New Pricing Model for iPhone?

[crokett]

AT&T may change pricing model to usage-based:
http://www.techworld.com.au/article/...one_data_usage

[cabinetman]

I've had a cellphone since '88 and IIRC it was a usage thing then.
.

[crokett]

Most plans still are usage-based. The wrinkle here is AT&T forced you to get the unlimited plan with the iphone because they could charge more than limited plans. Now they are running out of bandwidth and ooops!

[gerti]

And I think we can assume that it will not get any cheaper for folks using their iPhone just a little, but it will get a lot more expensive for the ones using it a lot.

I can't wait for other carriers in the US to offer the iPhone. AT&T has milked the iPhone to the max, without ensuring their network can handle it (note: the cheapest monthly cost for an iPhone is around $75!!! That should buy a lot of service!). Now they've hit (or exceeded) the limits, and the iPhone users are suddenly evil.

IMHO the only reasons other smart phones don't use that much bandwidth is because they are just not all that usable...

[jackellis]

I can and have used my Blackberry as a modem. I can and have come close to the 2.5 GB/month allowance included in the data plan.

The thing about iPhones is that it literally invites users to do things that suck bandwidth.

I can live without an iPhone until they get much cheaper.

[chopnhack]

Any thoughts on the new phone android?

[Thalermade]

........ Now they are running out of bandwidth and ooops!

hmmm, where can they find more bandwidth?

The End of High Definition Broadcasting


anybody need a TV antenna...
Russ

[pacwind3]

Loml and I got iPhones a week ago. Seriously love them. I would like it if the data plan were about ten bucks a month cheaper though. The 2g plan was only 15 a month which is much more reasonable.

[leehljp]

The thing about iPhones is that it literally invites users to do things that suck bandwidth.

You are right about that! If AT&T thinks data is being used now, just wait until this takes off with the iPhone. (3G video broadcasting on iPhone)

I can live without an iPhone until they get much cheaper.

Me too! They began to offer the iPhone over here without the data plan but required a 2 year sign up - 23 months before my departure to the States.

I already dealt with one early termination and it cost me about $250 to do an early termination by 2 months in '05.

[Photojosh]

I'm starting my 4th year with an iphone and I'm not going to lie, it's the best phone Ive ever owned. It does, more or less, exactly what I want a phone to do. Not perfect, but nothing ever is.

[Tom Slick]

[elusive sarcasm icon]
My phone does everything I want it to also. It rings, I answer and talk. Sometimes I make it call someone then I talk. Sometimes I need it to be quiet so it has a vibrate function. I don't really ask for much more.

I just got a Casio G'zOne Rock. I think I can use it as a hammer, blender, or a weapon if need be.

[jking]

Any thoughts on the new phone android?

No personal experience, but, I can tell you my brother-in-law was tying one out over Thanksgiving & really likes it. It sounded like he thought it was as good or better than the iPhone.

[Kristofor]

Any thoughts on the new phone android?

The flexibility is "better" with android. But I say that coming from the position of the flexibility being better with Windows or Linux than Mac OS. The absolute number of apps is still better today on the iPhone. The navigation system with free content updates looks like a great feature to me.

Sure you're going to have stuff that doesn't work smoothly for everyone. But you're not stuck hoping that someone at Apple will approve an app that might not meet their standards/wishes. Getting political I'll say - My device, my choice! Keep your appstore rules out of my phone in my bedroom!

[knobcreekman]

IPhone + Jailbreak = greatest phone ever! I've used every style phone there is and the iPhone is the best (if money's not an object ). as far as it goes verses android... the iPhone is soooo much smoother and snappier to operate... as far as the app rules go... that's why I said iPhone PLUS jailbreak equals the greatest phone ever... there's not too much you cant do!

[unknown poster]

I don't think they're going to change the rules for iPhone users. AT&T has millions of customers under contract. If they change the pricing, or the rules for using the network, they give these customers a way out of the contract. Maybe they'll change the rules for new customers, but that would encourage new users to go to the competition instead.