A new prepaid brand developed by AT&T has officially launched in select markets today with the goal of completely redefining flat-rate prepaid service. Called AiO (pronounced “A-O”), the brand features a selection of featurephones and smartphones, while also including support for the iPhone, by selling devices and by selling SIM cards for BYOD service at $9.99. This latest move mirrors T-Mobile’s recent launch of GoSmart Mobile earlier this year, which also offers dedicated prepaid flat-rate plans with a selection of phones and a BYOD option, right down to the HSPA-only limitation.
It should be noted that AiO is managed separately from the current GoPhone prepaid program also available from AT&T, as AiO is meant to target customers that want a consistent experience and don’t want to deal with monthly agreements. A few key differences from GoPhone also stand out in their plan selection, listed below:
Aio Smart
Plan Details
- Unlimited Data (includes high speed access for the first 2GB of data)
- Unlimited Talk (includes voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, and 3-way calling)
- Unlimited Messaging (includes short messages, pictures, and videos)
- Maximum data download speeds reduced when usage exceeds high speed allotment
- Your plan price includes applicable state and local taxes, and fees
- Included plan features for domestic use only
- Available only with smartphones
- Additional Plan Information and Terms
$ 55.00 month
Aio Pro
Plan Details
- Unlimited Data (includes high speed access for the first 7GB of data)
- Unlimited Talk (includes voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, and 3-way calling)
- Unlimited Messaging (includes short messages, pictures, and videos)
- Maximum data download speeds reduced when usage exceeds high speed allotment
- Your plan price includes applicable state and local taxes, and fees
- Included plan features for domestic use only
- Available only with smartphones
- Additional Plan Information and Terms
$ 70.00 month
Aio Basic
Plan Details
- Unlimited Data (includes high speed access for the first 250MB of data)
- Unlimited Talk (includes voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, and 3-way calling)
- Unlimited Messaging (includes short messages, pictures, and videos)
- Maximum data download speeds reduced when usage exceeds high speed allotment
- Your plan price includes applicable state and local taxes, and fees
- Included plan features for domestic use only
- Available only with basic/feature phones
- Additional Plan Information and Terms
$ 40.00 month
Aio Tablet
Plan Details
- Includes 250MB of high-speed data
- Voice and messaging features are not included
- Available only with tablets
- Additional Plan Information and Terms
$ 15.00 month
One-Time Features
Apply to your plan for your current monthly cycle. Add one when you need it.
Aio Gig
$10 / month
- Additional 1 GB of high-speed data for your current monthly plan.
- Used when the high-speed access included in the base rate plan is consumed.
- Any remaining high-speed data expires at the end of the monthly cycle.
Aio International
$10 / month
- Unlimited calling to landline phone numbers in ~35 countries
- Unlimited text/picture/video messaging ~35 countries
- International service expires at the end of your current monthly cycle.
Monthly Features
Apply to your plan for the current monthly cycle, plus all future cycles. You can cancel at anytime.
Aio Gig
$10 / month
- Additional 1 GB of high-speed data access each month.
- Used when the high-speed access included in the base rate plan is consumed.
- Any remaining high-speed data expires at the end of each monthly plan cycle.
Aio International
$10 / month
- Unlimited calling to landline phone numbers in ~35 countries
- Unlimited text/picture/video messaging ~35 countries
As can be seen from the plan selection, the AiO service emphasizes unlimited monthly service with higher monthly data limits that feature throttling after the monthly limit is reached, with the additional option to purchase more data, something lacking in many other prepaid services, especially with a recurring monthly option for additional data on top of the more conventional PAYG option.
The dedicated tablet data plan for $15 monthly is also novel, as it means that AT&T wants to draw in users with tablets, though AiO would do well to add multiple tiers of data as the current allotment is rather light for tablets. The service is currently being limited to select markets, with the service launching in Houston, Orlando, and Tampa with expansions within those cities ongoing in the next few weeks. More expansive launches across the nation are also planned outside of those markets during the year.
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