AT&T Considering $10 Drop in iPhone Monthly Plan Rates?

[SirOmega]

Two possible scenarios: AT&T cuts $10 of the voice part of the plan, or they downgrade existing 3G service (1.4Mb/s) and add a new tier that uses the HSDPA 7.2Mb/s speeds (probably rated at 2.5Mb/s) at $30/mo.

Yes, I know the current 3G phone supports 7.2Mb/s HSDPA, AT&T would offer a choice between the two speeds.

 

[DipDog3]

That would be great. I guess the price increase when the 3G came out didn't work so well...

It would be better to make the iPhone service FREE!

 

[diamond.g]

That shouldn't quite be true -- the taxes are there now, and if anything, the ones that scale with the plan price reduce.

And, so, I use T-Mobile, so forgive me if I have this wrong, but... AT&T made the data service plan $10 more expensive when they launched the 3G iPhone, right? So, basically, if this happens, they would roll back to the original pricing scheme, by and large, that they offered in 2007 (that is, for people who continue to get the minimal voice and data plans for the iPhone, who would be paying $10 less for voice and $10 more for data than in the original AT&T plans).

The iPhone 1,2 got classified as a smartphone. iPhone 1,1 wasn't. The plan for 1,1 users was basically a MediaNet plan + 200 SMS. For the 1,2 users the plan became the same plan Treo users had to pay.

 

[tgildred]

I was finally leaning towards getting an iPhone... if this pans out, it'll seal the deal. Please, Lord Jeebus... I'm on my knees...


(that's what she said)

 

[Macnator]

Hey Rogers, are you listening?

I might just jump on the iPhone bandwagon if they'd drop the data plan by $10 here in Canada. Or at least give us more than 500 freakin' MB's per month.

+1. Please Rogers, give us more data for the same price of $30. Maybe offer that 6GB/$30 plan again.

 

[penguy]

I wonder if this is AT&T's/Apple's way to get first-generation iPhone owners to upgrade and get everyone on the same "platform" so to speak... or officially deprecate the old plan and have everyone move to the new plan. One of my big reservations with the iPhone 3G was 1) no 3g service around here and 2) $10 more a month for the service—the only big benefit was built-in GPS.

I had the same thought. $20/month I can deal with, $30/month seems absurd when it is more than I pay for home internet with AT&T!

 

[aristobrat]

Why would anyone go to Wal-Mart (or any retailer for that matter, that does not have expertise in wireless) when they can go to any Apple or AT&T store and deal with someone who really knows the product line and the industry as a whole?

There are plenty of areas in the US where there isn't an Apple store or a corporately-owned AT&T store nearby.

 

[j-a-x]

I know so many people who would buy an iPhone if the monthly plan was cheaper. It would make me happy too.

 

[macnews]

Why it is unlikely for AT&T to find a way to add the $10 back

A $10 drop in price is a drop in price - all the better. I just hope they either drop the rates above this one or offer more minutes as right now I'm not on the lowest rate plan.

Comparatively, AT&T pricing is very similar to Verizon which is similar to T-mobile. Now, before you jump on the "oh no it isn't" wagon think about this - if one wireless provider had much cheaper plans people would naturally seek out this lower cost provider. This would take away customers from other carriers either forcing them out of business or lower their prices to match the competition. This is why you see things like roll over minutes, fav-5 offers, unlimited in-network calls, etc. which are used to counter and blur the cost differences between carriers. If you have a ton of friends on one network then an unlimited in-network deal might be great for you vs someone else.

The iPhone was a little wrinkle put in the structure because now a single device has been compelling enough for some people to over look small price differences. While the exclusivity contract is/was in place it allows AT&T to minimize price differences from competitors - they can't ignore them but don't have to react or respond as quickly. Note this benefits ALL carriers by allowing them to maintain their current pricing - all they have to do is barely beat AT&T or have other gimic offers to play the shell game of who is cheaper all around. As the contract for the iPhone expires and more iPhone like (don't have to be iPhone killer devices) come to market this will force the competitors to continue their competition on pricing.

I won't say AT&T CAN'T raise prices or offset the $10 decrease by adding it back via some other method, I just don't think it is likely. The exclusivity contract might be ending or at the very least need to be renewed plus newer iPhone like devices are coming to market. Again, these do not have to be killer devices, just enough to give a FEW people cause to buy them and stick with another carrier causing AT&T to be price sensitive.

 

[bytethese]

Yes please. Between the fiance and I we'll save $240/yr. Good to "know" that with the new iPhone they won't be jacking up the service fees again and they point to a reduced price instead.

 

[carlgo]

No reception at home in a hardly-rural area, so I pay $69 for emergency road use and for traveling. I additionally have to have a land line for DSL and for home phone use. An expensive luxury. Nice to have the iPhone, but not a wise financial decision.

I think it is twice as costly as it should be for relatively basic services. Those who really do download huge amounts of data, twitter tall day to nobody or just have to be on the cell phone as a life-fashion accessory can pay more.

When that horrid contract is up, then I have to make a more rational phone decision.

 

[joeshell383]

Why would anyone go to Wal-Mart (or any retailer for that matter, that does not have expertise in wireless) when they can go to any Apple or AT&T store and deal with someone who really knows the product line and the industry as a whole?

That's exactly why I like shopping at Walmart for electronics, no pushy salespeople or "Can I help you? Can I help you?". In fact, no service at all---- I'm free to browse and buy what I WANT when I'M READY. There isn't much, if anything at all, that an Apple Store employee can say about the product that I don't already know. In fact, it is much, much, much more likely, that I know more about the product than the salesperson. The salesperson's "expertise", if any, doesn't add value for me, it adds annoyance and frustration.

You're point is valid on the whole, though, as most consumers need a helping hand, but for consumers like me, Walmart is actually a shortcut. Also, generally speaking, Walmart is proportionately less crowded than a typical Apple store, and parking is readily available. Plus, Walmart usually prices products with standardized prices, like the iPod and iPhone, $1-2 less than anywhere else.

 

[twoodcc]

now this would be great! i think that would make the price about right. need to include some text messages as well

 

[alexbates]

YES, Hooray!!! As long as the base iPhone price stays the same, I will be getting an iPhone with AT&T after the service price goes down. This will be a great way to attract more customers.

now this would be great! i think that would make the price about right. need to include some text messages as well

They most likely won't since they are lowering the price. I could live with TextFree though.

 

[michael.lauden]

No reception at home in a hardly-rural area, so I pay $69 for emergency road use and for traveling. I additionally have to have a land line for DSL and for home phone use. An expensive luxury. Nice to have the iPhone, but not a wise financial decision.

I think it is twice as costly as it should be for relatively basic services. Those who really do download huge amounts of data, twitter tall day to nobody or just have to be on the cell phone as a life-fashion accessory can pay more.

When that horrid contract is up, then I have to make a more rational phone decision.

if you have no service. that is very very stupid to pay for data. you can cut 20 bucks out of your bill by not paying for data use.

disable edge/3G and use wifi when using apps. save your self some money.

 

[war eagle]

What's the big deal about 10 frickin dollars?

 

[NinjaHERO]

Just think of how much the price would go down with competition? Come on apple, put the iphone on other carriers. There is a reason people hate monopolies. My huge ATT bill is one of those reasons.

 

[WoFat]

Of course sales don't meet expectations at WalMart. Bottom feeders shop there for their teeth so one shouldn't expect many iPhone purchases from folk who take public transportation to get there.

 

[basesloaded190]

Probably - but according to his sig just the one - I checked first!

how many months do you sign a contract for?

 

[HailToTheVictor]

I know so many people who would buy an iPhone if the monthly plan was cheaper. It would make me happy too.

We would all love an additional $10 a month back in our pockets, but if someone holding out on getting an iPhone because of an additional $10, then, in my opinion, they do not deserve an iPhone.

 

[iOrlando]

you are going to get screwed by at&t. thats not up for question.

You instead should be asking how much will they screw you.

I dont have an iphone solely because i dont feel i can get around $1800 of use from it in 2 years time. (i work alot...and then when i am home...laptop...so when would i actually use the phone)

$59.99 is nice and all, but we all know it will be about $76-$80 after all the other "junk" is added on. Does the $59.99 plan include data?

I pay about $75.00 now for 2 lines. If they can bring the total monthly price for everything to about $75-$80 for the iphone, it will make it easier for me to buy one.

 

[DaBrain]

How many months are in your year?

Well maybe they have 2 iPhones?

 

[mrkitty]

They will probably have pricing for texting seperately and pricing for MMSing seperately. $5 for texting and $10 for MMSing.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

SMS is already $5/$15/$20, I'd expect those rates to go up $10 each for MMS.

Personally, I think AT&T **should** drop their iPhone 3G data plan by $10, since their 3G network rarely (if ever) gets anything above EDGE network speeds.

 

[SpitzerCR]

I honestly think the 10 dollar difference if applied to the Iphone internet bundle part of it would really help.

In that case my father and fiance would probably pick one up. My boss also opted for blackberry cause the phones were a toss up (for him) but the service was less expensive.

 

[diamond.g]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

SMS is already $5/$15/$20, I'd expect those rates to go up $10 each for MMS.

Personally, I think AT&T **should** drop their iPhone 3G data plan by $10, since their 3G network rarely (if ever) gets anything above EDGE network speeds.

Why would they do that when the current SMS plans for every other MMS capable phone include MMS?