No, it was actually a couple of months ago and no, he wasn't eligible for an upgrade. We bought the phone on Apple's online store and then activated it through iTunes. We didn't deal with AT&T at all.
You dealt with AT&T via iTunes. From what you've stated they did cancel the current contract without penalty and just re-upped it for another 2 years.
The OP should try doing that then. This may very well be a loophole that people can exploit. But if AT&T finds out people are doing this they will put the kibosh on it.
You dealt with AT&T via iTunes. From what you've stated they did cancel the current contract without penalty and just re-upped it for another 2 years.
The OP should try doing that then. This may very well be a loophole that people can exploit. But if AT&T finds out people are doing this they will put the kibosh on it.
Sure, I know that - I meant to say that we didn't get it an AT&T store.
I'm definitely going to be trying that come July 11th.
The outrageous price bump on text messages seems highly unwarranted. I see a potential for a class action here.
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I don't really even want to live in a country where other people who feel that way live, but the way the world is going, there's nowhere to hide from socialists...
If this is considered price gouging then it would be a class action as it affects a large number of people and easily exceeds $5M in damages. Furthermore, since this practice is common among almost all US carriers this could be considered an oligopoly, or cartel, action to illegally keep the prices inflated.
I think the only thing that would be illegal would be direct collusion, and I think proof of some sort of communication between the companies would be needed to get a ruling in your favor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cameronj
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I don't really even want to live in a country where other people who feel that way live, but the way the world is going, there's nowhere to hide from socialists...
I would think we would be hearing about a lot of suits against energy companies if such a lawsuit was viable, given how people complain about energy prices.
Steve Jobs stated publicly that the iPhone 3G would cost $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB). No conditions. Obviously then, if AT&T charges more, then Apple will subsidize us for the difference.
But when you look at my current status, paying $30 per month and now all of a sudden having to pay $70 per month, I'm really getting screwed (as are many other people.) The iPhone 3G only has a couple better features; other from GPS and 3G it's practically the same phone. I don't think it's nearly enough for AT&T to escalate the prices that much.
Yes I understand 3G is a more expensive service to provide than EDGE. But as a customer, paying over a 100% premium, the only difference will be faster date (if you have 3G coverage in your area.)
Seems like the perfect solution for you is to keep your 2G iphone. Then you get the great deal you already have. Since 3G and the features of the phone are not worth it for you, thank god you don't have to buy it....
Can someone help me understand the family plan situation?
I am currently on a family plan that has never had an iPhone on it. Is it possible simply to add a new iPhone 3G to this plan (signing for another 2 years) and add the monthly charge for the data? What would happen to the texts currently shared on the plan? Would the iPhone not be able to share them without adding an additional text plan?
I just couldn't tell from the article if you have to create a new family plan now that you want to add an iPhone. My family has four lines and I am the only person who would add an iPhone. We don't need more minutes or texts. I just want to make it as easy for the person who runs the plan as possible.
I think the only thing that would be illegal would be direct collusion, and I think proof of some sort of communication between the companies would be needed to get a ruling in your favor.
Most definitely, but that is why we have courts. Abster2core made a comment I had no previous considered. He stated that the storage of SMS by the carriers is a potential reason why it's more costly and not thrown in with the other data. I don't see how the price warrants the 160 character body plus header data, but since I completely failed to acknowledge this factor in any way I must concede that I don't know enough to establish even a speculative argument on the subject.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cameronj
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I do. Where I don't want to live is in a country where the common man has no voice and big corporations use illegal practices to squeeze out more profit.
Now I just checked the 3G coverage map and there isn't any coverage withing miles of my house. However when I used to have the AT&T 8525, I was able to use 3G. What does this mean?
Either reality is wrong, or the coverage map is wrong. You can decide.
After doing a couple of minutes of research I realized what a knee-jerk reaction I had to the "price increase" of the plans. In all reality, the increase is literally only $10 more per iphone. Now, I don't like the fact that they did away with text messaging included with the plans, but it's not going to really affect my girlfriend and me (we are on a family share plan and have unlimited text messaging for $30/month - which will remain the same with the new iphones.)
Now, with the iPhone 3G, they've not only built the data plans into the rate plans, but they've also done away with the need to pay $10 per additional line on family talk plans with two phones. So here's what I estimate I'll be paying assuming my girlfriend also gets an iPhone 3G (and yes, it's an estimate because I haven't checked directly with AT&T but I'm pretty confident this is close to correct....)
1400 Family Talk Minutes + Unlimited Data for 2 iPhones - $150
Unlimited Family Talk Text Messaging Plan - $30
Sub Total - $180
7.5% Tax - $13.50
TOTAL - $193.50 (Approximately $21 more than our current plan, equating to just over $10 more per month per line for our two phones. Not bad.)
Stop using text messages and start using email if your sending over 200 a month.
You act like everyone has e-mail capabilities on their phone. The whole appeal of SMS is that everyone can receive them on their phones wherever they are. With your theory... how about everyone just e-mails instead of calls?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael F.
in regards to text messages, won't you be able to text through ichat...once someone develops an app for it? as most of you know, text messages can be sent through ichat currently
Yes, but doesn't that still use your carriers towers? I never used the ichat text feature... but it asked me to type in my phone number and that's when i realized that it still uses my phone line i think... anyone know for sure? This would be an awesome solution if otherwise... how would they reply?
How much more is it to add unlimited 3G data to a VZW plan? That is pretty much a wash. The early termination fee is something you are choosing to do, you dont' have to jump to AT&T right away.
Whatever. If I want an iPhone, even the least expensive plan is $20 a month more than I'm paying, and it doesn't even come with SMS. I had MobileWeb on my VZW account for $5 a month at one point. It did use my plan minutes, but that was never an issue anyway.
Quote:
I hope you en't blaming AT&T and Apple for that.
I'm blaming AT&T for the high price and shitty features. I also think Apple is engaging in deceptive advertising. The iPhone does not cost $199/$299 for some customers, even WITH a new 2 year contract.
Quote:
Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement. In the future, AT&T will offer a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).
That is false and deceptive advertising on Apple's part. Period.
BTW, even if I leave out the early termination fee, it still costs $600 more during year 1.
Quote:
The additional charge for SMS is the only thing that seems really bad on AT&T's part. It makes that $10/month increase $15/month for those who want to maintain the same plan features.
What about the $10 a month increase? Is that reasonable? I don't think it is. And no, I don't want to hear about a 3G premium either. That's total bullshit. The whole world is running 3G at this point. It's not some Super Premium Feature? that no one else has. And with that increase, we have the SMS issue as well.
I wouldn't be surprised to see lawsuits over this, nor will I be surprised when AT&T reinstates the 200 SMS with the base plan.
What about the $10 a month increase? Is that reasonable? I don't think it is. And no, I don't want to hear about a 3G premium either. That's total bullshit. The whole world is running 3G at this point. It's not some Super Premium Feature? that no one else has. And with that increase, we have the SMS issue as well.
I wouldn't be surprised to see lawsuits over this, nor will I be surprised when AT&T reinstates the 200 SMS with the base plan.
It's not a "3G" iphone plan --- it's a "3G iphone" plan.
There is no 3G premium for the new plan. AT&T charges the same $30 for a PDA data plan --- whether you have a 2G PDA or a 3G PDA.
I will overstate this but i dont care, what sucks about iPhone is that Apple is forced to do business with other companies that suck, that really suck, we never had these problems and confusions and bait and switches with our iPods, everything was smooth and simple, but now we have to put up with the myriad bullshit ATT SmS familyplan upgrades, is 22 months? are you this are you that, its a big mess, i hate every other company but not Apple...
It is simply mind boggling to me that people are so clueless about how cell phone companies have ALWAYS worked. How did you get by before the iphone came out? did you not have a cell phone? did you just take whatever the cheapest phone was? do you understand WHY that phone was free when you bought it. It's always been this way with cell carriers... nothing is different, they are not over charging you for the iphone, they actually GAVE YOU A BREAK on the fees of the first iPhone cause the price was so much and becuase you were using an outdated wireless technology. now that you are using a phone with technology that's actually relevant, they will charge the the going rate for a plan. instead of bitching on the internet, how about thanking AT&T for giving you a $10 break on monthly data fees
Yes it will cost more than 10 bucks to add to your family plan... you are also getting unlimited data that you don't get when you added a 10 dollar line before... comparing the prices to your razr from 5 years ago is ridiculous.
I mean... someone said "I used to pay 5 bucks a month for data, but I had to use my plan minutes..." really? in 1998? and you want AT&T to continue that pricing scheme?
jeeze. I'm glad I don't work at AT&T... I'd hate to deal with any of the cluelessness on the 11th.
What's to subsidize? The phone costs less than $200 to make according to every firm that looked at it. It's paid for when we buy it. The ginormous "subsidy" is just an AT&T tax paid to Apple so they can continue to blow them.
Glad I don't even have a cell phone. What a crazy cost to pay for the convenience.
It's not a "3G" iphone plan --- it's a "3G iphone" plan.
There is no 3G premium for the new plan. AT&T charges the same $30 for a PDA data plan --- whether you have a 2G PDA or a 3G PDA.
You're missing the point. The implication was that I should be happy to pay $20 more a month. One of the reasons given was the 3G network. And really...there clearly IS a premium. How else does one explain the increase?
If this is considered price gouging then it would be a class action as it affects a large number of people and easily exceeds $5M in damages. Furthermore, since this practice is common among almost all US carriers this could be considered an oligopoly, or cartel, action to illegally keep the prices inflated.
Ah yes, price gouging. Taking advantage of an emergency situation to charge outrageous prices. If you can find me an emergency situation that ATT is exploiting, I'll pay for your lawyer.
Lets all become lawyers and sue everyone else, then we'll all be happy!
Comments
No, it was actually a couple of months ago and no, he wasn't eligible for an upgrade. We bought the phone on Apple's online store and then activated it through iTunes. We didn't deal with AT&T at all.
You dealt with AT&T via iTunes. From what you've stated they did cancel the current contract without penalty and just re-upped it for another 2 years.
The OP should try doing that then. This may very well be a loophole that people can exploit. But if AT&T finds out people are doing this they will put the kibosh on it.
You dealt with AT&T via iTunes. From what you've stated they did cancel the current contract without penalty and just re-upped it for another 2 years.
The OP should try doing that then. This may very well be a loophole that people can exploit. But if AT&T finds out people are doing this they will put the kibosh on it.
Sure, I know that - I meant to say that we didn't get it an AT&T store.
I'm definitely going to be trying that come July 11th.
The outrageous price bump on text messages seems highly unwarranted. I see a potential for a class action here.
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I don't really even want to live in a country where other people who feel that way live, but the way the world is going, there's nowhere to hide from socialists...
If this is considered price gouging then it would be a class action as it affects a large number of people and easily exceeds $5M in damages. Furthermore, since this practice is common among almost all US carriers this could be considered an oligopoly, or cartel, action to illegally keep the prices inflated.
I think the only thing that would be illegal would be direct collusion, and I think proof of some sort of communication between the companies would be needed to get a ruling in your favor.
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I don't really even want to live in a country where other people who feel that way live, but the way the world is going, there's nowhere to hide from socialists...
I would think we would be hearing about a lot of suits against energy companies if such a lawsuit was viable, given how people complain about energy prices.
Steve Jobs stated publicly that the iPhone 3G would cost $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB). No conditions. Obviously then, if AT&T charges more, then Apple will subsidize us for the difference.
Waaaaaa!
When you put it that way, it doesn't look as bad.
But when you look at my current status, paying $30 per month and now all of a sudden having to pay $70 per month, I'm really getting screwed (as are many other people.) The iPhone 3G only has a couple better features; other from GPS and 3G it's practically the same phone. I don't think it's nearly enough for AT&T to escalate the prices that much.
Yes I understand 3G is a more expensive service to provide than EDGE. But as a customer, paying over a 100% premium, the only difference will be faster date (if you have 3G coverage in your area.)
Seems like the perfect solution for you is to keep your 2G iphone. Then you get the great deal you already have. Since 3G and the features of the phone are not worth it for you, thank god you don't have to buy it....
Can someone help me understand the family plan situation?
I am currently on a family plan that has never had an iPhone on it. Is it possible simply to add a new iPhone 3G to this plan (signing for another 2 years) and add the monthly charge for the data? What would happen to the texts currently shared on the plan? Would the iPhone not be able to share them without adding an additional text plan?
I just couldn't tell from the article if you have to create a new family plan now that you want to add an iPhone. My family has four lines and I am the only person who would add an iPhone. We don't need more minutes or texts. I just want to make it as easy for the person who runs the plan as possible.
Thanks,
Nick
Waaaaaa!
Waaaaa! I'm on a message board and people won't stop complaining!
I think the only thing that would be illegal would be direct collusion, and I think proof of some sort of communication between the companies would be needed to get a ruling in your favor.
Most definitely, but that is why we have courts. Abster2core made a comment I had no previous considered. He stated that the storage of SMS by the carriers is a potential reason why it's more costly and not thrown in with the other data. I don't see how the price warrants the 160 character body plus header data, but since I completely failed to acknowledge this factor in any way I must concede that I don't know enough to establish even a speculative argument on the subject.
I don't want to live in a country where a company can be sued for setting a price (no matter how crazy) for its goods.
I do. Where I don't want to live is in a country where the common man has no voice and big corporations use illegal practices to squeeze out more profit.
Now I just checked the 3G coverage map and there isn't any coverage withing miles of my house. However when I used to have the AT&T 8525, I was able to use 3G. What does this mean?
Either reality is wrong, or the coverage map is wrong. You can decide.
A breakdown of my current rate plan and cost:
1400 Family Talk Minutes - $80
iPhone Data Plan: Line #1 - $20
2nd iPhone Line - $10
iPhone Data Plan: Line #2 - $20
Unlimited Family Talk TXT - $30
Sub Total - $160
7.5% Tax - $12
TOTAL: $172
Now, with the iPhone 3G, they've not only built the data plans into the rate plans, but they've also done away with the need to pay $10 per additional line on family talk plans with two phones. So here's what I estimate I'll be paying assuming my girlfriend also gets an iPhone 3G (and yes, it's an estimate because I haven't checked directly with AT&T but I'm pretty confident this is close to correct....)
1400 Family Talk Minutes + Unlimited Data for 2 iPhones - $150
Unlimited Family Talk Text Messaging Plan - $30
Sub Total - $180
7.5% Tax - $13.50
TOTAL - $193.50 (Approximately $21 more than our current plan, equating to just over $10 more per month per line for our two phones. Not bad.)
Stop using text messages and start using email if your sending over 200 a month.
You act like everyone has e-mail capabilities on their phone. The whole appeal of SMS is that everyone can receive them on their phones wherever they are. With your theory... how about everyone just e-mails instead of calls?
in regards to text messages, won't you be able to text through ichat...once someone develops an app for it? as most of you know, text messages can be sent through ichat currently
Yes, but doesn't that still use your carriers towers? I never used the ichat text feature... but it asked me to type in my phone number and that's when i realized that it still uses my phone line i think... anyone know for sure? This would be an awesome solution if otherwise... how would they reply?
How much more is it to add unlimited 3G data to a VZW plan? That is pretty much a wash. The early termination fee is something you are choosing to do, you dont' have to jump to AT&T right away.
Whatever. If I want an iPhone, even the least expensive plan is $20 a month more than I'm paying, and it doesn't even come with SMS. I had MobileWeb on my VZW account for $5 a month at one point. It did use my plan minutes, but that was never an issue anyway.
I hope you en't blaming AT&T and Apple for that.
I'm blaming AT&T for the high price and shitty features. I also think Apple is engaging in deceptive advertising. The iPhone does not cost $199/$299 for some customers, even WITH a new 2 year contract.
Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement. In the future, AT&T will offer a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).
That is false and deceptive advertising on Apple's part. Period.
BTW, even if I leave out the early termination fee, it still costs $600 more during year 1.
The additional charge for SMS is the only thing that seems really bad on AT&T's part. It makes that $10/month increase $15/month for those who want to maintain the same plan features.
What about the $10 a month increase? Is that reasonable? I don't think it is. And no, I don't want to hear about a 3G premium either. That's total bullshit. The whole world is running 3G at this point. It's not some Super Premium Feature? that no one else has. And with that increase, we have the SMS issue as well.
I wouldn't be surprised to see lawsuits over this, nor will I be surprised when AT&T reinstates the 200 SMS with the base plan.
What about the $10 a month increase? Is that reasonable? I don't think it is. And no, I don't want to hear about a 3G premium either. That's total bullshit. The whole world is running 3G at this point. It's not some Super Premium Feature? that no one else has. And with that increase, we have the SMS issue as well.
I wouldn't be surprised to see lawsuits over this, nor will I be surprised when AT&T reinstates the 200 SMS with the base plan.
It's not a "3G" iphone plan --- it's a "3G iphone" plan.
There is no 3G premium for the new plan. AT&T charges the same $30 for a PDA data plan --- whether you have a 2G PDA or a 3G PDA.
Yes it will cost more than 10 bucks to add to your family plan... you are also getting unlimited data that you don't get when you added a 10 dollar line before... comparing the prices to your razr from 5 years ago is ridiculous.
I mean... someone said "I used to pay 5 bucks a month for data, but I had to use my plan minutes..." really? in 1998? and you want AT&T to continue that pricing scheme?
jeeze. I'm glad I don't work at AT&T... I'd hate to deal with any of the cluelessness on the 11th.
Glad I don't even have a cell phone.
It's not a "3G" iphone plan --- it's a "3G iphone" plan.
There is no 3G premium for the new plan. AT&T charges the same $30 for a PDA data plan --- whether you have a 2G PDA or a 3G PDA.
You're missing the point. The implication was that I should be happy to pay $20 more a month. One of the reasons given was the 3G network. And really...there clearly IS a premium. How else does one explain the increase?
If this is considered price gouging then it would be a class action as it affects a large number of people and easily exceeds $5M in damages. Furthermore, since this practice is common among almost all US carriers this could be considered an oligopoly, or cartel, action to illegally keep the prices inflated.
Ah yes, price gouging. Taking advantage of an emergency situation to charge outrageous prices. If you can find me an emergency situation that ATT is exploiting, I'll pay for your lawyer.
Lets all become lawyers and sue everyone else, then we'll all be happy!
Waa!