iPhone Data Plan $30?

[ccrandall77]

$20/month for unlimited data at T-Mobile for the win!

As someone else said, Sprint offers unlimited data for $10/mo on the older 1xRTT data plan and from my experience (I was unlucky enough to have Cingular a while back) it's no slower than EDGE.

I now get unlimited data and some Sprint TV, which is actually quite usable, for $15/mo. For an extra $5/mo, I get unlimited use of TeleNav which is better than the $1000 GPS I bought in my last car since it can calculate the best route given the current traffic conditions.

So, $20 for T-Mo EDGE is nice, but does not get the win. $30/mo plus getting stuck with the worst carrier, Cingular, is still a crap deal.

 

[ccrandall77]

I'm starting to think that hooking up with AT&T is going to be the Achilles Heel of this whole deal...

I wholeheartedly agree. They would've been better off offering an unlocked version like Palm does with the Treo. And if Verizon doesn't want to play ball, they could've offered a CDMA version for Sprint. I'm not an engineer, but I can't think it would require a lot of overhead to offer a GSM and CDMA version. Seems to work for Palm.

 

[firsttube]

The iPhone is only EDGE? not 3G? o come on, thats really sad,

I bet there will be a 3G iPhone before christmas. I don't have any inside info, but c'mon...

Oh, and any guesses on how long it will take before iPhone is hacked for T-Mobile? I'm not entering into a contract any time soon with Cingul8r.

 

[nchu429]

I expect the unlimited plans to be at least $40 and believe that there is the possibility of having cheaper $30 data plans. However, I think that there will only be a discount on the iPhone for those that sign up for the unlimited plan.

 

[shamino]

Ah, but iPhones are not just phones. People buy new iPods because of new features and greater capacity, so the iP(od)hone will give them that same temptation.

How many people do you know that upgrade their iPods every time Apple releases a new feature? How many of them would do it if that iPod cost $600 and required a two-year service commitment contract?

An iPhone is not going to have the same sales dynamic as an iPod. It's far far too expensive, and the phone industry sets up far too many roadblocks.

I wholeheartedly agree. They would've been better off offering an unlocked version like Palm does with the Treo.

Let's wait and see what happens, shall we?

Declaring failure before the product is even released is a bit presumptuous, don't you think? And you have no clue what negotiations Apple and the carriers went through before their announcement. From what I know of the industry, everybody else probably told Apple to "cram it with walnuts" the minute they found that they won't be allowed to rewrite the phone's software.

Your post assumes that you personally know more about the industry than Apple does. Maybe you do, but you certainly don't have any of the information they used to arrive at their decision. Given Apple's track record of making large profits against the expectations of everybody else, I wouldn't discount their approach so quickly.

 

[Doctor Q]

How many people do you know that upgrade their iPods every time Apple releases a new feature?

Every time? None. But most people I know who have video iPods had some other iPod before that one. So the truth is somewhere between the extremes. Some people will upgrade iPhones, perhaps when their contract is being renewed. But with their higher-than-iPod prices, Apple would have to give them tempting new features.

 

[scrambledwonder]

Edge

I've read that EDGE usually tops out at around 220 in well-networked areas. That's three times faster than dial up. Not like DSL, true, but you can always use the iPhone on WiFi networks to get better speeds.

The iPhone in Steve's keynote was running on WiFi and it wasn't terribly fast. I think the iPhone is limited by processing power. So even with DSL or cable speeds, it wouldn't load pages as quickly as a laptop. The processors aren't really there yet. Give it about a year, though. Then you'll probably see 1.5GHz chips in phones.

But whatever, I'm still going to get an iPhone. It's seriously awesome in every way.

 

[yzp]

iPhone has had its FCC certification yet, bgut what about canadian CRTC???

when will it be available in canada?

 

[shamino]

I've read that EDGE usually tops out at around 220 in well-networked areas.

That's it? Ugh. No wonder so many people are complaining and demanding G3 speeds.

I recently had a chance to web surf using a new Sprint EVDO card on a laptop PC. It was faster than my 1.5Mbps DSL line.

The iPhone in Steve's keynote was running on WiFi and it wasn't terribly fast. I think the iPhone is limited by processing power.

I wouldn't make any statements about performance based on that keynote demonstration. He was using pre-release hardware with pre-release software. We know that many user-level features were not available at that time (with placeholder graphics in the UI). It stands to reason that that build also had diagnostic/debugging code in it, which always causes a slowdown.

I don't expect an iPhone to run as fast as a laptop computer, but it may still end up running faster than we saw at that demo.

It will be very interesting to see the results of benchmark tests when the iPhone ships in three weeks.

But whatever, I'm still going to get an iPhone. It's seriously awesome in every way.

Same here. I won't be buying until my current (Verizon) contract runs out (in February), but based on what I've seen so far, I'm interested enough to seriously consider changing carriers and paying for the data plan necessary to use all its features.

The only concern I have is that I haven't seen any mention of voice dialing yet. I assume it will be present, since most other phones sold today support it, but I may not be able to find out until it's released and I can try it out in the store.

 

[stagi]

I don't really even care much about the data plans just want to use it for the wifi feature and to merge my video ipod and treo into one device

 

[brbubba]

could this backfire on att, the point of getting a contract is because of the reduced price on a phone, ie. the razr would be 199 but because of a 2 year contract the phone is free-$50 because the iphone isnt going to be discounted whats to say people wont go month to month instead of on a 2 year contract. then theyd be able to get the new iphones as the come out and not worry about contracts if they really want the latest and greatest from apple....

It is being subsidized, although I am sure not by all that much.

I do think this could backfire, but not for the reason you stated. For starters I would be surprised if ATT sells this phone without a data plan since it goes against their entire current product sales strategy. Second, paying $40 or more a month for a POS outdated data plan is a joke. $20 is the max I would be willing to pay.

I think there are A LOT of people out there that want a basic voice plan with no data plan, just use the wifi. However, I am really worried that they will be alienated when ATT says, no way jose.

 

[mac000]

it will be $29.99, i just bought a Blackberry Curve w/ cingular and the data package the cingular employee gave me was an unlimited email/unlimited data for 29.99, its under their personal plan

 

[DMann]

Data Plan

it will be $29.99, i just bought a Blackberry Curve w/ cingular and the data package the cingular employee gave me was an unlimited email/unlimited data for 29.99, its under their personal plan

Sure beats $39.99

 

[patagucci]

Sprint Data Plan

If you are in the market for sweet data plan, check out Sprint Sero - $30 bucks a month includes 500 minutes, unlimited data, and 500 text messages. The best part is tethering my treo to my powerbook using bluetooth at speeds comparable to my home dsl.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Although $30 is reasonable, it is the EDGE network. One could easily opt out, and use the plethora of 'hot spots' for Wi-Fi access instead. An extra $300/year savings is good even for the person willing to spend $600 on a computer/iPod/movieplayer/smartphone with Wi-Fi.

Except that idiotically all third-party iPhone software will need to be stored online.

 

[DopestGingah]

I don't use the internet AT ALL on my phone, so if AT&T requires any kind of data plan, I know that I will not get one. I mean $500/$600 is REALLY pushing it for any phone, no matter how you justify it because there will be a better version in less than a year. Adding a mandatory data plan will eliminate millions of potential buyers. Teenagers (like myself) really like Apple products and want to buy this phone. But most of us can not afford an additional $30 a month. I do not really see this being aimed at enterprise users (my dad said he will not get it because of no enterprise email like BlackBerry). So they will cut a huge portion of their potential profit out by requiring a old, slow, mandatory data plan. I think I will just wait until AT&T pulls their heads out of their asses. They can not have a mandatory charge of $30 a month on such old technology with such a hyped product (name one phone that has had months full of new rumors almost every single day). The public will not have it.

 

[Juventuz]

I was at my local Cingular/AT&T this weekend and was inquiring about upgrading my plan for the iPhone. The rep told me the unlimited data package would be $35 a month and said that she wouldn't recommend getting the iPhone without the data package. That right there killed the deal for me.

 

[feelthefire]

it will be $29.99, i just bought a Blackberry Curve w/ cingular and the data package the cingular employee gave me was an unlimited email/unlimited data for 29.99, its under their personal plan

That's a BIS (blackberry only) plan- the plans for smartphones with windows mobile are $39.99 and up, with unlimited 3G going for $45.

 

[zap2]

Possible, but a 20 dollar plan would really make people jump on board. They be one of the best prices for data anywhere, plus one cool phone. I think that woould really easy the 500/600 price of the phone for people who aren't as eager to spend that on a phone

 

[NtotheIzoo]

So...I was looking on the Cingular, ahem AT&T, website and noticed something under their data plans...Under Data Connect they have an option for Data Connect (unlimited) w/ Wifi for $99.99...now my question is, are they really going to shutdown the Wifi function of the iPhone...I'm not in the market for one, but that'd piss me off I were...

 

[Grimace]

[off-topic] and...they can't even spell integrated correctly. AT&T spells it wrong all over the place!!

 

[shepa]

as much as i would want the internet to be fast i Really Dont care that much. No matter how much apple claims it to be the "Full internet" it will still only be a baby internet. Its on a small screen and no one will enjoy it no matter what. Yes it does have advantages over other phone internet browsers, but it will never replace a computer and you will not use the iphones safari as your main internet access. Its a cool feature but i think everyone will primarily be using the phone/ ipod mainly.

Now i believe apple/At&T are going to make the data free for the iphone or something really really cheap. Apple is known for its last minute surprises, and i believe that they arent releasing prices for a reason. Theyre not stupid and realize how much your paying and how no one would fork out $40 a month plus pay for minutes and have a $600 phone. I think they will have a special iphone plan which will have minutes and data for a fixed price which would only be availible to iphone users.

 

[pagansoul]

Yes, I think it will be low. I think AT&T just wants you to switch and knows that the people getting the iphone first will be Mac people. To get the average phone user to by a $600 phone the monthly rates have to be low.

 

[rog]

$100 a month for unlimited data. Not joking!

The iPhone data plan which enables WiFi on the phone will be $100 a month. See it for yourself.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp

 

[Peace]

The iPhone data plan which enables WiFi on the phone will be $100 a month. See it for yourself.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp

If thats true AT&T is offering insurance for $4.99 a month.