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LTE on Watch is more than $10 per month - almost double!

J

jeffu

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 29, 2006
74
37
So I just looked at my AT&T bill and to my shock that $10 a month charge to enjoy untethered watch access, using the same data I would use on my unlimited phone plan, is running almost double, $16.38! That's just ridiculous and a total rip off. The extra is due to taxes and fees, so on top of the $10, there's a 911 surcharge, and administrative fee, a recovery charge, etc, etc, etc.

That's a complete rip as far as I'm concerned - to begin with this fee should be closer to $5, but I guess they all went with $10, but then to add all the fees on it since it's now another line - it's just not worth it.

Anyone else notice this???
 
jeffu said:
So I just looked at my AT&T bill and to my shock that $10 a month charge to enjoy untethered watch access, using the same data I would use on my unlimited phone plan, is running almost double, $16.38! That's just ridiculous and a total rip off. The extra is due to taxes and fees, so on top of the $10, there's a 911 surcharge, and administrative fee, a recovery charge, etc, etc, etc.

That's a complete rip as far as I'm concerned - to begin with this fee should be closer to $5, but I guess they all went with $10, but then to add all the fees on it since it's now another line - it's just not worth it.

Anyone else notice this???
Click to expand...

Personally, I don't care for AT&T. But with My carrier, it's a flat rate $10 charge monthly.
 
That makes it even more of a joke that AT&T would add all the fees - I mean really, on a $10 line!
 
You did not get the free 3 months with AT&T? I pre-ordered and got that offer, however, now I am bit pissed to here they are going to almost hit me with $20.00 for the watch when the 3 months is up. Might just cancel for the winter and add it back in the spring/summer when I run outside and what not.

:apple:
 
Yep, got the 3 month credit - I guess I'm just more shocked at the fees. At the start I thought $10 was a reach considering it's just an extension of my phone data and if I had my phone with me it would be fed off that data, which I have unlimited - but for that $10 to go to over $16, anyone looking at that can see it's a rip and just a way to bilk users for more $$.
 
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Is this your first bill with the watch?

Chances are you're seeing not only prorated charges for the initial period plus the charge for the upcoming month, but also taxes and fees for both periods... and also taxes on the activation charge.
 
Last edited:
I think, I'll have to check. I chatted with an AT&T rep and they said that was just the way additional lines work, they always charge all the taxes and fees on extra lines and this is considered an extra line.

Just checked - that will be a monthly fee. They also added a $25 activation fee for the $10 line - so even more $$!
 
While I agree that $10 is outrageous, it's still acceptable. $16 is truly obscene. But I'd have to add that rounding that up to "$20/month" is slightly hyperbolic. It's not even close to being almost double.

I'm still in first three months with Verizon. I really hate how both Verizon and ATT bills are completely opaque and unintelligible.
 
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jeffu said:
I think, I'll have to check. I chatted with an AT&T rep and they said that was just the way additional lines work, they always charge all the taxes and fees on extra lines and this is considered an extra line.

Just checked - that will be a monthly fee. They also added a $25 activation fee for the $10 line - so even more $$!
Click to expand...

It’s AT&T, Always the Wrong Choice
Verizon isn’t much better with taxes fees and surcharges.

Maybe if it were another line and handset, but the watch is just and extension
Of screen and keyboard
 
Agreed, I'm probably somewhat over-reacting - I guess I was just caught off guard by the extra amount. I really did have to think about how often I would use it to justify $10, I just don't see it being worth $16.
 
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jeffu said:
I think, I'll have to check. I chatted with an AT&T rep and they said that was just the way additional lines work, they always charge all the taxes and fees on extra lines and this is considered an extra line.

Just checked - that will be a monthly fee. They also added a $25 activation fee for the $10 line - so even more $$!
Click to expand...
Please note that with AT&T you will receive a credit for up to $55 for the first 3 months of service (3x10) and the $25 Activation fee in 2/3 billing periods.

General Comment: The use of cellular service is "Optional" on the Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) and as such you are not required to pay for service if you don't want to use the features that make use of the cellular service.

Dave
 
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jeffu said:
Agreed, I'm probably somewhat over-reacting - I guess I was just caught off guard by the extra amount. I really did have to think about how often I would use it to justify $10, I just don't see it being worth $16.
Click to expand...
I'v mentioned this elsewhere as well. The first month is going to be more expensive as they typically pro-rate the fees, and charge taxes on the activation fee (even if its waived). Users are now reporting $12-13 per month depending on your state for total line charge with fees and taxes. Here in Los Angeles area, its just under $13 a month with fees and taxes on AT&T. (Got 2 cellular watches in my household).
 
Yes, this is the second month - so it is going to be $16.38 per month if you live in Illinois - love the taxes here :)
 
dave006 said:
Please note that with AT&T you will receive a credit for up to $55 for the first 3 months of service (3x10) and the $25 Activation fee in 2/3 billing periods.

General Comment: The use of cellular service is "Optional" on the Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) and as such you are not required to pay for service if you don't want to use the features that make use of the cellular service.

Dave
Click to expand...

Was just going to mention to him about the $55.00 credit, which takes care of the activation fee and first three months.

I think after the first three months, I will cancel for the winter since I do not walk/jog/run outside in the winter. Also, I have a badly beaten up back AND now doctors think I have a hernia so I cannot do much of anything right now. So, more than likely cancelling.

:apple:
 
jeffu said:
Yes, this is the second month - so it is going to be $16.38 per month if you live in Illinois - love the taxes here :)
Click to expand...
There is no way your taxes are higher than Los Angeles.

How much are the taxes and fees for an iPhone line? Based on that, it would be $10+ a line.
 
Yep - more than LA -
Surcharges & fees
$2.18
Administrative Fee
$0.76
Federal Universal Service Charge
$0.13
IL Telecom Relay Service
$0.04
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge
$1.25
Government taxes & fees
$4.20
IL 911 Surcharge
$3.90
Municipal Telecommunications Tax
$0.15
State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax
$0.15
 
jeffu said:
Yep - more than LA -
Surcharges & fees
$2.18
Administrative Fee
$0.76
Federal Universal Service Charge
$0.13
IL Telecom Relay Service
$0.04
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge
$1.25
Government taxes & fees
$4.20
IL 911 Surcharge
$3.90
Municipal Telecommunications Tax
$0.15
State/Municipal Telecommunications Tax
$0.15
Click to expand...

That is ridiculous. Here is SoCal (Unlimited iPhone Line).

Surcharges & fees
$3.46
Administrative Fee
$0.76
Federal Universal Service Charge
$1.41
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge
$1.25
State Public Utility Surcharge
$0.04
Government taxes & fees
$1.08
CHCF A
$0.05
Relay Service Device Fund
$0.07
State 911 Tax
$0.11
Teleconnect Fund
$0.16
Universal Lifeline
$0.69


Your state is killing you in 911 tax, and government taxes and fees.
 
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I’m guessing if they give you a bill credit for the first 3 months “free” that you are paying the ~$6-7/month for those 3 months? If the credit is $55($10 x 3 + $25) that doesn’t cover the fees and taxes. Kind of a rip off either way
 
It is considered a voice line so there will be local, state and federal taxes. I was under no impression that it would only be $10 and knew it would be closer to $15.
 
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For once (and possibly the first time ever) it pays to be in the UK for an Apple-related charge. EE give 6 months free and then charge £5 / $6.59 (today) per month all-in.

Compare and contrast with the £1000 / $1317 we are charged for the base iPhone X or £429 / $565 for the base 42mm LTE watch itself...
 
le.bouch said:
For once (and possibly the first time ever) it pays to be in the UK for an Apple-related charge. EE give 6 months free and then charge £5 / $6.59 (today) per month all-in.

Compare and contrast with the £1000 / $1317 we are charged for the base iPhone X or £429 / $565 for the base 42mm LTE watch itself...
Click to expand...

Canada is also doing well. $5 per month and first 3 months free.
 
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dave006 said:
General Comment: The use of cellular service is "Optional" on the Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) and as such you are not required to pay for service if you don't want to use the features that make use of the cellular service.

Dave
Click to expand...

While I understand that you’re trying to tell the OP that he can cancel his service, your comment is a bit obtuse as this applies to everything but taxes. Just because he doesn’t HAVE to pay for it doesn’t mean that AT&T isn’t bilking it’s customers for something that doesn’t really add or minimally adds to AT&Ts network usage. In any case he doesn’t HAVE to pay AT&T at all and its customers can send a louder message by canceling their Serbians signing on with a cheaper provider.
 
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