Well, at least this chunk of your AT&T bill might become a bit more reasonable…
Per AppleInsider, beginning August 21, new AT&T customers will only be able to choose between unlimited text messaging plans starting at US$20, or pay 20 cents for each text message and 30 cents for a picture or video message.
AT&T confirmed on Thursday that existing customers with other text messaging plans, such as US$10-per-month for 1,000 messages, will be grandfathered in. Customers who switch to a new phone will also be able to retain their old text messaging plan.
The carrier also confirmed that new AT&T customers who buy an unlimited plan starting at US$20-per-month will still receive unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes to any other U.S. cellphone customer. The “Mobile to Any Mobile” offer launched in February, coinciding with the launch of the Verizon iPhone.
For those who opt to not buy an unlimited messaging plan, AT&T charges 20 cents per text message sent, while picture and video messages run 30 cents on a pay-per-use pricing system.
The last major change to AT&T’s plans came in 2010 just before the iPhone 4 launched. The carrier began capping new data plans at 2GB for US$25 per month, though like with the upcoming text messaging change, legacy customers with unlimited plans have been grandfathered in.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.