In the comments section of this very blog (and in a follow-up conversation with me), Mac radio host Shawn King reports that AT&T’s monthly unlimited data plan for the iPhone will be $20. AT&T’s current “SmartPhone Unlimited” plan is — you guessed it — $20.
Meanwhile, “Boy Genius Report” says that according to a “pretty high up source” the “iPlan” will “be around $34.99-$44.99.”
Put them both together and it sounds like we’re talking about $55-65 a month for your iPhone service. Not dirt cheap, but not at all out of line with what people are paying for existing data phone plans.
Thanks to Shawn King for weighing in repeatedly on this one — you can read more in the comments.
Cool, this post came from my original question.
The local AT&T store is going to close at 4:30 pm (central) to prep for the iPhone launch and re-open promptly at 6:00 pm. Hadn't thought about that but I guess that makes sense. It seems one of the Apple stores in Austin, TX will do that, too, but the girl I talked to didn't know what time they'd close.
Okay, here's another question - if I'm already an AT&T customer and need to adjust my plan for the iPhone (I'm assuming that I'm pretty much going to need to adjust it somehow), can they do that in the Apple store? Or will I have to take my phone (which I will buy in an Apple Store - I have to witness the hub-bub for myself) to an AT&T store after?
~C
I popped into my local AT&T store this past weekend, and was told by one who seemed to know that the monthly unlimited data plan would be $39.95. Sure would like to believe the $20 is better info.
Wait a second. Is it a $20 calling plan or a $20 data plan (after the calling plan)?
Your argument makes sense except that Apple and at&t would be shouting it from the rooftops if it were true.
"Or will I have to take my phone (which I will buy in an Apple Store - I have to witness the hub-bub for myself) to an AT&T store after?"
I know the answer to that question. But I can't say just yet. :)
But think about it - why would Apple require an iTunes account to use the iPhone? How is Apple getting around the need to have every Apple store tied into AT&T's customer database?
Remember the last time you bought a phone in store? How long did that take? 30 mins? Does Apple really want the iPhone customers hanging around that long, slowing down the purchasing process?
Think about it, Grasshopper. :)
Shawn, you're taking all my best material. :-)
"Is it a $20 calling plan or a $20 data plan (after the calling plan)?"
$20/month *data* plan. The calling plan is additional.
"Your argument makes sense except that Apple and at&t would be shouting it from the rooftops if it were true."
You'd think that were true but according to USA Today, "In addition to launching the iPhone that day, Larry Carter, senior vice president of sales for AT&T says AT&T also will announce new service plans for it."
"Shawn, you're taking all my best material. :-)"
LOL Sorry about that...I can go to another web site with this info if I'm bothering you here....
:)
The real question, of course, is not just the EDGE data plan, which could be as cheap as $20 (that's what T-Mobile charges for unlimited use), but the Wi-Fi plan. AT&T WiFi is their hotspot network that includes both spots they have managed for them and a roaming network. Their DSL customers pay $1.99 for unlimited access to 8,500 McDonald's in the US and thousands of other locations.
iPhone users? No idea. Cingular customers had an unrelated, much more expensive and smaller footprint Wi-Fi plan that's still offered under the AT&T wireless division's Web site.
I spoke with the rep at the AT&T store on Friday. He informed me that, initially, they will only be selling iPhones to new subscribers and to subscribers eligible for upgrades of the current phones (that means close to the end of their contract). He said it would be at least a few weeks before us loyal customers would actually have the chance to buy an iPhone at the AT&T store and suggest I explore the Apple online store if I wanted one sooner. I get AT&T's self-serving business side of this, but won't forget that AT&T didn't care about me once they had my money.
As a Bellsouth voice customer, I now have the new $10/month AT&T DSL (768KB, but saves me $40/month over cable broadband)
Very happy with this price, which fixed until the end of 2009 (at a minimum).
Am I eligible for the $1.99/month AT&T Wi-Fi plan?
This is not acurate, at least in the Florida Market. Current "smart phone" rates at AT&T are $39.99 for unlimited data (web) access and minimum voice packages start at $39.99 for 450 min. That's about $80/mo. minimum and I'd be willing to bet that iPhone service packages are going to be more expensive, if only to recoup AT&T's monthly payments agreement to Apple.
I even asked if I bought a plan now would it transfer with the purchase of a new iPhone. I was told by the strore manager no. Not only would a new plan be required, but I'd probably need a new number too as I would still be responsible for the existing service agreement. There are going to be a lot of existing AT&T customers who are going to be disappointed if not outright irrate! Just me $.02, your opinion may vary.
Jim, I don't know what to tell you -- AT&T has a standard "smartphone unlimited" package for $20. Of course, that package only covers a few select Windows Mobile phones, while the rest of us (blackberry, treo) pay more. Apparently the iPhone will not be in the "pay more" category.
Re: iPhone at $80/month minimum, I'll take that bet.
The cell phone sales industry is not one that generally has gotten by on neighborly advice and honesty. I'd take any facts you're given at an AT&T store with a few grains of salt.
$20/mo. for unlimited data sounds to me much too good to be true.
$35/mo. for unlimited data sounds a lot more likely.
But boy.... if it's the former, iPhone sales be off the charts.
Presently, there is only one phone at AT&T that falls under the smartphone $19.99 unlimited plan. The Cingualr 3135 is one of those Windows Mobile flip phones.
The data plans and their specific phones can be located on the MEdia Bundles page.
I hope Shawn is right about the $20 data plan. :)
I pay Cingular $20/month for unlimited data, and with Yahoo Go and ZoneTag and ShoZu on my Nokia 6682, believe me, I get my money's worth :)
The funniest part is the detailed bills (many, many pages long) showing each data transfer... every 5 minutes or so... [yes, I switched to electronic statements since I felt bad about killing the treez!]
"But boy.... if it's the former, iPhone sales be off the charts."
I think they'll be off the charts *regardless*. :)
Cool -- sounds like the iPhone will work well into my current plan; we pay about $70 for 700 shared minutes (with rollover) for two lines, plus the extra $20 for unlimited data. Now I've just got to wait till mid July when I'll have the money for it; this weekend is rent time...
Ted Wendel -- I suggest the Phil Leotardo treatment on your current cellphone: "Oops, just slipped under the SUV tires...might as well upgrade to the iPhone while I'm at it..."
I would bet on the $20 or some other enticement. And I am a betting man.
The past 2 weeks have been Apple putting the SHINE on the iPhone. Look better battery life, glass screens, we open word and excel files, etc. They have been giving out just enough info to keep the buzz train rolling. And each piece of info either dispels a talking point used against them or is a piece of marketing in their favor. And now it is AT&T's turn.
So why not release rate plans? Because the last thing AT&T or Apple should say before they swing open the doors and welcome us in to buy should be the cherry on top not the flaming bag of **** on the doorstep.
Just my 2cents.. hope this doesn't leave me short on my iPhone.
For the most part, all this discussion is speculation. Even if we know or have talked to anyone at some store. Shawn seems to know most facts but honestly, since I really don't know his background (haven't bothered researching it 'cause it doesn't matter that much to me...no offense), I don't know how true his facts are, either.
Even Apple Store managers (I have one in the family) are in the dark about this launch so it seems as though we're all going to have to sit and wait for official word to come from most likely Apple. It doesn't seem as though AT&T is getting any words in edgewise about their end of this "partnership".
With that being said, can I ask that we slow down on all the speculation? Apple isn't necessarily one to go with what has been done before when launching a product this new, right? Don't get me wrong - I'm just as excited as a 5 year old at Christmas (or pick your appropriate December Holiday) and this phone is fitting the bill of what I've been looking for for a long time but if I do too much speculation, I end up with too much expectation (which can be very wrong) that's not based on facts and can be disappointed once it all happens. That's the last thing I want here for anyone.
Okay, I've said enough here. Thanks.
~C
The thought of paying some outrageous date plan price is kind of a turn off. Cingular had really lousy data plans... it wasn't until recently where changes started happening for the better. I pay 10 bucks a month for unlimited texting and it would be another 10 bucks if I wanted unlimited net. So these prices are great and in most peoples price range. What does T-Mobile users have to pay for unlimited text/data for their sidekicks? I believe it's 20 dollars. If I'm wrong forgive me... never had one. So this idea of paying more money just cause it's an iPlan is crap. I'm sure they'll introduce an Applecare plan too which will be over 60 bucks (iPod price for appplecare). Even though I get a 24% discount on my bill I'm not going to just throw money at them. I rather use it towards a new macbook pro. I'm just hoping the data plan stays at 20.
So, is AT&T going to let people extend their contracts or not? I've read where they will let people extend contracts and additional 2 years regardless of when it's up.
What are the odds of AT&T dropping the ball on Friday? Will they announce the cost of the plans well in advance or that day at 6:00 pm? If the prices are TOO high (or even mildly so) they could start a nation-wide riot!
I will stay at home and lock the doors just in case.
"For the most part, all this discussion is speculation."
Not all of it.
"Even if we know or have talked to anyone at some store."
No offense to those in store but they are often the *last* people to find out information.
"Shawn seems to know most facts but honestly, since I really don't know his background (haven't bothered researching it 'cause it doesn't matter that much to me...no offense),"
LOL None taken - I don't know who you are either. :)
I'll let others decide whether or not I am someone to be listened to (before it was edited, Jason Snell had said in this blog post that I usually did know what I was talking about).
"I don't know how true his facts are, either."
if they are facts, they must be true. :)
I will say that I, in fact, do have "insider knowledge" - from several "sources". All will be explained and become clear on our show on Wednesday evening.
i work in public relations and know tons of journalists. their reputation is everything. shawn would not be sticking his neck out on the line unless he *knows* what he's talkin' about.
i look forward to hearing about the $20 plans later the week.
*now for my obligatory iPhone questions for Shawn the only person here who has actually held the phone*
is the camera worth a squirt?
are there any features on the phone that we haven't heard about that you can tell us? are there any features that you can't tell us about?
""For the most part, all this discussion is speculation."
Not all of it."
""Even if we know or have talked to anyone at some store."
No offense to those in store but they are often the *last* people to find out information."
That's what I said.
"I don't know how true his facts are, either."
if they are facts, they must be true. :)"
Duh, but you do know what I meant. I meant if his information is true... Okay, so you may have some "sources" that give you "insider knowledge" but that doesn't give you the right to come off like a jerk.
I'm just trying to help bring some adult reason to this conversation by saying that all the speculation that is going on should probably slow down. If you have information and are waiting until Wednesday to tell people about it, don't just go around bragging that you have this information. That does no one any good.
Respond all you would like, I'm done with this post.
~C
"Duh, but you do know what I meant."
Umm....no I don't. I can only go by what you write - I don't read minds, much to my wife's chagrin. :)
"that doesn't give you the right to come off like a jerk."
LOL I'm sorry - how was I "coming off like a jerk"?
"all the speculation that is going on should probably slow down."
And I agreed with you.
"If you have information and are waiting until Wednesday to tell people about it,"
I've given out a *lot* of information. Yes, there is more but Apple has an embargo on information received *directly* from them that lasts until Tuesday evening. Then you'll see the floodgates open. :)
We have an interview with someone who has used an iPhone for the past 2 weeks, someone very familiar to the Macworld audience, someone who will shed a lot of light on the subject.
If I were to spout off all the info that guest has prior to the interview, the interview wouldn't be very interesting, would it?
iplan is for data not voice!!
So, cheapest possible option for iphone would be
39.99 plus 8 bucks in taxes
34.99 plus 5 bucks in taxes
88 bucks.
Does anyone know anything about a "Family Plan" that would allow me to both purchase a second iPhone from Apple at a reduced price for my wife as well as getting a reduced price for data and phone service from AT&T for the two of us?
Stupid question(s), but I'll ask anyway:
Why exactly would an iPhone monthly plan (whether it be a "typical" plan or the only one offered), when you really get down to the nuts, bolts, bytes and minutes, be radically different from other currently available options for higher-end phones? If you were able to compare roughly equivalent iPhone and Joe Smartphone plans, would the difference be any greater than, say, $10-$15 month if even that? Would AT&T be so giddy over the iPhone as to either (1) price monthly plans so low that it shoots itself in the foot, or (2) charge way over what the market will bear and price monthly plans into the stratosphere with "value adds" no one uses, killing any market for the device except for those who can afford $150+/month?
My uneducated guess is that an average iPhone plan will slot in somewhere between $60-100 per month (before any family minute sharing plans). Anything in that range with the typically expected features will be just fine, I'd think -- a pretty nice-sized sweet spot, made better if there's an array of monthly plan choices in that same range.
Is it true you will need Mac OSX 10.4? I'm still rocking 10.3 waiting for leopard, I really don't want to shell out extra cash just to sync up my iPhone...
The Official iPlan:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html
"Is it true you will need Mac OSX 10.4?"
Even worse - you need 10.4.10.
I will never, never, never, never, never, never, never, deal with AT$T again. For those that don't know, Alltel gives you UNLIMITED minutes 24/7 to call any 10 number in USA. On our plan with 1200 minutes we were using all 1200. with new "circle of Friends" we now use about 200 of plan's minutes. I can now call ANYONE in USA aand talk for 16 hours without charge. Those Ba$+ards at AT$T and Apple can take their iPhone and shove it. Cell phone service is about SERVICE not latest gadget.