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AT&T and Apple announce service plans, iTunes activation for iPhone

by David Chartier Jun 26th 2007 at 8:49AM

Here we go again folks: this time it's a double-dose of PR announcements from Apple and AT&T that finally answer some of our biggest questions about service plans and activation for the iPhone. First up: the iPhone will work with any of AT&T's service plans, but they have put together three bundle plans that include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail (apparently not included if choosing a standard plan), 200 SMS and of course, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. To quote Mr. Jobs, who clearly must have had some influence on this 'give them a simple package' approach: "We want to make choosing a service plan simple and easy, so every plan includes unlimited data with direct Internet access, along with Visual Voicemail and a host of other goodies." Yes, Steve Jobs is quoted as saying 'goodies.' These bundle plans - which all include the aforementioned features like unlimited data - work like so:
  • $59.99 for 450 minutes
  • $79.99 for 900 minutes
  • $99.99 for 1,350 minutes
Family plans are also available, though the press release makes no mention of what they are. Also, a $36 activation fee is required for all new plans.

Speaking of activation, the second press release should offer some relief to those worried about being able to unbox their own iPhone or waiting for every phone to get activated in the store. Apple and AT&T have announced that iPhones users will be able to "activate their new iPhones using Apple's popular iTunes(R) software running on a PC or Mac in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office." iTunes will guide users through choosing a service plan, authorizing their credit and activating the iPhone, after which they will of course be able to manage the synching process of all their bookmarks, contacts and iTunes media.

Considering unlimited data is included, these plans sound like pretty good deals. Top it all off with lines that should move pretty quickly in and out of Apple and AT&T stores, and we all might just make it through this weekend yet.

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Here we go again folks: this time it's a double-dose of PR announcements from Apple and AT&T that finally answer some of our biggest...
 

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62 Comments

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fatsuum

So, for an international student, can i buy an iphone and use prepaid card system in activating it at the first time connecting with iTunes?

September 08 2007 at 3:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
geraldine

ihaveai phonehow doyou activation online

July 01 2007 at 9:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

408-550-3542 CALL IT APPLE SET IT UP! ITS HILARIOUS!

June 28 2007 at 10:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gillian

Do these plans include free nights and weekends or is it 450/900/1250 minutes flat?

June 26 2007 at 9:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Clark

@41

I have the same question! I am a college student getting an iPhone under my mom's name. Maybe I can activate my phone under my account with her info? TUAW needs to do some investigative journalism on this one.

June 26 2007 at 3:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BrandynQ

Does anyone know if the Family Plans apply if there's two of us and only one has an iPhone?

June 26 2007 at 2:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lowbrass

@ 43

If you still have a year left on your contract with spirnt it would be less money in the long run to pay the $200 ETF because i am sure your plan is almost $80 a month and if you multiply that by 12 months you will pay $960 as opposed to 280 to get out of your contract

June 26 2007 at 2:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Piotr Malecki

So anyone want to bet that the rates for Canada will be

$1000 CDN for the 450min plan / month
$1030 CDN for the 900min plan / month
$1060 CDN for the 1350min plan / month

BTW the $59.99 USD plan should cost approximately $65CDN (exchange rate at www.xe.com) if the Canadian cell phone providers weren't r***ing us on the data plans (check the data plans for Bell.ca and rogerswireless.ca)

June 26 2007 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David S.

Not bad at all.. I was expecting an arm.. leg.. first born... I do have one question though.. If we are switching over from Verizon Family Plan how do we go to Cingulars family plan and only want one iphone and not two.. Guess I will soon find out. :)

June 26 2007 at 1:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AMGoff

Seeing as how the base Cingular (yes it's still Cingular to me, do you have any idea how long it took me to stop calling it Cellular One!) plan is $39.99 with 450 minutes and rollover, this is one hell of a deal. Add on the 5 bucks a month I already spend for the 200 texts and this deal gets even sweeter. Cingular's current data pricing is horrendous, I was expecting at least $80 a month. Whomever commented on the need for a 100 minute plan needs to get a grip, although I have no idea what other carriers offer, I'm fairly certain there haven't been plans that low in quite some time, I remember having to fight tooth and nail to keep my 250 minute plan (Which I did, so that goes to show that consumer loyalty still counts for something). And to everyone that balks at Cingular's service, all I know is I've had the same account and phone number for 12 years and I've never had a problem, even through all the Nextel and Verizon hype. It's good service with decent customer service and that says a lot these days. Nonetheless this announcement has finally justified my decision to buy one.

June 26 2007 at 12:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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