AT&T Kills iPhone Plans For Deaf Thanks To Non-Deaf Douchebags

[p858snake]

AT&T Kills iPhone Plans For Deaf Thanks To Non-Deaf Douchebags

We wouldn't usually call people douchebags lightly (ok we would), but when you complain that deaf people are getting special treatment when they're offered a $27.99 non-voice, data-only plan for their iPhone, you're one huge douchebag.

A Colorado AT&T store was offering said plan for the hearing-impaired--since they get very little use out of a voice plan--but got slapped down by AT&T Corporate Marketing because people were complaining. The upshot? No more data-only plan for the deaf community. If you think there's a problem here, call up AT&T tell them you really think there should be a data-only plan.

Source:gizmodo

Update: AT&T's officially bringing an iPhone data-only plan for the hearing-impaired. Gizmodo

[Diffused Mind]

Can anyone get a data-only plan?

[Dinggus]

I wish I could get this on my BlackJack, I always get text messages, no one calls me unless its an emergency or my unit has to get a hold of me.

[Marshalus Veteran]

If you're hearing-impaired.

[User6060]

It should be available for all, equality means equal across the board... It's not the people complaining about preferred rates that are douchebags, its AT&T

[ANova]

It should be available for all, equality means equal across the board... It's not the people complaining about preferred rates that are douchebags, its AT&T

Indeed. There is absolutely no reason to limit such an option to hearing impaired only. AT&T just wants the extra money.

[Doli]

Lets complain about seniors who get discounts. F*** them, being all old and getting special treatment. :no:

Good thing AT&T is making an offical data only plan for the hearing-impaired

[abecedarian paradoxious]

The only way ATT could implement a separate system for hearing / non-hearing/speaking people would be if there was a way for ATT to be able to determine data traffic is being used for TTD services. By doing that, it is probable that someone would sue them for invasion of privacy since the carrier has no legal authority to determine the cause or content of a transmission.

Not to mention that since TTD services are carried over voice-circuits (whether switched by digital or analog) in land-line implementations, why should mobile telephony operate any differently...?

So that store selling data-only plans was doing little to aid the deaf/mute customer, and may actually have been increasing the cost to said customer, particularly if the data alotment was exceeded- which is very easy to imagine if a lot of communications are made....

By the way- can you imagine a scenario where the deaf man's wife has to call for emergency services and the phone doesn't make or take voice calls?

oh, and: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/iphone/att-ipho...soon-328672.php- an update to the OP source's post (which the OP did link to)

att says data plan coming soon.

[shockz]

The only way ATT could implement a separate system for hearing / non-hearing/speaking people would be if there was a way for ATT to be able to determine data traffic is being used for TTD services. By doing that, it is probable that someone would sue them for invasion of privacy since the carrier has no legal authority to determine the cause or content of a transmission.

Not to mention that since TTD services are carried over voice-circuits (whether switched by digital or analog) in land-line implementations, why should mobile telephony operate any differently...?

So that store selling data-only plans was doing little to aid the deaf/mute customer, and may actually have been increasing the cost to said customer, particularly if the data alotment was exceeded- which is very easy to imagine if a lot of communications are made....

By the way- can you imagine a scenario where the deaf man's wife has to call for emergency services and the phone doesn't make or take voice calls?

oh, and: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/iphone/att-ipho...soon-328672.php- an update to the OP source's post.

att says data plan coming soon.

Any cell phone that can get reception can call 911 whether or not its on a plan/activated.

[Shof]

Any cell phone that can get reception can call 911 whether or not its on a plan/activated.

And also even with the key locker on, the phone will only allow 911 calls when the unit is locked

[ozgeek]

I am hearing impaired and I have a mobile phone. I have been using SMS more than voice calls. I believe phone data plans are different to here because I pay about 20c per message. I do use the internet on it but ossacionally.

So I say good on ATT. They are caring for the deaf people. Telstra should do the same for us.

[Fugi]

Indeed. There is absolutely no reason to limit such an option to hearing impaired only. AT&T just wants the extra money.

Are you ****ing joking me? If they wanted extra money they would force them to pay for a full plan... I love how when companys do something nice nowadays all people do is bitch if it doesn't benefit them QQ more... get a life.

[TEX4S]

Sometimes you have a situation like this - where you abandon the business model, and forget about some marketing strategy and bottom line - and simply do whats right.

Thinking of all the things hearing-impaired people have to do without - this would be a nice luxury to have - making it available to anyone isnt a bad idea - but it does take away from the "niceness" - can you imagine some douchebag @ the counter @ the AT&T store standing behind the the hearing-impaired person going - "Hey I want that deal too - You have to give it to me - thats discrimination" -- I love it when people cry "thats discrimination !" makes me want to do or say that specific thing more and more

[ANova]

Are you ****ing joking me? If they wanted extra money they would force them to pay for a full plan... I love how when companys do something nice nowadays all people do is bitch if it doesn't benefit them QQ more... get a life.

Could you provide a valid point for forcing people to get a full service plan instead of offering a lower cost data only plan to everyone? Does your ISP force you to buy their cable and/or telephone service if you want high speed internet? Do car companies force you to buy their pricier fully loaded car with all the bells and whistles? No.

AT&T is offering this for the hearing impaired because it's common sense (probably because someone else pushed for it) but requiring a person to be hearing impaired for a service like this is not justifiable other than at the cost of their bottom dollar, which is why they don't want to open it up to everyone.

Get a life? Why don't you get a brain.

Edited December 2, 2007 by ANova

[Smigit]

AT&T is offering this for the hearing impaired because it's common sense (probably because someone else pushed for it) but requiring a person to be hearing impaired for a service like this is not justifiable other than at the cost of their bottom dollar, which is why they don't want to open it up to everyone.

Get a life? Why don't you get a brain.

I agree...it's a service that should be available for all people hearing impaired or not.

[shakey_snake]

Does your ISP force you to buy their cable and/or telephone service if you want high speed internet?

Yes.

Do car companies force you to buy their pricier fully loaded car with all the bells and whistles?

And pretty much, yes. (how many models do you see offering standard transmissions anymore?) Edited December 2, 2007 by shakey_snake

[DELTETHISACCOUNT]

AT&T is offering this for the hearing impaired because it's common sense (probably because someone else pushed for it) but requiring a person to be hearing impaired for a service like this is not justifiable other than at the cost of their bottom dollar, which is why they don't want to open it up to everyone.

I completely disagree. I mean, I see your point. It is possible for any person to get a data only plan and it would work out fine for them, but why? Why would a non-deaf person really need a data only plan if they can hear and speak perfectly?

That's like demanding a miltary discout and you're not even in the military. That's like demanding a senior special and you're only 20. That's just being a douche for no justifiable reason. You have no disabilities, so just suck it up and fork out the money.

Edited December 2, 2007 by Ruiz

[7Dash8]

A lot of the people on this site and many others are reading impaired and logic impaired. Surely they qualify for special plans?

[Smigit]

That's like demanding a miltary discout and you're not even in the military. That's like demanding a senior special and you're only 20. That's just being a douche for no justifiable reason. You have no disabilities, so just suck it up and fork out the money.

It's not the same what so ever. It means users who dont want to use the iPhone for the phone functionality can get it to use other services. It's not like people are asking for a disability discount when they arent disabled, they just want a plan that lets them pay for the service they want to use.

[KC]

I have to agree with the people saying that this should be open to everyone. Me myself would much rather not have voice service @ all....maybe 30 - 60 mins a month, but wouldn't ever need them much.

[Sheppard]

It should be available for all, equality means equal across the board... It's not the people complaining about preferred rates that are douchebags, its AT&T

Indeed. There is absolutely no reason to limit such an option to hearing impaired only. AT&T just wants the extra money.

What, so if you cant have it the hearing impaired people cant?

I thought people grew out of that mentality when they were kids, guess i was wrong.

[ANova]

I completely disagree. I mean, I see your point. It is possible for any person to get a data only plan and it would work out fine for them, but why? Why would a non-deaf person really need a data only plan if they can hear and speak perfectly?

That's like demanding a miltary discout and you're not even in the military. That's like demanding a senior special and you're only 20. That's just being a douche for no justifiable reason. You have no disabilities, so just suck it up and fork out the money.

Wow, that's some winner logic you got there.

Fork out the money? No thanks, I'll find something else.

What, so if you cant have it the hearing impaired people cant?

I thought people grew out of that mentality when they were kids, guess i was wrong.

Are you capable of even basic comprehension skills? When did I ever say such a thing? AT&T are the ones who decided to cut out the service rather than offer it to everyone.

Edited December 2, 2007 by ANova

[Sheppard]

You were the one whining about how it should be open to all.

[ANova]

Expressing an opinion is not whining.

Someone asking if they can get the same service another person gets, especially when it's something as trivial as phone and internet service, is not demanding or expressing the "if I can't have it no one can" mentality.

Please go enlighten yourself.

[Julius Caro]

I too agree that it should be available to everybody, because if the plan doesn't have voice calls at all, it won't have voice calls even you are not hearing impaired. So it's not like you are taking advantage of anything other than the fact that you don't use voice.

If the complains were in those lines, then I don't think those complainers are douchebags. ATT are, for ditching the plan entirely!