Following on Verizon‘s recently announced family wireless program, AT&T will introduce shared-data wireless plans that let subscribers connect as many as 10 phones or other devices. AT&T says its MobileShare prices will “track closely” with Verizon. Here’s the rub: Subscribers can move SIM cards between devices to save money, and AT&T hasn’t come up with a plan to solve that potential problem. And there’s more: “What neither Verizon or AT&T’s plans do, though, is deal with the thorny issue of device subsidies,” note Jan Dawson at research firm Ovum. “Verizon’s launch highlighted the confusion that exists about the role of subsidies in the minds of consumers, and nothing in AT&T’s launch will alleviate that. We still need a fundamental change in the way carriers talk to consumers about device subsidies in order to educate them on the true cost of devices and service plans, but we’re not getting that with this launch.”

The Daily

Subscribe

Dish Wireless Update

Echostar President/CEO Charlie Ergen never called American Tower out by name, but he acknowledged that one of its wireless vendors has commenced litigation. “That kind of sours some of the ability to talk to

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact us at marketing@cynopsis.com, for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.