After years of mounting customer outrage over its clogged network, AT&T has finally scrapped its unlimited-data plan and raised the price on heavy data users. It's a wonder it took so long. Since the iPhone debuted exclusively on AT&T in June 2007, Apple stock has risen 110 percent, while AT&T is down 38 percent. The $30-a-month unlimited plan was designed to attract customers, and with 50 million iPhones sold, it did. But AT&T's network was crippled as a few users hogged bandwidth: 3 percent of AT&T's smart-phone customers use 40 percent of its data. AT&T now offers a two-tiered system: 200 megabytes for $15 a month; two gigs for $25. Use more than that, and you'll pay extra. Network strain is likely to ease as a result, and analysts believe others will follow AT&T and that the switch will usher in a new era of (more profitable) metered data-pricing.

After years of mounting customer outrage over its clogged network, AT&T has finally scrapped its unlimited-data plan and raised the price on heavy data users. It's a wonder it took so long. Since the iPhone debuted exclusively on AT&T in June 2007, Apple stock has risen 110 percent, while AT&T is down 38 percent. The $30-a-month unlimited plan was designed to attract customers, and with 50 million iPhones sold, it did. But AT&T's network was crippled as a few users hogged bandwidth: 3 percent of AT&T's smart-phone customers use 40 percent of its data. AT&T now offers a two-tiered system: 200 megabytes for $15 a month; two gigs for $25. Use more than that, and you'll pay extra. Network strain is likely to ease as a result, and analysts believe others will follow AT&T and that the switch will usher in a new era of (more profitable) metered data-pricing.

What's in store for the gulf? Lessons from previous disasters.

What's in store for the gulf? Lessons from previous disasters.

We must put science first in the gulf.

We must put science first in the gulf.

It's Apple vs. Google in the battle over the future of computing.

It's Apple vs. Google in the battle over the future of computing.

New research has found that a majority of Americans want to know the details of their genetic codes.

New research has found that a majority of Americans want to know the details of their genetic codes.

Freedom should trump privacy.

Freedom should trump privacy.

It could—but the FDA and Congress also could make the burgeoning biotech industry stronger.

It could—but the FDA and Congress also could make the burgeoning biotech industry stronger.

Analysis of Jewish genomes refutes the Khazar claim.

Analysis of Jewish genomes refutes the Khazar claim.