The AT&T FaceTime support over 3G for iOS 6 sure seems to be pricey. Though the carrier will not charge extra for accessing the video calling utility over mobile data networks, only customers tied up with the service provider’s Mobile Share data plans can avail of the technology.
These data programs are expected to be let loose on August 23. As the name suggests, the scheme allows users to divide the network across multiple devices. The payments need to be made in 2 allotments. The first part is the price of the data plan, while the second is a per-device charge that ranges between $10 and $45 based on the phone and the corresponding plan. This package proffers unlimited text and talk.
“AT&T will offer FaceTime over Cellular as an added benefit of our new Mobile Share data plans, which were created to meet customers’ growing data needs at a great value. With Mobile Share, the more data you use, the more you save. FaceTime will continue to be available over Wi-Fi for all our customers,” says the official AT&T statement.
Customers not tying up with Mobile Share can continue to use FaceTime over Wi-Fi with alternative schemes. However, they will not be able to access the Apple feature on 3G networks. As for other carriers, Sprint won’t charge customers for accessing this iOS attribute. Verizon has not made a clear mention of its mode of making the application available to handset or tablet owners, says Mac Rumors.
However, the AT&T free FaceTime support over 3G is not great news to a major chunk of users wielding single-device or family schemes.