Why do you say that? At&t doesn't currently charge different prices for the data plans of 3G phones.
When I was shopping for my last phone, I was considering a 3G Blackjack. I was told that the plan would be $40/mo. Edge is the fastest plan they offer for $20/mo.
That's one of the main reasons I'm not interested at all in the new phone. I pay plenty and am satisfied with the speeds I get for that rate.
Same here. Although I hope the 3G doesn't cost too much. I would like to try it. I will be grossly disappointed if the new iPhone is expensive along with a more expensive plan.
What I should have said is that 3G data plans are higher that the Edge plan.
My N95 has the MediaNet plan for $15. I get unlimited internet uploads and downloads. (although there may be a 5gb/month soft cap). That phone switches from 3G to EDGE and back all day long. Much the same way the new iphone will due to AT&T's spotty coverage. My 95 can and does download a crapload of data while on 3G too. I never get charged more, and in fact, AT&T does not have a 3g MediaNet plan and a seperate EDGE MediaNet plan. Charging more for iPhone users would be considered prejudice to me. If they increase internet rates for the iPhone, they have to increase it for every other phone capable of 3G. Furthermore, if your phone doesn't stay on 3G all month long, a prorated bill would be a MUST.
I don't believe prices will go up at all. Upgrading to 3G is inevitable for retaining customers. As one with a Business Degree, I can tell you that a 5% increase in customer retention could mean as much as a 75% increase in profitability. In addition, it costs nearly 5 times as much for a company to attain one new customer, as opposed to retaining one. I'll be glad to post my reference for anyone who would like to read up on the fine art of customer matrices, paradigm shifts in business, and forecasting profitability.
People also have to realize that 3G is going to mean a higher data plan and if by some chance MMS is included it will probably add to the data plan cost.
I asked a question related to your post a while back, and some people to me that, smartphone devices they owner before the iPhone like the HTC 8525, Treo 755, or BlackBerry's in general and said that even though 3G is faster, At&t sold edge/3G data for the same price.
__________________
Infinite reps owed to iCafe, Psylichon, Hayesimus, aggieman,, Starry, Luckykellyk, Sav, Tarek, and iconone
...And a BIG Thanks to dwp1975 and up10ad for providing me with my dream phone...the iPhone!
My N95 has the MediaNet plan for $15. I get unlimited internet uploads and downloads. (although there may be a 5gb/month soft cap). That phone switches from 3G to EDGE and back all day long. Much the same way the new iphone will due to AT&T's spotty coverage. My 95 can and does download a crapload of data while on 3G too. I never get charged more, and in fact, AT&T does not have a 3g MediaNet plan and a seperate EDGE MediaNet plan. Charging more for iPhone users would be considered prejudice to me. If they increase internet rates for the iPhone, they have to increase it for every other phone capable of 3G. Furthermore, if your phone doesn't stay on 3G all month long, a prorated bill would be a MUST.
I don't believe prices will go up at all. Upgrading to 3G is inevitable for retaining customers. As one with a Business Degree, I can tell you that a 5% increase in customer retention could mean as much as a 75% increase in profitability. In addition, it costs nearly 5 times as much for a company to attain one new customer, as opposed to retaining one. I'll be glad to post my reference for anyone who would like to read up on the fine art of customer matrices, paradigm shifts in business, and forecasting profitability.
I never understood how that worked, could you enlighten me?
Their probably thinking that if you can afford an iPhone you can afford the extra money to use have one I remember when the iPhone first came out and people saw the price tag, everyone would be like why would you pay $600 dollars for a "phone"? My only comback would be "why wouldnt you"
__________________
Infinite reps owed to iCafe, Psylichon, Hayesimus, aggieman,, Starry, Luckykellyk, Sav, Tarek, and iconone
...And a BIG Thanks to dwp1975 and up10ad for providing me with my dream phone...the iPhone!
I looove my v1 phone...very excited to see all the new apps and such this June..I have a sickness tho, I must have the newest gadget from Apple...The only thing that might change my mind would be if the look of the phone changed dramatically as I really like this one. Other than that, I'm selling this bad boy to a friend or on ebay and getting the new one...
__________________
Infinite reps owed to iCafe, Psylichon, Hayesimus, aggieman,, Starry, Luckykellyk, Sav, Tarek, and iconone
...And a BIG Thanks to dwp1975 and up10ad for providing me with my dream phone...the iPhone!