The New Year brings unwelcome news for some customers of AT&T’s internet services as the telecom giant ends data cap waivers that were a part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
AT&T at the start of the pandemic lockdown joined other internet providers in lifting data caps for most of its access services to help those who were working or learning from home. Initially set to expire earlier in the year, the company extended the waiver through Dec. 31.
That offer was not extended, and on Jan. 1 the 1-terabyte-per-month data limits are back for customers of AT&T Internet, previously known as U-verse Internet. The company does not impose data caps on its AT&T Fiber offerings.
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Data limits remain suspended for customers of AT&T Access, the company’s low-income internet program, through June 30, according to spokespeson Jim Kimberly.
Customers who still have AT&T’s oldest and slowest internet service, DSL, did not have their caps waived, which are set at 150 GB per month. Fixed-wireless internet services are capped at 250 GB per month.
AT&T Internet customers will receive warnings when they hit 65 percent, 90 percent and 100 percent of the limit. They won’t be charged the overage fee of $10 for each 50 GB over until the third time they breach the cap.
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Unlimited options are available to AT&T customers on some capped plans if they pay $30 a month extra, or if they bundle their service with other AT&T products.
Customers who are having difficulty paying their AT&T bills can call 800-288-2020 for help, Kimberly said.
Cable TV and internet provider Comcast, AT&T’s biggest competitor in the Houston area, suspended its waivers earlier in the year, though it also kept the waiver on its low-income service through the middle of 2021. Comcast also increased its limit to 1.2 TB per month. Its caps have been in place for some time in Houston, but the cable company is implementing them across all its markets in the new year.
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