As surplus notifications continue, ATT just invented an absurd $15 charge activation fee for new consumers, soon increase its activation fees for customers on regular postpaid contracts and those new to the carrier's Next upgrade plan. Droid Life first reported the pending hikes, which will raise the activation fee for one- and two-year contracts to $45 — up from the current $40 — starting August 1st. $5 isn't a ton of money, but this is still the type of move that frustrates consumers and makes AT&T look awfully greedy. That $45 figure is now the highest activation fee among all US mobile providers. AT&T increased it from $35 to $40 last June, they are in need of quick cash flow at your expense,
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There are potentially greater problems for ATT, . Millennials aren't watching as much traditional TV. Only 20 percent of consumers ages 18 to 34 use television as their primary source of entertainmens, big bloated bundles is the ATT solution, according to a survey by Magid Advisors, industry executives are worried about the growing number of younger consumers who have never subscribed to cable, telecom or satellite TV — and probably never will. In total, this group of "cord nevers" makes up about 20 percent of the people who don't subscribe to television, according to the survey.
DIRECTV-AT&T: Stumbles Out of the Gate
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2015) -Since AT&T assumed control of DIRECTV following completion of their merger in July, the telco's stewardship of the nation's largest satellite TV service has been marred by questionable decisions, unforced errors and troubles not of its own making.
History shows that it takes time for two companies to learn how to coalesce after a merger (just ask Time Warner and AOL, among countless others). But AT&T has demonstrated a surprising lack of knowledge of the TV industry and DIRECTV's viewership during its first two months as the satcaster's boss.
For instance, the telco's first public initiative after the merger was approved by the Federal Communications Commission was an announcement that it was offering a bundle of AT&T wireless service with DIRECTV's programming. While the bundle could reduce some subscribers' bills by roughly $10 a month, the total cost of the plan starts at $200, hardly the solution to rising pay TV bills that many cost-conscious consumers are yearning for today.
AT&T could have introduced itself to the DIRECTV audience by offering a slimmed-down package of wireless service and DIRECTV, or just a less expensive DIRECTV plan, via the dish or online. But it chose to go with the big bundle, a concept that seems to be losing favor with some consumers.
DirecTV customers had already been targeted by AT&T, which quickly rolled out new bundle offers once the acquisition was complete to try to capitalize on cross-pollinating its customers.
But Sprint, which has been working on strengthening its network, offering more affordable deals and improving customer service, had hoped to take a swing at DirecTV customers, as well, with Sprint you will know how much your monthly payment would be, unlike AT&T.
Sneaky hidden charges and ZERO help
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04-30-2015 11:51 AM
I'm disappointed and shocked at how AT&T is misleading its potential and current customers about it's charges. I signed up for Max Plus and was told my bill would be around $59+fees (+$33 for installation for the first 3 months). My bill however is $120! When I call support I'm told that I'm being charged for Support+ which I never remember signing up for (but is in my contract AND discontinuing it will cost me $180 termination fee. WOW!). I registered over the phone and don't remember at all saying yes to this service. But now I'm stuck with and the so-called contract keeps me bound to it.
Tricky AT&T, is using an old tactic, the teaser rate. Read the fine print!!
In this scenario the company advertises a low price for the first 12 months. The catch is that the deal is for 24 months and the price skyrockets in the second year. For example, the company's "All In One" plan comes with over 145 digital channels, up to four TVs with DVR, up to four smartphones, and 15GB of shareable data for $200 a month.
The $200 number during the promotional period is in itself a little bit misleading. It does not include any actual phones (you have to buy or finance them) nor does it account for a number of little fees (which is typical for the phone and pay TV industries). It's also impossible to determine what the cost for the package will be in the second year as AT&T only says that it will charge the "then-prevailing" price for TV service.
It does admit that the cost will go up and it provides roughly a page of hard-to-decipher tiny-type disclaimer text explaining how things work in terms that are less than clear.
This type of offer is also how the company sells stand-alone satellite TV service. In this case though since the lack of a bundle makes the offer less complex it appears the initial $50 rate for its "Select" package jumps to $85 after the promotional year. The top-tier "Ultimate" package offers a $75-a-month teaser rate jumping to $122 in the second year.
Using teaser rates is confusing if not intentionally deceptive and it's surprising that AT&T insists on keeping up the practice.
The problem AT&T needs to constantly show growth for its stock price to remain stable. Howsever, their government contracts are stable without much room for growth. They also aren't getting many new customers without tricks like counting connected cars and tablets accounts...accounts with low usage rates. They need more cash and the easiest way to do that is to gouge customers and cut employees. Buying DirectTV and paying the T-Mobile fine won't come free.