The term "subsidy" was always a misnomer. The user always pays for the device.
If that were the case then AT&T wouldn't have talked about how much the subsidized prices hurt them over the years.
The term "subsidy" was always a misnomer. The user always pays for the device.
Of course they would. They want to always be the victim when speaking about profits because they want to give the consumer as little as they possibly can.If that were the case then AT&T wouldn't have talked about how much the subsidized prices hurt them over the years.
VZW did not entirely drop the subsidized pricing, current customers on contract can still get their new iPhones that way. Likewise ATT has all but dropped subsidized pricing as well. The only place you can get subsidized pricing on ATT is directly from ATT and not from their satellite stores or apple.comWhat kind of baffling to me is that they are still continuing with this two year thing. Verizon dropped it and it hasn't hurt them.
Google is an amazing tool.
Searching "AT&T OLAM," the first result is https://www.att.com/olam, which resolves to AT&T's Online Account Management.
Looks like they bumped me up to full subsidy as of September 1st, was 9/21. I guess customer service doesn't have any idea how their system works because I talked to two different reps as well as one live chat last week and they all said there was no way I could upgrade before the 21st without having to pay the reduced subsidy price of $250 unless of course I wanted to use the NEXT program.
Of course they would. They want to always be the victim when speaking about profits because they want to give the consumer as little as they possibly can.
All that was really done with contracts is the pricing was shuffled around a bit and it was made a lot more transparent what you are actually paying for every month (how many dollars go towards service, towards your handset, etc).
In many cases (unlimited plan not withstanding) the newer (Next) plans actually do save those who have 2+ lines money, especially with how they've reworked corporate discounts. There isn't really s right answer. Anyone with an old plan needs to sit down and do the math and see which way is cheaper. We gave up our unlimited lines in favor of 15gb (price of 10gb). More than enough for us, and we are saving about $40 per month.
What kind of baffling to me is that they are still continuing with this two year thing. Verizon dropped it and it hasn't hurt them. I don't see it hurting ATT either. They want fewer people on unlimited, this much is clear. Why would you continue locking people into that contract?
I am was in the same boat, 9/21, but I am eligible now.
The comparisons become apples and oranges when you throw in UDP users. Those without UDP don't understand and those with UDP don't understand how NEXT benefits others. Throw in that some had UDP on one line and now their spouse wants a smartphone.... and everything goes to hell.
Old UDP users with single or dual lines benefit from the subsidy.
New users/ multiline users/ and anyone without UDP benefit from the NEXT plan or current pricing.
VZW did not entirely drop the subsidized pricing, current customers on contract can still get their new iPhones that way. Likewise ATT has all but dropped subsidized pricing as well. The only place you can get subsidized pricing on ATT is directly from ATT and not from their satellite stores or apple.com
In a sense both have dropped that program but only partially. ATT went one route, and VZW another. Maybe I'm splitting hairs but I think its a natural progression and this time next year, there will be really no subsidized pricing.
AT&T is awesome like that. Verizon...no way!I just checked and you are correct. Earlier it showed 09/21/15, now it says I am eligible to upgrade. Awesome.