Well folks, it looks as though we finally have the answer to that burning question. Just how much will AT&T want from customers already under contract (that aren’t eligible for an upgrade) for a new iPhone? Hit the jump for the answer.
Those customers not eligible for an upgrade will have to pay $399 for an 8GB iPhone 3G and $499 for the 16GB model. While this is still considerably more than the $199 price for new customers, it is still cheaper than the original iPhone.
Additionally, AT&T has announced that they will offer no-contract-required iPhones in the future at $599 and $699 price points. With less than two weeks to go, it looks like AT&T is finally getting us some answers.
We announce various prices, text message plans, store hours and other details.
Send me any questions you have, and I’ll try to get them answered quickly. There are a few details that we have not ironed out, but we will have everything answered prior to launch on July 11.
We have three detailed videos now posted that describe how to be iReady. One for current customers, one for new customers and one about hand-me-down original iPhones.
Media Kit: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/attvideolog
AT&T: How to be iReady for iPhone 3G: Other Customers
Highlights:
* Tips, FAQs, a checklist for consumers, and a tool to check upgrade eligibility have just launched at: www.att.com/iphone
* iPhone 3G will be available for $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) for iPhone customers who purchased an iPhone prior to 7/11, customers activating a new line with AT&T and current AT&T customers who are eligible for an upgrade
* Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement.
* A number of service plans will be available, starting with the AT&T Nation 450 plan that includes unlimited data, 450 Anytime Minutes and 5,000 Night & Weekend Minutes for $69.99 a month. Text message plans are available separately starting at $5/month for 200 messages.
Press Release: AT&T ANNOUNCES iPHONE 3G PRICING AND TIPS TO BE iREADY
Online Resources Available to Help Customers Prepare for Purchase
Variety of Attractive Plans Combine Voice and Unlimited Data
DALLAS, July 1, 2008 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today announced iPhone 3G pricing for new and existing AT&T customers, several attractive voice and data plans, and tips on how to be “iReady” when iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T retail stores at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, July 11.
“We can’t wait to offer iPhone 3G to our customers, and we want to make sure the buying process is as easy as possible,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T’s wireless unit. “Considering all the great new features of iPhone 3G, we think our pricing and monthly plans present a tremendous value for consumers and businesses alike.”
Pricing and Eligibility
AT&T is making it easy for customers to prepare for their iPhone 3G purchase by posting “Get iReady” tips and frequently asked questions at www.att.com/iphone. The site also will include a link for customers to check their upgrade eligibility and other wireless account information.
iPhone 3G will be available for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. These prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers:
· iPhone customers who purchased before July 11*
· Customers activating a new line with AT&T
· Current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount
Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement. In the future, AT&T will offer a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).
Current customers may also choose to wait until they become eligible for an upgrade discount. Eligibility is generally determined by amount of time remaining on a current contract and payment history.
Current AT&T customers who are upgrading to iPhone 3G will pay an $18 upgrade fee and new AT&T customers will pay the standard $36 activation fee.
Voice, Data and Text Messaging Plans
AT&T brings iPhone 3G customers the best coverage on the globe and the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community with unlimited calling to AT&T’s 71.4 million wireless customers. iPhone 3G customers can choose from four individual AT&T Nation plans, which bundle voice and unlimited data (e-mail and Web browsing).
AT&T NationSM Unlimited: Includes unlimited Anytime Minutes for $129.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 1350: Includes 1350 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $109.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 900: Includes 900 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $89.99 a month.
AT&T Nation 450: Includes 450 Anytime Minutes and 5,000 Night & Weekend Minutes for $69.99 a month.
All AT&T Nation and AT&T FamilyTalk® plans for iPhone 3G include nationwide long distance and roaming, Visual Voicemail, Rollover®, unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling and Caller ID.
AT&T will offer FamilyTalk plans, with bundled voice and unlimited data, starting as low as $129.99 a month for two iPhone 3G lines. Up to three additional iPhone lines can be added for $39.99 each.
Unlimited text messaging can be added for an additional $20 ($30 for FamilyTalk plans of up to five lines); $15 (1,500 messages), or $5 (200 messages).
iPhone for Business
Business customers interested in iPhone 3G should contact an AT&T business sales representative or review their account information online to determine their eligibility for upgrade pricing. Corporate e-mail and other business applications require the Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone, which is $45 a month and bundled with an eligible voice plan. Small business customers may qualify for AT&T BusinessTalk, the industry’s only shared plan specifically for small businesses. Additional details on iPhone business offerings are available at www.att.com/iphoneforbusiness.
iPhone 2.0 Software
All iPhone customers will benefit from the iPhone 2.0 software, which will be pre-loaded on all iPhone 3Gs and available as a free download for current iPhone customers. The new software will include numerous enhancements, such as business-class e-mail access via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync; the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), which allows a business to easily create applications customized to its needs; and the App Store, which offers a wide-range of applications — from games to business, education to entertainment and productivity to social networking. For example, AT&T has developed YELLOWPAGES.COM Mobile for iPhone, which takes local mobile search to a new level by allowing users to discover businesses and local events based on their popularity among other iPhone users, get directions and access business reviews.
* iPhone 3G is available to customers who are currently prepaid customers; however, there is no prepaid plan for iPhone 3G. Additionally, customers’ accounts must be in good standing at the time of purchase.
With all of the official information finally coming down from AT&T, many of our questions have been answered. Of course, every answer seems to bring up more questions. Thankfully we’ve been in touch with AT&T PR Representative Brad Mays who has happily answered a few of our burning questions. Hit the jump for a transcript of our Q&A.
This year as Apple roles out the iPhone 3G you will see their environmental agreement come into play. Last year Steve Jobs promised a Greener Apple, and this year we will see that the packing supplies have changed for the iPhone. Now, the iPhone will be shipped in a starch paper tray, made mostly of potato starches.
