rate increase?
A: The information provided focused on the rate increase for older Unlimited Elite plans. Any potential additional benefits or changes were not mentioned.