AT&T to Stop Offering Two-Year Phone Contracts Starting January 8

[macfacts]

They are not that bright.
They could have done what verizon did and raise the unlimited data cost on unlimited lines once their current contract has expired.
But by them raising it now immediately on all customers they will let go ETF free millions of people
I got 3 lines on my account that have a year left but in february we're all getting out without any charges.

You won't pay the ETF cost but you're stuck with an iPhone that is carrier locked to at&t.

 

[imlynxy]

They are not that bright.
They could have done what verizon did and raise the unlimited data cost on unlimited lines once their current contract has expired.
But by them raising it now immediately on all customers they will let go ETF free millions of people
I got 3 lines on my account that have a year left but in february we're all getting out without any charges.

"not that bright" ))) I like that expression for 20M+ dollars compensation they have to be.
That's why J Legere is the winner , his education is the best possible.

P.S.
I want to open this famous citi credit card today and get 650 statement credit for full price iphone before I switch.

https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/c...ti.action?ID=citi-att-access-more-credit-card

P.S2 The only think I worry about if t-mo can handle all the new customers and their network wont collapse?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

As soon as we got the courtesy notice stating our plans would be increased, we received the right to cancel without fee. The notation that we have to wait until February to experience the increase and then cancel makes no sense. As the entire reason we are able to cancel is that we reject the price the increase. Which is the reason for the 2 month courtesy notice in the first place. This is legal speak 101.

As I said, I already ported my numbers over so my service is cancelled. I am waiting for the fill bill now and if there is an ETF fee for the unlimited plans then I'll call support to waive it.

You seem so sure of this that you're willing to risk not getting the ETF taken off if things don't go your way (rather than play it safe and cancel within 60 days after receiving the first bill reflecting the $5 increase as per the email notice). In any case, let us know if you manage to get the ETF waived given that you've apparently jumped the gun.

 

[Applejuiced]

You won't pay the ETF cost but you're stuck with an iPhone that is carrier locked to at&t.

False.
The iPhone gets unlocked once is not associated with a carrier contract agreement.

 

[Applejuiced]

"not that bright" ))) I like that expression for 20M+ dollars compensation they have to be.
That's why J Legere is the winner , his education is the best possible.

P.S.
I want to open this famous citi credit card today and get 650 statement credit for full price iphone before I switch.

https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/c...ti.action?ID=citi-att-access-more-credit-card

P.S2 The only think I worry about if t-mo can handle all the new customers and their network wont collapse?

I doubt it.
They won't collapse, they will grow and expand.
Hope they put the money into their network instead of keep trying to find ways to maximize profits like AT&T and Verizon.

 

[Applejuiced]

You seem so sure of this that you're willing to risk not getting the ETF taken off if things don't go your way (rather than play it safe and cancel within 60 days after receiving the first bill reflecting the $5 increase as per the email notice). In any case, let us know if you manage to get the ETF waived given that you've apparently jumped the gun.

Yeah, what he said above.
Your price hasn't increased yet so that's not terms to get out of contract without the etf.
You pulled out prematurely man

 

[ToroidalZeus]

You seem so sure of this that you're willing to risk not getting the ETF taken off if things don't go your way (rather than play it safe and cancel within 60 days after receiving the first bill reflecting the $5 increase as per the email notice). In any case, let us know if you manage to get the ETF waived given that you've apparently jumped the gun.

Yeah, what he said above.
Your price hasn't increased yet so that's not terms to get out of contract without the etf.
You pulled out prematurely man

You guys need to start thinking like lawyers instead of techies.

Here is a old get out of free ETF notice:

http://www.phonenews.com/sprint-etf...lead-to-gross-receipt-charges-increase-16082/

If the invoice is paid, it will constitute an acceptance of the surcharge increase and the opportunity to leave without ETF will be forfeit. Under the terms set forth by the CTIA, customers have 30 days from either the first notification or the increase being applied to cancel service without penalty.

The important takeaway is that accepting the price increase is legally accepting the change. In this case AT&T has said, 'well you actually have 60 days after to cancel.' The important fact is that the courtesy notice is what breaks the contract and afterwords we have a right to mitigate our damages i.e. terminate service. In this case we get 2 months before the change and 2 months after which is more than enough time for AT&T to be able to dismiss all potential lawsuits.

I'm not a trained lawyer tho which is why I said 99% sure but confident enough to terminate service.

 

[Applejuiced]

Hope you're right man.

 

[macfacts]

False.
The iPhone gets unlocked once is not associated with a carrier contract agreement.

If you cancel the contact, youre not an at&t customer anymore, they only unlock if you are their customer.

 

[Applejuiced]

If you cancel the contact, youre not an at&t customer anymore, they only unlock if you are their customer.

By law They have to unlock it if the device is out of contract.
And yes they unlock for non customers.
You're just wrong on this from the beginning.
Your macfacts are way off. They cannot keep a device locked that is not attached to a contract. Once your line is not associated with a contract then the device is released and eligible for unlock.

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

If you cancel the contact, youre not an at&t customer anymore, they only unlock if you are their customer.

This used to be a requirement but not anymore.

 

[TheHorrorNerd]

If you cancel the contact, youre not an at&t customer anymore, they only unlock if you are their customer.

Not true...
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/

From the unlock site...
"Customer Type

[] Current [] Previous [] Prepaid / GoPhone® [] Non-AT&T Mobility customer"
You dont even have to be a former customer as they have added the non-customer option.
The phone just has to be clear of a contract.

General Requirements for All Unlock Requests

• The device must be designed for use on, and locked to, the AT&T wireless network. (For help see Device Unlock Support )
• It must not be reported lost or stolen.
• It’s not associated with fraudulent activity.
• All the device’s service commitments and installment plans are completed, and all early termination fees are paid in full.
• The device is not currently active on a different AT&T customer’s account.
• If you performed an early upgrade, you must wait the 14-day buyer’s remorse period before you can request to unlock your previous device.

 

[Toltepeceno]

If you cancel the contact, youre not an at&t customer anymore, they only unlock if you are their customer.

I got 2 at&t go phones to give as presents for christmas (a couple of the lumia 640's for 30.00 each) and they sent me the unlock codes in about 24 hours. Why? Because we were not at&t customers, if we had been they would not have unlocked them. So you have it in reverse.

 

[JimmyHook]

Why do people care? If you don't like paying full price for iPhones, go to Verizon or Sprint. I fail to see why people care. This change was announced over a year ago and just got rolled out to every market

 

[macfacts]

Why do people care? If you don't like paying full price for iPhones, go to Verizon or Sprint. I fail to see why people care. This change was announced over a year ago and just got rolled out to every market

The people on cheap grandfathered unlimited data plans (UDP) and use _a lot_ of data care because now they have to pay full price for their new iphones (and $5/month more) if they want to keep their UDP which makes total cost of phone and plan for 2 years not so cheap anymore. AT&T doesn't care if you switch, that's why they don't offer those plans any more. No one is going to sympathize with UDP users.

 

[ttam110]

I think you mentioned having a FAN account. I've been unsuccessful in finding out how "Custom IRUs" are any different from "IRUs". Everyone with a FAN account is either an IRU or CRU, but if "Custom IRUs" are the same thing as "IRUs" then you'll still be able to renew on a 2-year contract according to the FAQ in the OP.

Custom IRUs are not the same as a regular IRU. Has there been any info on whether IRUs will remain eligible?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Custom IRUs are not the same as a regular IRU. Has there been any info on whether IRUs will remain eligible?

The FAQ in the OP specifically states that Custom IRU and CRU customers remain eligible so I guess the answer is no (if Custom IRUs are not the same as regular IRUs as you say).

 

[ttam110]

The FAQ in the OP specifically states that Custom IRU and CRU customers remain eligible so I guess the answer is no (if Custom IRUs are not the same as regular IRUs as you say).

Yeah, I believe IRUs are still considered B2C, which is why they're not eligible. Would still like some confirmation before the 8th....

 

[iMas70]

I pay $73.89 for my UDP. This includes my FAN discount. Add on a few dollars for taxes. This price with the 2 year contract has been a GREAT deal for years. I looked into NEXT before but it just wasn't worth it. My plan price is good but it's not going to change.

I'll be surprised if AT&T customers will be paying full price for their phones when most other carriers offer some type of discount. Either the phones are discounted or the service is to try to win over customers.

 

[Lankyman]

Or you can keep that money in the bank earning interest or applying it elsewhere in your life, while you take advantage of an interest free loan from your carrier. Doing NEXT doesn't automatically equal not being able to afford it.

You have looked at interest rates since the 2008 crash have you? It has almost got to the point where the customer is paying the bank to look after their money rather than the banks paying interest.

There's no such animal as a interest free loan from the carrier. Believe me when I tell you the carrier is getting that money back somewhere, they are not running a charity.

 

[Yardman1977]

here's how. when your (my) 2yr contract expires with ATT and you have the grandfathered unlimited plan, you get zero reduction in your bill. my contract was up in Oct. My bill was and still is around $100/mth with an Iphone 5s. although, the unlimited plan is nice, i just looked up my data usage and i have never used more than 2.5gb in a single month.

now figure in the $5 increase announced last month... the price of data should not be going up, it should be going DOWN! I dont care that they have not had an increase in X years, they should not have had one.

end of the day, if i get on a Verizon plan a 3GB data, i get a 6S Plus and am still saving $. Plus getting the NFL on Verizon...

We have 2 unlimited lines and 1 20 gig mobil share rollover ...we each burn about 15 to 18 gigs per month ..we stream apple music....spotify. watch youtube videos. Some netflix.....news clips..my direct tv app...hbo go ..etc....your smart to have hung onto your unlimited plan thru all the horrible throttling days......yor internet habits may change in the future and you may start streaming more.....just buy a cheaper bigger screen phone to make up for the lost subsidies....on mobile share will have to pay overage charges.... and always worry about going over your cap...gotta use wifi too. .And some workplace wifi networks block netflix...slingbox ..and other streaming sites too..once you give up yor unlimited plan it will be gone forever and att wins.......think about it....

 

[theturtle]

How will i freaking find out if my premier account will be one of the accounts that will continue that let me upgrade? I ask because I need to know whether to not to burn my 3 early upgrades then.

Second question, how would pricing work? So my plan would still be identical (I have 5 lines. 130 base line + 10 add a line and one of them having UDP) but I just do upgrade pricing anymore? Does NEXT require me to switch my plan? So many unknowns..

 

[sluggozmom]

I'm on an IRU FAN and because I have no way of knowing if I'll be included in the 2 year upgrade/contract I used my last eligible upgrade on Friday. I have 3 lines and the plan was that mommy got a new phone every year...
Hoping for a subsidized 7 in September with my IRU, but happy enough with my 6s plus if it doesn't happen.
And I know my daughter will love the RG 6s I just grabbed for her 13th birthday next week!
Worse case I pay out of pocket every year and everyone else gets a hand me down.. As long as mommy is happy everyone else is!

 

[samcraig]

This move was the final nail in our decision as to whether it makes sense to stay or leave ATT. My wife and I both have great FAN discounts and are grandfathered unlimited. It really didn't make sense (even ATT said) for us to switch to NEXT or buy a full priced phone and not have a contract. Having the subsidy clinched the deal. Now - we're going to look at Verizon and T-Mobile (and also ATT, of course) to see what the best deal is. For me - I would "win" with the deal since ATT is allowing people out of their contracts because of the unlimited price increase and I JUST got a new phone. My wife is 1/2 way through her contract so she won't benefit as much since her phone is a little older.

 

[Three141]

You have looked at interest rates since the 2008 crash have you? It has almost got to the point where the customer is paying the bank to look after their money rather than the banks paying interest.

There's no such animal as a interest free loan from the carrier. Believe me when I tell you the carrier is getting that money back somewhere, they are not running a charity.

I agree when I worked in finance for a mobile phone retailer they expected increase profits following this model; looking at the UK's O2 refresh prices the 'interest free' is being built into the price of the handset they charge you see below:

Rose Gold Iphone 6s 128gb directly from Apple £798.00
Rose Gold IPhone 6s 128gb 'interest free' from O2 refresh £859.99

One thing is definite, the carriers are not paying consumer retail prices for the phones i.e. £798.00.