AT&T rolls out new billing options for iPads and other tablets

Conspicuously absent from yesterday’s iPad 2 announcement were the rate plans for 3G service. The Apple site instead deferred to AT&T and Verizon for details without offering direct links. AT&T is sharing details on what’s the same and what’s different in their revamped tablet data plans.

What’s the same is that they’re still charging $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB per month. That’s month-to-month, no two-year contract.

The change is that they’re offering a postpaid option to existing customers to add the charge to their bill. So instead of entering credit card info on your iPad, you can tack it on to your AT&T bill and pay that however you normally pay. Overage charges for postpaid customers are still $10/1GB. The overage charge for prepaid is now $25/2GB. If that wasn’t enough incentive to go postpaid, AT&T is offering postpaid customers the first month free for a limited time.

Of course, you must already be an AT&T customer to take advantage of postpaid billing. That’s fine enough if you are, but I don’t think it’s going to lure in too many new customers. Still, nothing wrong with having more options.

AT&T Introduces New Monthly Billing Option for Tablets

Customers Get First Month Free When Activating New Postpaid Plan

Dallas, Texas, March 03, 2011

AT&T today introduced convenient new postpaid billing options for tablets.  Beginning today, customers can choose between AT&T’s existing prepaid billing options or the new postpaid plans.  The new plans can be added to customers’ existing monthly wireless statements, offering the simplicity of a single monthly bill.  For a limited time, customers who activate a new postpaid $25/2 GB plan will receive the first month free(1).

The new postpaid billing option will be available across AT&T retail locations, as well as att.com, Best Buy, Fry’s, select Nexcom locations, and Walmart stores nationwide.

“Tablets offer the convenience of mobile broadband virtually anywhere and our new billing options give customers the flexibility to choose how they prefer to be billed,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets.
Customers may choose from the following options.

• Postpaid:  $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB.  Customers on the 2 GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment will be charged $10 per 1 GB of overage.  Charges will appear on customers’ monthly wireless statements.
• Prepaid:  $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB.  Customers on the 2 GB plan who exceed their monthly data allotment may choose to purchase an additional 2 GB for $25.  Charges will appear on customers’ credit card statements.

Both options are month-to-month and do not require a long-term commitment.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit https://www.att.com/.

(1)Mobile broadband not available in all areas. Plan is for 30 days. Service free for new postpaid activations for first 30 days or the first 2GB of usage, whichever comes first.  Offer available for DataConnect Personal for Tablets 2GB Plan only.  Subsequent thirty day periods to be billed by AT&T Mobility at $25 for 2GB usage. To avoid subsequent charges, service must be cancelled prior to 30 days after activation of the plan, or prior to usage in excess of 2GB within the first 30 days after activation of the Plan. Usage in excess of 2GB during the first 30 days and in each subsequent thirty day period to be billed at $10 per each additional GB.   Unused data does not rollover to the next 30 day period.  Offer not available for on-tablet activation.  DataConnect Personal for Tablets Plans are for compatible tablets only.  Plans are not suitable for corporate email or intranet systems. Credit check required.  No term commitment or termination fees apply.  Plan automatically renews every 30 days, unless you cancel service prior to the start of the 30 day renewal. Service may be cancelled at any time by calling XXXXXX or seeing store representative.  Limited time offer.