Possible iPhone Data Plan Pricing?

[sparkleytone]

Looks pretty much exactly in line with AT&T's data plans for all the other phones. Last I checked, to get WiFi to work on your AT&T phone you had to sign up for a $99/month data plan, so this might even be "better".

This stuff is neither outrageous nor unexpected.

 

[RnSK]

PREACH IT, bruthuh!!!

I see everyone complaining about pricing, but I am paying $100 a month now for a POS Blackjack, so why wouldn't I pay $100-120 for the iPhone?

Yeah mean, I hear ya...I have one too. Someone is soooo gonna get a deal on this piece of **** saturday on eBay lol. WM6 was like the most obvious pig/lipstick job ever...so we're thru

I don't even use "3G" because I would rather be able to use the phone on a single charge....silly me. My Blackjack is hard set to EDGE only.

Two things:

1. You guys seriously underestimate the amount of wealthy people in this country, or, those who are not wealthy but will pay for cool factor.

or even those that are neither, but understand the age old secret that you can have almost everything...just not at the same time. I know people that want the thing more than sex and air (silly, I know) and will just spend less somewhere else if they have to.

2. No one said people would pay $499 for a 4gb music player either, but I had an original, and a year later so did millions of other people.

Yeah true dat. I was the first person I knew that had an iPod way back when...and every person that detracted it sight unseen admitted that it was very nice...they just couldn't "afford" it.

Me...I saved a bit of money and sold my old Nomad Jukebox for the difference...didn't need two mp3 players *shrug*

Then again, I don't buy anything "on time" so I own everything I have and don't get in the paying-for-stuff-I-don't-have-anymore trap.

 

[Clive At Five]

If you both already have cell phones then you have to subtract the >$60/month you are currently spending on cell service.

I would agree with you if not for the minor detail that we are not yet enrolled in our own plan yet. As of now we're still being covered by our parents' family plans. If we decide cell phone useage is important enough to us (which we likely will) we'll have to allocate the minimum $60/mo... but currently that is not an expense we have in our budget. There are a lot of numbers to crunch before August...

-Clive

 

[spercharged69]

Because they don't *have to* silly

Again...you know, I'm not rich...but I'm not broke, either...you know what i'm sayin'?

I mean...its $500 or $600 for a phone...people had 6 months to scrimp and save to work that out.

if your average mobile bill is $40/month...you find $30. If you are living that close to the edge where $30-$40 is a *deal breaker*...if you might have to live outside or skip meals, then, well, you are living above your means...a serious problem in America as it is.

I mean think about it. About 4 $10 bills more. 4 albums on the iTMS. 4 days of carry out lunch, or two dinners of chinese...two fridays of Pizza Night specials.

Less than a tank of gas (chuckle).

You smoke...about 10 packs of smokes. Or a two month ration of ramen.

I mean COME ON PEOPLE. If you are that close to hardship, you shouldn't even HAVE a freakin' mobile...you should be saving your money!

Thats what we're talking here for most people that have phone typical phone service already (I happen to have more than that, but that's me)...4 $10 bills more out of the crap you blow money on every month.

*shakes head*

You should just walk away if you're THAT hard up. Seriously.

This needs to be quoted more.

 

[RnSK]

This is like the Blood Libel against the Jews at this point...

...EDGE. $40 for something that's only slightly better than dial up (and worse than dial up if you're not in an EDGE coverage area) is just too much.

Please let me know exactly which brand of POTS copper modem I can buy that has sustanded xfer rates of 26K-30K (as in kilo-BYTES not kilobits or kilobaud) per second...since i've never seen any for sale that could go faster than 4K/sec with compression on a clean line.

Thanks!

When was the last time you people used a Modem? Has it been that long ago

 

[iShak]

I see everyone complaining about pricing, but I am paying $100 a month now for a POS Blackjack, so why wouldn't I pay $100-120 for the iPhone?

Two things:

1. You guys seriously underestimate the amount of wealthy people in this country, or, those who are not wealthy but will pay for cool factor.

And

2. No one said people would pay $499 for a 4gb music player either, but I had an original, and a year later so did millions of other people.

stop comparing ipod to iphone the dynamics are very different, ipod is a thoroughly innovative device that does brilliantly what it is supposed to do i.e play music, Apple were the first and no one is yet to challenge ipod's ease of use and features. The pice of cuurent line-up is very very reasonable and its 'this' line-up thats selling the most.
plus, ipod does not come with some crappy 3rd party long contracts and ridiculously priced 'extras' that cost $49/mo ...

iphone browsung without flash is like an ipod with only channel, the right ear-piece works thats it, iphone with closed platform is like an ipod that refuses to play an mp3 over 64kbps bit-rate... iphone with contract is like an ipod with earphones on rent, you wanna listen to music? you pay $49 every month...

ridiculous! .. plust 1st gen ipod and 6th ipod side-to-side do almost the same .. one year on 1st gen iphone user is paying $49 for data and 2nd gen iphone user is paying $10 for data because advances in tech. has brought the prices down...

 

[w00master]

We will never see iChat on the iphone. AT&T wants to make money off SMS messages. iChat would cut into their profits.

IM is often included in Data or part of general messaging service. You look at AT&T's other phones, and they all offer IM services.

w00master

 

[Random Ping]

Apple has made a clear distinction between the phone features versus the ipod features versus the internet. I would not be surprised to see another model from Apple which will be just the phone + (video) iPod.

Now that Apple has demonstrated that they can put their full OS on a very tiny device w/o a hard drive, I would like to see them come out with the ultra-portable computer -- very similar to the iPhone (but a little thicker) with a slide-out keyboard and data port on the side for connecting different external devices (e.g., maybe for video out or a smart card (CAC login?)) (or could the docking port already be used for that?).

 

[paulyras]

There is one thing that people don't seem to consider when they talk about splitting the data off from the phone contract. I'm willing to bet that the visual voice mail actually resides on the phone, rather than on the network. If this is the case, I have some serious doubts that AT&T will allow one to access their VM service from outside of their own edge network (wifi- for example). They'd be insane to make that accessible over the internet.

Can anyone clarify where exactly the VMs sit? Server side or phone side? That may be the answer as to whether one could potentially nix the data portion.

Paul

 

[NewSc2]

CNBC said the voice/data plans would be over a $100/month,

My current voice plan is $40, if I add a $35 data plan doesn't that make it 75/month? Well below the "FACT" reported my CNBC. Even a $45 data plan only brings the total to $85/month. Still well short of CNBC's sensationalist "over $100/month"

You know the end is near when the "News Networks" are no more accurate than the rumor blogs...

Come on guys

Well, my current voice plan is $60/month, for 900 minutes. Plus fees it's about $68/mo. Add on the $45 data plan and it's $113, plus additional fees, plus insurance (don't have it on my current phone). So no, it doesn't seem that sensationalist to me. And yes, I use up most of my minutes.

 

[NewSc2]

There is one thing that people don't seem to consider when they talk about splitting the data off from the phone contract. I'm willing to bet that the visual voice mail actually resides on the phone, rather than on the network. If this is the case, I have some serious doubts that AT&T will allow one to access their VM service from outside of their own edge network (wifi- for example). They'd be insane to make that accessible over the internet.

Can anyone clarify where exactly the VMs sit? Server side or phone side? That may be the answer as to whether one could potentially nix the data portion.

Paul

There was some discussion on here a while back that it had to be server side for the visual voice mail. The servers have to be upgraded to send out that data, apparently. Why it's not on Treos and other PDA phones... I have no idea.

 

[paulyras]

IM is often included in Data or part of general messaging service. You look at AT&T's other phones, and they all offer IM services.

w00master

Yep. If you download Yahoo Messenger or most of the other mobile IM systems they are running on SMS messages. Try that with a pay as you go SMS contract.

There's really no reason not to enable iChat, especially if it is an unlimited SMS contract. At that point, what's the difference?

 

[diamond.g]

I know a lot of you are using old plans with old pricing that is technically no longer available, but that's not a real comparison. The question is this: if I were to sign up right now for a basic voice plan + unlimited data *as a new customer* for each carrier, how much would I pay? I looked at the 4 major carriers:

T-Mobile: 1000 minutes (non-rollolver) + Unlimited Data & email = $70

Sprint: 450 minutes (non-rollover) + Unlimited Data = $90

Verizon: 450 minutes (non-rollover) + unlimited data = $80

At&T: 450 minutes (rollover) + unlimited data = $80

So T-Mobile is a moderately better deal, although the rollover of At&T will balance out the minutes difference for most people. Yes, you are limited to EDGE with the iPhone, but people seem to neglect that 3G coverage is fairly rare in the US. There are plenty of people who simply CAN'T use 3G, whether the phone has it or not.

So please, somebody explain to me how At&t's plan is out of line with what is currently available. Is it expensive? Yes, but it's the same damn price as everybody else. This is the wonderful world of american wireless networks. The iPhone's data pricing looks to be right in line with the competition. What is all this complaining stemming from?

Curious how'd you get 90 for Sprint?

...but its pointless. I mean, people are talking about non-valid granfathered rates, Sprint's SERO plan (this is for employees only) and god knows what else they can sphincter as "normal"...

Its like a buddy of mine that would walk into a store and complain about the price of something because he could, or heard of someone who did, "buy it off a crackhead for $20."

At the end of the day, its a bunch of Sprint and Verizon customers (mostly Verizon) Pissing and Moaning because Apple wouldn't lock down and crap up their phone with VCast, kill the desktop connection, Install fricken BREW and let Verizon generally whore up the phone (like they do) to get it on their network.

Price parity be damned

And um, There is exactly one 3G Crackberry...no one seems to whine about those on EDGE...
HRM.

But the Treo 755 and 700 are 3G. (Crackberry be damned)

Where is this on their Website? I see nothing but $40 data plans.

Here. Sprints site doesn't play well with Safari. I searched for Power Vision in their search bar.

Apple isn't including 3G cause AT&T's 3G is incomplete. From my understanding AT&T may be skipping it and going straight to WIMAX (or some equivalent). Sprint and Verizon have pretty good 3G coverage (shoot they had 3G in Hawaii, of all places).

 

[RnSK]

Newsflash for you kid...

stop comparing ipod to iphone the dynamics are very different, ipod is a thoroughly innovative device that does brilliantly what it is supposed to do i.e play music, Apple were the first and no one is yet to challenge ipod's ease of use and features. The pice of cuurent line-up is very very reasonable and its 'this' line-up thats selling the most.
plus, ipod does not come with some crappy 3rd party long contracts and ridiculously priced 'extras' that cost $49/mo ...

iphone browsung without flash is like an ipod with only channel, the right ear-piece works thats it, iphone with closed platform is like an ipod that refuses to play an mp3 over 64kbps bit-rate... iphone with contract is like an ipod with earphones on rent, you wanna listen to music? you pay $49 every month...

ridiculous! .. plust 1st gen ipod and 6th ipod side-to-side do almost the same .. one year on 1st gen iphone user is paying $49 for data and 2nd gen iphone user is paying $10 for data because advances in tech. has brought the prices down...

Apple doesn't consider you a customer unless you buy things from them. Often.

Ask them. They know everything i've bought for the last 7 years...I know this because they keep asking me about these damned things

Look. You can't afford it right now. Its OK, it doesn't make you less of a person. Save your money and wait.

Sheesh.

 

[ncbill]

It is for AT&T, but not for Sprint/Verizon

And "unlimited broadband" is priced differently depending on how it's used.

Laptop cards/tetherable phones - $60/month with voice plan, $80 w/o (Verizon)

Smartphones that can't be tethered - $40/month and down from there.

And anyone can get Sprint SERO, not just employees (see howardforums)

That $100/month plan on AT&T's website is almost certainly for unlimited broadband data (probably tetherable), plus unlimited access to paid Wi-Fi hotspots.

>but people seem to neglect that 3G coverage is fairly rare in the US

 

[bsgx]

stop comparing ipod to iphone the dynamics are very different, ipod is a thoroughly innovative device that does brilliantly what it is supposed to do i.e play music, Apple were the first and no one is yet to challenge ipod's ease of use and features. The pice of cuurent line-up is very very reasonable and its 'this' line-up thats selling the most.
plus, ipod does not come with some crappy 3rd party long contracts and ridiculously priced 'extras' that cost $49/mo ...

iphone browsung without flash is like an ipod with only channel, the right ear-piece works thats it, iphone with closed platform is like an ipod that refuses to play an mp3 over 64kbps bit-rate... iphone with contract is like an ipod with earphones on rent, you wanna listen to music? you pay $49 every month...

ridiculous! .. plust 1st gen ipod and 6th ipod side-to-side do almost the same .. one year on 1st gen iphone user is paying $49 for data and 2nd gen iphone user is paying $10 for data because advances in tech. has brought the prices down...

Then don't buy one. But you know you will, so quit complaining.

I have been paying $100 a month for 3 years ever since I got my first Blackberry. And I have signed a contract for TEN years, ever since I got my first cell phone. That is how it is.

Do you really look at the iPhone as a mobile browser? It's a PHONE first and foremost, and that is what it will always be. If you want to browse, wait for rev B and 3G.

sidebar though....

I have 3G on my Blackjack, and I don't know what you people are talking about. It still sucks, its still small, and it is only used for minimal or emergency web usage.

So what's the problem?

 

[christall109]

iPhone Data Plans Announced Tomorrow, Quantity at stores

Hey Guys,

I was at my local AT&T store today and I was talking to the manager. I simply asked when they are going to announce the data plan for the iPhone and she said it would be announced some time tomorrow.

I also asked whether or not they would have them and how many. She responded by saying that they would from 30-40 iPhones for sale. During this time she seemed to be looking it up in the computer.

This seems like the real deal.
Chris

P.S. - How many of you are going to DEFINATELY be purchasing an iPhone within the coming months?

 

[macjackpro]

yea, and it's $20/month

I have a treo and I got it about a year or so ago when the unlimited internet plan dropped to $20/month. The just rolled out "unlimited text" for $5. I honestly think if they charge more than $25 for an iPlan they are going to lose out on a lot of customers. Of course I could just be being rational. I will not pay more than $25 on top of the basic calling plan. Perhaps they will charge a lot at first for the early adopters. I don't know. If so, I guess I'm not getting one. Even though I really want one. I used my treo alot this past weekend on a road trip where wifi spots wer basically non-existant. It was good to have. I was saying I would have loved to be usig the iPhone, because it would have made everything a much nicer experience...but $25 is a good price...$35 to $49 or whatever is not.

So, that's $10-$20 more than my current Cingular plan for my Treo, which includes unlimited MediaNet (allows Internet & email, although I don't know if they even officially offer that anymore). I currently pay $25/month for data, plus another $5/month for 200 text messages. My total bill now, with 450 minutes plus 5000 night/weekend, plus rollover, is $81 with taxes.

If I end up paying $35 a month instead of $25 for data, and it includes ANY text messages at that rate so I can avoid that $5/month I'm currently paying, that makes it only a $5/month difference. Even at $45/month for data, if it includes considerable text messages (since they'll be needed, since there's no iChat) -- that's not the end of the world. I might just squeak in under $100.

And yes, I know that comparable / better carriers are cheaper, but I'm already with Cingular -- whom I joined a few years ago when they had the Treo as an exclusive -- and I'm used to being gouged.

 

[33scottie33]

Can anyone clarify where exactly the VMs sit? Server side or phone side? That may be the answer as to whether one could potentially nix the data portion.

I'm willing to bet that it resides on the phone since you have the ability to rewind and fast forward on the fly.

What about DUN? Does anyone know if you can connect to the internet through the iphone? That would save me some $$ from my wireless laptop card.

 

[Malakas07]

if your average mobile bill is $40/month...you find $30. If you are living that close to the edge where $30-$40 is a *deal breaker*...if you might have to live outside or skip meals, then, well, you are living above your means...a serious problem in America as it is.

I mean think about it. About 4 $10 bills more. 4 albums on the iTMS. 4 days of carry out lunch, or two dinners of chinese...two fridays of Pizza Night specials.

Less than a tank of gas (chuckle).

You smoke...about 10 packs of smokes. Or a two month ration of ramen.

I mean COME ON PEOPLE. If you are that close to hardship, you shouldn't even HAVE a freakin' mobile...you should be saving your money!

Thats what we're talking here for most people that have phone typical phone service already (I happen to have more than that, but that's me)...4 $10 bills more out of the crap you blow money on every month.

*shakes head*

You should just walk away if you're THAT hard up. Seriously.

That's what I'm talking about!!!!

You deserve to be laughed at if your going to cry, B*tch and moan over the cost of the data plan. When your going to fork $600 for a phone.

Yeah, yeah. I've seen the calculations on what it's going to cost over a two year period but that still doesn't justify your crying. Re up. If you want the phone pay the data plan.
It's going to required. Stop Whining.

My alternative is WIFI blah blah.......Where you going to go to use it. Home, panera and dairy queen? What's the point? Might as well bring your laptop. I'ts a MOBILE phone. Every other place is going to charge you $5-15 per daily use to get on their networks ( Almost every airport I've been in has made me bend over). Don't tell me your going to pay for that but not own up to a $40 plan.

Reduce what you can in your monthly budget......... I'm not rich but I'm not poor. But I'll budget for whatever the dataplan is. Ssshh.....If I had to I'd cancel my gym membership, work out at home. Skim down on my grocery shopping etc. if you have cable TV cancel it. If $40 a month is the ultimate back breaker for you then maybe you should first stop leaving above your means. Matter of fact you shouldn'nt even considered the phone in the first place.

 

[bross00]

Check other providers

The segmentation of "data" plans is confusing for sure; but when I look at Sprint I don't find $15 Data Plans:

http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction

And At&T's existing plans are in line with what's being rumored about Apple's phone. I can't fathom why anyone would find this pricing suprising.

BTW - AT&T does have a limited 3G network - the data pricing is the same for either.

And - AT&T has pay hotspots; you'll need to pay more to use those but you'll likely be able to access open hotspots for no additional costs (I can w/ my Cingular/ATT 8125).

 

[severe]

So your not going to buy a 600 buck phone because you cant pay the 45 a month HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Ya ever heard of a budget, friend?

That's like questioning ones choice in furniture based on the price of their home.

Absolutely ridiculous.

The joke's on you.

 

[bsgx]

FYI,

Sprint is running a huge pro-mo for the Upstage. Get it while its hot for those of you who love EVDO!!

 

[diamond.g]

The segmentation of "data" plans is confusing for sure; but when I look at Sprint I don't find $15 Data Plans:

http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction

And At&T's existing plans are in line with what's being rumored about Apple's phone. I can't fathom why anyone would find this pricing suprising.

BTW - AT&T does have a limited 3G network - the data pricing is the same for either.

And - AT&T has pay hotspots; you'll need to pay more to use those but you'll likely be able to access open hotspots for no additional costs (I can w/ my Cingular/ATT 8125).

Try Sprints Power Vision page.

 

[bsgx]

Ya ever heard of a budget, friend?

That's like questioning ones choice in furniture based on the price of their home.

Absolutely ridiculous.

The joke's on you.

Nothing wrong with a budget. Get an Upstage.

But when has Apple ever been about cost? The day they decide to compete on price, is the day I think about leaving Apple.

Thank GOD they refuse to compete on price and put out crappy products.

EVERYONE has expendable income. EVERYONE. Some just don't want to spend it on THIS.