Combined iPhone service and data plans to start at $60 per month

[AppleInsider]

AT&T Inc. and Apple said Tuesday they will offer three simple, affordable service plans for iPhone which start at just $59.99 per month.

All three plans include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. With everything else already included, iPhone customers can easily choose the plan that's right for them based on the amount of voice minutes they plan to use each month. In addition, iPhone customers can choose from any of AT&T's standard service plans.

"AT&T has the largest voice and data network in America, the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community and the fewest dropped calls," said Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO, AT&T. "AT&T has invested more than 16 billion dollars in its wireless network between 2005 and 2007, and iPhone customers will enjoy the best voice and data network in the nation."

All iPhone monthly service plans are available for individuals and families and are based on a new two-year service agreement with AT&T. Individual plans are priced at $59.99 for 450 minutes, $79.99 for 900 minutes and $99.99 for 1,350 minutes. All plans include unlimited data (email and web), Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile and a one-time activation fee of $36. Family plans are also available.







Visual Voicemail, an industry first, allows consumers to see a listing of their voicemails, decide which messages to listen to, then go directly to those messages without listening to previous messages. Just like email, Visual Voicemail on iPhone enables users to immediately and randomly access the messages that interest them most.

Also Tuesday, Apple and AT&T announced that iPhone purchasers will be able to activate their new phones from the privacy of their own home.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[PBG4 Dude]

... privacy of their own home.

Anyway, I did this once years ago with my Sprint phone. Talk about a nightmare. I'd rather spend the time in the store as I know the phone will be online before I leave the store. Still, this should keep the lines moving quickly this Friday.

[CosmoNut]

Reasonable rates.

[meelash]

Pretty sweet. I don't think these rates are anything to complain about.

[PBG4 Dude]

nvm .

[meelash]

I don't think these plans are anything to complain about. They seem very reasonable, and not giving people the option of limited data (so that they can later complain about how the iPhone uses it up quickly) is smart.

[DaveGee]

- Individual Plans Available
- Family Plans Available
- Available on NEW plans
- Available on EXISTING plans
- Requires a new two-year service agreement (or extend existing)

Individual Plan Prices

$59.99 - 450 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data
$79.99 - 900 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data
$99.99 - 1350 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data

Seems like a great deal to me... I didn't yet see if it included Free Nights and Weekends but I'd THINK they would... Then again... you never can't tell...

Anyone know!?

Dave

[CosmoNut]

I could see how some people would want more than 200 text messages, though.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by Louzer

Keep in mind that 'unlimited data' means you can use it for any period of time. But it doesn't mean you can use as much as you want. You are limited in terms of how much you can actually use before they start limiting your speed/access.

Huh?!?! I'm gonna have to see a reference on this one...

Dave

- Wow... AI's server clock is going wonky... I replied to a post BEFORE it was even posted... :weird:

[sigs21]

200 text messages i can deal with, it as the push mail... but can I keep my unlimted att calling plan.. I can call any att customer for free.. wired or wireless..

Or can I get the earler night and weekend for 8.99

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by meelash

I don't think these plans are anything to complain about. They seem very reasonable, and not giving people the option of limited data (so that they can later complain about how the iPhone uses it up quickly) is smart.

Keep in mind that 'unlimited data' means you can use it for any period of time. But it doesn't mean you can use as much as you want. You are limited in terms of how much you can actually use before they start limiting your speed/access.

[BlackSummerNight]

Not too bad. The 200 SMS isn't that good but unlimited data is great. I'm paying 75 bucks a month for 450 minutes and a data plan for 15.99. This is a pretty good deal. The deal is nothing to cheer about, nor is it nothing to jeer about.

[BlackSummerNight]

Where have you seen this. I use to use my smartphone as a modem, when I had unlimited data. It was slow as hell, but it did the job. I never noticed any cap. I find it hard to believe they will limit the speed, because Edge is slow as hell to begin with. I'd like to hear more on this if you have any more information.

Originally Posted by Louzer

Keep in mind that 'unlimited data' means you can use it for any period of time. But it doesn't mean you can use as much as you want. You are limited in terms of how much you can actually use before they start limiting your speed/access.

[DisneyEcho]

All three plans include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling

I was hoping for something like this. Thank you!!

[mini.boss]

No mention of nights and weekends?

[Danboy]

sounds pretty good. i'm sure you'l be able to add additional txt messages, not for free of course but if its something you want then go for it i know i probably will. if i dont my bill will cost twice as much just for going over my 200 txts. right now i can do 200 in a two day span however i know that this isnt everyone. overall i think the plans are not too bad.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

AT&T Inc. and Apple said Tuesday they will offer three simple, affordable service plans for iPhone which start at just $59.99 per month.

Great plans. Apple has done it again.

Activating it at home. Just beautiful. Imagine the simplicity of it all. Go in, buy it, get it and go home. My bet, it is a 10 minute transaction. Unless you are one of the idiots that have frequented these posts with nothing that Apple and AT & T have planned to destroy the world.

Perhaps now we can only hope that these nay sayers shut up.

My revised bet, it is a 5 minute transaction.

[gordy]

Nights & Weekends has been addressed:

[Steinar]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html

[desarc]

Originally Posted by mini.boss

No mention of nights and weekends?

check out the BIG CHARTS, the line that says NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS.

this is sweet, i'm grandfathered into an SNET plan from 1999 for 24 bucks a month [350 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and weekends from 7pm to 9am.] i'll just add the $20 plan to that.

45 bucks a month.

[jbravo556]

Originally Posted by DaveGee

$59.99 - 450 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data
$79.99 - 900 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data
$99.99 - 1350 Anytime, Roll-over, 200 SMS, M2M, Unlimited Data

This is awesome from my point of view. I would get the $60 one in a heart beat.

Here in Canada, Rogers, the only GSM carrier that is capable of carrying the iPhone, has ridiculous prices for data plans. Actually, at some point here, all wireless carriers seem to have dumped their unlimited plans simultaneously. The only logical plan available to us here, at this point in time, is 100 MB per month for $100, and that is on top of any voice plan you may have. If you were to use the iPhone with them, they'd rob you blind at these rates.

I sure hope Apple can convince them to offer reasonably priced data packages if they were to carry the iPhone.

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by mini.boss

No mention of nights and weekends?

Somewhere else I read the $60 plan includes 5000 night/weekend minutes. The higher priced plans come with unlimited night/weekend minutes.

[Louzer]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

Where have you seen this. I use to use my smartphone as a modem, when I had unlimited data. It was slow as hell, but it did the job. I never noticed any cap. I find it hard to believe they will limit the speed, because Edge is slow as hell to begin with. I'd like to hear more on this if you have any more information.

You all need to read the fine print on these things.

Taken from the AT&T site on their data connect plans. I highlighted the good parts.

Permissible Uses: Data Service sessions may be conducted only for the following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) corporate intranet access (including access to corporate email, customer relationship management, sales force automation, and field service automation applications). PROHIBITED USES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, USING SERVICES: (I) WITH SERVER DEVICES OR WITH HOST COMPUTER APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WEB CAMERA POSTS OR BROADCASTS, CONTINUOUS JPEG FILE TRANSFERS, AUTOMATIC DATA FEEDS, TELEMETRY APPLICATIONS, PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) FILE SHARING, AUTOMATED FUNCTIONS OR ANY OTHER MACHINE-TO-MACHINE APPLICATIONS; (II) AS SUBSTITUTE OR BACKUP FOR PRIVATE LINES OR DEDICATED DATA CONNECTIONS; (III) FOR VOICE OVER IP; (IV) IN CONJUNCTION WITH WWAN OR OTHER APPLICATIONS OR DEVICES WHICH AGGREGATE USAGE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION; (V) USING THE SERVICES FOR ANY ACTIVITY THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE ABILITY OF OTHER PEOPLE OR SYSTEMS TO USE EITHER THE SERVICES OR OTHER PARTIES' INTERNET-BASED RESOURCES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF NETWORK OR SYSTEM RESOURCES (WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL) AND "DENIAL OF SERVICE" (DOS) ATTACKS AGAINST ANOTHER NETWORK HOST OR INDIVIDUAL USER; OR (VI) INTERFERENCE WITH OR DISRUPTION OF OTHER NETWORK USERS, NETWORK SERVICES OR NETWORK EQUIPMENT. EXCEPT FOR CONTENT FORMATTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AT&T'S WIRELESS CONTENT STANDARDS, UNLIMITED PLANS CANNOT BE USED FOR UPLOADING, DOWNLOADING OR STREAMING OF VIDEO CONTENT (E.G. MOVIES, TV), MUSIC OR GAMES. FURTHERMORE, UNLIMITED PLANS (EXCEPT FOR DATACONNECT AND BLACKBERRY TETHERED) CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY APPLICATIONS THAT TETHER THE DEVICE (THROUGH USE OF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONNECTION KITS, OTHER PHONE/PDA-TO-COMPUTER ACCESSORIES, BLUETOOTH® OR ANY OTHER WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY) TO LAPTOPS, PCS, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR ANY PURPOSE. Service is not intended to provide full-time connections, and the Service may be discontinued after a significant period of inactivity or after sessions of excessive usage. AT&T reserves the right to (i) limit throughput or amount of data transferred, deny Service and/or terminate Service, without notice, to anyone it believes is using the Service in any manner prohibited above or whose usage adversely impacts its wireless network or service levels or hinders access to its wireless network and (ii) protect its wireless network from harm, which may impact legitimate data flows. You may not send solicitations to AT&T's wireless subscribers without their consent. You may not use the Services other than as intended by AT&T and applicable law. Plans are for individual, non-commercial use only and are not for resale.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by Louzer

You all need to read the fine print on these things.

Taken from the AT&T site on their data connect plans. I highlighted the good parts.

Totally expected and reasonable.

[SpinDrift]

All sounds really good to me. I hope we get something along those lines here in the UK. I already pay more than that and I don't have a data plan!

I'm drooling!

[CosmoNut]

Bob's back!:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/usingiphone/activation.html

[DaveGee]

One thing you FAMILY PLAN folks will want to consider...

Each additional iPhone line is $29.99 per month and not 9.99... The extra $20 is for the unlimited data... I didn't realize this at first and also the iPhone FAMILY PLAN PRICES only include ONE SINGEL LINE... I could swore they used to include TWO lines in the base price...

So the $80 iPhone family plan will cost you...

$89.99 for 1 iPhone and 1 non-iPhone (80+9.99)

OR

$109.99 for 2 iPhones (80+29.99)

Dave

[senorcameltoe]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Also Tuesday, Apple and AT&T announced that iPhone purchasers will be able to activate their new phones from the privacy of there own home.
[c][ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

Really? From that there home?

[Maffrew]

Originally Posted by SpinDrift

All sounds really good to me. I hope we get something along those lines here in the UK. I already pay more than that and I don't have a data plan!

I'm drooling!

Unfortunately, I bet we'll get fleeced again

At the moment on 3, I pay £26.50 a month, which gives me a certain amount of credit, which I can use flexibly to get however many voice minutes or text messages I need. However, it doesn't include any data, which seems to be expensive on all providers here in the UK.

I guess we have to hope that Apple will only strike a deal with someone who will provide data cheaply in the plan, because it's integral to the iPhone experience.

[Sparky_In_Corona]

My current Cingular/ATT plan for data and SMS is costing me $30/month. This new plan will save me $10 per month. I guess I'll be in line after all.

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by DaveGee

One thing you FAMILY PLAN folks will want to consider...

Each additional iPhone line is $29.99 per month and not 9.99... The extra $20 is for the unlimited data... I didn't realize this at first and also the iPhone FAMILY PLAN PRICES only include ONE SINGEL LINE... I could swore they used to include TWO lines in the base price...

So the $80 iPhone family plan will cost you...

$89.99 for 1 iPhone and 1 non-iPhone (80+9.99)

OR

$109.99 for 2 iPhones (80+29.99)

Dave

If this is true (no data plans for non-iPhones on family plan) that makes it much easier for me to handle. Not sure if ATT will let non-iPhones slide on the data plan though. When we first opened the family plan, all phones had to have the same data plan.

[mr O]

Originally Posted by SpinDrift

All sounds really good to me. I hope we get something along those lines here in the UK. I already pay more than that and I don't have a data plan!

I am in favour of paying one Internet rate for combined use on my home computer and iPhone.

Hence my 60$ question: is the unlimited data (email/web) also applicable to your home computer? Or are you paying both seperately?


It is a bummer though that you do have to enroll in an expensive subscription program (60$/month = 1 iPhone every 10 months) in order to acquire what also happens to be an amazing all new widescreen Video iPod. Cingular should be (very) grateful to Apple.

[melgross]

These plans seem to be perfectly reasonable, including the restrictions on the data connections, which is just intended to keep those very few from hogging the network, and shouldn't affect any normal usage. Every other company has similar restrictions.

[theveeb]

The activation video shows that you can add 1500 SMS msgs for $10/month and unlimited SMS for $20/month.

[joeYYY]

Wow, the 60$ plan is cheaper than the already discounted (corporate discount) and similar voice+data plan I have now from Verizon Wireless (although I get unlimited nights & weekends)!!!


IMO, the bundling of data and voice in the plan is a game-changing move made by Apple/AT&T it will incite people to buy the iPhone and encourage them to use the browser more when they get it.

I would expect that other carriers will soon follow with similar plans(at least for smartphones).

[CI0002]

Check out the AT&T plans now on the Apple website. An obvious error in frame sizing, the Visual Voicemail says 200 per month and 5000 text messages.

Apple better fix this quick

[Neruda]

Looks like current AT&T customers get the best deal. Makes it easier to existing customers to buy the iPhone. Good move.

[tumbler]

Anyone think it would be possible to run some version of Skype on this phone? I've never used it, but remember it being an actual program that had to be installed. It might be interesting if someone could adapt this to run on the iPhone or if a web version was created so users could call other people on Skype for free using the unlimited data plan. Realistic or crazy?

[wilco]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

Unless you are one of the idiots that have frequented these posts with nothing that Apple and AT & T have planned to destroy the world.

I hate those people! They're almost as bad as those idiots getting hard-ons about the iPhone, even though they haven't even used one yet! They suck!

[Cpt K]

Originally Posted by DaveGee

One thing you FAMILY PLAN folks will want to consider...

Each additional iPhone line is $29.99 per month and not 9.99... The extra $20 is for the unlimited data... I didn't realize this at first and also the iPhone FAMILY PLAN PRICES only include ONE SINGEL LINE... I could swore they used to include TWO lines in the base price...

So the $80 iPhone family plan will cost you...

$89.99 for 1 iPhone and 1 non-iPhone (80+9.99)

OR

$109.99 for 2 iPhones (80+29.99)

Dave

that was my question too.

I want (1) iPhone + (1) non-iPhone on family plan.

$100 + UNLIM SMS ($20) + $10 (extra line) = $130/M

does that sound right?