The cost of an iPhone service plan.

Williams_Wu · 05-09-2007, 01:58 AM

Here is a good article talking about iPhone service charge from TUAW.

The rub with the iPhone isn't the price of the device itself, but rather the unknown price of the phone plan you'll be required to buy along with it. When I buy an iPod, it is mine free and clear. I don't need to pay a monthly service charge (which is signed in blood) to ensure that the darned thing will continue to function. That won't be the case with the iPhone. I'm almost certain that you will not be able to buy an 'unlocked' iPhone (that is an iPhone that you can use on any network, without having to buy a plan) for at least a year after its introduction.

'But how much could a phone plan cost?'

The truth is, we don't know yet. AT&T and Apple could be cooking up some special deal for iPhone buyers, but for the sake of argument let's just look at AT&T's current rates (as listed on Cingular.com) for the type of services that you would want on your iPhone to take advantage of all those super cool features. Here's the breakdown:
450 minutes talktime per month (includes 5000 nights and weekend minutes): $39.99
Smartphone Connect Unlimited (this is unlimited data transfer, since an internet communicator is sort of pointless with a data transfer cap): $19.99
Messenger Starter (200 text messages per month, unlimited texts to other AT&T customers): $9.99

That's a grand total of $69.97 in services for your iPhone before taxes (and that's kind of on the low end of the available services. I'm sure lots of people will want more talk time, or more text messages.). Now, let's assume that Apple and AT&T will only require that you sign up for a year (I'm betting the iPhone will require a 2 year contract), that translates to about $839.64 for the first year of services (before taxes once again). Tack on $500 for the iPhone itself and you find that Apple's cool new phone is going to cost you $1339.64 (roughly).

iPhone: it isn't the price I'm worried about - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

**Acadian** · 06-12-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Williams_Wu

Here is a good article talking about iPhone service charge from TUAW.

The rub with the iPhone isn't the price of the device itself, but rather the unknown price of the phone plan you'll be required to buy along with it. When I buy an iPod, it is mine free and clear. I don't need to pay a monthly service charge (which is signed in blood) to ensure that the darned thing will continue to function. That won't be the case with the iPhone. I'm almost certain that you will not be able to buy an 'unlocked' iPhone (that is an iPhone that you can use on any network, without having to buy a plan) for at least a year after its introduction.

'But how much could a phone plan cost?'

The truth is, we don't know yet. AT&T and Apple could be cooking up some special deal for iPhone buyers, but for the sake of argument let's just look at AT&T's current rates (as listed on Cingular.com) for the type of services that you would want on your iPhone to take advantage of all those super cool features. Here's the breakdown:
450 minutes talktime per month (includes 5000 nights and weekend minutes): $39.99
Smartphone Connect Unlimited (this is unlimited data transfer, since an internet communicator is sort of pointless with a data transfer cap): $19.99
Messenger Starter (200 text messages per month, unlimited texts to other AT&T customers): $9.99

That's a grand total of $69.97 in services for your iPhone before taxes (and that's kind of on the low end of the available services. I'm sure lots of people will want more talk time, or more text messages.). Now, let's assume that Apple and AT&T will only require that you sign up for a year (I'm betting the iPhone will require a 2 year contract), that translates to about $839.64 for the first year of services (before taxes once again). Tack on $500 for the iPhone itself and you find that Apple's cool new phone is going to cost you $1339.64 (roughly).

That's one pricey phone that we're talking about...maybe by the time it hits Canada the price and rate will come down. Or maybe they'll make an iPhone Nano and iPhone Shuffle version for those of us counting our pennies...

lilmike09 · 06-16-2007, 12:59 PM

so are we certain that the iphone needs a seperate plan? im on a family plan. cant i just add the iphone on to it withought changing anything?

tavenger5 · 06-18-2007, 07:01 PM

You will more than likely have to purchase one of the following bundles or data plans.

It looks like the Media 'Max Unlimited Bundle' at an extra $39.99 a month will handle things nicely: edit: AT&T "may offer cool features such as unlimited Web browsing." see link in my next post...

Quote:

Get ready to open up the power of your phone! Enjoy unlimited high quality video and entertainment in the palm of your hand. Get UNLIMITED access to Cellular Video, MEdia™ Net and the freedom to message any way to any one with UNLIMITED Messaging! Included in your MEdia™ Max Unlimited bundle:

UNLIMITED Cellular Video
Cellular Video brings you video clips of your favorite TV shows, music videos, movie trailers, comedians and sports highlights. Play high-quality news, sports, weather, and entertainment video clips on demand on your 3G phone. Plus, you can add exclusive video programming from HBO MobileSM and HBO Family MobileSM.

UNLIMITED MEdia™ Net
With MEdia™ Net, you can browse the mobile web, check your Email, get your sports scores, movie times, weather and news right on your mobile phone. Plus, you can access the latest ringtones, games, graphics and AT&T Mobile Music.

UNLIMITED Messages
You have the freedom to message any way to any one - text, picture, video and IM - without worrying what each message costs. That means every message counts the same. You can send and receive ANY combination of messages. Want to send all picture messages? No problem. All IMs? Go ahead and chat away - send and receive messages for less than pennies per day!

The Media Max 1500 Bundle at $34.99/month:

Quote:

Same as above but:

1500 Messages (3 cents/additional messages)
You have the freedom to message any way to any one - text, picture, video and IM - without worrying what each message costs. That means every message counts the same. You can send and receive ANY combination of messages. Want to send all picture messages? No problem. All IMs? Go ahead and chat away - send and receive messages for less than pennies per day!

UNLIMITED Mobile to Mobile Messaging - Unlimited text, picture & video messages
Now AT&T's wireless subscribers can exchange unlimited text, picture and video messages! Instant Messages, alerts, off-network, premium messages, and messages to/from non-AT&T customers will be deducted from your MEdia™ Max 1500 allowance.

The Media Max 1500 at $29.99/month is the same as above without the UNLIMITED Mobile to Mobile.

And the Media Max 200 at $19.99/month:

Quote:

Same as above but:

200 Messages (5 cents/additional messages)
You have the freedom to message any way to any one - text, picture, video and IM - without worrying what each message costs. That means every message counts the same. You can send and receive ANY combination of messages. Want to send all picture messages? No problem. All IMs? Go ahead and chat away - send and receive messages for less than pennies per day!

lakerfreak209 · 06-19-2007, 11:17 AM

all of this is untrue the iphone has to go on unlimited data plan its 39.99, not media max 39.99 they are two different plans. the media max plan can only go to 20mb its not really unlimited, i work there i know. and 39.99 unlimited is just internet usage. if you go on the 39.99 media max plan expect a huge bill, cause the iphone uses alot of data.
also if you are getting the iphone with no internet you are a loser, the iphone req. the internet for all its options.

but expect a umts iphone in the near future..

tavenger5 · 06-22-2007, 06:51 AM

Apparently AT&T is going to offer another plan that "may offer cool features such as unlimited Web browsing."

Source: AppleInsider | AT&T exec: iPhone data plans to be announced June 29th [Updated]

So.... this probably means that there will be another plan on top of the above

alex012185 · 06-23-2007, 03:27 PM

I'm sure you will be able to buy software in a few weeks after the iphone is released. However, if you try to buy an unlocked iphone on eBay...that'll cost a fortune!