iPhone Data Plan to be Announced June 29th?
With June 29th fast approaching, we at TUAW want to alert you, our very important readers and iPhone obsessives, to any and all information, tips or potential issues about the new device, I bring you this latest news from USA Today. In the article, Larry Carter, senior VP of sales for AT&T, points out steps taken by his company to, among other things, beef up its retail operations to handle the extra crowds coming in to buy an iPhone by hiring 2000 extra people, improve its network quality, and make sure iPhone works "seamlessly" with the company's wireless network by doing a great deal of "interface testing" in bars, subway stops, office buildings, rural areas, and elsewhere.Those all sound like positive steps, don't they? Unfortunately, there are also some negatives. According to Carter, not all AT&T retail stores are equal and those in areas with large numbers of iPod users -- such as New York City, Chicago and much of California -- will get a much larger number of iPhones at launch than stores in other areas. So, if you don't live in a big city like NYC, San Francisco or LA, expect to wait a few days (or longer) before you can pick up an iPhone. In addition, Carter mentions that the iPhone "may offer cool features such as unlimited Web browsing." However, people should expect to pay for this feature.
"Regardless of which device you're using today, you pay us a certain amount for (voice) minutes, and you also pay us for data units," said Carter. "That is also true on the iPhone." Finally, Carter admitted that although they do have data plans coming for the iPhone, the actual specifics won't be announced until the day the device is released. Just when I thought they were starting to get it by taking those positive steps, then this happens. How can you have a device like the iPhone knowing the huge potential market for it and then not announce what, exactly, it will do until the day it comes out? Maybe its just me, but does this bother anyone else?
[Update] Apparently, now AT&T are denying they won't announce until the 29th, at least according to iLounge. Sure would be nice to get the straight story someday. Maybe before June 29th? Of course, by then it'll be too late.
[via AppleInsider]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fred said 3:04PM on 6-21-2007
It totally pisses me off. I need to know how much it's gonna cost a month if I'm gonna sell the wife on it!!!!
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John said 3:07PM on 6-21-2007
nah.. I just read on iLounge: "AT&T denies 6/29 rate plan claim, will announce earlier"
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jaime said 3:10PM on 6-21-2007
i couldn't agree more that this is a bother. in general, i've been annoyed with the iphone smoke and mirrors from the start. i can't say that it won't be a sound product, but the covalent mixture of hype and secrecy has, on this front, proven to place apple and at&t in the same crowd as carnival barkers and carnies.
i've been wondering a few things, actually...
on a seperate note, regarding the plans:
are they going to make a data plan essential for use of the hardware? if it has wifi capabilities, maybe i don't want a data plan. maybe i'd just be happy using the web features when i'm in a network space, and happy not using it when i'm not around one. will i have to get a data plan? will they find a way to turn off wifi if there is not accompanying edge usage?
overall, i just feel like a likely reason for holding info back is to wait until the crowds are all whipped up so there isn't initially any room for descent or critical evaluation. and that gets back to those smoke and mirrors.
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GadgetGav said 3:20PM on 6-21-2007
"How can you have a device like the iPhone knowing the huge potential market for it and then not announce what, exactly, it will do until the day it comes out?"
Firstly, announcing what the iPhone will do is down to Apple and they've been letting the info out little by little precisely to keep the feverish interest going in the press.
If you're referring to the data plan, well, you pretty much answered your own question. It's all down to the "huge potential market". The demand for this is going to be huge no matter what, so why should they pre-announce stuff. If you're one of the people who are going to be at an Apple or AT&T store at 6pm on the 29th, you're not going to pass up on the iPhone because the data plan in $34.99 rather than $29.99. Cellphone companies gouge you, so either relax and just pay it, or don't have a (data-centric) phone. Something tells me that the potential iPhone buyer is not going to go back to a no frills Nokia 1110.
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Trey said 3:27PM on 6-21-2007
Like it or not (and I don't particularlly like it) it is good marketing. I mean think about this post..
We are actually talking about something that may not be announced...and then again it may be announced...before June 29th...
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Josh H. said 3:27PM on 6-21-2007
@#3 i was wondering the same thing...if you dont pay fir At&ts wireless internet plan, can u just use the wifi at an airport and stuff for free since it has wifi in the iphone?
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Aron Trimble said 3:40PM on 6-21-2007
Waiting until launch day seems like a sneaky way to prevent backlash in case the data plan is ridiculous. I can see AT&T taking advantage of high-demand and making the plans a premium. After all, who else will you use an iPhone with?
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Clint M Chilcott said 4:07PM on 6-21-2007
This is absolutely ridiculous!!! I was going to camp out for this device but why would I now? I could only to find that the plan is outrageously expensive (like the phone) and I'll end up not buying the phone.
This is not a good marketing tactic. Give us the bleepin deets already!
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Bryan T said 4:31PM on 6-21-2007
@ #8...exactly the way I feel...they are going to tell me it's 50 a month for the data plan, else I can't get it...I'm sure they will tell me this after I have been waiting 6 or so hours.
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Tim said 4:34PM on 6-21-2007
Somethings to take into consideration:
Currently for any of the PDA style phones that AT&T is offering, the price that they offer is always with a 2 year agreement and with the signing of a data package to get the rebate. AT&T has there own data plans (PDA Connect Plans - $29.99 and $39.99/Month) They also support Blackberry plans that average about $29.99/month. The Blackberry plans are compleetly seperate to AT&T's plans because of the fact that it keeps Blackberry in the loop and they recieve kickbacks for their plans. I wouldn't doubt that Apple is doing the same thing. For any one using there phone/data, it will require a substantial data plan. Im positive we can expect the data plan to range between the $19.99 for a specific amount of MB, up to $39.99 for unlimited Data possibly incorporating some text messaging with it.
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Matt said 4:36PM on 6-21-2007
This makes me really angry.
I'm going to get an iPhone only if a data plan is not required. I'm a college student whose campus, like many others, is blanketed in WiFi. The iPhone would be a great tool, not having to bring out the MacBook (if I have it that day) or head to the computer lab to check my email, schedule, or to check my favorite blog (TUAW, of course).
I've been saving for the phone since it was first announced, working extra hours and selling stuff on eBay (including my iPod). I could not afford it if an expensive data plan is required.
I'm going to begin waiting in line around noon, and I don't want to get to the point of purchase only to be told "The iPhone requires a $50 a month data plan", effectively making an 8 GB model an $1800 (plus taxes) purchase.
Hopefully they will let everyone know the day of the release, not when they have to pay for their iPhone.
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james said 4:45PM on 6-21-2007
it's not even the cost that's the issue for me so much. it's a given that expense possibly to the extent of gouging is going to take place.
the thing for me is the surruptition and magic spells that apple and at&t are creating. like the public is so bewildered it doesn't really deserve to know much of the brass tacks. i've had enough sizzle from the iphone all around. i want some steak. tell me it's a million dollars a year, and i'll say, "well, that sucks, but at least they weren't patronizing about it."
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Mattazuma said 4:46PM on 6-21-2007
I asked an AT&T online chat person yesterday and they said the rate would be announced on the 29th, FWIW.
There is no way AT&T going to allow people get the iPhone without a data plan. I bet they are trying to head off "the $80 minimum iPhone bill" stories by waiting until the 29th.
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Billy K said 5:02PM on 6-21-2007
Yep - really pisses me off. Also makes me think it's not going to be very generous. They're afraid to announce their lousy plan and cool the red-hot buzz.
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KR said 5:23PM on 6-21-2007
I would hope they'd cut rates slightly on voice and data in hopes of luring more people in. Something along the lines of "Look, the phone is really cool, and it costs less to get a ton of voice minutes and an unlimited data plan if you get it instead of one of the other smartphones."
Just wishful thinking I guess. As much as I'd like an iPhone, it's not the cost of the piece of hardware itself, it's the potential $100-120/month service that's turning me off. If they could provide me with some hefty minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, a fair number of text messages, and unlimited data for somewhere around $60-75 a month, I'd jump for joy. I doubt it'll happen though.
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Rick said 5:36PM on 6-21-2007
NOW does everybody understand why Apple generally waits until they have a product complete until they deliver it??
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james said 7:35PM on 6-21-2007
if they wait until things are complete, why did they bother announcing it in january? why not just wait until it was closer, things were more solid, and they lay it all out on the line to dry? instead, they announced it too early to placate a touchy market and take advantage of cultish marketing.
it's just bad behaviour, and i hope it's understandible if i expected a little more from a company whose products i have typically really cared about.
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Dp said 8:40PM on 6-21-2007
Exactly! I am only interested in the iphone if I can get it without a data plan. Wifi will work for me at work and at home. Anywhere else, I 'll get wifi access where I can get it.
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Michael said 8:19PM on 6-21-2007
"one ringee-dingee... two ringee-dingee... -uh, hello. have i reached the party to whom i am speaking?"
Ah. maw bell is BACK!
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GadgetGav said 10:07PM on 6-21-2007
AT&T have said they will announce plans before the 29th, and that it "won't be exotic" as if a cellphone plan somehow could be...
I think it's safe to assume that, as #10 points out, the iPhone plan will be along the lines of the Blackberry plan because it's hardware specific, not a generic smartphone, so I think it's also fair to assume that it will be a similar cost.
It's also hardly worth whining about now. If they wait til the 29th to tell us, there's nothing we can do about it except refuse to buy it. Even if they do wait until the 29th, the information will be out in time for the morning news broadcasts, so by the time the stores close at 4pm or reopen at 6pm, you'll have had chance to know if you want to get in line or not.
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