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IPhone Monthly Plans Start at $59.99
Pedestrians use their cell phones as they passes a window display advertising Apple's iPhone at an Apple Computer store Monday, June 25, 2007, in downtown Chicago. Even for a company that's mastered the art of product-launch hype, Apple Inc. has propelled iPhone hysteria into the stratosphere. But skeptics wonder whether even the most innovative product could live up to the iPhone's lofty expectations - and whether the pre-launch anticipation has spiraled too far out of control. Scrutiny of the product is so great that any small disappointment could send the stock plunging, experts say. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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- Public Discussion (23)
For me, this was always the biggest question; I was extremely relieved to see this. I can easily stomach $60 a month. Now I just have to wait until Friday.
- 3 votes
#1 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:00 AM EDTOf course, you still have to add on all the fees they don't talk about, which probably brings the monthly total to about $75/month for the smallest plan.
- 2 votes
#2 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:10 AM EDTActually, that depends most on what state you live in. I know that Colorado has some ridiculous taxes that might add $15 in fees, but in Nevada, I only pay about $4 in fees each month.
- 2 votes
Ah, okay, that makes sense. I'm in New York.
I guess that also makes sense that they don't advertise those costs--if they're not consistent it'd be difficult.
- 1 vote
I have been wondering about the rates for awhile - I'm surprised they seem reasonable.
- 3 votes
#3 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:23 AM EDTI called my ATT/Cingular rep to see what I would have to do to pull in a plan for the iPhone, given my recently renewed voice plan - and they said - without penalty - I would just have to resign up for a new 2 year - so virtually no impact to me - and the cost is pretty good according to this press release.
Elliot, what additional fees do you anticipate to add on to the cost exactly (just curious)?
- 3 votes
#4 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:33 AM EDTI've never heard of a telcom company that advertises the full price up front. Aaron mentions below that a $49.99 plan from AT&T/Cingular ends up costing $65 after taxes and fees. That's my experience with Verizon as well. The extra money comes from E911 fees and other government fees and taxes. So technically you're only paying AT&T $49.99, but you end up paying around $65 in total.
- 3 votes
I assumed there was a fee like some states have for gas-guzzling autos, or vanity plates. Not the usual "tax,title, license and dealer prep". I always factor in this stuff as a part of the cost.
I think the word "fees" is somewhat misleading. The phone companies are forced to add taxes onto our bills. For those of you living in states with a sales tax, it'd be similar if you called the $0.08 on a $0.99 burger a "fee." It's a tax. That being said, yes, expect the $59.99 bill to probably be closer to $70.
The evolution of the cellphone is one aspect of technology I have just never kept up with. I've really only ever utilized it for making calls (although sometimes I play the demo level of Ms. Pac-Man that came pre-loaded with the phone). But I gotta say the iPhone looks pretty sweet. Does "unlimited data services" refer to email/Internet? (See, my cellphone ignorance is showing). I once (accidentally) connected my phone to the web and it cost me like 4 bucks because I didn't have the right rate package.
- 1 vote
#5 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:50 AM EDTAnd, that time -does not- come off of your talk time?
Or does it?
- 3 votes
And, that time -does not- come off of your talk time?
I can't speak for AT&T, but on Sprint the data time is completely separate from talk time.
- 1 vote
AT&T breaks out data from voice usage. If you get the itemized bill, you can see the different two different itemized lists.
- 2 votes
My current $49.99 a month Cingular plan ends up costing me over $65 after taxes and fees. And it has more minutes and texts than the proposed $59.99 a month iPhone plan.
#6 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:56 AM EDTBut does it have unlimited data and visual voicemail? ; )
But they do say that you can choose one of AT&T's "standard" service plans. Not sure if that means you'll have to forgo visual voicemail or not.
But they do say that you can choose one of AT&T's "standard" service plans. Not sure if that means you'll have to forgo visual voicemail or not.
The Apple site says you can use any existing AT&T voice plan, and add unlimited data and voicemail for $20.
- 1 vote
My wife's current Cingular plan is very similar to the numbers of the low-end iPhone package. She now pays $39 a month.
Minimal bells and whistles, though.
- 2 votes
#7 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:43 AM EDTI'm guessing that's without a data plan? My Sprint plan was $39, until I added unlimited data...
- 2 votes
Yeah, she's just got a basic package, but she got a great free phone.
There's talk of her work picking up the tab on an iPhone. Her office is virtually virtual, so it would make sense....at least that's what she's telling them. ;^)
- 3 votes
Does anybody know if you will be able to connect your laptop to the phone to enable a "psuedo-wireless network" similar to the wireless PC cards?
#8 - Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:18 PM EDTI'm sure someone will enable it, either wired or via bluetooth. Treo's have had this capability for years...First as a user-created hack, then as a supported feature in later models.
- 2 votes
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