• Your favorite

    Apple

    ,

    iPhone

    ,

    iPad

    ,

    iOS

    ,
    Jailbreak
    , and
    Cydia
    site.
  • AT&T: FaceTime Over Cellular Will Be for Those on Shared Data Plans Only
    by
    Anthony Bouchard
    Published on 08-17-2012 04:33 PM
    40 Comments Comments


    As we now know, iOS 6 finally enables the feature legitimately without needing to jailbreak to use the video-calling feature over a cellular network, be it Edge, 3G, or even 4G. The only actual barrier from being able to do it now, are the carriers themselves. A statement from AT&T today reveals that AT&T will only allow those on shared family plans to use FaceTime over cellular on their iPhones:

    Quote Originally Posted by AT&T
    AT&T will offer FaceTime over Cellular as an added benefit of our new Mobile Share data plans, which were created to meet customers’ growing data needs at a great value. With Mobile Share, the more data you use, the more you save. FaceTime will continue to be available over Wi-Fi for all our customers.
    The news is a lot better than we had expected. Originally, it was thought that AT&T would be charging people on a monthly basis to use the feature, which would have been a complete load of baloney since the feature is niche for most and it would hardly be used let alone worth a monthly payment. The good news is, those on shared family plans with AT&T won't have to pay even one cent extra to use the FaceTime over cellular capability.

    The bad news on the other hand, is that individuals with their own non-family plan cellular plans with AT&T will not be able to use the feature whatsoever under AT&T’s dictating terms, however that's not to say that jailbreak tweaks won’t fix this. Although AT&T will be limiting FaceTime over cellular to their family plan subscribers, users still have the ability to use the feature from their home Wi-Fi networks and over public Wi-Fi networks wherever available as carrier have no control over what is done from the user's own internet access. Users can also tether to other phones as hotspots and use the feature.

    Sprint and Verizon both will not limit their iPhone’s ability to support FaceTime over cellular networks as AT&T plans to do. For most people, since FaceTime is not a necessary function of having a phone, the announcement won’t impede people’s abilities to use their iPhones. That being said, FaceTime over cellular probably isn’t something important enough that people are going to leave AT&T and hop over to another company for.

    Sources: MacRumors
    This article was originally published in forum thread: AT&T: FaceTime Over Cellular Will Be for Those on Shared Data Plans Only started by Anthony Bouchard View original post
    Categories:
    1. iPhone,
    2. iOS,
    3. iPad,
    4. Software
    Comments 40 Comments
    1. wolverinemarky's Avatar
      wolverinemarky - 08-17-2012, 08:28 PM
      That's what I'm planning to do buy my phone outright. Also **** FaceTime we can use the many other apps for video calling
    1. Silverado1987's Avatar
      Silverado1987 - 08-17-2012, 08:50 PM
      Ya know these companies will have to give in soon. People now a days and times these days. We're using triple the amount of data we use every couple years. I mean c'mon
    1. Carvensno's Avatar
      Carvensno - 08-17-2012, 09:14 PM
      Well unless they have us upgrade our data plans to whatever? When i got the 4S they moved my unlimited data from 3G to 4G unlimited data.
    1. jwil736's Avatar
      jwil736 - 08-17-2012, 09:15 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Silverado1987 View Post
      Ya know these companies will have to give in soon. People now a days and times these days. We're using triple the amount of data we use every couple years. I mean c'mon
      Hence the reason why it's going to be free voice and texting with data plan in the near future. They will charge you out the azz for data.
    1. Razorinthe60s's Avatar
      Razorinthe60s - 08-17-2012, 09:32 PM
      Just another method AT&T getting people to drop their grandfather unlimited data plan.
    1. GenesisDH's Avatar
      GenesisDH - 08-17-2012, 09:32 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by iM1sf1t View Post
      With the FCC recently telling Verizon that they can't charge iPhone users for tethering because it's a feature of the phone, I see this FaceTime over cellular problem going away soon.
      Not necessarily.

      The VZW issue you refer to had direct conflicts with the FCC requirements put *on Verizon only* when VZW got their 700 MHz block for LTE. No other carriers have this, including at&t.
      Do more than likely it will stick for a bit unless a lawsuit gets made against this by enough people.
    1. akosko01's Avatar
      akosko01 - 08-17-2012, 09:56 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by hogcia View Post
      Next month the iPhone 5 will support 4G LTE. Under AT&T you will have to give up your unlimited 3G data if you want to upgrade to 4G LTE since AT&T will not be offering unlimited 4G data speeds. So your grandfathered unlimited data means nothing, unless you're not planning to move up.
      Wrong. AT&T has not forced anyone off of their unlimited plan. Even when upgrading to an LTE phone like the ONE X or Galaxy S III. They have not made any announcement that you will lose your unlimited data if you upgrade to the new iPhone and there is no reason to think that they will start now. I love how all of you assume the worst when these shared plans are as good if not better than Verizon's and you will have the option to keep what you have or switch to the shared plan. And unlike VZW if you don't like the shared plan you can switch back to a family plan.

      I agree that FaceTime should work over 3G/4G no matter what plan you are on. That said, how often does anyone really use FaceTime. I've had the ability for almost 2 years now and I've probably used it 3 times. If it is an issue for anyone then use Skype, Tango, or ooVoo, or any of the other 500 video chat options out there that work over the data network.

      Quote Originally Posted by Sfarijo View Post
      How can we get around it and still keep our unlimited?
      USE SKYPE! It's exactly the same except you can video chat with ANYONE no matter what kind of device or computer they have.

      Quote Originally Posted by TechnoUniversity View Post
      You can just buy the phone outright and still be grandfathered in.
      This is wrong! You can sign the contract and get the same discount and keep your unlimited plan.
      If you like what you have then you can keep it. If you want to video call use Skype or Tango. Then the other party doesn't have to have an apple product.

      If you have an unlimited plan and want a new phone then you can keep what you have and still get the discount. That's how it has been since the unlimited plan went away. They are not forcing anybody anywhere.
    1. Bluemoldycheeze88's Avatar
      Bluemoldycheeze88 - 08-18-2012, 12:41 AM
      I use to have At&t and I left them for Verizon... I really hate Verizon, once I complete 6 months to avoid the equipment fee I will be leaving Verizon to go back to At&t. The Funny thing is I only dropped 1 call on at&t in 4 years and had service everywhere I went. Then I switch to Verizon and I have dropped 10 calls in 3 1/2 months and get no service at college where I need it most.

      I work for Verizon too..
    1. MXCO's Avatar
      MXCO - 08-18-2012, 01:28 AM
      Why the big deal like there isn't jailbreaking? Or how about tweaks like my3G? Plus with yahoo video chat you can do it over 3G same with Skype or other unpopular apps. I hope FaceTime will soon be a feature just like making a regular phone call cause with very phone coming out they all have front facing camera, let's move into the future already and leave phone calls behind , and adapt video calling!
    1. Kaisei's Avatar
      Kaisei - 08-18-2012, 02:28 AM
      I just have to laugh at this article because I use 3G Unrestricted, and I am currently able to FaceTime on 3G.
    1. dannyrocket's Avatar
      dannyrocket - 08-18-2012, 07:48 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Kaisei View Post
      I just have to laugh at this article because I use 3G Unrestricted, and I am currently able to FaceTime on 3G.
      +1
    1. kbcox0327's Avatar
      kbcox0327 - 08-18-2012, 09:22 AM
      Everyone*still on "unlimited" data plans needs to check their data on the first day of their billing cycle*especially*if you were throttled the previous billing cycle. A month ago AT&T carried over 1.5GB to my new billing cycle. Not only was that data used on a previous billing cycle, it was at throttled speeds??? I spent well over 10hrs. on the phone with them but they did nothing & claimed that data usage may take up to 60 days to get reported. This of course is an irrelevant argument (what matters is when it was used). They admitted fault but did nothing. This month they did it again. It was much less data but it was data from the previous cycle, & once again, this was data at throttled speeds being added to my new 3GB allowance before getting throttled for this cycle. I've contacted the[1]*Better business bureau*(https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complai...get-started)*& the*[2]*FCC*(https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/f..._type=2000B)*& currently have claims pending with them both. I encourage everyone to do the same. Here is the address for the*[3]*FTC*(https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/).
      Edit: Here is the website so you can*[4]*contact your states attorney general*(http://www.consumerfraudreporting.or...allist.php)*to also file a complaint.
    1. Anthony Bouchard's Avatar
      Anthony Bouchard - 08-18-2012, 01:18 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Sfarijo View Post
      How can we get around it and still keep our unlimited?
      Jailbreak software, or third party video calling alternatives.
    1. Silverado1987's Avatar
      Silverado1987 - 08-18-2012, 01:20 PM
      I just upgraded the 3G unrestrictor so I'm ready and that's only useful for when ios6 is jailbroken
    1. Mrteacup's Avatar
      Mrteacup - 08-18-2012, 01:42 PM
      k guys if you dont understand only people who share data plans will get to use the feature. not anyone like me or half the users on here you cant use facetime on cellular even if you have unlimited data.

      however 3g unrestrictor ftw
    1. AKCHRIS's Avatar
      AKCHRIS - 08-18-2012, 10:58 PM
      To me this is All MOOT. I live in Alaska and since it's HIGHLY doubtful i'll even SEE 4G b4 the end of the year. BUT..I've been grandfathered into my Data plan and have NO desire to change it..iPhone6 or OTHER....& since most people hardly use face-time instead of Wi-fi using it. I Wonder how many people will adopt this.
    1. lillewis51's Avatar
      lillewis51 - 08-19-2012, 12:48 AM
      this sucks im grandfathered in to an unlimited plan...

      oh wait... im jailbroken and ive had facetime over 3g for over a year... hahahahaha sorry AT&T you FAIL!

      Quote Originally Posted by hogcia View Post
      Next month the iPhone 5 will support 4G LTE. Under AT&T you will have to give up your unlimited 3G data if you want to upgrade to 4G LTE since AT&T will not be offering unlimited 4G data speeds. So your grandfathered unlimited data means nothing, unless you're not planning to move up.
      if this is the case I'm gonna lawyer up and i will destroy them in court. just because they F'ed up and became greedy bass-tards dosent mean they can rewrite my contract. hello new iphone and 100 ft yacht
    1. Silverado1987's Avatar
      Silverado1987 - 08-19-2012, 08:21 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by lillewis51 View Post
      this sucks im grandfathered in to an unlimited plan...

      oh wait... im jailbroken and ive had facetime over 3g for over a year... hahahahaha sorry AT&T you FAIL!



      if this is the case I'm gonna lawyer up and i will destroy them in court. just because they F'ed up and became greedy bass-tards dosent mean they can rewrite my contract. hello new iphone and 100 ft yacht
      If this is the case. They have the right. It's not our fault there kinda smart. Plus it's a huge company against you. If anything you'll settle or they'll drag it out long enough until you go away.


      I too am a unlimited grandfathered plan do I do feel your pain. But well see what happens. Maybe it will be like the bank of America thing where everyone will drop off for charging $5 a swipe your debit card.
    1. akosko01's Avatar
      akosko01 - 08-19-2012, 11:37 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by hogcia View Post
      Next month the iPhone 5 will support 4G LTE. Under AT&T you will have to give up your unlimited 3G data if you want to upgrade to 4G LTE since AT&T will not be offering unlimited 4G data speeds. So your grandfathered unlimited data means nothing, unless you're not planning to move up.
      This is not true! Where are you getting this info? AT&T hasn't said anything about anyone losing their unlimited plans. Several people have upgraded to LTE devices and they have not been asked to give up their unlimited plan and there is no reason to think that will change with the new iPhone.
    1. PoEtikly's Avatar
      PoEtikly - 08-20-2012, 06:41 AM
      The JB community will release a tweak to fix this horse sh**!
    Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12