Details I got from an AT&T rep

STNLESS · 06-21-2007, 11:10 AM

I was planning on going to the store and getting an iPhone for myself and my fiance. I called 611 from my phone and spoke to AT&T. Here is what I was told:

You cannot buy phones for other people. If you want to setup a phone on an existing account you need to be the account holder. To get around this issue I was told to setup a FamilyTalk plan prior to launch. In this way, both lines would be on my account so I could be allowed to get both phones.

There are some interesting details:

Both of us have exceeded our contract time... just paying month to month.

If I transfer her account into mine ($18 fee) and convert to a 2 Line FamilyTalk plan then her line is automatically entered into an 11 month contract. When we both get iPhones then both lines are entered into new 2 year contracts.

There is an $18 per line fee to change phones on our existing numbers. If we don't want to do that, we can each get a new number but then there is a $36 per line activation fee.

It was previously unknown to me that by buying an iPhone I will have to pay an $18 fee to change the phone on my account regardless of contract status.

The cheapest single line phone plan* is $39.99 for 450 Mins (w/ roll-over)
The cheapest FamilyTalk plan* is $59.99 for 550 Shared Mins (w/ roll-over)

Text Messaging plans* (per line) are:

200 Messages is $4.99
400 Messages is $9.99
TXT Unlimited is $19.99

* All prices are "plus tax"

wjp09 · 06-21-2007, 11:12 AM

I don't see why you need to pay 18 for putting your sim card in another phone.

TrippalHealicks · 06-21-2007, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by STNLESS

I was planning on going to the store and getting an iPhone for myself and my fiance. I called 611 from my phone and spoke to AT&T. Here is what I was told:

You cannot buy phones for other people. If you want to setup a phone on an existing account you need to be the account holder. To get around this issue I was told to setup a FamilyTalk plan prior to launch. In this way, both lines would be on my account so I could be allowed to get both phones.

There are some interesting details:

Both of us have exceeded our contract time... just paying month to month.

If I transfer her account into mine ($18 fee) and convert to a 2 Line FamilyTalk plan then her line is automatically entered into an 11 month contract. When we both get iPhones then both lines are entered into new 2 year contracts.

There is an $18 per line fee to change phones on our existing numbers. If we don't want to do that, we can each get a new number but then there is a $36 per line activation fee.

It was previously unknown to me that by buying an iPhone I will have to pay an $18 fee to change the phone on my account regardless of contract status.

The cheapest single line phone plan* is $39.99 for 450 Mins (w/ roll-over)
The cheapest FamilyTalk plan* is $59.99 for 550 Shared Mins (w/ roll-over)

Text Messaging plans* (per line) are:

200 Messages is $4.99
400 Messages is $9.99
TXT Unlimited is $19.99

* All prices are "plus tax"

Thanks for info from like 3 months ago. Just to be even more of an ass, there's an Unlimited (in-network) Text message package for $9.99.

TrippalHealicks · 06-21-2007, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by wjp09

I don't see why you need to pay 18 for putting your sim card in another phone.

Welcome to mobile phone service providers.

STNLESS · 06-21-2007, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by TrippalHealicks

Thanks for info from like 3 months ago. Just to be even more of an ass, there's an Unlimited (in-network) Text message package for $9.99.

I'm quoting what was told to me by the rep.

I see you are perfect and NEVER mention ANYTHING ever said by anyone prior... I'm new to the board and have not read everything. Way to make me feel welcome by shooting down my desire to just provide information that I have.

Don't be such a smug jerk.

spacerog · 06-21-2007, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by STNLESS

The cheapest single line phone plan* is $39.99 for 450 Mins (w/ roll-over)
The cheapest FamilyTalk plan* is $59.99 for 550 Shared Mins (w/ roll-over)

Text Messaging plans* (per line) are:

200 Messages is $4.99
400 Messages is $9.99
TXT Unlimited is $19.99

That is assuming that no new plans are introduced between now and June 29. I strongly suspect that there will be new plans.

- SR

STNLESS · 06-21-2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by TrippalHealicks

Welcome to mobile phone service providers.

I was informed by AT&T that:

The iPhone has a preinstalled sim card which AT&T reps are instructed to use. Also, if you move your sim card to another phone it will require a call to AT&T to activate it. Each activation would reset your 2 year contract start date.

STNLESS · 06-21-2007, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by spacerog

That is assuming that no new plans are introduced between now and June 29. I strongly suspect that there will be new plans.

Absolutely, I agree. I was just remarking on what is available now.

wjp09 · 06-21-2007, 11:28 AM

Thats BS. ^ Unless they were talking about the iphone only because I can tell you I've moved sims back and forth with no problem.

TrippalHealicks · 06-21-2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by STNLESS

I was informed by AT&T that:

The iPhone has a preinstalled sim card which AT&T reps are instructed to use. Also, if you move your sim card to another phone it will require a call to AT&T to activate it. Each activation would reset your 2 year contract start date.

I haven't heard about the reset thing, but I wouldn't be surprised. And yes, the SIM card is pre-installed and pretty "locked down". It can be removed, but I guess you would risk it not working if you put it back in (?) I dunno....
I hate AT&T, honestly. And by what i've heard, all other mobile providers are just alike, too. Sorry to be an ass to you earlier, we're just seeing a large influx of new guys that don't use the search function. yours actually wasn't all that bad, as at least you included a little bit of stuff that some ppl may not have known.