AT&T Forcing Consumer to Choose Unlimited Texting or Pay-Per-Message

AT&T has offered a revamp of its texting plan forcing consumers to either go all in or pay per text message.

After an initial report from Engadget, AT&T confirmed that its adjusting its texting plan. Consumers can either pay $20 for unlimited messaging or pay per text message ($0.20 per message). The $10 for 1000 text messages is no more. The company has decided to keep its Family Unlimited Messaging plan intact, for families of families of up to five lines for $30 per month.

We regularly evaluate our offers and are making some adjustments to our messaging lineup, AT&T said in a statement. The vast majority of our messaging customers prefer unlimited plans and with text messaging growth stronger than ever, that number continues to climb among new customers. Existing customers don't have to change any messaging plan they have today, even when changing handsets.

AT&T has made a lot of changes to texting and data plans in recent months. A few weeks ago, it confirmed a report that it was planning on throttling the data of its highest data users. The move, which is set for October 1, will only impact five percent of AT&T's users and is to ensure a smooth network for the other 95 percent.

The company's main rival, Verizon still has a texting plans with multiple options. Like AT&T, it offers unlimited texting for $20. However unlike AT&T, Verizon offers 250 text messages for $5 per month or 500 text messages for $10 per month. Sprint also offers various levels in its messaging plan.

Those AT&T customers who currently have a texting plan that isn't unlimited will be allowed to keep it. However, new customers and resigning customers will either be forced to go unlimited or pay per text.

AT&T is currently the second biggest wireless cell phone service provider in the U.S. in terms of subscribers. Verizon is first.

Follow Gabriel Perna on Twitter at @GabrielSPerna