Whoa! The ATT Media Max package is $40 a month!

[kablooie]

This is their required unlimited data plan.

With the $600 cost of the iPhone that brings the cost to over $1500 for the minimum 2 year plan.

And that's on top of the regular cellphone bill. (and your regular home internet costs too, of course)

Seems a bit ... no, not a bit ... TERRIBLY pricey to me.

I know everyone wants one but how many will be able to afford it?

 

[Martin.]

maybe they have somethin up their sleeve? its gonna be a surprise when it finally comes out...
OMG FREE for like 3 months.....

 

[baggss]

That's not too far off from other PDA phone plans from other providers. My Treo 700P (Verizon) was ~$550 and the monthly data plan (unlimited) is $44. Mine is on a shared minutes plan with my family, something I'm sure AT&T will offer with the iPhone.

 

[jotdess]

I really hope so because the plan seems pricey.

 

[MinaMACMan]

Funny just posted a link for an article concerning iPhone affordability and who is most likely to have it.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64975

 

[Cashmonee]

Right now I pay $75 for 2 lines, one of them a smartphone, 1000mins, both with data and unlimited texts and 7pm n/w. I looked into cingular last week for the Blackberry Curve (which has a $30 data plan), and it would have cost me $120. That was with 700 min, 9pm n/w data and unlimited text on 1 phone not 2. It would have been another $40-$60 to add unlimited data and text to the second line. Thanks but no thanks. The thing that could kill the iPhone is Cingular.

 

[mck_tj05]

Right now I pay $75 for 2 lines, one of them a smartphone, 1000mins, both with data and unlimited texts and 7pm n/w. I looked into cingular last week for the Blackberry Curve (which has a $30 data plan), and it would have cost me $120. That was with 700 min, 9pm n/w data and unlimited text on 1 phone not 2. It would have been another $40-$60 to add unlimited data and text to the second line. Thanks but no thanks. The thing that could kill the iPhone is Cingular.

sounds like you have a SERO plan? if so do you like it?

 

[Cashmonee]

sounds like you have a SERO plan? if so do you like it?

Actually it is just an older plan. My point is that a lot of people have plans they have been on for some time, and are getting great deals from their current carrier. Switching to any carrier would be costly for most people. The iPod was easy to buy, the iPhone is not. It requires significantly more effort, and, in the end, it's exclusivity to Cingular may be it's biggest flaw.

 

[farmcock]

I agree that AT&T calling plans will kill the iPhone in the broader

market. An exclusive carrier deal will prove to be a misstake. Competition among carriers would have been to the consumer's benefit in light of the high cost of the phone. Many average consumers could buy one as easily as they can the video iPod, but when combined with the price monopoly of AT&T, the average Joe will simply wait for a 6th Generation Video iPod and keep their old beat up Motorola for a phone.
My carrier offers an unlimited, anytime, anywhere plan for $62 (incl tax). Cingular/AT&T doesn't offer this that I know of. Without such a plan, my monthly usage would equate to a $200 phone bill with Cingular and that doesn't count 'data'.

 

[fleurya]

I'm surprised so many people are upset over carrier exclusivity, a lot of phones debut under one carrier only. Granted, they usually don't stay that way for 5 years.

I was surprised to see the $40 when I know that Cingular had MediaNet with unlimited data for $20 a month, but it looks like AT&T promptly got rid of that option.

 

[trpnmonkey41]

There is a good possibility that they will have a plan just for the iPhone. Especially if the leaked "training guide" is true and it doesn't use MediaNET

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/09/iphone-details-uncovered-in-sales-training-workbook/

 

[speed4tu]

I have an older Cingular plan with unlimited interent, 1500 texts and 500 pic messages for 19.95 a month. No way I am getting rid of that plan for any phone. I will buy it on ebay if necessary to keep the plan.

 

[fleurya]

Good plan. I have a great plan now, but no medianet. I knew I should have got in on the $20 unlimited deal before they jacked up the price!

They may have a special SIM card that only works with the iPhone to counter that tactic, if they allow access to the SIM card at all.