When unlimited is not unlimited.

[MtnBiker]

Below is an email from AT&T. I have "unlimited" account in the US and an iPhone 4S. This email came while on a trip in the US (and not near any international borders). I did not receive any banner announcements until this morning (the day after the email). Banners just pop up quickly and go away so I may have missed the banner, but this morning I did receive one. Although it was only a line or two I didn't have time to read it, but assume it was related to the Message I received this morning. Also never noticed the "Off Network" mentioned.

My usage was looking for hotels and campsites. A bit of Google Maps (I use Navigon for navigating which doesn't rely on downloading maps) and maybe 10 messages. My main offense could have been updating some apps. I used WiFi where possible. When in a motel used my laptop.

Pasting in the HTML email, so some stuff won't show:

att.com | Support | My AT&T Account

Dear GREG S...

You've reached at least 100MB offnet data usage in this billing cycle. When you are "offnet" - or roaming outside the AT&T footprint - your data is being transmitted on another wireless company's network. That's why this type of usage is limited in the Terms and Conditions of your rate plan. We understand your travel patterns will occasionally take you beyond our service area, so our data plans (including unlimited) give you a monthly off-net usage allowance equal to the lesser of 24 megabytes or 20 percent of the megabytes in your plan.

Roaming outside the AT&T footprint? Here are a few tips to manage your data usage:
Check the new banner on the screen of your device:"Off Network" means you're using another carrier's network.

Visit our data network coverage map to ensure you're using your device within our AT&T service footprint, www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer.

Avoid 'heavy use' data transmission activities while offnet; such as streaming music or video, and downloading large files.

Take advantage of nearly 30,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide: As a tip for our Smartphone customers with an eligible Wi-Fi enabled device, remember you can take advantage of AT&T's Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide - at no additional cost - without using any of your off-net data usage allowance. More information about AT&T Wi-Fi is available at www.att.com/wifiaccess.
By managing your data use while off net, you can avoid data suspensions or future roam-restrictions.

Continuing to use off-net data may result in having your data usage temporarily suspended for the rest of your billing cycle while traveling on other carriers' networks. Plus, you may receive permanent restriction to your data use while traveling on other carriers' networks if heavy usage continues. In this case, only Wi-Fi would be available to transmit data while beyond the AT&T service footprint.

We hope the tools and tips above will be helpful reminders for managing your off-network data usage. Thank you for choosing AT&T. We appreciate your business. If you have any questions about off-net data usage, please contact us at 888-860-6789 during business hours Monday - Friday, 7 am - 9 pm CT and Saturday, 8 am - 7 pm CT.

Thank you,

AT&T

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