Add to 
AT&T has announced a number of essential information about iPhone 3G for you to be "iReady", when it hits their stores on Friday July 11th. They’ve confirmed that iPhone 3G will be available for sale at 8.00 AM next Friday. iP3G plans start from $70 for 450 minutes (including unlimited internet usage). No text messages include with the plan. You can add free text messages to your plan, and it starts from $5 and goes upto $30. 3G networks require more capital to build and operate, so we can’t totally blame AT&T for raising the prices. Here’s more on iP3G:
- Two-year contract required to get iP3G for $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB).
- If you are not eligible for an upgrade, you’ll be paying $399 and $499.
- New customers will pay $36 and existing customers will pay $18 for activation.
- iP3G will soon be available with no contracts for $599 (8GB) and $699 (16GB)
I find it pretty odd! Why would anybody want to shell out another $400 to buy iP3G with no-contract attached? Basically, iP3G works only on AT&T network, and customers won’t be getting any rebates on monthly tariff, if they buy iP3G with no contract attached. AT&T has a maximum early termination fee of $175, which keeps reducing by $5 per month you own iPhone. If you do some math, it’ll all come below $400.
If iP3G was available with a removable sim card, which would work on any network, then it would surely make sense. But why buy a phone, which is already locked down to AT&T network? AT&T’s rate plans for iP3G goes like this:
AT&T Nation (with unlimited data):
- $69.99 - 450 anytime minutes, 45¢ each additional minute, 5,000 night / weekend minutes
- $89.99 - 900 anytime minutes, 40¢ each additional minute, unlimited night / weekend minutes
- $109.99 - 1,350 anytime minutes, 35¢ each additional minute, unlimited night / weekend minutes
- $129.99 - Unlimited minutes
AT&T FamilyTalk (including 2 lines and unlimited internet/night weekend minutes)
- $129.99 - 700 anytime minutes, 45¢ each additional minute
- $149.99 - 1,400 anytime minutes, 40¢ each additional minute
- $169.99 - 2,100 anytime minutes, 35¢ each additional minute
- $209.99 - 3,000 anytime minutes, 25¢ each additional minute
- $259.99 - 4,000 anytime minutes, 20¢ each additional minute
- $359.99 - 6,000 anytime minutes, 20¢ each additional minute
- $259.99 - Unlimited minutes ($129.99 each additional line)
Additional charges for text messages:
- $5 - 200 messages per month (individual plan)
- $15 - 1,500 messages per month (individual plan)
- $20 - Unlimited messages (individual plan)
- $30 - Unlimited messages (FamilyTalk plan)
- 20¢ per message if no plan is selected
Written by 
wrote, on July 3rd, 2008
Activation fees? Is that an effort to avoid unlocking?
I really can’t understand the logic behind that, the more networks available for users, the more sales. Or am I missing something?
wrote, on July 3rd, 2008
Dude, thats expensive !! But lets hope that some smart fella is gonna unlock and we can all use it without the contract.
Think about it. We pay $199 for a thing which costs $499 and keep it. Thats kinda unfair. Wait, that sounds like theft. OMG !!
I can’t wait for the drama to begin.
Whats your take, Thilak ?
wrote, on July 3rd, 2008
I gotta agree with you 100%, no one should be thinking about buying an iP3G since its locked to AT&T. So getting a contract with them would make much more sense. Although if unlocking was an option then it would be a different story….
wrote, on July 3rd, 2008
I agree with you Wii. This network locking of handsets is absolute nonsense, especially if you pay for the handset up front. Understand this kind of thing happening when phones are sold under contract, but not on outright purchase. Ultimately they are only limiting themselves and their potential market by doing this.
wrote, on July 3rd, 2008
Thanks for the information about iPhone prices etc.
Why would anyone pay $599 for an iPhone without contract?, you ask.
Well, if you live in another country, and don’t want to be tied to a specific supplier, you would. At least, I will.
In Europe, the prices of Apple products are the same in euro as in dollars. I.g. Shuffle $49 or 49 euro. As 1 euro = $0.69, this is another reason why I would prefer to buy the iPhone in the US.
wrote, on July 4th, 2008
They are overestimating the advantage of mobility offered by iphones. At this kind of pricing, I suspect that very soon there will be discounts. Except for novelty hunters, it will be worthwhile waiting before buying.
wrote, on July 6th, 2008
That’s why all iPhone owners love Zibri. And install cracked firmware.
There more you try to bind, the more chains they’ll break
wrote, on July 6th, 2008
Hope there would be a counter offer of this package in the Phils.