Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan.

[mav]

At the end of each of the three Apple iPhone commercials, it clearly states... "Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Keywords are new and activation.

For the past couple of days, I've been trying to figure out what this exactly means for us, current AT&T customers. Unfortunately I think I've found out how Apple and AT&T will deal with this and it's not looking good.

I've called several AT&T stores in the SoCal area. Nine out of ten of the AT&T stores, blatantly stated that they will only sell the iPhone to either new customers performing new activations or current customers who are towards the end of their contract or out of one, eligible for an upgrade and willing to renew for a new 2 year contract. Current AT&T customers under contract, who are not eligible for an upgrade will not be allowed to purchase the iPhone. The one other implied the same policy but said that you are more than welcome to stand in line, camp out, do whatever you need to do, but they cannot guarantee the iPhone for current customers already in a contract.

Next, I called several Apple stores in SoCal. All of them stated that the iPhone will require a minimum new 2 year activation contract with AT&T. They do not know how they will handle current AT&T customers but they cannot guarantee that current customers will be able to purchase one.

To make a long story short, I think current AT&T customers under contract and not eligible for an upgrade will probably be locked out of the iPhone market.

Disappointed.

[ebrunn]

Originally Posted by mav

At the end of each of the three Apple iPhone commercials, it clearly states... "Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Keywords are new and activation.

For the past couple of days, I've been trying to figure out what this exactly means for us, current AT&T customers. Unfortunately I think I've found out how Apple and AT&T will deal with this and it's not looking good.

I've called several AT&T stores in the SoCal area. Nine out of ten of the AT&T stores, blatantly stated that they will only sell the iPhone to either new customers performing new activations or current customers who are towards the end of their contract or out of one, eligible for an upgrade and willing to renew for a new 2 year contract. Current AT&T customers under contract, who are not eligible for an upgrade will not be allowed to purchase the iPhone. The one other implied the same policy but said that you are more than welcome to stand in line, camp out, do whatever you need to do, but they cannot guarantee the iPhone for current customers already in a contract.

Next, I called several Apple stores in SoCal. All of them stated that the iPhone will require a minimum new 2 year activation contract with AT&T. They do not know how they will handle current AT&T customers but they cannot guarantee that current customers will be able to purchase one.

To make a long story short, I think current AT&T customers under contract and not eligible for an upgrade will probably be locked out of the iPhone market.

Disappointed.

I think that most of their customer base is still Cingular, so this is a good way to get them into Att contracts. Thats the only reason why they are doing it. This will prolly be the last time this will happen with the iPhone.

[lasquintanas]

Luckily i am up for an upgrade but i would be furious if i had the money to buy an iphone and they wouldn't let me. Seems silly.

[tompayne]

agreed, i too am up for an upgrade, but that doesnt make any sense at all.....thats like saying we only want to make 1million dollars and not 5 million.

[debest74]

Originally Posted by mav

At the end of each of the three Apple iPhone commercials, it clearly states... "Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan."

Keywords are new and activation.

For the past couple of days, I've been trying to figure out what this exactly means for us, current AT&T customers. Unfortunately I think I've found out how Apple and AT&T will deal with this and it's not looking good.

I've called several AT&T stores in the SoCal area. Nine out of ten of the AT&T stores, blatantly stated that they will only sell the iPhone to either new customers performing new activations or current customers who are towards the end of their contract or out of one, eligible for an upgrade and willing to renew for a new 2 year contract. Current AT&T customers under contract, who are not eligible for an upgrade will not be allowed to purchase the iPhone. The one other implied the same policy but said that you are more than welcome to stand in line, camp out, do whatever you need to do, but they cannot guarantee the iPhone for current customers already in a contract.

Next, I called several Apple stores in SoCal. All of them stated that the iPhone will require a minimum new 2 year activation contract with AT&T. They do not know how they will handle current AT&T customers but they cannot guarantee that current customers will be able to purchase one.

To make a long story short, I think current AT&T customers under contract and not eligible for an upgrade will probably be locked out of the iPhone market.

Disappointed.

HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE...NOOO!!! there most be a way to get around this...

[ATTingular]

Originally Posted by ebrunn

I think that most of their customer base is still Cingular, so this is a good way to get them into Att contracts.

New AT&T=Cingular with a new name, therefore what you just said makes absolutely no sense.

Per the OP, retail staff still doesn't know all the details. They will in a week as training kicks in. The smart ones told you they couldn't guarantee anything, the idiots are the ones that said no under any circumstance.

[khunlyon]

Originally Posted by ATTingular

New AT&T=Cingular with a new name, therefore what you just said makes absolutely no sense.

Per the OP, retail staff still doesn't know all the details. They will in a week as training kicks in. The smart ones told you they couldn't guarantee anything, the idiots are the ones that said no under any circumstance.

actually, when ATT became Cingular a few years back, they actually forced people at one point or another to get a Cingular (not ATT) plan and phone. The plans were different. Perhaps they plan to do the same thing again with the iphone and name change...

Either way, I'm glad i bought my 680 from palm and didnt use my upgrade so I can use it for the iPhone!

[ATTingular]

That was because Cingular bought AT&T Wireless, a completely separate company. The billing systems were not compatible, so you had to migrate. The phones wouldn't work because AT&T wireless phones were locked to AT&T Wireless and would have to be reprogrammed to accept Cingular to work. This is re-branding, merely a change of logos. You still have your nation plans, still have rollover, plus access to the excellent home services offered from AT&T landline.

[Bootlessjam]

This makes no sense! The people who are most likely to buy a iPhone are current Cingular customers!

Whay can't current customers who are still under contract just continue on the plan they are on but swap their handset to the iPhone! That's how it should have been done!

[iphonenut]

i know i've said this before but it doesn't make business sense for a company to REFUSE customers' cash.

there has to be a way around this.