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Seeing as how 3G is only available in big cities and the surrounding areas I don't see how they can get away with this. What if someone doesn't live in an area with 3G? I have 3G at work but not at my house so I don't see why I should have to pay extra when most of the time I wouldn't even have 3G to use.
 
Cracks me up to see people complaining about the price! If you are too poor to afford $10 a month then don't buy the iPhone. Buy a "free" basic Nokia!

Bad math and poor choices are why so many Americans are in debt and consume beyond their means.

Also all studies show Mac users have a higher income on average than most Americans. So shouldn't be an issue. AT&T in the US will make it expensive though on a per month basis!
 
From Gizmodo:

We just talked to AT&T's President of National Distribution Glenn Lurie, who gave us all the new pricing and activation details for the iPhone 3G, which won't be getting special treatment anymore. It will be using all AT&T's standard voice and data plans, which means $30 for unlimited 3G data for consumers, $45 for business users on top of voice. Also, no in-home activation for iPhone 3G—it will have to be activated in store (at AT&T or Apple Store), which takes 10-12 minutes, meaning that first day line is going to SUCK. And you will have to camp out, since there won't be any online ordering at launch—and Glenn was mum on how many phones there'd be to go around.

Article link

That's it, folks. See you in line BRIGHT and EARLY.
 
Where as I pay $15/month for my Moto Q data usage on Sprint and that's for EVDO.
Unfortunately the iPhone doesn't work on CMDA / EVDO.

What will be interesting is:
(1) Will AT&T offer a cheaper EDGE-only data plan for those who do not live in a 3G area?
(2) How will the 2-year AT&T commitment be enforced? Will people be able to purchase a 3G, unlock it, and use it on a cheaper T-Mobile plan? OK, now we know it will be enforced in-store activation. I guess no more bulk iPhone purchases redirected to Russia ...
 
Seeing as how 3G is only available in big cities and the surrounding areas I don't see how they can get away with this. What if someone doesn't live in an area with 3G? I have 3G at work but not at my house so I don't see why I should have to pay extra when most of the time I wouldn't even have 3G to use.

Its because you have access to that service even if its not always available. Just like with "highspeed" internet they make you pay a fixed rate even if the internet isn't the advertised speed.
 
Unlike the 2G iPhone you cant just get this one and have your agreement automatically renewed if you arent already eligable (BUT i will say whenever you come into the stores we are fairly easygoing on over riding that, assuming you are atleast one year into your agreement).

So, then what's the price if you're not eligible for an upgrade and no one can override it? Or is there no "non-subsidized" price, since there's no subsidy?
 
Thanks for the AT&T link. This might be a good thing for some of us. It says in the press release that they have DESOLVED the rev sharing agreement with Apple.

That said I hope the 30.00 INCLUDES unliminted SMS AND now those of us that get corportate discounts can get them on the new AT&T plans.

That would make things cheaper for me anyway....

The unlimited SMS would be too good to be true. Although that would be very awesome if it did. The update to this article was very helpful. But will it cost more to break this contract for the new iPhone?
 
Here's a little perspective to those bashing the whiners (myself). Yes $10 extra a month is not a big deal. But it is a big deal in principle. I have patiently waited for over a year.

My current plan w/ Sprint EVDO Rev A (3g speeds) is ~$40 for 500 mins, unlimited data/text/mms, and insurance. I have replaced my Treo 700 a total of 7x for free. I'm solely buying an iphone for the hardware. But since ATT has exclusivity they will rape you. So what's so special about their service that I would have to pay twice as much and be with out insurance?

EDGE will eventually be phased out anyway so why pass the cost down to the consumer? Because they can and people go along with it.
 
That's bad news. I've noticed that my current rate plan costs more for the same # of minutes than when I signed up last July. So if I get a new 3G iPhone not only will it cost me $10 more for the higher data, but I will have to get a new 2 yr contract at the higher prices.
 
If you go by AT&T's press release and really dive into it, how the heck are corporate customers going to benefit from 3G if 3G is NOT available in there area? Also your trying to get major corporate people / companies over to the iPhone and AT&T's not so perfect 3G network, where Verizon has more high speed data and voice coverage that AT&T. Your buying a glossy bells and whistle "Used to Be" Over priced cell phone with a cheesy 2 MBP camera.

GPS, WTF needs and will depend on GPS on a cell phone? I sure as hell would not base a trip or directions on the technology in the iPhone, are maps downloaded and updated? Doubt it.

Also for 30 dollars a more you get unlimited date, hmmmm for 60 bucks a month I got unlimited and 450 minutes and 200 txt messages.

Apple & AT&T is selling PUSH EMAIL , thats why they incorporated Microsucks exchange server.

This is nothing more than a business deal and trying to get more to come from Palm and Blackberry over to iPhone and AT&T's network.

Look at the broad picture. I for one would never ever move my company from Verizon and BB's to AT&T and the iphone. The perks would have to be fantastic.
 
Looks like Apple's bold experiment to simplify phone purchasing with activation at home has now fallen by the wayside and the carriers are back in their comfort zone: subsidized handsets to lure people into expensive monthly contracts. I have no doubt that the huge number of unlocked iPhones in existence has contributed massively to this U turn - they won't care now if people unlock their phones because you're committed to a 2 year (in the USA) contract before you even get your hands on the phone! This could actually push the price of old iPhones up rather than down once the dust settles...
 
so not sure if this has been discussed but whats to keep me from going to an apple store and buying the iPhone 3g and say its for prepaid, pay whatever the cost (199 or whatever price if there there is no subsidy) and just go home and pop in my existing sim card with the older data plan at 20$

Couldn't this work to keep the old cost and not pay the 30$?
 
So as I read this, the 3G iphone service will cost an extra $10 per month for data services, plus an extra $10 minimum for text messaging.... so the new service will actually cost at least $20 more per month or $240 per year. I think I'll pass and just keep my launch day 1.0. I highly doubt anyone will be standing in line to purchase this new iphone.
 
"Update: Arstechnica was able to speak to an AT&T representative who claims that if existing iPhone owners buy an iPhone 3G, the new 2 year contract replaces the current contract rather than extending it."


I managed to get in-and-out the last time pretty much unscathed,
but this is really going to be pushing my luck

:confused:
 
Keep in mind it WILL be over $80 when you add on taxes! Probably around $84-85 to be precise. Shameful. Greedy. Bastards.

No doubt. It is just shocking that they would dare put out the most advanced and elegant mobile experience available AND expect to make a nice profit on it. How dare they!
 
If this rate doesn't include unlimited sms than it is udderly ridiculous! With unlimited text messaging won't that push the rates over 100 a month!? My contract just ended with sprint and I was so excited to switch to a 3G iphone but there is no way in hell that its gonna happen with these bloodsucking plans.

I totally agree. It is a cool phone and was excited to get it but it is all too expensive. I can barely pay for gas and go to school let alone pay 30 for internet and 20 bucks unlimited text ( which is a must for some one that is single) and then another 40 bucks for the lowest plan ... the count is is ABSURD!!!
 
Imagine that, you're paying the same price as before for a newer, more advanced phone with more features. THE NERVE!

It really isn't much different than the first iPhone. 3G isn't even available everywhere. The old iPhones will get the 2.0 upgrade and it's pretty much the same thing. What bothers me the most is how it was presented to us today. Then to hear the monthly fee is going up just bothers me. Plus this fee doesn't include text. I pay $35 for a phone now, for the iPhone it will be close to a $100. Just a bit of a shock to me. Todays speech was such a tease. Now they go back to their offices knowing that AT&T increased the monthly fee. After he made it clear that he lowered the price because that was the biggest reason people didn't buy. :mad:
 
Looks like Apple's bold experiment to simplify phone purchasing with activation at home has now fallen by the wayside and the carriers are back in their comfort zone: subsidized handsets to lure people into expensive monthly contracts. I have no doubt that the huge number of unlocked iPhones in existence has contributed massively to this U turn - they won't care now if people unlock their phones because you're committed to a 2 year (in the USA) contract before you even get your hands on the phone! This could actually push the price of old iPhones up rather than down once the dust settles...

Sadly, you are correct. At-home activation was visionary and genius, as it cut out the underachieving/dropout customer service reps from the process. Depending on AT&T apes to handle your activation is a huge step backwards.
 
even with $10 inc to data, it's still only $240 more per contract, which puts it at $199 + $240 = still less than original 8gb iPhone. nuisance none the less, still manageable imo
 
so not sure if this has been discussed but whats to keep me from going to an apple store and buying the iPhone 3g and say its for prepaid, pay whatever the cost (199 or whatever price if there there is no subsidy) and just go home and pop in my existing sim card with the older data plan at 20$

Couldn't this work to keep the old cost and not pay the 30$?

You will have to activate it to one of AT&T's plans before they'll let you take it out of the shop (including Apple Stores)
 
No doubt. It is just shocking that they would dare put out the most advanced and elegant mobile experience available AND expect to make a nice profit on it. How dare they!

AT&T didn't have anything to do with the experience. They're just providing the service which is what the poster's referring to.
 
I want to see written proof that they won't let everyone upgrade no matter where they are in current contract. I have a hard time buying into that, they'll be drastically reducing the number of potential subscribers right from the get go. I'm not saying these people won't go for it in the long run, but ATT will want to increase profit immediately and I am sure a good number of customers that haven't had data access before will jump on this thereby increasing the arpu.


promise ya dude, theres no other phone that u can just decide when YOU want to renew the agreement whenever, you have to be eligable to get the discounts... iPhone was the only exception to that, now they changed it to be like the others. how would that reduce potential subscribers?? new customers get the discount because they will b signing a new agreement
 
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