Verizon iPhone Listings Go Live on Apple's Site

[kingtj]

That's for sure ....

One way to KNOW Americans are getting screwed is to look at the "second tier" carriers out there. Cricket Wireless, for example, is paying to lease towers from Sprint - yet they're able to offer an unlimited Android phone plan for a flat $55 per month that includes unlimited texting/MMS messaging, unlimited data, and unlimited nationwide free calling. If they've got to pay the big carriers to use some of their bandwidth, you know that's not being sold to them at a loss or anything ....

Yet it's so much more costly to use a carrier who actually owns their own network. Go figure ....

You get ripped off no matter if you are on AT&T or someone else. They all get your money in the end. I wish Americans didn't pay so much more than other countries.

 

[number9]

Sure...and try bringing your iP4 into Apple to get fixed should it break.

Yeah, no problem- it's caled restore your phone first!

 

[NKT]

NO!

But if I were to want an iPhone in the States, I would have to buy it from AT&T. .

Emphasis mine.

As for exclusivity, there are lots of things that are exclusive. A monopoly this does not make.

 

[jzuena]

They do... I think it's $0.10 per message. You're better off with a basic text plan than getting taken at $0.10 per message.

It's actually $0.20 per text if you don't opt for a texting plan.

Only if all of your friends have a smartphone as well.

You can use Google Voice (in the US) to send texts to anyone with a regular phone. I had all texting blocked on my phone and just use my Google Voice number for the rare times I want to send a text.

Wow, you Americans are getting screwed and throwing money out the window.

You guys are actually willing to pay $70 - $100 per month for a phone? That's just absurd.

And then you wonder why American private debt is so high. I mean that adds up to over a $1000 a year.

My company reimburses me, so I pay nothing, but my bill is usually around $57/month (~€42) for an iPhone with the low-end data plan.

 

[srxtr]

So when is Sprint getting the iPhone?

 

[leomac08]

So if I want unlimited everything (except the hotspot thingy majic) on Verizon I have to pay $140 for the iPhone?!

Damm

 

[noodlelegs]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

It's interesting to see people from Europe say how us Americans are getting ripped off and how much it must suck to have to pay X amount of dollars for the iPhone. Actually it doesn't suck. None of us have to have the iPhone, it is our choice. We also have a lot more after tax dollars (percentage-wise) to spend on things like iPhones, WiFi's, and GeeBee's. Our highest tax bracket is about 39%. What's yours? Please do not feel bad for us.

But even with your additional "after tax dollars to spend" you guys are becoming a nation of debt, on both the private and public level. I guess as long as you're not complaining about your personal debt then go ahead and spend $1000+ on a phone each year. All these responses on Americans getting screwed is not an attempt to to change your spending habit, but simply an attempt to understand why Americans are willing to pay that much. I guess it's just a clash of two different ideologies that will not be resolved, especially not on this blog.

Those are good points. And no, I'm not complaining about personal debt. Wait, weren't there just protests/riots in countries like the UK (and Greece) because of posterity, aka, they were running up too much debt and had to start cutting back government services/spending?

 

[duaneu]

They do... I think it's $0.10 per message. You're better off with a basic text plan than getting taken at $0.10 per message.

It's not a better deal if you seldom or never use it (and it's 20 cents per message, btw). At least they let you opt out of having a text plan, unlike voice & data.

I wish AT&T offered cheaper voice plans. The cheapest one is $39.99 for 450 minutes. I use maybe 30-60 of that most months. Sure the minutes roll over, but if you're a light user, they're never going to get used.

 

[kingtj]

re: why do we pay it?

You want to understand why Americans are willing to pay so much for a smartphone plan?

I think for starters, you've got to realize that communications is critically important these days. In the past, it was enough to make sure you bought that telephone answering machine, so if you were searching for a job and a recruiter or potential employer called, you didn't miss that opportunity. These days, everything has expanded to encompass one's email and ability to fill out forms on a given web site, and maybe even a Twitter feed you're supposed to subscribe to, to get announcements first about new openings.

A lot of people I know on really limited budgets and seeking employment decided to cancel their home phone and home Internet broadband package, and simply invest it all in a smartphone like the iPhone. That way, they're taking all of those capabilities with them everywhere, in their pocket, for maximum utilization of the resources.

For those of us who have steady employment, it's still a matter of weighing one's priorities. EG. What will you do with the money you earn every month? After paying all the bills and buying the groceries and other necessities, you likely have at least $100-200 left over that you can put towards things like "entertainment". Do you blow it on seeing big name rock concerts or going out to the movies, or sporting event tickets? Or do you decide you get more "bang for you buck" dropping $100 on your cellphone so you can play online games, chat with friends via Facebook, etc. etc. ? We may not LIKE the cost that seems too high, especially in relation to what we hear other nations pay for service. But it is what it is. (You simply pay the fees to AT&T or Verizon, or you don't get your iPhone 4.) Many people skip the whole thing, but millions of others find it "expensive, but justifiable to pay for, nonetheless".

But even with your additional "after tax dollars to spend" you guys are becoming a nation of debt, on both the private and public level. I guess as long as you're not complaining about your personal debt then go ahead and spend $1000+ on a phone each year. All these responses on Americans getting screwed is not an attempt to to change your spending habit, but simply an attempt to understand why Americans are willing to pay that much. I guess it's just a clash of two different ideologies that will not be resolved, especially not on this blog.

 

[musique]

Sound quality?

Wouldn't it be nice if these dear, innovative phone companies actually provided phones and an infrastructure that made your phone calls sound as good as a land line.

Remember land lines?

 

[Popeye206]

I just wish some real Mac or Apple news would happen so we could move on from banter about cell phone companies.

Nap time!

 

[noodlelegs]

Wouldn't it be nice if these dear, innovative phone companies actually provided phones and an infrastructure that made your phone calls sound as good as a land line.

Remember land lines?

Maybe you could invent the technology and start your own cell phone company?

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Blimey, you pay a lot for your phone plans in the US.

Don't you Pay more for everything else across the pond? It's what 20% VAT now?

 

[Thunderhawks]

I just wish some real Mac or Apple news would happen so we could move on from banter about cell phone companies.

Nap time!

I think a post should be started for a white and other colors iphone on SPRINT and a multicolored Retina ipad on sprint with 4LTE capabilities.

All unlimited of course and SPRINT pays ALL OF US to use it.

Now we are talking

BTW: Anybody know whether Verizon got the iphone yet?

 

[Jaymes]

Blimey, you pay a lot for your phone plans in the US.

Well, when you consider the landmass of the UK versus the size of the USA, we have a lot more cell towers and infrastructure to have to install and maintain. When you have 40 times the landmass of the UK to contend with, it's not surprising the rates are going to be a bit higher. Plus the load on that infrastructure is going to be larger too due to the number of users.

 

[foodog]

It's all so utterly ridiculous.

Since there is now a CDMA iPhone I hope Sprint will get it with the iPhone 5. 69.00 for unlimited everything. That is unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited calling to any cell phone, and 450 minutes for calling landlines. Does anyone still have these?

AT&T and Verizon are a rip off. If you can't get Sprint reception I guess you're stuck.

 

[alexknibb]

Can I just mention that I don't think anyone from the UK is laughing at the American cellphone costs; we do live in 'Rip-Off Britain', after all. I think it's just genuine astonishment! Cost of living, tax, salaries, etc., probably balances everything out between the UK and the US ultimately anyway, but still, looking at those prices you chaps have to pay would make most Brits gulp in awe I think.

Oh, and I think texting is a cultural thing. We LOVE our text messages over here. Yeah, I have an iPhone. Virtually never use e-mail any more, but I still text like a mofo - call me old-school.

 

[qtx43]

So what's new? Also, Verizon has stated that the unlimited data is only for initial early adopters, and they will be moving to a tiered plan like AT&T.

If I were Sprint or T-mobile, I'd offer free unlimited data and mi-fi for up to five devices (or at least undercut the Verizon/ATT price) with a phone. Such a plan would capture a lot of folks who need a wi-fi connection for their iPads and iPod Touches, and don't want to spend $100/month for a phone, and get them a foot in the door of the Apple ecosystem.

Sprint does have truly unlimited 4G (plus 5GB of 3G backup), but no tethering for 70$/mo., or a 4G MiFi for the $60/mo (5 WiFi devices). I hope they never get the iPhone. Who needs cable?

 

[JAT]

Lived 48 years w/o texting, so now using smartphone email should suffice....
Still $169/month for communciations, add $130/month for cable/home internet, $300/month...wow

You need to readdress your home broadband, unless that is for 100Mb or better. At least call the company and tell them you are switching to a competitor, they'll probably offer to drop you to $30/month for a while if you stay.

Qwest offered me $70/month for 40Mb. Or $50 with a contract.

 

[chiefpavvy]

So if I want unlimited everything (except the hotspot thingy majic) on Verizon I have to pay $140 for the iPhone?!

Damm

Yep. I remember when I got my first iPhone 3G the monthly AT&T bill was almost $175. No joke. $99 unlim talk + 20 text + 45 data + taxes/fees.

Did any one really expect Verizon to offer cheaper service? They're the most expensive of the carriers (right there with AT&T) amazing people would think just because they are offering an iPhone they'd give out "cheap" plans.

Fortunately for me, I jailbroke and unlocked all my iPhones, so I'm not a slave to Death Star. I use T-Mobile and a few other prepaid SIMs and get by just fine paying (literally) 1/3 what I did to AT&T.

One thing I will say is this though - at least AT&T works everywhere. Verizon is USA only (maybe canada/mexico?) whereas you can travel with your AT&T iPhone (albeit at gouging rates) to almost any country on earth and your phone works. For the price I would not hesitate - AT&T over Verizon by a country mile. Once all the suckers go for Verizon and get locked in, AT&T's network should perform better as well.

You need to readdress your home broadband, unless that is for 100Mb or better. At least call the company and tell them you are switching to a competitor, they'll probably offer to drop you to $30/month for a while if you stay.

Qwest offered me $70/month for 40Mb. Or $50 with a contract.

Heh, I wouldn't take Qwest at $0 per month let alone $70!

$130 per month I'd assume he has a bundle of some sort or he's including MiFi devices etc in that total.

Wouldn't it be nice if these dear, innovative phone companies actually provided phones and an infrastructure that made your phone calls sound as good as a land line.

Remember land lines?

Yeah, I remember paying almost $40 a month for a dial tone. Local calls only. No thanks!

 

[Jezper]

Holy crap that's expensive. I pay the equivalent of $29 total for unlimited calls and free data for both my iPhone AND iPad.

 

[JAT]

Heh, I wouldn't take Qwest at $0 per month let alone $70!

$130 per month I'd assume he has a bundle of some sort or he's including MiFi devices etc in that total.

When the choice is Qwest, Comcast, or nothing....nothing actually doesn't look that bad.

 

[splashnader]

Well, when you consider the landmass of the UK versus the size of the USA, we have a lot more cell towers and infrastructure to have to install and maintain. When you have 40 times the landmass of the UK to contend with, it's not surprising the rates are going to be a bit higher. Plus the load on that infrastructure is going to be larger too due to the number of users.

Exactly. Rates are always based on usage. More people, equal more customers using that network. Costs of maintaining that network in the US are almost always going up, not down. People want LTE, 4G and faster data networks, but don't take into account how many people in the US are going to be using that technology. There is no cheap way to build and maintain an infrastructure for over 300 million people. Yes lack of competition plays a small role, but it's not the major factor.

 

[ArcaneDevice]

You want to understand why Americans are willing to pay so much for a smartphone plan?

Because just like anything else 90% of Americans have no idea what services other countries offer to compare it to.

The US has been charging users at both ends of wireless communication since it began and Americans still think that's how it is everywhere else.

 

[jacollins]

So from what I'm seeing, Verizon's essentially made the same prices as AT&T. They're not lowering things substantially to pull more people in. While it would have been nice, it's not really surprising. There's not really any need to, the iPhone's enough of a pull already.