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AT&T Considering Lower-Price Limited Data Plans For iPhone?

Submitted by Edward Kirk on May 18, 2009 - 2:51pm.
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AT&T's expensive "unlimited" data plan is one of the biggest reasons people decide not to get an iPhone, but they may be planning on doing something about it. BusinessWeek claims to have sources "with knowledge of the company's thinking" who say AT&T is considering offering a limited data plan for the iPhone at a lower price than the current "unlimited" data plan to entice fence-sitters who aren't willing to pay the $30 a month.

The plan would be offered at $10 less than the unlimited plan, and could be offered as soon as May.

It is believed that the cheaper plan could be a result of the ongoing negotiations between AT&T and Apple to extend their contract to have AT&T remain the sole carrier for the iPhone in the United States. "We understand it's part of the extension [of its contract] that AT&T wants to maintain," said Richard Doherty, director at consultant Envisioneering Group. It is possible that AT&T may be more willing to bend to Apple's requests to maintain their exclusivity.

Additionally, Doherty notes that the cost of producing iPhones has decreased by nearly a third as the cost of producing touchscreens, the most expensive component, has greatly decreased.

[via Business Week]

Submitted by Stephen007 on May 18, 2009 - 3:34pm.
I, along with many others, would love this development. It's not a ton of money to save ($10/mo.) but it's one of those little nagging things... Am I really using this enough to justify $30 a month for unlimited data? It's the sole reason my wife does not have an iPhone. She can't justify the data fee.

In our case most of the internet usage is done on home WiFi (which wouldn't count) so there wouldn't be that much actual usage out on AT&T's 3G network. A limited plan would be great.

As for those who might go over on such a plan... this will probably not be a good idea and might actually be a BAD idea.

$40 a month?

Submitted by MarcoIac on May 18, 2009 - 3:39pm.
I pay $20/month for my 1st gen iPhone (BTW, EDGE sucks more and more, even $20 is a rip off for such a slow connection).

yes

Submitted by madscientest on May 18, 2009 - 4:15pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoIac View Post
I pay $20/month for my 1st gen iPhone (BTW, EDGE sucks more and more, even $20 is a rip off for such a slow connection).
yes, your right, then add in the cost of text messages! Lame. and yes, i didnt want to upgrade from the 2g for the same reason but mine broke. I noticed the 2g service get slower and slower. I pay more for 3g service on my cell phone than I do at my house for a 6mb dl speed. Whats wrong with that pic?

40 bucks where?

Submitted by Josito on May 18, 2009 - 5:23pm.
AT&T only charges 30 for the unlimited plan not 40, but even that is to much in my oppinion. It is a big reason why people won't get an iPhone, I love my iPhone to death and wish everyone had one but not everyone can afford the extra 30 a month for just owning it, since it's not an option for iPhone owners add to that the cost att charges for text messaging even to those on the same carrier and your paying over 90 bucks a month for one phone on a mid end minute plan.

30 for unlimited data is a rip off 20 for limited is highway robbery, when you consider the fact that theese phones include wifi capabilities, and so many places now a days offer free wifi and just about every home has a wireless router. If I was apple I'd say to AT&T make the data free or no new contract will be given, then let the competitive war begin.

I would love a limited plan

Submitted by linnefaulk on May 18, 2009 - 6:24pm.
I have an iPod Touch which is fine most of the time. But there are times when I wish I had an iPhone. I don't use my cell phone much now so a limited plan would be nice.

both ways

Submitted by rocknvrdie on May 19, 2009 - 12:23pm.
It seems like everyone wants it both ways. You cant have a fast connection and expect not to pay anything for it. We complain of too many people on the network making things slow down, I think the $30.00 plan probably helps keep some people off and keeps the speeds to at least as fast as they are now.

Submitted by tchaves on May 19, 2009 - 4:07pm.
AT&T just needs to figure out if a $10 drop will justify enough new iPhone users to cover their lost revenue. I would imagine it would tip the scales for a lot of people.