AT&T Offering Unlimited U-verse Data Plan

AT&T says it is introducing a new unlimited data plan for its U-verse home Internet subs as of May 23.

It will cost an extra $30 per month for standalone Internet subs, but for those whose Internet is bundled with U-verse video or co-owned DirecTV satellite video service, the unlimited data plan will be free.

Data caps are a focus in Washington of late, with the news of Netflix's efforts to slow traffic ostensibly to help customers with usage-based pricing plans and the FCC's investigation of zero ratings plans as carve-outs from such plans.

Most U-verse Internet customers will also be getting an automatic boost in monthly data allowances at no additional cost, ranging from 300 gigs to a terabyte, depending on their speed tier. AT&T says the average use is 100 gigabytes per month.

AT&T notifies customers as usage approaches or exceeds data allowances, with no charge for a grace period of the first three months, but an extra $10 per 50 gigabyte overage in the fourth month and beyond.

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.