AT&T's aio Wireless launching Nationwide in September

[bearxor]

http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/29/aio-wireless-nationwide-prepaid-cellular-service/

Just for anyone that may be interested. aio Wireless is a fantastic deal for me. You get AT&T's coverage area, including LTE, which has a larger footprint than TMobile in more rural areas.

You get 2GB of high-speed data for $55/mo.
7GB for $70/mo.

Downside is really no tethering.

For instance, I pay $175/mo for two phones and an iPad. If I were to switch to aio, I could get away with a $55 and a $70 plan, $125/mo. But then I'd need to add a data plan to my iPad, which would add $30. I'm not very far from $175 and I get tethering.

But, for people who are looking at TMobile's unlimited data plan for $70 but worried about coverage, the aio 7GB/$70 plan may be a decent alternative.

 

[Red Storm]

Is there a device limit of some kind or would any AT&T compatible phone work? Also I'm hearing that the LTE is "up to 8mbs".

 

[Pardus]

very limited market.

Right now, we're signing up new accounts in select Texas, Florida, and Georgia markets. We're expanding to new markets over the coming months, so look out for us in your area.

 

[smithkt]

very limited market.

Right. The whole point of the article is that in September that will expand to everyone else.

To this point, AT&T-owned Aio was only an option for folks living in Texas, Florida or Atlanta, Georgia, but now the rest of us will soon be able to get in on its prepaid plans.

 

[blairharrington]

Up to 8mbs is pathetic.

 

[SAWYER]

Why would anyone choose this over Net10 or ST?

 

[pantsaregood]

What's the reason behind this being a separate brand from GoPhone?

 

[bearxor]

Is there a device limit of some kind or would any AT&T compatible phone work? Also I'm hearing that the LTE is "up to 8mbs".

I'm pretty sure any AT&T compatible phone will work. HSPA is capped at 4Mbps and LTE is capped 8Mbps.

Up to 8mbs is pathetic.

I completely disagree with you. I'm not downloading files with my cell phone. 4Mbps is enough for the services these plans are meant for. 8Mbps is more than enough. I spend most of my time on HSPA between 3-5Mbps, though I can peak at around 6. It's more than sufficient for everything I do, including Netflix/HBO streaming.

Of course, this all depends on your intended usage, but I think it's a far cry from 'pathetic'.

Why would anyone choose this over Net10 or ST?

If you use Net10 on AT&T, you have a data cap of 1.5GB. If you use ST on AT&T, you get a data cap of around 2GB or so. I don't think anyone's ever nailed down ST's AT&T throttling policy exactly, but we do know it exists.

Now, if the TMobile network is sufficient in your area, I'd definitely recommend ST or Net10 over aio. But, if not... This is a pretty decent price for 7GB of data on AT&T's network.

EDIT: Although... According to a news article, here:
http://www.phonenews.com/net10-removes-att-data-caps-and-goes-back-to-unlimited-23238/

The data caps for ST and Net10 may have been removed. At the time of this post, however, Net10 T&C's are still showing that there's a 1.5GB data limit.

What's the reason behind this being a separate brand from GoPhone?

That's a pretty good question. I imagine AT&T will phase out GoPhone at some point.

 

[blairharrington]

I'm pretty sure any AT&T compatible phone will work. HSPA is capped at 4Mbps and LTE is capped 8Mbps.


I completely disagree with you. I'm not downloading files with my cell phone. 4Mbps is enough for the services these plans are meant for. 8Mbps is more than enough. I spend most of my time on HSPA between 3-5Mbps, though I can peak at around 6. It's more than sufficient for everything I do, including Netflix/HBO streaming.

Of course, this all depends on your intended usage, but I think it's a far cry from 'pathetic'.



If you use Net10 on AT&T, you have a data cap of 1.5GB. If you use ST on AT&T, you get a data cap of around 2GB or so. I don't think anyone's ever nailed down ST's AT&T throttling policy exactly, but we do know it exists.

Now, if the TMobile network is sufficient in your area, I'd definitely recommend ST or Net10 over aio. But, if not... This is a pretty decent price for 7GB of data on AT&T's network.

EDIT: Although... According to a news article, here:
http://www.phonenews.com/net10-removes-att-data-caps-and-goes-back-to-unlimited-23238/

The data caps for ST and Net10 may have been removed. At the time of this post, however, Net10 T&C's are still showing that there's a 1.5GB data limit.


That's a pretty good question. I imagine AT&T will phase out GoPhone at some point.

Pretty sure I average 15mbps down when using HSPA+. 8 Mbps just seems especially low.

 

[bearxor]

I think you live in a pretty good market then . The highest speed test I've ever had on HSPA with AT&T is 8Mbps.

I can get about 30Mbps on LTE when I'm in Charlotte, but my home area doesn't currently have LTE.

 

[ilkhan]

http://i.imgur.com/LbmmMWu.png
Upgrade to LTE, get a slower connection. Seems like a fun plan.

Also get more minutes you wont use and less data that you will. At nearly twice the price. Bravo ATT! Bravo!

 

[kaerflog]

AIO might be a bit cheaper if you are individual but they don't provide family plans.
T-mobile blows everyone out once you go into family territory.
$110 for 5 lines of unlimited talk/text and 500mb data each. Untouchable.