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AT&T Cracking Down - iPhone 3G Users Currently on Other Plans Be Warned

I can see this if you are using the $15 plan, but there is no way they should be able to force a data plan on you. If the phone is SIM swappable, you don't necessarily have to use it all the time. What if I am only using the iPhone on longer trips to consolidate needing a iPod and phone, but during the normal work week on a short 1 mile commute, I only use a dumbphone since I have access to internet at home and work (4-6 days a month)? If you don't use any data, you shouldn't be forced to pay for it.

I have read posts somewhere (maybe this forum) that said Apple is getting a kickback from AT&T on the 3G, but didn't on the 2G?? I don't know if that is correct or not, but if it is, then maybe that is the reason the data plan is forced on you since they have to give a portion back to Apple even if you had the option to not use the data plan. That screams anti-trust in my opinion, as do all the exclusivity contracts of phones with specified carriers.
 
Trajectory said:
Oh please, that's nothing. Here in Canada, we pay at least $60-90 per month for the iPhone, and Rogers forces you into a 3-year contract and charges you $200-400 for the iPhone on top of that!

So, if you hate AT&T, imagine how much we hate Rogers here in Canada.
Click to expand...

Except Rogers has a better quality of network, so we get better service on the whole.
 
for those who use multiple phones if you get the BB plan (same price as iphone plan at 30) you can use any phone and its data will work and they won't send u any hostile messages. At least they havent with me yet. :eek:
 
Malfoy said:
for those who use multiple phones if you get the BB plan (same price as iphone plan at 30) you can use any phone and its data will work and they won't send u any hostile messages. At least they havent with me yet. :eek:
Click to expand...

But I'm saying what if the other phone you swap with is a "dumb" phone, or even a BB without a data plan? My situation was just a hypothetical, but it is not unreasonable that someone would do that so they are not having to keep up with multiple devices on flights or longer car trips.
 
khkman22 said:
.......I have read posts somewhere (maybe this forum) that said Apple is getting a kickback from AT&T on the 3G, but didn't on the 2G?? I don't know if that is correct or not, but if it is, then maybe that is the reason the data plan is forced on you since they have to give a portion back to Apple even if you had the option to not use the data plan. That screams anti-trust in my opinion, as do all the exclusivity contracts of phones with specified carriers.
Click to expand...
No, the revenue sharing arrangement was and still is active for the original iPhone. Apple gets about $15 of the $20 data plan.

In the case of the iPhone 3G, AT&T is requiring the data to recover the additional subsidy that brought the pricing down to the $199 / $299 level. The data plan is priced to match other "simular" data devices. Yes, I agree that the data plan should not be required and the it should be optional just like all of the other data plans that AT&T offers.
Dave
 
khkman22 said:
But I'm saying what if the other phone you swap with is a "dumb" phone, or even a BB without a data plan? My situation was just a hypothetical, but it is not unreasonable that someone would do that so they are not having to keep up with multiple devices on flights or longer car trips.
Click to expand...

That I can't vouch for. I didn't know u could get a BB wthout a data plan. I'm just speaking from experience on the BB sim swapping.
 
dave006 said:
No, the revenue sharing arrangement was and still is active for the original iPhone. Apple gets about $15 of the $20 data plan.

In the case of the iPhone 3G, AT&T is requiring the data to recover the additional subsidy that brought the pricing down to the $199 / $299 level. The data plan is priced to match other "simular" data devices. Yes, I agree that the data plan should not be required and the it should be optional just like all of the other data plans that AT&T offers.
Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. I wasn't sure what I heard on the kickback aspect of it, for 2G or 3G. And most of what I had seen was that the 2 year contract is what covered the cost of the subsidy vs. the data plan covering it. But other phones' subsidies are covered by the 2 year contract, so why not the iPhone? Blackberries have subsidies and you are not forced to use the data plan. The whole thing just doesn't seem right to me. I have no reason to change my service from AT&T, but I can't break down and pay the $30/mo...yet. Although I sure wish I didn't have a problem with it. Wi-fi only on my 2G is nice, but it sure leaves you wanting it anytime, anywhere. :(
 
GenNovE said:
39.99
+
30.00 UNLIMITED 3G DATA
+
5.00 200 TEXT MESSAGES.
---------------
85.45 MONTHLY.
+
2.95 unlimited skype.
I use aim to send free text messages and use beejive all the time.

88.40 a month.


Tmobile cant beat my plan.
.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile:

$39.99 for 1000 Minutes, unlimited Nights/Weekends
+
$5.99 Unlimited EDGE Data
+
$4.99 400 MMS Messages
=
$50.97

I think I just did.... :eek:
 
gkarris said:
I think I just did.... :eek:
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Yeah, you put in the wrong data plan. LOL Try the unlimited data plan that's meant for *smartphones*, not the stupid t-zones plan meant for WAP phones, even if you can exploit it. Still cheaper than AT&T, but it's not $5.99.
 
aristobrat said:
Yeah, you put in the wrong data plan. LOL Try the unlimited data plan that's meant for *smartphones*, not the stupid t-zones plan meant for WAP phones, even if you can exploit it. Still cheaper than AT&T, but it's not $5.99.
Click to expand...

:confused:

Works fine on my 1st Gen iPhone... :eek:

In today's economy, over $60/month is a bit high for a cell phone plan. Heck, I cringe at mine every month anyways...
 
Data Plan = $30 = Youtube = BS

Unlimited data plans for BBerry & iPhone costs just as much as unlimited data for TimeWarner high speed internet for my computer.

And remember I have wireless so I can have as many pc/macs on it as I wish all for the same price.

That's crazy. We have two iphones and pay $30 each.

I am glad 3.0 will feature teethering and support 802.11n so I can at least get rid of my home internet.

They are more expensive but unless you are watching youtube 24/7 there's no way you are going to use that much data just by e-mails.

They should offer a plan that allows you to conduct business on there without poking a hole in your pocket.

Its not like they offer a lesser choice its either the $30 or higher.

And you have to pay extra for text.

The initial 200 texts should be included in the data plan just like it was for the original iPhone.

AT&T bia's
 
Cracking down implies some sort of punishment, which there isn't.

It simply means that if you are "caught", you will have to pay for the service that you have not been paying for.

Better title is needed.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Cracking down implies some sort of punishment, which there isn't.

It simply means that if you are "caught", you will have to pay for the service that you have not been paying for.

Better title is needed.
Click to expand...

nope. If you get caught they will add the correct service, that's all.
 
Brunos82 said:
Unlimited data plans for BBerry & iPhone costs just as much as unlimited data for TimeWarner high speed internet for my computer.

And remember I have wireless so I can have as many pc/macs on it as I wish all for the same price.

That's crazy. We have two iphones and pay $30 each.

I am glad 3.0 will feature teethering and support 802.11n so I can at least get rid of my home internet.

They are more expensive but unless you are watching youtube 24/7 there's no way you are going to use that much data just by e-mails.

They should offer a plan that allows you to conduct business on there without poking a hole in your pocket.

Its not like they offer a lesser choice its either the $30 or higher.

And you have to pay extra for text.

The initial 200 texts should be included in the data plan just like it was for the original iPhone.

AT&T bia's
Click to expand...

lol @ you thinking you can get rid of your home internet because the iphone will have tethering.

i hope att cancels your service if you do.
 
dave006 said:
No, the revenue sharing arrangement was and still is active for the original iPhone. Apple gets about $15 of the $20 data plan.

In the case of the iPhone 3G, AT&T is requiring the data to recover the additional subsidy that brought the pricing down to the $199 / $299 level. The data plan is priced to match other "simular" data devices. Yes, I agree that the data plan should not be required and the it should be optional just like all of the other data plans that AT&T offers.
Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info, and I do agree about the data plan. I understand at&t is recovering money, but too bad you can't cancel the data plan after the 2 year contract if you keep the iPhone after the 2 year contract.
 
GenNovE said:
goosnarrggh that is not true.

A couple of months ago I simply called ATT told to take off data and text messaging of my iphone plan
and they handled it with ease. If requested they will remove the services.

Like 2 months ago i re-added data and text messaging without a problem.
Click to expand...

According to their terms of service, AT&T has always reserved the right to enforce their policy of a mandatory data plan whenever you connect an iPhone to their network. The fact that they had chosen not to enforce that policy a few months ago in your case does not negate the reality that they have been documented to enforce that policy with other users.

If you believe the article linked at the beginning of this thread (personally, I have no first-hand evidence to either confirm or refute it except for AT&T's TOS), AT&T is ramping up a project to start taking a more active approach to enforcing their policy in the very near future.
 
TheSpaz said:
I don't understand that acronym. It doesn't look like it's a word, so it must be an acronym then...

Oh, never mind...
Click to expand...

It means never mind - and I'm ashamed to know that, because I think txting is dum.
 
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