One funny reason from one of the higher ups at ATT for data requirements is because ATT listens to customers. There were a lot of customers who didn't want data, but still wanted to send picture messages. Those same customers would call in every month and complain about the data charges. So eventually, ATT decided to require all smartphones have a data plan. That's the story he gave us.
Just like more recently, a lot of people complained about the slowing down of unlimited data after only a very small amount of data usage. So after the news and everyone else complained, they made it for 3gb or 5gb for lte to be slowed down (I didn't like it because I could get up to 6 gb and still not be slowed down at that point).
I agree with some of what he said though. I remember back in 2006-2007?, customers calling in for data charges, but didn't want the block or add unlimited. Every time a customer calls into customer care, it costs ATT money. So, at that point, this would have helped with those customers. Now though, with the data option to be turned off in phone settings and wifi almost everywhere, It's just about more money.
We have to be careful what we ask for from our cell phone providers. It sometimes backfires. Like the pricing for the verizon shared data plans for example ( I had people calling into ATT asking if we will ever have family shared plans a couple of years ago). .
and btw, there is a way to get a smartphone with no data plan. My friends have bought european phones and ATT doesn't recognize the imei, so it lists it as a dumbphone. They have been doing this for a few years now. They also have the option to add unlimited internet for 10 dollars since it looks like a dumbphone to ATT. Only drawback to that is they will only get 3g speeds. Can't guarantee this will work forever though, but at least it works for now.
