AT&T to Allow FaceTime Over Cellular for Even More People

[Anthony Bouchard]

AT&T has just announced today that they will begin being less strict on who can and cannot use iOS 6’s FaceTime over cellular feature. Just before today's announcement, AT&T limited FaceTime over cellular to people with the shared data plans.

Now, AT&T states that within eight to ten weeks they will be rolling out the feature for any iOS 6 user with a tiered data plan and LTE capability at no charge:

AT&T* today announced it will enable FaceTime over Cellular at no extra charge for iOS 6 customers with an LTE device on any tiered data plan. AT&T will also continue to offer FaceTime over Cellular to customers with any AT&T Mobile Share plan, as well as FaceTime over Wi-Fi, which has always been available for all customers. AT&T expects to roll out this functionality to customers over the next eight to ten weeks.

It is a nice gesture from AT&T, but it unfortunately still leaves many people in the dark. Unlimited data users are not a part of the tiered data plan requirement, so they get no part of the action. Limiting the feature to LTE devices also means that the iPhone 5 is the only iPhone that can take advantage of the feature on AT&T’s network. The third-generation iPad and newer also have LTE capability, so it's expected that these devices too will be able to take advantage of AT&T's FaceTime over cellular.

If you’re not on iOS 6 or you have a non-LTE iOS device, then it looks like you’ll still have to rely on a jailbreak to get your FaceTime over cellular fix.

Sources: AT&T via BusinessInsider

[towboattrash34]

Waiting on jailbreak.

[MXCO]

Funny I went into AT&T store today and I asked them is there any other way I could get FaceTime over cellular they said no and I have LTE on my plan and area. Does this change automatically happens by itself?

[todomz]

Whatifyou have unlimited data and the iPhone 5 with LTE?

[coolemt]

Actually saved more money switching to the 15gb shared data plan works great

[turdsmoka]

I saved a lot of frustration switching to Verizon.

[DoWoRkSoN]

I saved a lot of frustration switching to Verizon.

Same here!

[atorres062]

Whatifyou have unlimited data and the iPhone 5 with LTE?

That's what I'm wondering!!!

[DoWoRkSoN]

That's what I'm wondering!!!

It's in the article "Unlimited data users are not a part of the tiered data plan requirement, so they get no part of the action."

[bmwraw8482]

I saved a lot of frustration switching to Verizon.

Yup

[javiert30]

Whatifyou have unlimited data and the iPhone 5 with LTE?

Read the article...

No game for us with unlimited data.

[kraziebone]

I'm hoping that we are able to jailbreak iOS 6 in the near future so that this will no longer be an issue for anyone with an unlimited plan.

[Silverado1987]

Read the article and multiple others. They think its crap and will Try to pursue others until everyone including unlimited gets the service they need. If that's true anyone who left unlimited to have this feature will be pissed

[Cokeman]

Why the need for a LTE device? This is from Apple's website:

FaceTime video calling requires a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. FaceTime over a cellular network requires iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, or iPad (3rd generation) with cellular data capability. Availability over a cellular network depends on carrier policies; data charges may apply.

I don't see how AT&T can not allow this to 4S users. Most people that bought the 4S aren't eligible for a upgrade.

[Anthony Bouchard]

Why the need for a LTE device? This is from Apple's website:


I don't see how AT&T can not allow this to 4S users. Most people that bought the 4S aren't eligible for a upgrade.

It's very easy to understand.

1. By limiting the feature to tiered plans, unlimited data users will feel left out and pressured to change.

2. By limiting the feature to LTE devices, older iPhone users will feel pressured to upgrade. As far is AT&T is concerned, LTE and FaceTime will still be there when you go to upgrade next year.

[scroogelives]

Really don't see what the issue is with allowing people to use it when they want! I can use FaceTime anywhere but chose to only use it at home where I have wifi available! Reason being I don't want everyone to hear my calls

[anotherps]

Really don't see what the issue is with allowing people to use it when they want! I can use FaceTime anywhere but chose to only use it at home where I have wifi available! Reason being I don't want everyone to hear my calls

one word = earpiece.

[ssjbrolly]

Once jailbreak is out, I'll give 2 middle fingers to AT&T's CEO. I miss the jailbreak for having tweaks such as this, not to get free apps which I am not for, but features like FaceTime should not be limited because of greed when two other companies have it for everyone for free as part of their plan. I stayed with AT&T only because their networks allow being on the phone and the net at the same time. Or else I would have told them to shove it!

[TristianLyons1022]

I saved a lot of frustration switching to Verizon.

You burned a massive pile of cash as well

[szr]

Read the article...

No game for us with unlimited data.

It's not a problem if you're jail-broken, though.