AT&T Requires Messaging Plans For Messaging Phones

Okay, fine, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to get a feature phone with a keyboard if you don't text a lot, but what if something happens and you really just can't afford the luxury of a texting plan anymore? You're out of luck. AT&T is requiring messaging plans with a choice list of devices from here on out. Check out the new requirements below:

• Phones that require a messaging plan at time of purchase include: Pantech Reveal, Pantech Impact, Motorola Karma, Samsung Flight, Samsung Impression, Samsung Magnet, Samsung Solstice, Samsung Mythic, Samsung Propel, LG Xenon, LG Neon, and the LG Vu.
• It looks like the minimum monthly cost when buying a "Quick Messaging" phone is around $20. That's a $5 200 SMS/MMS plan and a $15/month unlimited data plan. It doesn't look like you can walk out of the door without paying less than $20/mo in features in addition to your voice plan.
• There are slightly different requirements if you have a family plan, so check those out in detail with your AT&T liaison.
• If you have an existing "Quick Messaging" device, you don't have to do a thing. But, if you want to ever upgrade to a new device, you'd then be hit with the messaging feature requirement.

Thanks to BGR for the photo and info.