New Member
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2 Messages
"carrier ATT" wi-fi - is it a hot spot or data?
In NYC - ATT have set up a mesh of wifi routers to help with phone congestion. When walking, the device will 'seamlessly' change from LTE to Wi-fi (name of network - ATT Carrier) and then as you walk, it moves to another router or back to a tower.
comment: first - this transition is not smooth - sometimes as you walk further away from a router, the signal weakens to the point there is no data transmission, but you are still connected, there are a few blank seconds before this cuts off and handover happens presenting data blackout spots.
question: when a user is on the wifi network "ATT Carrier" - is this billed as part of your dataplan - in otherwords, ATT sees this as part of their data backbone and because they transition you, ATT still considers it part of your monthly data allocation - or is it considered wifi data and as such a courtesy that is NOT included in your data usage. (note: My plan does NOT have hotspot access).
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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64.7K Messages
2 years ago
I thought I answered that in the first sentence, maybe I wasn’t clear. Any data usage on WiFi does not count against your data plan. So no, you are not billed for data usage when on WiFi.
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sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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64.7K Messages
2 years ago
No. Anytime you are on WiFi, all data usage is via WiFi unless your phone has WiFi assist enabled. If you see “AT&T WiFi” as your carrier, that means you are on WiFi calling which means calls and texts are over WiFi instead of through a cell tower.
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NYC7200
New Member
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2 Messages
2 years ago
Ok - but I'm not talking about calling - I'm talking about data usage - browsing. Yes, I understand it's not utilizing the tower as it's on a wifi connection - but how is it BILLED by ATT - I have no hotspot - so in other words, ATT is giving me free data - I find that very surprising.
ATT Carrier - is not me connecting to wifi voluntarily - it is ATT's network handing over and managing the transition in the background to save network congestion.
How do I verify that this isn't being billed as data usage ?
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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225.6K Messages
2 years ago
Let's address your AT&T Carrier Wi-Fi signal inquiry @NYC7200!
We recommend checking your Wireless Usage for your usage between bill periods or text *3282# (*DATA#) to get data balances. Scroll down on the article to learn more about Usage reporting delays. Also, check your detailed bill to get more information regarding your data usage.
As @sandblaster stated, a Wi-Fi connection should not be billed but we do have instances where it is billed that is use of AT&T applications (such as address book, music, and radio), push notification, a failed Wi-Fi connection, among others.
We hope this helps! Reach back to us if you have additional questions!
Rhoda, AT&T Community Specialist
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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225.6K Messages
2 years ago
Using Wi-Fi for data is a great way to keep your bills predictable, @NYC7200!
As @sandblaster shared, Wi-Fi doesn't count as mobile data use. What's more, using hotspots on the go is a great way to save on your plan data.
It's possible to keep track of your usage by following these instructions. Visit the section Use less data to learn what action you can take to limit excessive data use.
We hope this info helps!
Lar, AT&T Community Specialist
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