Customer Backlash on iPhone Rate Plans, Launch Approaches

[zorinlynx]

If only they enabled data tethering on the iPhone.

This would be a *killer feature* for most people who travel with their phone and a laptop.

The best thing is, it would be trivial to implement. The phone could share the 3G connection over WiFi as an access point. It would be fast and reliable and most importantly, make it worth the $90 a month that most of us would have to pay for an iPhone.

But no, they refuse to do that.

Having to pay more per month to lose a feature that I already have on my Treo would simply be lame.

Wake up, Apple and AT&T. This would be a KILLER FEATURE and you know it.

 

[Planet Telex]

I went to a rogers location and found out this:
1) I can add 10-15$ on my current plan w/ 400min, text, etc and get A ton of data and get iphone or

2) USE ANY PLAN WITH THE ROGERS IPHONE. As low as 30$/month. And Blackberry, smartphone or even a simple voice plan will work.

No one reads the fine print on rogers.com but it clearly states that we do NOT have to pay what has been posted.

The issue is that they charge $30 for 300mb for their normal plans, while AT&T charge $30 for unlimited. So with these plans, you are actually paying more for the data than with the actual iphone plans. The iphone plans give you a bit of a "deal" on data, but then overcharge on voice as its only 150 minutes.

 

[nateco]

"While the iPhone 3G Voice and Data Packages allow you to use this device to its fullest and offer savings over separate voice and data plans, they are not the only options available to you. Other pricing options are available." -rogers

"If you are an existing customer, you may keep your existing voice service plan and add a separate data plan" - rogers

What the above means is that U can use any plan even the existing plan for iphone.

I went to a rogers location and found out this:
1) I can add 10-15$ on my current plan w/ 400min, text, etc and get A ton of data and get iphone or

2) USE ANY PLAN WITH THE ROGERS IPHONE. As low as 30$/month. And Blackberry, smartphone or even a simple voice plan will work.

No one reads the fine print on rogers.com but it clearly states that we do NOT have to pay what has been posted.

Those other plans are worse.

 

[xenotaku]

I'm not sure I understand why those who can't afford the iPhone feel as if they have some right to own one.

The price increase sounds very normal today, we live in a world where improvements come at a cost.

As time passes, you expect to get paid more, while paying more taxes and new technology will ALWAYS cost more.

However, the whiners in here -- expect to get the new iPhone and plan at a lower price point, but will demand higher levels of service quality from both Apple and AT&T.

Heck, if I were AT&T I'd be charging more if I knew I had to support a bunch of penny pinching whiners who should be using the free phone option anyway.

I have read numerous posts in here about $10.00 and $20.00 causing massive budgetary concerns. If $20.00 breaks you, then you have much larger problems then the data and texting plans of AT&T.

It's not a right, it's a choice! If you can't afford it and still do it, then it's irresponsible as well.

There are many things in life I can't afford and you won't find me posting online about it.

I can pretty much guarantee this is the same bunch of people who claim to be so poor, but are sitting in front of their LCD TV with cable and broadband Internet. Go check out the real world, they don't have that stuff and aren't in here whining about the price of a mobile data plan.

Now I expect to get all of the excuses why you feel justified and I am a rotten person for suggesting anything other than "you are right, and they are wrong".

Amen Brotha. You are not paying more for the same thing, you are paying more for a better product. Why do you deserve 3G technology at an EDGE price? What kind of business would that be?

Do we all wish the iPhone costs less? Of course, but the whining and excuses that some of you come up with is ridiculous. If you can't afford the prices, don't buy one!! I'm not crying and moaning about the fact that I can't afford a new car like it's my right!

 

[JBaker122586]

LIKE I SAID AN AT&T APOLOGIST. You probably believe Obama too.

Actually, from an ideological standpoint, those supporting the right of a private business to charge what it wants for the service it provides (which no one is forced to get) are much less likely to support Obama.


MEMO TO POOR PEOPLE: JUST DON'T GET AN iPHONE!

 

[AlphaAnt]

I think all of the Apple fans here need to ask themselves 'Do I really need an iPhone?'.

'Apple' people will generally buy anything if it comes in a box with the Apple logo on it. Even an empty box.

Stop being suckers everyone!

No one here needs an iPhone. That's not why I'm buying one. I'm buying an iPhone because my contract is up with Sprint, I'm POed at their service and selection of phones, and another carrier is offering a mobile computing platform that I can use as a phone for a decent price (decent as in the hardware isn't too expensive for what it does and I'm not going to pay more than I'm paying with Sprint). Doesn't hurt that my corporate discount is a lot higher with AT&T.

If Microsoft put out quality products I would buy them. As it is, Apple seems to put out well-made, next-generation technology products that do what I want, when I want it. Can you point me to alternatives to their products that would fit my needs more? Go ahead, I'm waiting.

 

[lamina]

Unconfirmed rumors suggest that Apple is displeased with Rogers and is reportedly diverting some of the Canadian iPhone stock to European launches.

I surely hope this isn't true. I am picking up an iPhone and paying the early cancellation fee so that I can take it with me to Korea.

 

[Chundles]

Actually, from an ideological standpoint, those supporting the right of a private business to charge what it wants for the service it provides (which no one is forced to get) are much less likely to support Obama.


MEMO TO POOR PEOPLE: JUST DON'T GET AN iPHONE!

I'm getting a white one just to show the poor that I got the more expensive one.

 

[aristotle]

The issue is that they charge $30 for 300mb for their normal plans, while AT&T charge $30 for unlimited. So with these plans, you are actually paying more for the data than with the actual iphone plans. The iphone plans give you a bit of a "deal" on data, but then overcharge on voice as its only 150 minutes.

Uh... if you only use 150-250MB per month, what is the difference? 250MB actually cost the same whether you have a 300MB cap or a soft cap unlimited plan.

I surely hope this isn't true. I am picking up an iPhone and paying the early cancellation fee so that I can take it with me to Korea.

Good luck using it there. I hear that they use CDMA in Korea.

Do yourself a favour and Google "CDMA" "cellphone network Korea" and "GSM".
I stand corrected, they are now 3G 2100Mhz. You might still have to unlock it yourself first.

 

[Planet Telex]

Uh... if you only use 150-250MB per month, what is the difference? 250MB actually cost the same whether you have a 300MB cap or a soft cap unlimited plan.

Considering it has been shown that most web pages are about 1 mb, 150-250 mb will go pretty quickly. Do you think viewing 10 pages a day is a fair amount for $30 a month? And then add on the data for email, gps, youtube etc.

Now that Telus and Bell will be offering unlimited data for $30, Rogers has no excuse to not match it. They are banking on the fact that since people want the iphone more than bell/telus phones, they will be able to price gouge on the plans. 40,000 plus on the petition disagree.

 

[Ti_Poussin]

Good luck using it there. I hear that they use CDMA in Korea.

Do yourself a favour and Google "CDMA" "cellphone network Korea" and "GSM".

Depends, South Korea --> CDMA200
North Korea --> GSM (they just begin, not much coverage)

I doubt he mean North Korea (who in is right mind want to go to north korea anyway?). Still just wanted to add a bit a precision just in case.

 

[aristobrat]

can someone post the data plans they pay on other networks? Honestly, I don't feel ATT&T is raping me...but I could be wrong, someone let me know what you pay

$20 = unlimited data + 0 SMS on T-Mobile smartphones (3G is not nationwide)
$30 = unlimited data + 0 SMS on AT&T smartphones
$30 = unlimited data + 0 SMS on most Verizon smartphones
$30 = unlimited data + unlimited SMS on Sprint smartphones

AT&T should offer the EDGE option--for people who live outside of 3G areas, OR for people who just don't care to pay for 3G speeds. No zip check needed: sell them EDGE if they want, and that's all they'll get.

None of the US carriers offers rate plans based on network speed. Good idea, though.

I can only imagine how many people are gladly paying more than $15 a month just to send around 20MB worth of texts a month.

Must really boil your blood to pay $1.75 at a sit-down restaurant for $.02 of soda syrup and carbonated water!

 

[unimac]

Let me jump in this thread if I may... Read through all five pages of posts

First off, a little background : I own a 17" Mac Book Pro and bought it some time in 07' when they had the hardware refreshed. Yes, I felt it was a little overpriced but I mapped out how much joy it would bring me and wanted to get an OSX based product. I was hobbling around on a shaddy custom built computer for some time. I bought it for it wasn't too much and i was paying for it one time and upfront ...... No shaddy (bleed you for 2 year contract) and I wasn't paying for anything I didn't want or did not need.
I make towards 90k a year currently... So, save the stupid "can't afford so don't buy crap" for someone else.

Now, 1st gen iphone (didn't buy it because I felt it was a half arsed product in terms of hardware (memory offering, no gps) and software (no Sdk)) and it was not worth how much they were charging. I didn't like being forced to get a data plan either.. I will buy a data plan if I want one and I should be given that option as a consumer. Could I afford it? Yes (see my salary)

2nd gen iphone (Bam !!! Just what I wanted.. I melted when I saw $199, and $299). Then... Then came the AT&T rapage. I was disenfranchised and decided to not buy the iphone yet again. Why? because of the shaddy way in which they are attempting to get $$$ from me instead of being up front and the lock in nature and overpriced "rent" plan mechanism they are using so people aren't aware of it.

Does comcast force you to get a landline when you get cable from them? No... Neither should you be forced to buy a data plan if you chose you don't need it...

Now, we look at the picture of unsubsidized iphone $699 and $799. Excuse me but that is an absolutely rip off yet again.

Here is how this works in case people are dumb and blind... Apple set the price of the iphone and worked a deal w/ carriers. Their high prices of $599 and $699 is what is making service providers charge you more $$$ for your plans. The data providers have to recoup their $$$ (the money they pay to subsidize it). So, apple has a direct hand in this. The iphone uses the same chipset as the previous one.
They didn't upgrade the camera. They changed the shell of the phone and their was already a slot for GPS. So, for changing the shell of the phone, taking on a $2 GPS chip, writing some extra support software, and finally releasing the SDK (should have released it long ago) that somehow warrants charging you $100 .. Even though, the cost associated with making the product have gone down...Yes, a year after you manuf. a product, the costs of making it go down significantly.
So, if memory serves me right (could be wrong), apple is charging $200 dollars more that the first gen for these p.o.s "upgrades".. Previous gen was : $499 and $599. They are passing the buck to service providers. Service providers are running the #'s .. passing it on to you and taking a little cut for themselves too.

Now, as for the sentiment that : If you don't want it .. don't buy it and ****... Excuse me, but wasn't this the same selfish and retarded attitude of the avg. Home Buyer up until late?
What was the result.. A market with an overpriced product that eventually caused significant issues. You, the people who carry on like lemmings and buy products for however much
the companies decide to sell them to you for are screwing up the market and the overall price educated consumers pay. Yeah, what is the point of people signing petitions online and
complaining online if the majority of the fools go out like lemmings and buy it? Why not show some constraint and not act like a crack addict who can't live w/o their fix? Why not think about the affects
you actions have on others... I sometimes worry about the direction of the world when I see crap like this... People are not empowered anymore..They just carry on like they have no say in anything...
Do as your told. Buy as your instructed and ****. At the end of the day, I don't really care. I am not going to get angry at people because they don't see the world the way I do. I just say, when your stupidity
and ladk of empowerment cause the world/market to come crumbling down on your head just don't come begging us other smart people for $$$...If you ask me, the majority of the people buying iphones
have no use for them and can't afford them. They do so because it's cool and everyone wants to be 'cool' and they are enabled by telcos giving them a payment plan. The trend seems to be like this now if you open your eyes... You are effectively renting a lifestyle....
Instead of 15/30 year mortgages... They are going to push it to 50/70 year multi generation mortgages..... Instead of a phone people can pay up front for... Now it's all about stretching that payment out over 2 years. So, nip that .. "don't buy it if you can't afford it" mess in the trash can. If they were to charge the real price of the phone up front, I guarantee you 1/2 the morons who are buying one wouldn't be able to afford it. So, sometimes stop being selfish and think about others. The lemmings who are going to go out their and "rent" things do affect the market and the overall way in which a product is sold. Maybe if people's access to credit was taken away then we would have some fair prices in the market (Homes being an example)... Instead, every retard who can sign on the bottom line of a credit card now-a-days is given the ability to participate in 'markets' and the overall change in prices given this new croud of people is thus being felt by everyone.
The 2nd iphone is overpriced by apple. Providers of the network are passing the cost on to you + some and like lemmings people are buyin' it up.
That's right that the complainers have no voice... Our voice died a long time ago when this thing called credit/ignorance/stupidity became the norm.

And as for the hackers and all of the other people who are attempting to strike a balance and create a voice of reason.. I say more power to em'. If I had a crystal ball, it would tell me that the 2nd gen along w/ the sdk release will face an uphill battle against hackers (more malicious) this time. I just hope when it starts that people don't go wondering where they got their inspiration from.

Enjoy your wonderful time of credit and stupidity because it is soon about to come to an end......... Anyone take a look at the economy lately? I hope you are able to afford that "small" monthly payment when you don't have a job anymore.

Nature has a way of balancing things out and so does the economy. That's why I don't care to concern myself too much about this current 'lemming culture'. Yes, something does happen when people spend a majority of their money on stupid things. Yes, something does happen after time when people's money is being sucked up by overpriced products. It has economic affects. So, sit back and enjoy the show real time from your new iphone.

I hope I haven't given too strong a dose of reality and ruined people's upcoming iphone purchase. Enjoy !!! I will enjoy not owning one

 

[aristobrat]

Here is how this works in case people are dumb and blind... Apple set the price of the iphone and worked a deal w/ carriers. Their high prices of $699 and $799 is what is making service providers charge you more $$$ for your plans. The data providers have to recoup their $$$ (the money they pay to subsidize it). So, apple has a direct hand in this.

Wait, what? AT&T is paying Apple more per iPhone than they do any other smartphone (BlackBerry, HTC, etc), but they're only charging the same data fee as the other phones? Using your logic, the AT&T data plan for the iPhone should be $40/month, since Apple is charging so much more for the iPhone.

Stated another way, smarthphones that AT&T can buy cheaper than an iPhone don't come with a cheaper data plan.

So, if memory serves me right (could be wrong), apple is charging $200 dollars more that the first gen for these p.o.s "upgrades".

How much do the carriers save by not having to do the revenue sharing that they did with the original iPhones? Wasn't it said that it was like $12/month per customer that they paid to Apple? If so, the revenue sharing cost them more than "more expensive price" of the iPhone 3G does...

 

[arn]

If only they enabled data tethering on the iPhone.

This would be a *killer feature* for most people who travel with their phone and a laptop.

The best thing is, it would be trivial to implement. The phone could share the 3G connection over WiFi as an access point. It would be fast and reliable and most importantly, make it worth the $90 a month that most of us would have to pay for an iPhone.

But no, they refuse to do that.

Having to pay more per month to lose a feature that I already have on my Treo would simply be lame.

Wake up, Apple and AT&T. This would be a KILLER FEATURE and you know it.

Unlimited data + Laptop tethering costs $60/month instead of $30/mo at AT&T. This is true for the other AT&T phones. So, if AT&T did offer that for the iPhone you would have to pay more.

arn

 

[JBaker122586]

I'm getting a white one just to show the poor that I got the more expensive one.

Now this is the sense of humor I like to see.

 

[Timeline]

I have not purchased and won't until Apple negotiates a better plan with ATT.

They could you know. I might consider an unlocked one though. I think Apple should leave the iphone os alone and allow the unlocked phones to chug along based on the plan limitations..

 

[aristobrat]

I have not purchased and won't until Apple negotiates a better plan with ATT.

They could you know. I might consider an unlocked one though. I think Apple should leave the iphone os alone and allow the unlocked phones to chug along based on the plan limitations..

On what world have phone manufacturers ever negotiated rates for their phones with the carriers?

Apple tried to be revolutionary with how they sold the original iPhone, and it pretty much failed (in the sense that it appeared very difficult for them to find foreign carriers that would play by the rules that they wanted).

 

[PCMacUser]

If Microsoft put out quality products I would buy them. As it is, Apple seems to put out well-made, next-generation technology products that do what I want, when I want it. Can you point me to alternatives to their products that would fit my needs more? Go ahead, I'm waiting.

Wait no longer, my friend!

Okay, I'm not sure what your needs are so it's a bit hard to fill them exactly. But if you want next generation technology and a quality build then you'd have to start with the Nokia N Series.

Nokia N95 - 3G, 8Gb, 5mp camera, video calling, video recording, GPS, open platform, wifi, web browsing, etc etc.

Nokia N96 - the same as above, but with 16Gb and mobile TV functions.

There's also the Samsung Omnia which has been announced: 16Gb, expandable to 32Gb, 5mp camera with autofocus and image stabilisation, DivX capable, video recording, touch screen, FM Radio, MP3 AAC WMA OGG playback, bluetooth stereo, GPS, etc etc...

 

[aristobrat]

Nokia N95 - 3G, 8Gb, 5mp camera, video calling, video recording, GPS, open platform, wifi, web browsing, etc etc.

Nokia N96 - the same as above, but with 16Gb and mobile TV functions.

There's also the Samsung Omnia which has been announced: 16Gb, expandable to 32Gb, 5mp camera with autofocus and image stabilisation, DivX capable, video recording, touch screen, FM Radio, MP3 AAC WMA OGG playback, bluetooth stereo, GPS, etc etc...

Although if one was planning on using one of those as an alternative to the iPhone because of the iPhone's data plan price, it should be noted that the data plan for the devices above on AT&T would cost the exact same as the iPhone's.

 

[dornoforpyros]

I just honestly hope that enough Canadians actually do vote with their wallets on launch day rather than grabbing their ankles. But sadly I imagine just enough of us will buy the iPhone anyways to make these horrible rates stick.

 

[spydr]

AT&T's 3G plan pricing is financial rape

Sounds a bit harsh to me – if you factor in that you would have easily paid $440 for the phone UPFRONT, and paid the same monthly to AT&T, you would come out almost even. Almost, because 200 text messages are getting axed, which I am not happy with. And that being said, as I look at our (wife's) iPhone usage over the last 11 months, she has used it about a dozen times total. I won't be very different. With email, and instant messaging from wifi, I don't think I would miss it THAT much.

So overall, I am unhappy about the rates. But 'financial rape' it isn't yet. Perhaps, people who paid $40 a month for unlimited push email for their blackberries (I mean ONLY text) could be described so. $30 for unlimited 3G data is the industry norm pretty much here, isn't it.

Personally, my gripe about the rate plans is not actually new. It is about the family plans – they should have also introduced a family data plan – i.e. shaving $10 off for the second phone's and perhaps $15 for the third onwards upto, say 4 or 5 phones.

 

[unimac]

Wait, what? AT&T is paying Apple more per iPhone than they do any other smartphone (BlackBerry, HTC, etc), but they're only charging the same data fee as the other phones? Using your logic, the AT&T data plan for the iPhone should be $40/month, since Apple is charging so much more for the iPhone.

Stated another way, smarthphones that AT&T can buy cheaper than an iPhone don't come with a cheaper data plan.

K, lets break this down.
Go here : http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/pda-phones-smartphones.jsp
What phone is $599 and $699? None.
How much do you pay for an iphone outright? $599 and $699. (too avoid being in a contract)?
Under a contract? $199 and $299.
So, AT&T subsidizes $400 for iphone 2nd gen.
You get locked in like any other smartphone to a data plan that cost the same? Why o' why has AT&T decided to bless iphone users to such a discount instead of charging $40? Well, my friend, it just so happens that there are economics and calculations which result in them getting the same amount of money? What are these magical equations.. Here let me show you some:
Case 1 : (lets say smart phones here) :
Product volume sold : 10 units. Profit margin per unit : $0.10 cents.
10*0.10 = $1.00

Case 2 : (Lets say iphones here) :
Product volume sold : 100 units. Profit margin per unit : 0.01 cents
100*0.01 = $1.00

WOW, somehow they make the same amount of money. I argue they make more. If you really want to know how, do your research... I have as an educated consumer.

How much do the carriers save by not having to do the revenue sharing that they did with the original iPhones? Wasn't it said that it was like $12/month per customer that they paid to Apple? If so, the revenue sharing cost them more than "more expensive price" of the iPhone 3G does...

Did it? Why or why haven't the prices they charged you changed then? Seems like someone is lining their pockets right now doesn't it? Wasn't this what I was trying to say?

I will be monitoring the threads through the night as I multitask. Feel free to post your ?'s and logic and I will be sure to respond. It's all about getting the truth out there. I will admit faults w/ my info and logic as they are identified.

 

[SylarDX]

Apple Employee

Hi,

I am An Employee for an Apple Store, I can only give certain information, however I was briefed This morning About the New 3G iPhone release. What i can say is alot of of my fellow employees as well as I were Very Upset With the New Plans for the iPhone. management made no effort in talking about the subsidy pricing. And I feel the public is being left out in the dark about the "fine Print".

I am Very Dissapointed in the way Apple/ATT are handling this. Looks like they feel if they can get you into the store and tell you the bad news at checkout, you will buy anyways because your already so excited.

Than the customer blows up, and the specialist takes the blow from the customer.

Friday may be...a very bad day.

 

[Prof.]

Hi,

I am An Employee for an Apple Store, I can only give certain information, however I was briefed This morning About the New 3G iPhone release. What i can say is alot of of my fellow employees as well as I were Very Upset With the New Plans for the iPhone. management made no effort in talking about the subsidy pricing. And I feel the public is being left out in the dark about the "fine Print".

I am Very Dissapointed in the way Apple/ATT are handling this. Looks like they feel if they can get you into the store and tell you the bad news at checkout, you will buy anyways because your already so excited.

Than the customer blows up, and the specialist takes the blow from the customer.

Friday may be...a very bad day.

Apple employees are not allowed to participate in online Mac discussion forums. If they do, they could very well lose their job. With all due respect, I don't think you're an Apple Employee. If you were, you'd be aware of this rule set forth by Apple Inc.