5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

AT&T Offers $60 Unlimited Plan for GoPhone, But There’s a Catch

By Diana Goovaerts | March 13, 2017

Following the unlimited trend that has been sweeping both pre- and postpaid offerings over the past few weeks, AT&T announced a new $60 (with AutoPay) unlimited plan for its GoPhone prepaid service. But there’s one big catch.

As with other “unlimited” plans, GoPhone’s option will come without caps on talk, text, and data. It will also come with the ability to use data, make calls, and send texts from both Mexico and Canada for no extra charge. So far so good.

“AT&T GoPhone customers now have even more flexibility to pick the plan that fits their needs as well as the perfect device from a selection of premium smartphones they really want,” Bob Bickerstaff, AT&T vice president of wireless voice and prepaid products, commented.

While Bickerstaff called the plan “truly unlimited,” the big “but” comes in the same area where most other “unlimited” plans have their weakness: data speeds.

Right out front, AT&T said GoPhone users will be limited to maximum data speeds of 3 Mbps, with maximum standard definition video (i.e. 480p) streaming speeds of 1.5 Mbps. For context, and as pointed out by The Verge, AT&T’s average 4G download speed clocked in at 7.93 Mbps in OpenSignal’s latest “State of Mobile Networks” report last month. The speeds offered on the GoPhone unlimited plan are actually more in line with the carrier’s 3G results from the report, which noted average speeds of 2.22 Mbps.

But the carrier reserves the right to slow speeds even further (presumably to 2G speed) in instances of network congestion once customers crawl past AT&T’s 22 GB prioritization threshold.

Oh, and there’s no mention of the plan including mobile hotspot capabilities.

Interestingly, the GoPhone Unlimited plan was rolled out alongside a freshly beefed up $40 ($45 without AutoPay) tiered plan that offers 6 GB of high-speed data. That plan also offers unlimited usage, though speeds will slow to 128 Kbps after the high-speed allowance is tapped out.

With all the limits on its “Unlimited” plan, it seems almost as if AT&T is trying to both appease the desire for an option with the unlimited moniker and push customers toward its tiered plans with high-speed data.


Filed Under: Carriers

 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Related Articles Read More >

eSIM
eSIM eases changing carriers for phones and IoT
QoE and QoS comparison
Benchmarking in 5G: More important than ever
iPhone 12
I bought a 5G phone, now what?
6G
Key takeaways from 6G Symposium

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World