After much ado this summer about giant iPhone notice that ratchet down up so high because of international data roaming fee , AT&T has introduced two flat - rate datum plans . Heavy Internet and chain mail users will apprize the $ 60 Data Global Plan , offers 50 M of data per calendar month in 29 Asiatic and European nation ; more casual users will like the $ 25 20 MB program .
AT&T instituted the changes to accommodate client who go abroad with their iPhone — only to be astound by the high roaming charges when they returned home . The phone automatically exit off and seeks newfangled message in the background , a process that can get pricey when you ’re roll on an international web . ( The 1.1.1 software package update added a feature that allows users to disable Data Roaming . )
That AT&T get hold of this stair at all is interesting to me on two moderately related to level . For one , international travel has typically been something cell carriers considered a punishing occupation user activity . T - Mobile has had a $ 20 unlimited bucketful of peregrine information minutes for three eld , but its architectural plan is only valid for BlackBerry devices — which until latterly were aimed more at business users than consumers .
The iPhone is n’t really aimed at business user . The iPhone does n’t influence with corporate America ’s e - mail and security infrastructures . And yet , AT&T felt oblige to take activity with an international data plan . Why ? Perhaps the trendy iPhone ’s collection has transcended the need for the usual business gimmick necessary . Perhaps mobile byplay substance abuser have an iPhone for personal employment , to supplement their BlackBerry or Windows Mobile twist for work use . ( After all , the iPhone is the best iPod ever made , according to Steve Jobs — this side of the iPod Touch . ) In that scenario , if a substance abuser traveled oversea , even if they only used their iPhone as an iPod , they ’d be subside by high data point roam fees . Or , mayhap it just mean that in malice of economical concerns and the dollar mark ’s pitiable value overseas , gadget - maintain Americans are traveling abroad in droves .
