AT&T to Raise Early Termination Fee for iPhone and Other Smartphones to $325

[macrazee]

Actually, you can just buy a GoPhone card - the SIM pops out of the card and right into your iPhone. That and a $99 refurb iPhone is what I use for app development.

FYI - This works fine if the phone always lives at your desk on WiFi, but take it anywhere and the data access will chew through your prepaid card minutes at lightning speed.

Yes, but one caveat. All the new retail packaged GoPhone's are SIM-locked for 6 months to the device it came with.

Best to stop at an AT&T store and tell them you want to sign up. They'll give you a SIM (use any crap unlocked phone) then you can move it to your iPhone later.

 

[JTVPRO]

It was a good move in this sense. I just think has taken longer to expire due to the CDMA issue w/ VZ[/QUOTE]

In that statement lies the reason the success of the Droid Phones at ATT, VZ and others.

If ATT has subsidized Apple's break into the phone markets than they should reap the rewards. But in the long run it has cost Apple ability expand it foot print and has allowed the Droid market to prosper.

All of the AT&T vs Version reminds me of the "Taste Great, Less Filling" beer ads from long ago. Gibberish.

 

[alhedges]

In San Diego, San Francisco and New York we are all waiting.

.

We KNOW. Jesus, you guys complain more than the rest of the country combined. Please just get another phone and stop WHINING.

 

[Matt-M]

Is it not partially Apple's fault for making the phone only available on AT&T?

Cellar phone companies are when is it said and done all about the same. Apple should not have gone into a an exclusive contract with AT&T.
Some of the greed blame in on Apple.

Am I way off base? I think not.

If I recall correctly, Verizon passed on the original iPhone, AT&T was the only major U.S. carrier to say yes.

Remember, this was in the days when the carrier had more or less absolute control of what was on your phone. Verizon was perhaps a little short-sighted and did not want to give that up. It's completely different world today, largely because the iPhone's success changed the model.

 

[TheGraphicMac]

Pffft!

On one hand, AT&T has to pay Apple for that phone - so I can see why they need a cancellation fee. BUT, this cancellation is nearly the cost they pay Apple for the phone to begin with... so they probably break-even on the phone. But they've made their money on the service.

I get why they do it, but the price seems obscenely high to me.

That being said, I sure wonder why people think Verizon is going to be any cheaper. They're already the most expensive carrier (at least here in Arizona anyway). I HOPE that the competition lowers the prices of the monthly fees for service, but I don't have my hopes up.

 

[pmz]

i'm starting to think an AT&T 4thgen iPhone could really go on sale as early as June 7th, possibly immediately following the keynote. Or the next day. It could be crazy.

But not many people qualify for an upgrade at this date, so it may be a good way to roll it out and keep up with demand. June 21st is my qualifying date, as it is for many others. Hope its at least out by then.

 

[JTVPRO]

Correct

If I recall correctly, Verizon passed on the original iPhone, AT&T was the only major U.S. carrier to say yes.

Remember, this was in the days when the carrier had more or less absolute control of what was on your phone. Verizon was perhaps a little short-sighted and did not want to give that up. It's completely different world today, largely because the iPhone's success changed the model.

I stand corrected. Why such a long exclusive contract? Seems like Apple could had some clause that allows them out of the contract. Much like these early termination fees.

I have avoided signing contracts. I guess you have to pay either way so I pay upfront and then I can sell the phone recoup the cost, if I ever had to stop phone service.

 

[Matt-M]

Yes, but one caveat. All the new retail packaged GoPhone's are SIM-locked for 6 months to the device it came with.

Best to stop at an AT&T store and tell them you want to sign up. They'll give you a SIM (use any crap unlocked phone) then you can move it to your iPhone later.

Uhhh, I think you missed my point...

If you want to go this route, don't buy a GoPhone. AT&T will sell you just the SIM card - not locked to any device - for like $30.

Just be aware that it does not include unlimited data, so if you use it like a regular iPhone, the data will burn up your prepaid minutes really fast. You pretty much have to use WiFi only.

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

I'm dumping mine before the 1st just for the purpose. This is greed

 

[macrazee]

Uhhh, I think you missed my point...

If you want to go this route, don't buy a GoPhone. AT&T will sell you just the SIM card - not locked to any device - for like $30.

Actually, they'll give you the SIM for free. You just need to put up some credit for the initial GoPhone service purchase.

 

[macrazee]

AT&T got the exclusive because, frankly, they were the only carrier who could handle it. It had to be GSM -- iPhone users are world travelers and CDMA is worthless.

 

[Noreaga1316]

i hate my bill

can't wait for AT&T to lose there chain an ball...cuz im leaving them b*tches.

 

[JTVPRO]

AT&T got the exclusive because, frankly, they were the only carrier who could handle it. It had to be GSM -- iPhone users are world travelers and CDMA is worthless.

CDMA is only in the US? This I did not know.

Than why would Apple even have offered it to Verizon? Is AT&T the only phone Co that is strictly CDMA?

 

[maxijazz]

$375?
I expect 3GS for $50 and HD for $100 with 2y contract then.

 

[ianham]

It's worse in Canada. 3 yr deals instead of your 2 yr, and cancellation fees are way more.

 

[macrazee]

CDMA is only in the US? This I did not know.

Than why would Apple even have offered it to Verizon? Is AT&T the only phone Co that is strictly CDMA?

CDMA is primarily in North America, with a few iterations spread elsewhere.

Verizon is CDMA, hence my references to them and why I don't believe they will be getting an iPhone.

EDIT: To clarify, Verizon is not the only major carrier to be CDMA. Sprint is the other. There are a few regional carriers (like US Cellular) which are also CDMA carriers.

 

[troy14]

I read a few pages and didn't see anything mentioned, and I'm not reading all 18 pages...

This change to the ETF fee means that they altered their contract and as consequence we can cancel our contract with no ETF, right?

I probably should just learn to read the original article, heh.

 

[briankwest77]

I read a few pages and didn't see anything mentioned, and I'm not reading all 18 pages...

This change to the ETF fee means that they altered their contract and as consequence we can cancel our contract with no ETF, right?

no, it's for new contracts not retroactive to existing contracts.

/b

 

[Matt-M]

I read a few pages and didn't see anything mentioned, and I'm not reading all 18 pages...

This change to the ETF fee means that they altered their contract and as consequence we can cancel our contract with no ETF, right?

You just need to read the original story: "The change, which would apply only to new contracts, appears set to come just prior to the launch of a new iPhone."

 

[lPHONE]

Can someone tell me WHY AT&T would start doing this just before the new iPhone launch rather than doing it right now?

Also, why did this article get such a low front page rating? (67 Positives; 666 Negatives)? Are we mad at MacRumors for delivering this news to us?

 

[kiljoy616]

This is the biggest pile of crap that I have ever heard! Of course you won't be losing customers...you have us by the balls!

And now they are tighting their hold and getting ready to ass rape you with no lubrication.

So did you like the new iphone, good because your going to pay for it, big time hahahaha.

Profit, Profit, Profit!

 

[lPHONE]

I THINK TERMINATION FEES SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!


Since when did we have contracts on our home phones?
Cell phone service is much cheaper to manage and more profitable.

 

[jlc1978]

Why are family plans a barrier to switching carriers?

Multiple termination fees or higher per line rates - instead of $9.95 for an additional line, you pay for a whole new plan in addition to your first plan; plus no non-minute using calls to same carrier's phones so you burn minutes on calls to family.

 

[kiljoy616]

dream on

Verizon iPhone, here I come.

Dream on, baby, not going to happen, ATT will stroke Steve ego and placate to his needs, and nothing will change.

But now even if you decide you just about had it with the iphone, they also got you by the balls. Oh and they are about to bat it out of the park.

 

[kiljoy616]

$375?
I expect 3GS for $50 and HD for $100 with 2y contract then.

Right, because the Iphone that coming is not a must have device. Good luck better learn to gauge your customers better, take lessons for ATT and Apple, do it right and it will pay off.