AT&T Releases Details of iPhone 3G Service Plans

The iPhone 3G is slated to be available for purchase on July 11, and now details about AT&T's service plans that will accompany this smartphone have been released.

Of note, the previous reports that users will not be able to purchase this device without a contract seems to have been false, as the new information confirms that it can be purchased from AT&T without one.

New AT&T Wireless Customers

Those who will be new to AT&T Wireless, or essentially looking for a new contract if they are not on one, will have the following options for the iPhone 3G:

• A 450 minute plan with 5,000 night and weekend minutes and unlimited data for $69.99/month before taxes
• A 900 minute plan with unlimited night and weekend minutes and unlimited data for $89.99/month
• A 1,350 minute plan with unlimited night and weekend minutes and unlimited data for $109.99/month
• A completely unlimited voice and data plan for $129.99

For comparison sake, the 450 minute plan for the original iPhone is $10 less per month, but doesn't include 3G service.

None of these plans include SMS messaging as they did with the previous iPhone. SMS messaging plans have to be purchased separately ($5/200 msgs; $15/1500 msgs; $20/unlimited).

The iPhone 3G itself will cost $199 for the 8 GB version and $299 for the 16 GB one.

Family Talk Options

As with the original iPhone, there are family talk options. These plans include unlimited data with the limit of up to three additional lines ($39.99/line) able to be added to the account. Prices for Family Talk plans range from $129.99 for 700 shared minutes to $359.99 for 6000 shared minutes.

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As with individual plans, SMS messaging is an added service. Unlimited SMS is $30/month, while a pay-per-use option has each SMS message costing 20 cents.

Existing AT&T Wireless Customers

Existing AT&T Wireless customers are able to purchase the iPhone 3G and benefit from the $199/$299 price only if their account is in good standing. Those whose accounts are not considered eligible for an upgrade will have to pay $399 for the 8 GB version and $499 for the 16 GB model.

In addition, existing customers who are not eligible for an upgrade will have to pay an $18 upgrade fee.

No-Contract Pricing

The iPhone 3G will also be made available in a no-contract option for those not looking to change an existing plan or add more years to a current contract. The prices for the iPhone 3G will then be $599 for the 8 GB and $699 for the 16 GB versions.

This is noted on the AT&T Wireless website as a coming soon option; therefore, it is assumed that this is not something that will be available when the iPhone 3G is introduced on July 11.

More about the iPhone 3G

For more information about the iPhone 3G, read the following Brighthand articles:

• iPhone 3G Is Official, but Not Yet Here
• First-Generation Apple iPhone Review