AT&T is super lame

Telecom companies are evil. It seems like they just keep getting worse as time goes one.  One of the biggest scams ever perpetrated on the American people is the "text message". 160 characters that fly through the air taking up about the same about of data as a couple pixels of the photo you just uploaded to facebook on your iPhone.  The difference is that the picture was a data transmission and the text is routed to the cell tower with an ancient technology that has long been abandoned for doing anything else.

There is no reason why text messages should not be normal data transmissions. In fact, picture messages or MMS is using the data network.  Apple realizes this. In iOS5 all messaging in between iphone users will be automatically routed through the data network and no text messages will be used.  AT&T knows this is happening, and a ton of people are going to have a lot less need for those unlimited texting plans they have been paying for.  That is why AT&T announced today they are getting rid of the 1000 text plan for $10. (They got rid of the 200 for $5 last year.) Now the only option is to get unlimited for $20.  When the new iPhone comes out a ton of customers would probably end up bumping down the text plan because they wouldn't use nearly as many. AT&T was smart/evil enough to see that coming and eliminated the plan completely.

Here is a link to the engadget article, and a quote from AT&T. I love how they make is seem almost like customers are asking for it.  "Please provide me with less options." At least I will be allowed to keep my current plan.  

We regularly evaluate our offers and are making some adjustments to our messaging lineup.
Starting August 21, we're streamlining our text messaging plans for new customers and will offer an unlimited plan for individuals for $20 per month and an unlimited plan for families of up to five lines for $30 per month. The vast majority of our messaging customers prefer unlimited plans and with text messaging growth stronger than ever, that number continues to climb among new customers. Existing customers don't have to change any messaging plan they have today, even when changing handsets."