To all Iphone owners

I live In Michigan's Upper Peninsula and looked into getting a 3G Iphone. That was until I was quoted a min monthly price of $130 a month thru AT&T! I have Internet at home and am able to pick up free wifi around town on my 2G Touch. Why would I pay for an additional IP? Can some one explain?

Don't know. Why would you?

You've omitted a lot of important detail that would get you a better answer. I suspect you also omitted a lot of important detail when you asked AT&T about this.

A 3G iPhone bought from AT&T requires a data plan, separate of your home wifi. The data portion of the plan appears to cost $30/month, regardless of the other details of your plan. Voice portions start at $30/month for a total of $60 a month, not $130. It sounds to me as if you "require" a lot more minutes/texts/extras than the minimum.

That's the deal with a smartphone. It costs more to own and operate than a regular cell phone.

It's possible to buy a used iPhone and avoid the requirement of a 3G plan, which would save you some money if you have constant access to wifi. I don't live in the US anymore so I'm not sure of the details, but I'd recommend caution when buying used.

Clarification

After the price of the phone, $130 is the cheapest per month. Bare bones. No extras! This can't be right. How can Iphone users afford this calling plan! My Blackberry is only $89 no extras per month. ( My wife freaked )
I'm going back to AT&T and talking to the store manager. What do the rest of you pay per month? What features what options? Just curious.

Again, you're not providing us with details. Is this a single or a family plan? How many minutes per month? Does that $130 include texting?

Like chas stated above, the absolute minimum you can get away with is $60 a month. I just checked AT&T's website and I don't see how you can even get up to $130 a month. Unlimited calling is $70, iPhone data plan is $30, and unlimited messaging is $20, for a total of $120. The only way I can see you getting up to $130 is if you add in things like AT&T Navigator, Roadside Assistance, or VoiceDial.

Also, you don't have to purchase through AT&T, you can just walk into an Apple Store, buy an iPhone, and create a new plan with the options you want, ranging from a bare bones $60 to $120 for unlimited everything, or you can do the same thing online at either the AT&T or Apple website.

chas_m said:

It's possible to buy a used iPhone and avoid the requirement of a 3G plan, which would save you some money if you have constant access to wifi. I don't live in the US anymore so I'm not sure of the details, but I'd recommend caution when buying used.

Click to expand...

AT&T is going to automatically add the iPhone data package to the phone. No way around it.

Eric559 said:

AT&T is going to automatically add the iPhone data package to the phone. No way around it.

Click to expand...

Unless you get it third-party and shove your old SIM into it... assuming you can get the little tray out.

Anyway, my iPhone (16GB 3GS) is only around $85 a month. My husband and I share a family plan with my parents and little sister. I suggest looking into a shared plan for your wife and yourself. You'll get a large-ish pool of minutes to share, as well as rollover minutes that don't expire. That means that you don't lose what you don't use.

Sounds like a funky rappable product slogan to me!

Eric559 said:

AT&T is going to automatically add the iPhone data package to the phone. No way around it.

Click to expand...

On a new phone, yes. On an old out-of-contract phone, no.

I know this because I have an iPhone on a US plan that does not include data.

chas_m said:

On a new phone, yes. On an old out-of-contract phone, no.

I know this because I have an iPhone on a US plan that does not include data.

Click to expand...

They don't force you to get a dataplan ? It's strictly wifi only?

I would double check those prices tax and all I pay 103.00 a month for my iPhone and
wifes Razor with no texting.

Interesting chas_m about you not having data. AT&T should automatically add a data plan to the account. I purchased a att BB from eBay and the only way for me to activate it on the account was to have the data plan as well. I got a txt saying that it would be added automatically. I work for a Verizon indirect and we are the same exact way.

Good for you though!