Older unlimited data plans and reduced speeds

Find out how to change older smartphone data plans and avoid reduced data speeds.

Make changes to your older unlimited data plan

If you have an older unlimited data plan and want to change it or add new devices, here's what you need to know:
  • If you switch your smartphone to a new data plan, you won't be able to switch back to your older unlimited plan.
  • If you have a smartphone with an older unlimited data plan and you want to add another smartphone to your account, you'll need to select a currently offered data plan for the new smartphone. But your original smartphone will keep its unlimited plan.

Avoid reduced speeds when using unlimited data plans

Have an older unlimited data plan? Here are tips to help you avoid reduced speeds.
  • Use Wi-Fi® when you’re streaming video or doing other activities that use a lot of data. While unlimited data plans include unlimited data, as explained below your data speed may be reduced if you use more than 22GB of data in a month. Most Wi-Fi data won’t count toward the 22GB.
  • Keep track of how much data you use, and try to avoid using 22GB or more in one bill period. Check your data use anytime by calling *3282# (*DATA#) from your smartphone.

Why are speeds reduced?

Like most wireless providers, AT&T may reduce your data speed when our network is congested. That’s how we manage the network to make sure more people can connect.

With an unlimited data plan, you pay a monthly flat rate no matter how much data you use. If you use more than 22GB of data in a month, you may experience reduced speeds during times of network congestion, but your speeds are reduced only if the network is congested and only for the rest the month. However, you might notice a difference when streaming video, which may appear slow or choppy.

Use Wi-Fi to reduce the chance that you'll reach 22GB in a month. Wi-Fi data won’t count towards the 22GB.

We’ll let you know if your speeds might be slowed

Before you experience any change in speed during a bill period, you'll get a text message from us. We’ll send the message each time you reach 16.5GB, which is 75% of 22GB for that month. This notice is given so you’ll have enough time to change your data use to avoid possible slower speeds.

If you’re interested in our latest unlimited plans and the benefits included with them, see att.com/unlimited to learn about our AT&T unlimited plans.
Last updated: December 7, 2022

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