AT&T has announced new smartphone data plans for its subscribers, which will eliminate the option for the $30 unlimited smartphone data plan (currently available as the iPhone unlimited data plan and the smartphone unlimited option), though the carrier says that current subscribers on the $30 plan will be grandfathered in. In addition to new data plan pricing and terms, AT&T will finally make good on its promise to offer tethering on the iPhone. The new plans will cost $15 for the Data Plus plan and $25 for the Data Pro, which will have caps of 200 MB and 2 GB respectively. However, despite the lower caps, there are some good news for overages.

On the $15 Data Plus plan, users who go over can add another 200 MB for $15 additional and those on the higher Data Plus plan can add another $10 for the additional GB. Additionally, AT&T is also being extremely generous to Data Plus plan subscribers by allowing users on the lower tier plan to either switch over to the Data Pro package for the following month, pro-rate it for an early switchover this current billing period, or even retroactively switch to the beginning of this current billing cycle.

Regarding tethering, AT&T will be offering iPhone tethering as a $20 add-on to the Data Pro plan. That means that you’ll have 2 GB to share between your iPhone (or smartphone) and other connected devices for a total of $45 per month. Tethering on the iPhone currently only works via Bluetooth or through USB as the official solution offered by AT&T and Apple. Unofficial solutions through paid jailbreak apps such as PDA Net or MyWi (each $10 apps) can tether over WiFi.

iPad users will also be affected by the new pricing and term. The $30 plan will no longer be offered effective June 7th and users will be offered the $25 plan for 2 GB of data instead.

The new plans will take effect on June 7th. Users on the $30 unlimited smartphone data plans will be grandfathered in so if you want that plans, you have until June 7th to sign up. After June 7th, if you wish to switch to any of the newer plans, you can also do so without extending your contract.

(via: Engadget)