GTA News
GTA TeleGuam to Offer Usage-Based Smartphone Data Pricing
New data rate plans are among multiple steps for managing wireless network growth
TAMUNING, Guam – (September 28, 2011) GTA TeleGuam announced it will introduce usage-based data pricing to help manage accelerating demand for mobile data from smartphone users. New mobile data rate plans take effect November 1 for existing customers and October 1 for new subscribers.
GTA TeleGuam will offer three tiered pricing options, including an unlimited data usage plan. These include 5GB (short for Gigabytes) for $29.95, 10GB for $49.95, and unlimited monthly usage for $99.95. Overage charges will be billed at $10 per additional Gigabyte.
Previously, GTA TeleGuam's Mpulse wireless customers paid $29.95 a month for unlimited smartphone data. Phones using data services over a Wi-Fi connection are not subject to usage-based charges from GTA
"Moving to usage-based pricing is among multiple steps GTA TeleGuam is taking to better manage explosive wireless network usage and preserve its position as the smartphone leader in Guam," said Roland Certeza, executive vice president of sales and marketing for GTA TeleGuam.
"Our wireless network is a shared resource with tens of thousands of customers," Certeza said. "GTA TeleGuam must take steps to ensure our customers have the best possible wireless experience. One of the ways to achieve this is to charge smartphone power users for data traffic they generate, rather than expect most users to subsidize these growing costs."
In the past several years, GTA TeleGuam has invested millions of dollars to add new cell sites, increase capacity and improve its 3G wireless network. As a result, its wireless market share has increased from about two percent in 2004 to more than 20 percent this year.
GTA TeleGuam was first to introduce the popular BlackBerry smartphone in September 2006 and is the only authorized carrier for the iPhone in Guam. GTA TeleGuam also offers the widest selection of smartphones.
"The rapid proliferation of smartphone usage is making it inevitable for carriers everywhere to migrate to usage-based pricing or data speed throttling when users go over their allotted data amounts," Certeza said. "It's no longer a question of whether carriers will migrate to usage-sensitive network management; it's a question of when."
According to GTA TeleGuam mobile data usage reports, more than 90 percent of the company's Mpulse wireless data users use less than 3GB per month.
"These customers will not be affected by the new changes," Certeza said. "The highest data users who generate a disproportionate amount of data traffic will incur higher usage charges."
A chart of what a smartphone user can do with different Gigabyte (GB) usage levels is available at www.gta.net/guam-cell-phones/metered-data
GTA TeleGuam is sending power smartphone users letters summarizing the new data plans and their average past usage so they can chose the plan that fits best for them before November 1. More information about the new data plans is available at www.gta.net/guam-cell-phones/metered-data
In conjunction with the new data plans, GTA TeleGuam also plans to launch an automated tool that allows customers to check their data usage at any time during the month by calling 644-4482.
Usage-based data plans cover the use of smartphones for Web browsing, email, downloading or uploading photos to social media networks such as Facebook, as well as streaming audio and videos. Wireless phone calls and texting are not affected. Use of data services while connected to Wi-Fi also does not incur usage-based charges from GTA.
