AT&T Mobility is sweetening its rollover data offering. The nation’s second-largest carrier said today that starting Sunday Feb. 15, customers can get 7 GB of shareable data, unlimited talk and text, unlimited texting from the U.S. to select countries and rollover data for $75 per month, plus device access charges.
Those device access charges will be just $15 per month for customers who buy a new smartphone on the 7GB Mobile Share plan through AT&T’s Next program. AT&T Next allows customers to get new smartphones without making a down payment or signing a contract, and then pay for that phone in monthly installments. Once they have made a minimum number of monthly payments, customers can trade the phones in for new models and pay the price difference.
Device purchases and upgrades are becoming a more important part of wireless pricing, and AT&T has told investors that revenue from devices is increasing even as revenue growth from traditional subscription services slows. By combining rollover data with shared data and discounted access charges, AT&T is hoping to encourage customers to spring for one of the new smartphones expected to hit the market in the wake of Mobile World Congress.
AT&T’s latest offer also includes a carrot for customers who come to AT&T from a competitor. The carrier is offering a $100 bill credit to those who switch to AT&T and purchase a new smartphone on its Next plan.
The inclusion of rollover data provides an incentive for customers to stay with AT&T even if competitors come out with a sweeter deal. Rollover data is not new to wireless; AT&T offered rollover minutes years ago when it was Cingular Wireless. T-Mobile US started the latest round of rollover offers with its new Data Stash program, announced in December.
