AT&T CEO Confirms Cheaper iPhone Rate Plans Considered

[MacRumors]

AT&T executive Ralph de la Vega confirmed earlier reports that the company is considering discounted monthly data plans for the iPhone.

The executive said it would be costly for AT&T to cut the price of its unlimited Web surfing service. The minimum plan for iPhone users is $70 a month, which includes unlimited Web surfing and a certain amount of voice calls.

The cheaper rates, however, would come with limits on the amount of data that can be transfered. The current iPhone plans provide unlimited bandwidth. While such a move may make some sense for the price conscious consumer, much of the iPhone's success as a mobile net device seems directly related to the unlimited nature of its data plan.

De la Vega dismissed the possibility of an iPhone with no data plan as AT&T makes the bulk of its income from selling these add-on services.


Article Link: AT&T CEO Confirms Cheaper iPhone Rate Plans Considered

 

[Pandaboots]

just get rid of the AT& T monopoly on the iPhone..then pricing will take care of itself.

 

[Buschmaster]

just get rid of the AT& T monopoly on the iPhone..then pricing will take care of itself.

But then who will pay for the phones?

 

[ThunderSkunk]

But then who will pay for the phones?

The same people who already do. The users.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Didn't Apple insist on unlimited data?

 

[idea_hamster]

Less $ for less bandwidth? You had me at hello.

After all, I spend most of my time in NYC, where AT&T's Edge bandwidth is so OUTRAGEOUSLY poor, that I couldn't hit a monthly cap if I surfed the web all day, every day.

(You may note that I don't know what the cap is. I contend it doesn't really matter. NYC is a giant AT&T iPhone stinkhole.)

Cheers!

 

[Buschmaster]

The same people who already do. The users.

IIRC, AT&T paid for part of my iPhone, hence why I only had to pay $299.

How much would pay if the phone company didn't pay for part of it?

 

[kennycheng93]

new plans

Can current customers change plans when the new plans are available?

 

[Doju]

In Canada the monthly bill is fine, but I guess in the states it's a bit unreasonable. Hopefully they'll offer plans to entice all kinds of budgets to jump on the iPhone raft.

 

[Andronicus]

Free unlimited texts would make me happy.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

I'd much rather have a $20 unlimited (truly unlimited, not this <5GB a month limited "unlimited") data plan with tethering, and a 30 minute a month phone plan. I don't even use the phone anymore.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

IIRC, AT&T paid for part of my iPhone, hence why I only had to pay $299.

How much would pay if the phone company didn't pay for part of it?

Haha, no. You'll have paid that back by the end of your contract.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

Haha, no. You'll have paid that back by the end of your contract.

Yes, we know. We also know he was refering to up front cost.

 

[Buschmaster]

Haha, no. You'll have paid that back by the end of your contract.

Point me in the direction of a plan with unlimited data that I can access anywhere where I don't pay $200 in 2 years and I'll be happy to switch.

Yes, we know. We also know he was refering to up front cost.

Not everyone is as smart as those of us who eat lots of hot dish and drink lots of pop

 

[themoonisdown09]

I don't mind the $30 for the unlimited data plan. Obviously, it would be nice if it was cheaper, but it's really not that bad.

I do, however, think it would be smart if they added cheaper plans with limited data.

500MB = $15
1GB = $20
2GB = $25
Unlimited = $30

will I get to keep the $20 unlimited plus 200 txt if get the next gen iphone this summer? I highly doubt it.

No.

 

[somberlaine]

how about the early adopters?

will I get to keep the $20 unlimited plus 200 txt if get the next gen iphone this summer? I highly doubt it.

 

[LagunaSol]

just get rid of the AT& T monopoly on the iPhone..then pricing will take care of itself.

Yes, because data plans on Verizon are such a bargain.

 

[ltldrummerboy]

Here in Alaska we get 5kbps on EDGE, tops. I don't think I could go over 250MB if I tried. I'm all for a cheaper plan.

 

[LagunaSol]

will I get to keep the $20 unlimited plus 200 txt if get the next gen iphone this summer? I highly doubt it.

That extra $15 a month (including the ridiculous $5 upcharge for 200 texts) is what's kept me holding on to my 1st gen. There just wasn't a compelling enough reason to buy a new phone and double my monthly data cost.

 

[manu chao]

The cheaper rates, however, would come with limits on the amount of data that can be transfered. The current iPhone plans provide unlimited bandwidth. While such a move may make some sense for the price conscious consumer, much of the iPhone's success as a mobile net device seems directly related to the unlimited nature of its data plan.

Big deal. In most countries outside the U.S. iPhone plans include bandwidth caps. That is one way different carriers can compete with each other and carriers can offer multiple, differentiated offers. In some countries, you pay per KB above your quota, in others your speed gets reduced when you reach the cap. If you only use 100 MB per month why pay for a plan that includes 1 GB?

 

[czeluff]

Free unlimited texts would make me happy.

Best idea and worst idea at the same time. Best idea, because texting has virtually no impact on their hardware. Worst idea, because it's a free $20/mo in their pocket.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

I don't mind the $30 for the unlimited data plan. Obviously, it would be nice if it was cheaper, but it's really not that bad.

I do, however, think it would be smart if they added cheaper plans with limited data.

500MB = $15
1GB = $20
2GB = $25
Unlimited = $30



No.

Wait, I thought you didn't have an iPhone?

 

[themoonisdown09]

Best idea and worst idea at the same time. Best idea, because texting has virtually no impact on their hardware. Worst idea, because it's a free $20/mo in their pocket.

That's why it's best to use the AIM application. Especially now that push notifications will be here this summer.

 

[Drumjim85]

ATT unlimited = <5gb

 

[Fenir]

I'm all for this; Most of the data that I use gets pushed over wifi. Its hard to push a cap over edge speeds.