AT&T is set to introduce a new add-on service called “Turbo,” and yes, it is just as bad as you think it is. The company is now asking for even more money in exchange for a sort of priority access to its wireless network. The service is slated to launch today, May 2nd.
How it (Ideally) Works
Mechanically speaking, AT&T Turbo’s “pay-to-win” access is designed to move a customer's service up to what is officially called the Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCI) ladder. This QCI would then determine which customers are to receive priority access to the AT&T network and faster data speeds, and the service is immediately activated. All at the low, low cost of just $7 a month folks!
Pay More for What You Originally Had
But seriously though, this service is raising a lot of eyebrows, as many concluded that this is just another roundabout way for AT&T to hike plan prices. Leaked information via The Mobile Report shortly before the service launch suggested that the service simply moves the customer's QCI level from 8 to 7. This is a hugely misleading move, since these customers were originally placed at level 7 before, and all eligible plans were recently dropped back to level 8.
If this allegation is proven to be true, then AT&T Turbo simply charges $7 more per month, just to provide the level of service customers already had before.
To be fair, those who frequently use data-intensive applications in congested areas for productivity purposes may find the service reasonable enough. It kind of pays for itself in a twisted way. But if everyone eventually avails the service, then the company would have effectively achieved the base price hike they were aiming for in the first place.
Worse, Turbo’s benefits may not even be noticeable if you are living in adequately populated areas. The weird middle line where there are just enough customers to consider the service, yet ultimately becomes futile as the network never really becomes fully saturated.
AT&T Will Never Learn
Customer practicalities-aside, AT&T Turbo also brings about issues concerning the company’s compliance with the recently reinstated Net Neutrality rules. Last week, the FCC voted to reinstate Net Neutrality, which requires that all internet streams be treated equally. AT&T's decision to charge consumers more for a prioritized streaming internet feed just seems to flatly violate these rules.
And speaking of Net Neutrality, Turbo isn’t exactly the first time AT&T has faced scrutiny over its practices. In 2015, the FCC fined AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about its unlimited data plans, which were found to throttle data speeds after a certain threshold was reached. The company has also faced criticism for its stance on Net Neutrality in the past, having previously opposed the regulations before they were repealed in 2017.
Need more context and info? Jump over to AT&T’s official service page for Turbo to find out more.
