It has been widely rumored that AT&T intends to adjust their service plan pricing in an attempt to draw in more customers because it is becoming ever more apparent that the poor economy and the increasing competition from other carriers is hurting overall iPhone sales, and today’s report simply adds to those thoughts.
TheStreet.com is reporting on comments made by analyst Michael Cote, who suggests that AT&T is currently mulling the idea of reducing their current basic iPhone service plan rate from $69 to $59. Cote indicates that AT&T would like to launch the new service plan rates alongside the next-gen iPhone launch at the World Wide Developers Conference on June 8th.
Cote also reports that the iPhone’s sales through Wal-Mart have been less than stellar, giving AT&T even more reason to drop their rates. He does not see Apple creating a lower-cost device as they have been rumored to do, because AT&T has supposedly recognized that the issue is on their side and they are willing to work with Apple to make the contracts more affordable.
Aside from all of that, Apple and AT&T must take into consideration how the the launch of the Palm Pre and the sudden rise of consumer level BlackBerry models will affect sales as well.
Competition is always a good thing, at least for consumers. There is no doubt that a service plan rate reduction would help drive interest in the iPhone, and doing so when the next-gen iPhone releases would only make the launch even more exciting. Hopefully these are more than just silly rumors, because after all, who wouldn’t want to save a couple extra bucks on their plan?
A positive possibility but I’d be MUCH happier with the iPhone data plan dropping $10 or just adding the basic 200 ( $5 ) SMS / MMS plan into the $30 iPhone data plan.
I agree, $10 off would make the monthly bill more palateable…
Hell, let’s make it really savings oriented, match what sprint offers. $99 for unlimited calling, data, text, mms, navigation and much much more. Then we’ll talk, afterall, what’s $10, after taxes that gets eaten.
AT&T should drop there prices…every little bit helps!!!
thats nice & everything, but in todays day wtf is ten dollars ? and if they are considering dropping iPhone rate plans , then they should do the same to Blackberry’s . ilove AT&T without a doubt, their service is to me is never dissapointing & ihave a Blackberry Curve 8310 . now the prices is where iget frustrated , idont pay my bill my mother does so with that iam limited to certain things . we only have unlimited text , which is an extra $30 on the bill . we have NO internet, well we do but its PayPerUse MediaNET, so we dont get Intant Messaging, Email, BBM, etc. now my mom recently decided she would turn the Internet on, she called an AT&T representative & they told her should would have to pay $30 for my line & $30 for her line which would make the bill $60 more a month, we have 1400 mins (89.99) Unlimited Text (30.00) other BS services that come up to like $30 extra a month so adding that unlimited Internet would raise the bill over $200 , which is death . i’ve come to realize that All Carriers have expensive Blackberry Rate plans Besides sprint, but they have horrible service . ibelieve they should give more reasonable BB plans, since the BB world is expanding anyway they’d still have a lot of $ . & also they should combine that Internet Plan w. texting cause $90 a month for internet & texting is bogus for people who have a family plan. thats not only an arm & a leg , but its a freakin LUNG . come on AT&T give your Loyal customers a damn break , pple already struggling as it is .
ATT SUX!!! Their service sux, their call quality (what quality) SUX, and I don’t like their phones!!
I’m in the Phoenix area and it is DROP CALL CITY!! I have used ATT in 5 different states from the west to the east and rarely had and quality in the reception.
So I left ATT and went with Cricket. Yes, their over-seas customer service sux, but the call quality blows ATT right out of the water!!! So if you can get by without having to deal with customer service, you will be far ahead. Besides, I have learned NOT to call 611 or Cricket CS. I now call Leap Wireless directly! Americans ho will get the job done.